The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-10-02
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heMOUNTFfE:z5>JTS8z 3 II
by FREDERIC s. ISNAM II :
AUTHOR OF THE STROlLERS5' "DhDER TIT ROL" Ec
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bonds made pretext to visit the Mount
her right to do so remained unques
toned; but, as he closed the heavy
door, he shook his head. Think of tn,
risk! Who knew what might happeI
in the event of her identity being re
vealed to certain of those in tha
heterogeneous concourse without
Even at the moment through an aper
ture for observation in the framework
to which he repaired upon adjusting
the fastenings, he could see approach
ing a procession of noisy fanatics.
The apprehension of the soldier
was, however, not shared by the girl
who, glad she had found a means tc
get away from the chilling atmosphere
OF her own world, experienced now
only sense of freedom and relief. In
her tense mood, the din-the shouting
and unwonted sounds-were not cal
culated to alarm; on the contrary
after the oppressive stiffness in the
great halls and chambers of the sum.
init, they seemed welcome. Her pulses
throbbed and her face still burned
with the remembrance of the inter.
view with her father, as she eyed un.
seeingly the approaching band, led
by censor and bannerbearers.
"Vierge notre esperance-" Caught
up as they swept along, she found her
self without warning suddenly part
of that human stream. A natural de-
sire to get clear from the multitude
led her at first to struggle, but as well
contend with the inevitable. Faces
fierce, half-crazed, encompassed her;
eyes that looked starved, spiritually
and physically, cleaned on every
side. Held as in a wise, she soon
ceased to resist; suddenly deposited
on ledge, like a shell tossed up from
the sea, she next became aware she
was looking up toward a temporary
altar, garish with bright colors.
'Etends sur nous" Louder rose
the voices; more uncomfortable be-
came the demeanor of the people, and
quickly, before the unveiling Of the
sacred relics had completely mad
dened them, she managed to extricate
herself from the kneeling or pros
trate throng; breathless, she fled the
vicinity
Down, down! Into the heart Of the
village; through tortuous footpaths,
where the pandering, not pietistic, ele-
ment held sway; where, instead of
shrines and affairs, had been erected
booths and stands before which ven
doris of nondescript viands or poor
trumpery vented their loquacity on
the pilgrims:
"All hot! All hot!"
"A la barque! A recaille!"
La vie! Two drinks for a liard!"
VOLTA lie plaisir des dames!"
The Mount, in olden times glori-
GUS and sacred place for royal pilgrim
ages, where kings came to pray and
seek absolution, seemed now more
mart than holy spot. But those whom
the petty traders sought to entice-
sullen-looking peasants, or poorly clad
fishermen and their families-for the
most part listened indifferently, or
with stupid derision.
BAH" scoffed one of them, a wom-
an dressed in worn-out costume of in
herited holiday tinery. Where think
you we can get sous for gewgaws"
"Or full stomachs with empty
pockets?" said another. THE foul
fiend take your Portugals!"
The nomadic merchants replied and
a rough alteration seemed impend-
ing, when, pushing through the crowd,
he girl hurried on.
Down, down, she continued; to the
base Of the rock where the sands shin
ing surface had attracted and yet
held many of the people. Thither
hey still continued to come-in
bands: professions; little streams
hat, trickling in, mingled with and
the rabble, An encamp-
nent for the hour-until the petite"
ide should break it up, and drive it
liecemeal to the shore or I'D the |
sides of the Mount-it spread out and
Ihc tuS
great rock. Only the shadows it |
lvoided-the chilling outlines of pin
lacles and towers; the cold impress
If the saint, holding close to the sun
1t strand and basking in it's warmth.
Some, following the example of their |
fellows, dug half-heartedly |
II the sands in the hope of eking out |
he meager evening meal with a
course, salt-flavored; others, abandon.
ng themselves to lighter employment,
made merry in heavy or riotous fash.
on, but the effect Of these holiday
,fforts was only depressing and in
,ongruous.
Wont you join?" Some ones arm
lbruptly seized my lady.
mo, MOI"
Unceremoniously he still would have
lrawn her into the ring, but with a
sudden swift movement, she escaped
rom his grasp.