The Monitor-register., 1897-11-12
"sPRINGTIME."
ARTHUR CossLETT SMITH.

For three weeks, and we'll into Lent,
the rain had fallen upon the thirsty soil of
Algeria; then one night the wind shifted,
and the next day the blazing sun rode
through a cloudless sky.
At the abbey of La Trappe at STAG uli
the monks hailed the coming of spring
with joy. 1t meant for them the begin
ming of outdoor work, the culture of the
vines, the tending of the Nessri, or. white
roses from which they extract the altar,
and the geraniums which furnish the
essence for which the abbey is famous; it
meant the herdiDg of the cattle and the
sheep or the outlying pastures, the
songs of the birds in the hedges, the
rustling of the grass; 1t meant the ex
change of whitewashed cells for the open
air and the blue sky.
OF the forty monks Of La Trappe two
only are permitted ever to speak; these
are the Abbot aud the kuestmaster,
Brother Ambrose. The others may say
"Memento mori" when they meet each
morning, and may pray. Beyond this
they are dumb. Each spends a few mo-
ments of the day in digging his own
grave and they sleep on straw. with their
coffin for beds. Ga the wall OF the re-
fectory is this inscription: "S'il est dur de
vivre a la Trappa, qnil est doux d'y
MOURN p Over each door is the word
''Silence."
just outside the walls of the abbey, by
the great gates, there is a room devoted
to hospitality. Here zach day, from ten
to twelve O'Clock, food Is given to all who
come. Brother Ambrose has charge of
this room, and SCI YES each guest with his
own hands.
On this first morning of spring Brother
Ambrose went to the Abbot and made a
request.
Father" he said, "this fine day after
the long rain will bring many travellers,
and | am beginning to feel my age. Will
you kindly give me help ?"
The Abbot thought a moment, then
pointing through the open window
toward the garden, he asked, ''Who is
that among the geraniums ?"
Brother Ambrose shaded his eyes with
his hand, and answered: at is Brother
Angelo. But is he not too young ? There
will be many guests, and" he added,
women as well as men,"
TIT Abbot looked up uickIy, a faint
smile upon his lips.
"Ah, Brother Ambrosr," hit said, .'at
what age does one become safe? Seud
Brother Angelo to me-"
The Abbot saw Brother Ambrose 90
down the grass walk toward the scarlet
%geraniums. Then he resumed his seat.
Soon there was a knock at the door.
Enter" said the Abbot. Brother
Angelo came ill.,.
"Memento mort, father" he said.
Il try to-" replied the Abbot. Brother
Angelo stared.
my son." said the Abbot, .How
long have you been with us ?"
Always, father"
land how old are you, my son ?"
Twenty two years, father"
The Abbot opened his desk and took
out a small red book fastened with a
lock. He selected . key from those
which hung at bis girdle and opened the
book.
~
"My son" he said, brother Ambrose
is growing old, andI have told him that
you will help him. | intend that you
shall take his place some day. For that
reason you we're taught languages. At
present you are not to speak to any of the
guests. Brother Ambrose will attend to
that. Now listen to what | shall read to
you, and ask no questions"
The Abbot turned several pages and
then read:
"'Angelo-Brother. Born April SEQ
ond, 1878. Baptised the same day and
named Charles Victor.
"'Father - Count Charles Francois
Apremont, Colonel of the Fourth Chas-
seurs d'AfriQue.
"'Mothsr-Miriam, en- Aimee woman
of the tribe of Ouled Nail, who danced in
the cafes of Biskra, and who died April
third, 1878.
"'Given to me May first, 1878, by his
father, who in the world was my friend,
and who died in the desert some time in
May, 1878.
Took the final COW on Eassy.r Monday,
1895.
".Signed by me-RICHARD,
of Ia Ira NINA ,