The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-26

Of n consumptive woman.
The peasants and shepherds whom it
called TO worship were much chagrlneu
ia their humble way at the disagreeable
noise of the bell. and talked about IL at
the tavern over their evening wine. Rev.
Correntin the aged pastor. was In mucn
better condition than the bell IhouRh
past "a, no was hale and hearty. His ince
was ruddy and his white curls hung In
thick. fluffy clusters around IL: Every,
body loved the old parson. for he looked
alter the welfare of the bodies as we'll rs
the souls of his parishioners
When the time for tho semi centennial
jubilee approached tho people of the par
ish decided TO make him present lhe
three church elders went from house 10
kouse 60 collect sufficient money. when
they had accumulated 500 they went To
the aged priest gave him the leather bag
with the coin and expressed the desire
that he buy u new church bell TO ring IN
the celebration of his jubilee.
"Children, dear children, said Father
Correntin. "our Father in heaven must
have inspired YOU" lt was all no
could say, for the tears rolled down his
withered cheeks and choked MS voice.
Next morning the priest started Tor tne
little city where ne expected To have the
new bell cast He decided TO walk rs far
ms Rosy les Roses. From there the stage
line would take him TO Point IArch-
eveque. The day was as bright as tie
old man ntdTt nb sun Dtclilcu biibhAh
the rich Young foliage; the birds ohir'
ruped in the trees; the bugs hummed IN
the grass Their voices seemed like tho
ring OF tho new bell which would soon
replace the old and crusty article that tor
tured his ears
came upon "a wagon such as gypsies ana
transforming theatrical people use. Near
the cart with its stiff legs outstretcbed
across the ditch. lay dead horse. Its
hend was long and gaunt and told tale
of starvation aud toll. The eyes In their
great glassiness W ere turned beavepward
Close by sat an old man with his
wrinklsd female companion. Both were
clothed in rags OF grayish color begriined
with dirt.
At the parsons approach l5-year old
Girl iumped up from the ground. She
had been crouching behind the pair, anu
he did not at first see her.
She ran up 70 the good man and kissed
his hand, as children are wont to do In
Catholic countries.
Have pity on us and, she lmplored,
"giye. give us somethingl' The girls
voice was shrill, yet sweet i'm its high
treble. and her pleading was subtle ana
weird like gypsy song. Rags covered
her virginia. form. Her lips were dull and
sensuous her arms round and s1newy ana
tattooed all over with flowers Ihe parson
pulled out his bag with the money, took
from it a silver coin. and was about TO
drop IL into the brown palm OF the child,
when she continued:
'sThvy arrested my brother because he
stole n chicken He WAS the only one who
could provide food for us, and we have
had nothing 60 eat for two days
.ther Correntin put back the silver
coin and fshed for one of large denomi-
nation. 81 can jingle and dance and
sing and my mother can tell fortunes,
nut now that the horsess dead we cannot
- l.. 80 ~
Cant you obtain workg' kindly sug-
gested the parson.
"Tbe people are afraid of us. They
throw stones at us. We haven't any trade,
but II we had better clothes and another
horse. we wouldn't starve
"Do you love God?'' asked the priest,
putting back the large coin, and finger
ing for gold piece In his leather bag.
Eyes, If he helps US, answered the
chifJ.
Father Correntin began TO feel the
weight of the bag with the $780, 1t hung
from cord around his waist The little
beggar studied the reverend mans face.
"Are you good girly'
"A good 0irlY' she repeated The mean
ing of the word evidently staggered her.
"Say after me, Dear God, love you.
Tears sprang into the brown eyes of tho
child Father Correntin took the bag
with the money from its fastenings and
hid il into the obild's brown hands.
II love you reverend father, she cried,
vunning back TO her parents, who still
mourned their forlorn condition.
Bewailing the misery Of these poor crea-
lures Father Correntin journeyed on.
forgetting that he no longer had the
means with which to buy a bell. When
be realized it at last, he retraced his steps
and on the way home wondered how he
could have been so careless rs Co give all
shat money to the little gypsy girl. 1t
hta IL balnnnaH m hfc
parishioners, and they had the right TO
ask him To account for every penny of it.
Quick as flash he turned and hurried
utter the little band, but not a trace of
them could he find.
Back so soony' said his bousekeeper.
the old Scholastika. did you go 20
Point FArchevequey'
Il missed the stage coach-to morrow
iext week-I'll go again, he stammered.
Don't tell anyone that have returned
80 soon.
The following day Father Correntin
did not say mass. He remained In his
oonI, and would not even go into his
orchard for his customary airing The
next dav some one called for him. A
dying man asked for the last sacramonts.
Father Correntin has not yet re-
turned " said the hoUsekeeper.
'Scholastika is mistaken. l returned
without her knowledge. " said the priest
ond hurried out 10 the assistance of his
dying parishioner
On the way back he met one Of his most
pious elders Have you hau pleasant
lourney?' querled the peasant.
" Beautiful" answered the parson.
And the bell!'
Magnificent. NY good friend magnifi-
cent! or purest silver Such "a tone
The merest touch axes IL ring"
"Nhen will IL be hcrey's
'Soon. soon. The names of the donors
aud some verses from the Bible will have
20 be engraved on IL. That takes time,
you know"
'Scbolastika said Father Correntin
me morning 10 his faithful servant. 'do
rou suppose that my easy chair and yon-
der clock and that big wardrobe there
would bring tlCO at a saeg"
reverend father, you must be dream
ing Not so could you sell them for. "
Scholastika. don't cook anv more meat
for ne. IL does not agree with me. ="
Reverend father. cried the good old
soul aDxiously, there Is something
wrong with YOU. Something weighs