Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-10-20
For the Register.
THE CURE OF ST. ELIZABETH'S.

stduL SOllciIdLlOH was the painting vi
the patron saint over the high altar.
why had the great outside world
failed to discover this beautiful work
of art?" he often queried. why had
no one written of the beautiful Saint
in his Book of Tours and Travelsn'
As the train would scurry by, on the
opposite side of the river that wound
around the hill, the old fellow shook
his head mournfully.
''Eh! Messieurs!" he exclaimed
sometimes, "You do not know what
you are missing. You cannot guess
that the finest picture in France is on
this little hill. Adieui Adieul You
have passed it foreverr And then the
new cure! Shutting himself up like
recluse with his inuumerable books, and
administering only the spiritual needs
of the community. Denying himself
the most innocent of simple pleasures
such as the tiny community provid
Poor Antonio! He had sad time with
his reflections! What with the cure,
the lonely church yard, and his can
tankerous wife, his lot was not an ex-
hilarating one.
To-day he paused at the church door,
for the priest was evidently playing
upon the organ withdrawing with
the touch of master.
.'What mood to-day ?" asked Antonio
softly as he seated himself on the
threshold. His music tells it, Yes
terday the DE Profundis' and .Miserere'
and he was most melancholy--the
day before an Angelus and much soft
music; he was very gentle, l remem-
ber. And the day before, that was
Tuesday, he asked me what he had
been playing-a most happy thing it
was!-and told me it was wedding
march. Surely he is wonderful man,
the new cure!"
The music had ceased while Antonio
was Illuminating, and he was startled
when the cure spoke to him as he ap-
preached. You saw the widow Ber-
nard?" asked the priest.
"Yes, monsieur lie cure"
And the child -?"
He will get we'll. And she was
very glad and thankful for the money
and the wine, and -
The cure interrupted him with al
movement of his hand.
my letters?" he asked.
.On the table in the sacristy, mon
sieur."
The cure moved away, pausing after
he had gone few steps.
You have not forgotten-to-day-
..Ah.' cried Antonio interrupting |
him, '.could forget to-day! the feast
of St. Elizabeth! Every thing will he
ready"
..'Tis we'll"
Monsieur le cure" continued the |
sacristan, evidently embarrassed,
s'there are some people-who came on
the train-great, wealthy people-one
is milord-they are at the inn ="
'sWell?" asked the cure, when An
tonic suddenly paused, openly in af-
fright.
"They-he-I-they asked me
about the church -"
You have spoken about the paint
ing" said the cure coldly.
"Our beautiful St. Elizabeth" came |
like wall of despair from the lips of
the sacristan.
''And | forbade you -"
.'Monsieur le cure -
II will have no strangers tramping |
this church while l am at my devo-
tions -
''But, monsieur -
Enough" exclaimed the priest and |
strobe away.
Antonio busted himself about the
church and was regaining his normal /
melancholy, when the priest appeared
once more, holding an open letter in
his hand.
II see from this letter." said he, |
''that you have engaged to conduct
these people through the church-si-
lence.-Lord Templeton courteously |
notifies me and crayes pardon. Evil
IDENTIFY you have informed him Of
silence-Now bark, Antonio! You
shall show these people what is to be
seen; but remember, if this happens
again, your service here is at an end. "
''After forty yearsw gasped the sac
ristan.
s.Yes!' replied the cure, latter forty
years.
There is sick woman with them
he said, ''she wishes to speak with
you, monsieur lie cure"
Il am ever ready for such CALL"
Antonio fastened to explain that she
would come with the other tourists.
and while they were conversing. voices
were heard approaching the church.