New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-19
FRA PACIFICO.
4 GENTLE TUSCAN BROTHER OF ST.
FRANCIS.

had no sort of wish to encounter. OF whom
had perhaps a sort OF vague fear and dislike.
But could not now withdraw. This kind OF he-
ure had become very familiar to me IN IuscAh
streets: all my life long ! had been iahhh"'
with il In the worlds heritage OF religious pct
urcs But had never exchanged word VIII"
such a figure. had hitherto heard Inc
sound Of human speech come across the ups VI
any one OF them.
It was a Franciscan friar who humhly dark
ened my door and he had come TO ask an aims
AS I stood gazing at him cur!ously, 1t seemed
to me- by one OF those psychological freaks
which visit us all at times that mad ehac'eu
this scene In another existence. But was
wrong. Reason and memory came to my a'd'
y was no, who had enacted this scene in an
bther life but Laurence S;crne who had endc'-
ed II in this and he has described It for all
time In THE Sentimental journey. Blessed ne
Laurence Stcrnc who having snned the sin OF
discourtesy against the most courteous OF all
mankind has BY the moving confession OF ms
crime made it impossible that any gentleman
should ever again treat monk with discount
esy, Ieastwse he saved me from the sin mat
day.
Paciico was this friars name. and Fra his
designation. lie was no priest or father but
Ample lay brother Of the Franciscan OhserVan-
tins. His habit was OF coarse brown siHH. 'ai"H
and threadbare: kno,ted cord was grdcd
round his waist: his sandaed feet were Gov
bred with the fine white dust Of Tuscan hiGh-
road az nv appcarance he had uftc1 the small
black skulcap which was his sole protection
against the fierce sun and stood there. bare
headed twisting il apologeticany between MS
fingers The more looked AT him, IN" more Ga
wander back In fancy to the room IN Dessrin
Hotel at Calais, where Yorick met with father
Lorenzo Here was the same attitude ~ On
treaty" the same thin, spare form. the sam
mild pale penetrating face. the same fee-
IN from all commonplace IDEAS OF fat. con
tented ignorance" And his face too, looked
forwards. and looked as II Il looked TO some
thing beyond this world"
The friars embarrassment was great when H.
found the door thus suddenly opened upon him
By the signorc OF the house, manifest for
tigner. too.
'Buon giorno signoria." ne began with
quantity dcinure courtesy-"I demand a thou
sand pardons-
His voice was very musical looked into thc
did blue eyes and liked him Then | had never
spoken to a friar ard there about TIT
friar as abou, Father Lorenzo. So simple
grace such an air OF depreciation in the Who'll"
cast Of his look and figure. that should have
been bewitched had sent him empty away
"Passi" I said instead com IN, won't you
Fra Pachco held back efficiently. and his
eyes lit up with childlike wonder.
Il had but called - ask aims OF your
charity" he answered.
PASS passi, prcro! Let me cntreat you
said. "to come in"
held the door open wider. The friar made
me low obeisance, ana with a smile that
acknowledged my powers Of persuasion entered
the hall and stood expcctan: or the doormat.
in here" | went on. | pushed him before
me- into my study
go quaint Nhri, What a lot Of books" he
cried in unfeigned surprise. at almost reminds
me Of what our convent library used to be-
Used 20 be-" asked nightly pleased at his
praise Of my books. Have you no library now
Alas. no, sgnore. not above forty odd vol
urnes or So They took books from US when
we were suppressed, and put them in the town
library where nobody. says the prior. ever looks
at them, because they are all in Latin and treat
Of theology"
'But how can you have been suppressed
when you are still in existence" | asked
laughing.
The friar laughed too I'VE died" he an
swered, and came to life again They turned
US out OF our convent and put 1t up to auction.
Two pious gentlemen bought 1t and gave 1t
back to us But it is against the law now for a
religious body 10 own property, 80 two OF the
fathers hold II In their own names as their own
private and personal possession"
Then II these two fathers turned traitor. they
could turn you all out again and sell the coll
vent"