The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-11-30

w III EAICy doACAy hOA
riffed: ~ - 49, go
st is more than probable. And
pray, why nota You said yourself, an
hour ago, the man who deserts his
religion deserves death. Well, this is
one of those. rare cases-Heavens,
man, they're. settling back already.
Look out your side. window, and see
what's starting. them"
Il can't see.' answered after an
effort Some one is standing against
it,
Good enoughi You're safe while
the press lasts. 1 can see myself in a.
minute He was standing now,
straining on tiptoe to overlook the
crowd.
Il think-they've got them" he said
slowly, a moment later. Now for
pandemonium! e aEA -
/ heard the oneomfng rush of thou
sands of -sandaled feet, the fierce,
stentorous breathing, the crash of
musketry, the sharp EHai! Hail" of
the victorious fanatic, and above it
all, appallingly distinct and clear, the
shrieks of the victims The first refux
of the mob swept by us, and we could
see as we'll as hear.
The Christians were fighting still,
though against inconceivable odds,
fighting as men fight to whom, defeat
means death by torture. Now and
then a group was borne, still contend
ing, even below the palanquin, but
for the most part the actual conflict
went on far beyond, and only the frag-
ments, the spoil of the yictors, passed
US by.
After the first, I stared at the rabble
outside like one in a trance. 1t is, an
awful thing to witness battle as a
non-comba tant. Hours seemed to pass
before I heard a voice close beside me
say, They have penetrated the inner
sanctuary" and at once a company
of men burst through the crowd, bear
/! ing, tossed high above them, the body
of woman.
| could not see her face but one
shapely arm hung at her sides and as
she passed, the -rose-stained fingers
clenched and frightened in a paroxysm
of fear. ,-.44 49, s.
What I saw crazed me. sprang
up and wrenched and battered at the
fixed door l shouted threats at the
mob outside, but they did not hear
me. I shrieked and prayed aloud in
agony Finally, the frenzy passed and
| was at once conscious of the cool
stare of Manning. He was watching
me through the little window much
as some entomologist might watch a
wretched insect writhing in pain.
'See here, Levenson,S' he began, as
soon as / was quiet, you e1danger
both our lives by such foolish out
burst warned you -... . -
Stop. don't say a word." I inter
rupted tiercely. You, with your train
ing and traditions-you let her pass
within arms length and did not make
a move. to save her! You are worse
than her murderers.,'
He answered, quite unmoved:
| Worse than her murderers? I grant
/ you that, for they are. really superior
| fellows from their own standpoint. AS
for the girl--yery well, will say moth
ing. Only try to get back your senses,
my dear fellow. ~
He turned away to watch the mob,
and remained silent, trying vainly to
shut out both sight and sound
|
Of all that passed l have no wish
to write. The afternoon shadows
heightened and still the horror went
on uninterruptedly, and still we
watched motionless from our places
| Why, they're looting the churches!'
said Manning suddenly, in a tone quite
new to him, and following his gesture
/ l saw where one in the mob, a gro.
tesque figure in flowing vestments
| danced and sang in triumph. Others
bore altar dressings and lighted con.
dies and, behind these, high above
| the press, lowered the mighty crucifx
l am not a. Romanist, but the sight
sent my heart throbbing to my throat
and a feeling of suffocation stole over
| me.
Its a beastly plot!" cried Man
ming, excitedly, and his eyes were
/ mere points of light, they're doing il
to. make the Catholics reveal them
selves. I. tell you, it's a plots
/ But what does. it natter?.. T. an
| swered duly. 4We are not Catho
lies" 100 - ;. 4
No, but one has a natural dislike
| to seeing-My God! |. can't stand
| that!'' He flung up his arms. hands
clasped like diver, and plunged into
the crowd
The cross had fallen. to the earth
and one man ground his heel upon it.
another, with an unimagined insult
spat in the pictured face. Then Man
ming. reached them. Above the tumult
7 could hear his cry:
Back! stand back, you dogs" In
his excitement he was speaking in
English. mo, will have no help!
Don't lay your heather hands upon it
Mother of God, help me!'' And again
the great Christ wavered above the
mob
/ But it was more than he could sus
tain. 1t topp1ed slowly. back until il
| rested slantingly against the wall be-