The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-19
FoRsOOIN CHURCH FOR BRIDE.
Abbe Richer and His Ward Ms the
Modern Ahclers and HeIoise.
From the NaM Ynrl- Io,,rna1

Modern Ahclcrs ana HeIOise.
From the New York Journal
ottawa Ont, Sept. 11.-Probably one of
the most romantic and pathetic tales in
the annals of social and religious life in
Canada to-day is that of a Catholic
priest the Able Richter and his girl
bride, Miss Cote, of the township of Mas
son, Quebec. The affair has deeply stir.
red the hearts Of the people and caused
Widespread CONSERVATION in Catholic &c.
cesiastical circles of the Ottawa diocese
The church authorities have carefully sun
pressed the details of the case, but enough
Is known to give color to one of the most
pluIui OF love stories in real life since
the days of Abelard and Heloise to which
event this affair of the young French
priest and his beautiful ward is a modern
counterpart.
Inc Able Richer is splendid specimen
OF physical manhood, his handsome. in.
teueetual face distinguishing him above
MS fellows. Not much above thirty wears
of age, he is revered and beloved nv his
pensioners in Mason, which lies two
miles from this city, across the Ottawa
RIVER IN the county OF LabelIe He owns
an estate at N0rte Dame de la Sale, and
almost to asceucism in his devotion to
the chulch, he labOred with a zeal that
spread its Influence beyond the limited
sphere IN which he ministered, Some wears
ago he took upon himself a charge. Into
his life came an orphan girl of tender
years, who had been confided to his cara
by her dying parents
Assuming the responsibility of bringing
her up, the young priest faithfully per-
formed MS self-imposed duty, educating
w a nd md
care ana Christian influence. The child
gave promise of great beauty as the years
rolled by, and this summer, when she
attained her seventeenth year, loveMer
maiden could scarcely De found in the
province. Her beauty and winsome dis
position gradually enslaved the heart of
the youthful cleric, although. il is said.
he strove earnestly to stfie the affection
for her which, latterly began to be plain
ly evident even 20 the eyes of his people.
To make the struggle against the great
temptation more unaVailing his ward on
her part, took no pains to conceal her deep
attachment to her benefactor and priest.
During the early part of the summer the
struggle against fate seemed to end
a great change was noted in the able
! and his pale, wan face as he moved among
! the members of his flock, betokened the
| silent conflict within and excited sympa-
| thetfc comment on all Sides becoming the
SUBJECT OF much secret speculation with
! parishioners and friends. About six weeks
| ago Father Richer petitioned the arch.
! bishop of Ottawa for leave of absence, al
| leging i'll health, and leave was Immediate
! ly granted the head of the diocese fully
/ rec ognizlng the ahbe's talents and useful.
ness. Father Richer then retired TO the
| secluston of has estate at Notre Dame De
| La Sale. separating himself from Miss
| Cote for the purpose, II was supposed, OF
| endeaVoring to overcome his consuming
| passion for her. Not long after his retire.
ment, however, the public was startled by
the announcement tnat the able had sent
10 his superiors a declaration of his firm
| intention to renouncing his priestly vows
| ana to at once we'd mis- yound ward. Fol.
Loving this declaration, II is stated on good
| authority, the young couple quietly pro-
ceeded to Portland, Ne, about 81 fortnight
! ago and were secretly married in or near
that city by a Presbyterian minister.
There was tremendous excitement
! aroused in this diocese over the denoue.
| ment but in the meantime the priest and
his girl-bride had returned, aud were liv
ing "A short lived happiness at Able Rich.
et's home, but like the Abelard of old
his onense against the church was griev,
Gus and not to be tolerated. An effort
was Immediately made to break the able !
determinat ton to forsake his church ana
to turn him from his course Up to Sat.
urday Of last week he persisted in his
unalterable intention of renouncing priest.
hood and living with Miss Cote
Father Mangiu Of Mason, a priest hav.
Ing great influence with Able Richer
visited him IN the evening of that day re.
naming with him the greater part of the
night. the outcome Of which was start
ling The following Monday in the pres