The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-22

Courage, my friend, " SAID the
priest. "Do not lose hope"
With tact he told his parishioner
that he was pardoned on account of
his family. The man began to laugh
and dance, almost beside himself.
He wanted to run home Immediate
ly, but the priest succeeded in calm
ing him, and at length they both set
out on the road to his house. Near
a gate the priest said:
"Remain here. am going to in
form your wife.
She. surrounded by her children,
whose merry voices were now hush
ed, was sadly working in her hum
BILE cottage, but the beaming face of
the priest as he approached an
nounced the joyful news.
HE is free!''
Without replying. the priest
smiled.
Il want to gee himl" she exclaim-
ed.
HE is coming" And husband
and wife were in each others arms
in silent joy.
I'VE have not thanked you, f" said
the man at last.
The priest, very much moved, re-.
piled, "Your happiness is my re-
ward" He clasped the hands of the
husband and wife. kissed the chill
dren and FASTENED to return to the
sohoolhouse. In a corner of the
schoolroom the forest keeper, Lai-
deur, veteran of the Italian and
Crimean campaigns, gloomy, his
arms crossed, stoically smoked his
pipe. Near him Vincent, young
man about 1s years of age. his head
resting on his hands, seemed to
sleep
The priest sat down between the
two prisoners. His exhortations and
his encouragements made the young
man sob. Laideur swore The priest
took each by the arm. and, knowing
that no one would communicate
with them, he said to them:
I'VE must stand together by and
by. You, Laideur. must set us an
example. an old soldier like you.
"You are going to be with uss''
asked the forest keeper.
"Yes, indeed, instead of Leroy,
you understand. He has wife and
children. :"
Carried away with enthusiasm
Laideur exclaimed:
"You are indeed a heroi Surely
we will stand by each otherI If
could only have killed few more
of those cock sparrows-but my
rheumatismr'
With a smile, the priest calmed
the excitement of the worthy fellow,
and then, turning to Vincent, asked
if he wished to confess. The young
man consented And you, Lai-
deur9" he asked.
"Oh, as to me, you know am not
piousl''
do it for my sake.
"Well, now, would that give you
pleasure9"
Much pleasure, my friend"
VERY we'll, then, said the forest
keeper, pulling up his sleeves as il
about to unload a heavy burden.
On his return to his vestry-fol
he had obtained permission to re-
main free in order to make his 6nal
arrangements-the priest asked the
sexton to summon the inhabitants
of the village to meet him at the
church at 3 O'Clock.
According to habit, after bis
breakfast he took some bits of bread
and sugar and went into the inclo
sure in front of his house Or
catching sight of him his donkey
stopped feeding and advanced to
ward him. The priest put his arms
around her neck. and with the palm
of his hand stroked her velvety nos
trils, repeating: My good beast
My good beastI"
His tenderness was extended tc
all the animals. companions Of hiss
solitude, and these, rendered gentle
by his great kindness, offered them
selves to his caresses. Meantime the
donkey had freed her head and
walked around her master, snufine
the air and then began to bray
Greedy one, is that what you
wantf" said the priest, drawing out
from his cassock a piece of bread.
Sounds of clucking and Tapping
of wings now claimed his attention
He stopped, and cooks and hens
came to peck from his hands. Rif
rabbits were not forgotten either
While giving them some bran he
slowly passed his hand through the
fur of their rounded backs. AS his
donkey had followed him, he hand
| ed her bit of sugar. and the beast
began to MUNICH it, shaking her ears
with visible satisfaction. Her round
and gentle eyes seemed to regard
her master tenderly The priest fell