The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-19


mother had long ago mapped out a course
for him; but his father had not given The
matter any consideration until now, when
the necessity for action had arrived
He was an intelligent. handsome weI-
grown youth. this only offspring Of the
rich Mazamet manufacture His dark
southern face was ulumed by magnih-
cent eyes-wide apart large deep velvety
expressing every thought Of his active
brain.
He had a soft, sensuos mouth. which
could relax in smile so captivating that
at once ones heart went out TO him.
His fine head was covered with rings
Of bright, jet-black hair, growing nigh
at the temples. and leaving bare the broad
Intellectual forehead.
Young LabaIme was not consulted in
the choice Of a profession. French child
rem are seldom consulted in anything.
They are at the disposal Of their parents.
Il have prayed morning and night, since
the day Of his birth, that he might be a
priest" said Madame Lebalme.
"A priest! with his intellect and his
physiquew exclaimed her husband
''Waste. madame, waste. He VIII make
an excellent business man.
"He Will make a splendid priest CON
tinued the lady. His intellect ana ms
physique cannot be too good for the
church. with his abilities, our money
and his uncle's interest he might some
day wear the cardinals hat
Monster Labalme laughed.
"Or be raised TO the papal chair he
said. you are ambitious for 'your SON.
madame"
Naturally. monsieur"
Mon Dieur he exclaimed impauently.
che shall be what occupation ! please.
He shall follow i'm the footsteps OF MS
father; he cannot do better
Il am doing a mothers duty when l de
sire my son 10 tread the highest ana saIest
path in this life-to devote his days TO the
service Of the church. Did you not prom
ise me-" went on Madame Labalme, al
ter he recovered from that severe illness,
that he should be a priest?'
Il promised In ignorance. Since that DAY
I have learned the truth about the priest
hood Wolves In Sleeps clothing' yes,
that is what they are
"Hushl DO not talk so In my presence,
man of no religion. / wonder you do not
fear the wrath of God Almighty"
mo. l do not fear his rath, so long as
] do what is right. And you are wrong,
utterly wrong, when you say / am a man
OF no religion. Mine Is simple one, ana
the only one / can comprehend. II Is ma
ture-glorious nature-beauutul, bountitul
nature Madame, nature brings me near
er to my maker than would all the priests
in Christendom.
Madame Labalme heaved a deep sigh,
rose from her seat, and quietly left the
room. She was a devotee; her husband
was a deist.
The discussion was never renewed. En-
file was placed in his fathers counting
house; but his mother continued her pray
ers. He took his seat at the desk with
out a murmur, although the work was
uncongenial TO him, and his talents could
never be utilized In the occupation his
e. Ia ATfsrI NIa
better fitted for the self-denying career
of a Catholic priest. He was Of an eN-
ceedingly warm, impulsive, ardent nature,
that would take great strength OF VIII
TO subdue. To conquer selt Is nara pat
tie. The man who succeeds in CONQUER
ing himself. with all his stubborn, evil
passions, is a hero
Emile Labalme inclined to art. That
was where he would babe been strong,
happy. and good. But, unfortunately,
his father was a commonplace man, who
disregarded the artistic inclinations of his
son, believing there was no calling equal
10 his own: while his mother, poor of in
tellect and fauatical, was blind TO her
sons abilities so absorbing was her desire
that his life should be devoted to the ser
vice of the church.
Quietly and resignedly, day after day.
Emile plOdded on at his fathers ledgers
his evenings, however. he spent at his
easel. Often his father spoke reproving-
ly to him for his waste OF time. He
grudged the youth even this little re-
taxation from the eternal accounts. And
Madame Labalme, too. frowned and told
him he might find some better pastime.
she would liked to have seen him pouring
over some theological work. Neither par
ent had a grain of sympathy with him.
But soon an event in this family changed
Emile's way of life. Monsieur Labalme
had been in Indifferent health for many
years, and was now ordered by his medi-
cal attendant to Algiers. If he did not
Ar1rundiaFalW retire from business a lea
for a time, and take rest, with change OF
air, all the medical skill in the world
could not prolong his life after a few
months. He took no heed of the warning
He could not tear himself away from his
business. to which he was so firmly at.
tached The love of accommodating money
was stronger in him than the love of life
He put off from week to week, taking this
necessary rest and change, until one day
while engaged in his office, he was sud
denly struck down with paralysis, and ex
pired in few hours, without having re
gained consciousness.
Now Emile was freed from the desk. II,
could follow his own bent. Alas! il wal
not So He was assailed by his mother
Entreaties, prayers and tears were show
cred upon him. A priest he must become
she told him. 1t was, and had ever been
since the hour of his BIRTH the one desire
of her life. Almighty God had heard he
incessant prayers, and had removed tn
only obstacle in her sons path TO peace
and happiness in this life and in the lif,
10 come.
Obedient to his mother, as he had beer
10 his father, Emile entered a preparation
college for ecclesiastics at Toulouse
thence he went TO the University of Sala
manca. He did not actually dislike tn
idea Of Joining the priesthood 1t wa
preferable to the counting house Still
he felt that ne would have been a happie
man had he been permitted to follow tn
course to which his talents pointed 81
plainly. When his studies were complete,
and he was ordained a priest, his mother
heart was full of joy She had nothing
more 10 pray for. Her own and her child
salvation had been secured for all eter
nifty.
Monsieur le Cure stood in the porch o
his little dwelling and watched the figure
of young woman and three children de
scend the winding path of the mountain
side and take the road to the chateau IL
the distance. They were the children O
The owner of the land for miles around
and their Alsatian governess. TIL
Glnestes were Protestants; nOtwithstand
ing this they were on the most intimat
terms Of friendship with the villag,
priest. At this moment he held in hi
hand an invitation from Monsieur
and Madame Ginestes 10 din,
with them on the followin,
evening. His face was pale. and owe
il there gradually spread an expression o