Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-12-28
FATHER LOUIS JOYOUS END
His Peaceful Soul Followed the Voices
Of the Glad New Year Bells.

He is old, as old as the tiles on the
roof OF his house, built the year he was
born. They were baptised the same day,
he small and frail in his long robes.-it
solid, proud OF its beauty, showing with
pride its white walls against the dark
green pines He has never quilted II
since. Age has bent him, but the house
still stands straight, yet the infrmities
and the fading colors OF age are visible
on both; white hair. gray moss. wrinkles,
cracks and crevices. Between people and
things there is a natural adaptation; one
need not be a snail Without carrying II
on his back, a man adapts himself TO the
roof which covers him. When Father
Louis is sitting on the bench under the
old cherry tree beside his door and smok-
ing his pipe, while he watches the sun
sinking into the valley one cannot i'm
agine another figure seated there.
For so many years he has been there.
wearing the same black felt hat, the same
clothes OF brown homespun. leaning on
the same stick. Little by little his eyes
have dimmed, his head sunk, his back
bent, but his smile has remained sweet
and II his hands tremble. they do not
press less cordially the hands OF the
neighbors who come in the evening to
have chat or pass gayiy on their way to
work or to the market.
Good evening. Father Louis. How are
you getting on?"
THANK you, as we'll as an old man can.
have nothing TO complain OF, thank Godl
and you, my friend, are things going on
well with you and your family2"
He knows them all. has seen them all
born. Up here we all know each other.
One lives very quietly, one works hard,
and dies in the faith OF ones fathers.
Ancient pines. simple people, humble
dwellings, peaceful hearts.
Are you the doctor?" asks a man,
stopping me in the darkness.
Yes, ! am" What do you want with
me?"
''Ir is for Father Louis. / was coming
to meet you. They told me you would
come this way. II has showed all day and
the road Is not open or easy to find, and
In this cold II would be dangerous to lose
ones way"
How long has he been in?"
Since this afternoon. 1t came upon
him suddenly, like faintness. and he is so
old that we are very anxious"
Good; let us hurry"
II Is 10 O'Clock; the deep snow craclIles
under our feet; the sky has cleared, and
the pale, thin crescent OF the new moon
is rising behind the dark submits OF the
tai trees. In the distance a fox yelps,
and between the dark tree trunks twinkle
below the lights OF the sleeping villages.
bverywhere solitude. peace, the mystery
Of the woods at night.
II Is beautiful December night, the
last OF the year, which is departing, care
less OF the Joys II has brought as Of the
tears 1t has made to flow A solemn night
this last OF the year; curtain which falls
a curtain which rises; behind, remem-
prance; before, the unknown. Yesterday
tomorrow and tomorrow. Of what will
they be made
A dog barks. Here is the dwelling OF
Louis, dark spot on the light back
ground Of little clearing on the slope OF
the mountain. Ny guide looks through
the window Of room on the ground floor.
which Is brightly lighted.
him move"
He places his stick against the wan,