Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-06-19
BITTER BLASPHEMY.
Enc Appalling Utterances Of q Canada
Rulai1n.

4he appalling Utterances Of q Canadlan
Rufian.
"Sacrez mon bapteme!"
"What did he say?" asked the little
chemist, stepping from his doorway.
HE cursed Lis BAPTISM" answered
tall Medallion, the English auctioneer,
pushing his Way farther into the crowd.
"Ah, the pitiful vaurien!" said the
little chemists wife, shudderingly; for
that was an oath not to be endured by
anyone who called the church mother.
The crowd that had gathered at the
Four Corners were greatly disturbed,
Tor they also felt the repulsion that
possessed the little chemists wife.
They babbled, shook their heads and
waved their hands excitedly, and
swayed and craned their necks to see
the offender.
All at once mis- voice, mad with rage,
was heard above the rest, shouting
frenziedly a curse which was horribly
grotesque blasphemy upon the name of
God. Men who had used that oath in
their insane anger had been known to
commit suicide out of remorse after
wards.
For moment there was painful
hush. The crowd drew back involun-
tarily and left a clear space, in which
stood the blasphemer, middle-sized.
athletic fellow, with black beard. thick,
waving hair, and flashing brown eyes.
His white teeth We're showing now in
snarl like a dogs, his cap was on the
ground, his hair was tumbled. his hands
were twitchinS with passion, his foot
was stamping with fury, and every time
it struck the ground a little silver bell
rang at his knee, Il pretty sylvan sound,
in no keeping with the scene. 1t
heightened the distress of the fellows
blasphemy and ungovernable anger.
For q man to curse his baptism was a
fearful thing; but the other oath was
not fit for human ears, and horror held
the crowd noveless for moment.
Then, as suddenly as the stiffness
came, a low, threatening humble of
voices rose, and movement to close in
on the man was made; but figure
pushed through the crowd, and, stand
ing in front Of the man, waved the peo-
pie back. 1t was the cure, the beloved
NJ. Fabre, whose life had been spent
among them, whom they obeyed as
well as they could; for they were but
frail humanity, after all, crude, simple
folk, touched with imagination.
"Luc Pomfrette, why have you done
this? What l;rovocation Had you?'
The cures voice was stern and cold,
his usually gentle face had become Sc
we're. his soft eyes were piercing and
determined.
The foot of the man still beat the
ground ansrily, and the little bell kept
tinkling. He was gasping with pas
sion, and he did not answer yet.
''L,c Pomfrctte, what have you to
say" asked the cure again. He mo-
toned back Ardenne, the constable of
the parish. who had suddenly appeared
with a rusty rifle and Il more rusty pair
OF handouts.
Still the voyageur did not answer.
!: Il
''The blasphcmy is horrible, a shame
and stigma upon Pontiac forever He
looked Ponfrette in the face. Foul
mouthed and wicked man, it is two
years since YOU took the blessed sacra-
ment Last Easter day you were in a
drunken sleep while high mass was be-
ing said; after the funeral Of your own
father you were drunk again. When
vol, went away to the woods you never
left a. penny for candles, nor for masses
to be- said for your fathers soul; yet
YOU sold his horse and his little house,
and spent the money in drink. Not a
cent for candle, but
ITS a le!" chi led Pomfrette, shaking
with rage from head to foot.
\ long horror-strickcn "Ah!" broke
from the crowd.
The cures face became graver and
colder.
you have Il bad heart" he answered,
"and you give us an evil name. l COM
mand YOU to come to mass next Sunday
to repent and TO hear your penance
given from the altar. For until
I'll 90 to no mass till I'm carried to
it," was the sullen, maleyolent inter
ruption.
The cure turned upon the people.
L Ills Is d l1ASAuSAs VA Z 80 AA~'~A'
ed, shameless man," he said. until
he repents hrmbly, and bows his
vicious spirit to holy church, and his
heart to the mercy Of God, l command
you to avoid him as you would a plague
l command that no door be open ia
him; that no one offer him comfort OF
friendship: that not even a bon jour OF
bon soir pass between you. He has
blasphemcd against our Father in
Heaven; he is leper." He turned to
Pomfrtte. Il pray God that you bave
no peace in mind or body till your evil
life is changed, and your black heart
is broken by sorrow and repentance
Then to the people he said again: 81
have commanded you for your souls
sake; see that you obey. Go to you'
homes. Let us leave the leper-alone.
He waved the awed crowd back.-Gu
bert Parker, in Century.