The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-24

capable of consuming that amount OF
LIQUOR, that he intended it for his men IN
camp, who had slept for nights in the
cold and wet, without GOVERN gof any
kind 1t was almost two in the AFTER
noon when we again stepped out In the
pouring rain and into our carriage Inc
count had preceded us, his picturesque
figure eveloped in in long black cape
and "beret'' "a species of tam-o -shan-
teri covering his gray locks
Three-quarters of an hour later we
reached La. Grande Chartreuse. Behind
the great stone enclosure Of the convent
no sign of life was apparent The heavy
wooden doors were locked and barred;
the ..avocat' alone can gain admitance
there But beyond the walls curious
scene of animation reigned. In all the
little sheds and outhouses of the monas-
terry bonfires blazed; around them pea
SAINTS were drying and warming them
selves, while on some fresh-laid straw
near by tired watchers slept One young
fellow stepped up to US as we entered
a shed and invited us 10 share the well
corne warmth of the fire. He pulled a
large log nearer the blaze, at the same
time appologizing that he could not offer
US more comparable seats.
when it is wartime" he said, zone
can not have many conveniences.
"Ah. it is war them" 1 asked.
Il hope So" he replied significantly.
There are not many of you" con-
tinued tentatively, at the same time
throwing a comprehensive glance at the
figures about the fires.
The others are in the forest-eveTy-
where" (par-touD. he answered quietly,
casting another stick into the blaze.
Just then the count came up to us, in
his hands some small "objets de piete.
which he presented TO us, saying he had
begged them from the monks as souve-
Mrs for four ladies Of his acquaintance
We were very DESTROYS of a converse
ton with the fathers" and asked the
count if he could not persuade one of
them to talk with US through the small
grating in the gates. He promised to
lend US his influence 70 obtain our wish.
We accompanied him to the great wood
en- gates, before which stood a crowd Of
men who also had come up from Saint
Pierre to interview the monks. They had
rung the big bell. knocked vigorously on
the doors, and made, in fact, every effort
to obtain some response. But no sign
came from the enclosure that they were
heard. The count pulled the bell gently,
then stepped up TO a small wooden slide
in the gate and called softly:
"Frere frere cest moi
Instantly the slide was withdrawn, and
through the grating a cowled head was
lofr I'D
desire to have a conversation with one
of the fathers" and added "as well as
a benediction''
The brother said ne would inquire, and
before long he returned with the reply
that if we could wait till four o'clock
our petition would be granted.
Unfortunately we could not wait. As
we turned 20 leave, l noticed for the
first time suspended from tree, an IN
furled flag of France draped with long
streamers of black crepe; beside it float
ed the red flag of the convent, the Bleed
ing cart" in the centre.
who did that?'' l inquired of our new
friend, and pointing to the black draped
flag.
we did. France is mourning" he
made answer. He then saluted us grave
ly and disappeared
AS we made our wet descent to Saint
BaUrent-du-Pont, we passed the still I'M
ending stream of peasants mounting to
La Chartreuse. They were all unarmed,
save for great mountain sticks. but a GER
tain unsmiling mood seemed upon them,
which augured i'll for the gendarmes when
they should appear.
April 3O.-Since this visit, the monks
have been elected. but not by the gen.
darmse alone. The government, cognizant
of the presence of those watchful campers
in the woods, took the precaution to send
two troops of cavalry and battalion of
Infantry with the police. Against these
well-armed soldiers, resistance was more
than futile
What would even a thousand unarmed
men-peasants or counts-do against such
a force?
They could only Indignantly protest as
the gendarmes, guarded by the sternly
silent military force-for the soldiers.
whether Catholics or Professionals, like i'll
these recent duties-battered down the
venerable doors and led out one by one
their beloved refuses from the chapel.
where they were found kneeling in prayer
But three of the officers-two captains
and lieutenant-who accompanied their
men 10 La Grande Chartreuse after obey
ing the orders they had received, sent in
their resignation. with the statement that
they entered the army TO defend their
from converts.