News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-02-26
Copyright, 1901. by T. H. Thorpe.


der wooden cross painted white and
garlanded with flowers. a dozen youn-
ger men with silk banners inscribed
with sacred legends formed a caval'
cade preceding the carriage of Father
Grhe. who in black robe and cap, white
surplice and gilded stole sat between
two acolytes gOWned in red and white
and carrying censor burners. On each
side of the wagon six horsemen sashed
with blue rode as guard of honor to
the bell and then the fair sponsor in
an open conveyance seated beside her
grandfather. She was attired in white,
thin veil over her hair and shoulders,
and held nosegay of large white roses
in her lap. 4 sweet, childish face,
brts%,n hair and hazel eyes distinguish
ed the victor of the contest, girl of ID,
gentle, shrinking and bluShing. On
| roam pony ut the side of the carriage
young mulatto woman rode and screen
ed the face of her mistress with sun
shade The cavalcade closed with We
hicles. in which were many women,
matrons and maidens, and long line
of white youths and negroes marching
afoOt came after.
| AS the procession wound past the
Marksville church the bell in the tower,
rung by Father Chaline himself, greet
ed it's new sister with a merry peal,
while all the men uncovered their
heads.
Arrived at Mansura, the bell was rev.
erently lifted and hung in the sheltered
| temporary scaifolding which had been
provided for it at the church front, and
around it the people arranged them
selves in wide circle. Two trays of
white roses were placed on the scat
fold, an acolyte brought from within
the church the silver vessel of holy wa
ter and sprinkler, the aromatic gums in
the censers were lighted from live
Goals, and Father Grhe, reading the
words of dedication and bathing bell
and flowers with incense and blessed
water, bestowed the name ste. Ce-
cile." chosen by the sponsor. Estelle
sang a sweet Ave Maria" in a voice so
fresh and musical that it reached the
hearts Of all, and the very birds seemed
to cease their warblings to catch its
tender melody. She repeated after the
priest her sponsorial VOW of unfailing
solicitude for the bell, to care for it
and protect it and pray that it should
be the ever eloquent messenger sum
moning increasing numbers to the wor-
ship of God.
Gloria In Excelsis Dec" was sung
by the choir, after which Estelle emp
tied the trays of flowers over the bell
and distributed them among the
throng, by whom they were now re-
garded as especial aids to holiness.
AS the sinking sun touched the rim
of the swamp forest the chime from
the spire at Marksville came floating
over the prairie on the moistening
evening air. Estelle stood before the
scaffold, and all heads We're reverently
bowed. Father Grhe, with padded
hammer, struck three mellow notes
upon the side of the bell.
"The angel of the Lord declared unto
Mary" sweetly chanted Estelle.
"And she conceived of the Holy
Ghost" came the response from the
circle.
Again the strokes fell gently.
"Behold the handmade of the Lord"
the girl intOned.
BE it done unto me according to thy
word" answered all.
Thrice more the musical waves rose
in undulating ascent skyward.
And the word was made flesh" she
sang, with a graceful genudection, in
which the multitude Joined, replying:
and dwelt among u.s.
The bell of Mansura had tolled it's
first Angelus.