STIjc imc0, New Blaomftcfo, Ja.
HOW A CONVERT WAS MADE
MANY years ago, in Borne part of Eu
rope, there lived ,in an old castlo u
lady, the mistress of it. Bhe was neither
young nor old, though a widow of quite a
number of years' standing. She had no
children ; and since the doath of the
knight, her spouse, had led a retired life,
without other company than that of sor
.vauts kept at proper distance. 8ho was
correct iu her life, handsome in person,
and took interest in nothing except the
administration of her cstato and tlio prac
tice of religion. A Capuchin, whoso con
vent was about a mile distant, was her
chaplain and confessor, and camo every
moruing to tlio castlo to say an early rnass
for her ladyship and her vassals. '
This had been going on, no ono can ex
actly say how long, but at any rate for a
very long period, when of an evening, after
tho drawbridge had been already taken
up, a voice was heard outsido tho gato
saying in a loud tone, intermediate be
tween speech and song
" God bless the owner and all tho in
habitants of this castlo I and may a poor
traveling friar receive hospitality in it to
night for tho Lord's sake !"
"Who is there?" said the gate-keeper,
looking through tho interval bewcen tho
lifted bridgo and the gate-post.
"A C'armolito brother, who is on his
way from ono convent to another, fears to
be overtaken by night, and asks tho lord
or lady of this castlo to allow liirn to spend
here tho night on a bundle of straw, for
tho lovo of God," was the answer, given in
a voice this time approaching nearer to the
tone of conversation.
"I will goanda.sk my lady," said tho
gate-keeper.
So he went.lcaving the friar standing out
sido of the ditch, entered the room, bowed
before tho lady, and delivered his message
. The lady hoard him with that air of re
pressed impatience which was not uncom
mon among tho pious people of that time
in receiving tho visits of monks, as monks
were so many. Then she said with an air
of resigned condescension,
"Tell the roverend father that he is
welcome. Show him into tho beggar's
room near the gato. Bring' there a candle
stick, a bundle of now straw, a pitcher of
water, and a loaf of bread, and bid him
good-night on my part."
The gate-keeper bowed, and slowly left
the room. As soon as he had gone, the
lady was on her feet, and walked rapidly
towards the balcony which overlooked the
draw-bridge, in order to be in timo to see
what kind of troublesome monk her guest
was. .
Contrary to her expectation, he was a
tall, handsome, woll-behaved young Car
melite friar, neatly dressed iu a brown
tunic and snow-whito woolon mantle, bis
head freshly shaved with the exception of
a large crown of beautiful vigorous brown
hair, forming a perfect circle, emblem of
monastic peifoction. He was at the most
twenty-one, was not yet a priest, but had
just completed his noviciate, and was trav
eling from the convent where the novices
were trained to one of the ordinary con
vents. Just at the moment of going in
he chanced to lift up towards the balcony a
pair of largo, deep blue eyes, surrounded
by long, magnificent eye-lashes ; but per
ceiving the lady he at once dropped down
his eyes with monastio modesty, at the
same time acknowledging her informal
presence by the most imperceptible bow,
which she returned in the same manner.
He disappeared through the gate, and the
lady went back to her apartment and rang
the bell. A servant came.
"Go," she said, " to the room near the
gate, and present to the reverend father
there my bumble requests. Show him to
the bedroom of honor,, and place at bis
disposal all that lie requires to prepare for
. supper. Tell him that the lady of the
castle will have the honor of his reverence's
company at supper."
It was done as the lady had desired, and
at supper-time the young friar was ushered
Into the dining-room. The lady went to
meet him at the door, knelt before him,
kissed his hand and his scapulary.cxpress
ed to him how much she appreciated the
honor which his revoronoe did to her and
to her house by bis visit. The young
friar stammered a few modest words, and
was shown to a seat at the table. There
were but two, that of the lady at the
place of honor, and that of the friar on her
right hand. He sat after she had done so,
and then dinner began.
' Through the first dishes the conversation
was rather slack. The hostess and her
guest were evidently studying each other ;
but what slackened not was the Interchange
. of courtesies, in which they vied with each
other. As tlio desert approached, the
goblets having been several times emptied
and re -filled, the dialogue became freer,
the lady taking the direction of it, as both
the noblest and the oldest, and the friar
- taking his part In it with modest (rood
sense. Al) bis answers bore the stamp of
wisaom Doyond his years, and did the
greatest credit to the master of the nov
ices under whose care he had been trained.
After many subjects had been touched
and dismissed, "My holy father," said
he, "I ought Indeed to be thankful to
Providence for this opportunity of profltin,
by all the instructive discourse "of your
reverence. I admire all tho wisdom and
learning which God has been pleased to
accumulate in a person so young and yet
so grave ; and ns the possibility of availing
mysolf of it may be too short, I will not
allow these precious moments to pass
away without asking you to give mo in
struction on a subjoct to me most impor
tant. I understand that your reverence is
a Carmolite. What does your paternity
think of the Capuchiu ordor?"
"My lady," said the young friar, ''this
Is, as your ladyship observed a very im
portant question ; but, at the sanio time,
ono which I could not possibly answor
without assuming tho gravest responsibili
ty. May I thereforo beg of your lady
ship?" "Holy father," said tho lady, "plcaso
do not plead any excuse. This question is
to mo of tho greatest importance, and may
interest my salvation itself, especially as
my confessor."
"What? Does tho confessor or your
ladyship belong to tho Capuchin ordor ?"
" Yes, my reverend father, ho docs."
" In that case, my lady, it is doubly
incumbent on mo to be entirely silent on
this subject, especially as"
"Especially as what? Oh ! please, my
reverend father, do not torture mo. Do
not torture a poor sinner who humbly seoks
the true way of salvation, and who wishes
to know whether the guide to whom she
has intrusted her spiritual intorests bo
worthy of her confidence And if there is
indeed any special reason why I should not
commit the caro of my soul to a member of
the Capuchin order, pray let me know it
before it bo too late."
" Tho fact is, my lady, that there is no
absoluto reason why tho Capuchin order
sliould not bo considered worthy of confi
dence, especially as that order is confirmed
by the authority of tho Holy See, which
wo are all bound to obey, although"
"Although what? Oh ! my father, for
pity's sake, reveal unto mo that secret, or
clso shall I throw myself at your knees ?"
"My lady, I was only going to say that
we are bound by our respect for the Holy
See to entertain tho deepest reverence for
tho holy Capuchin ordor, although al
though I, for myself, should on no account
have wished to enter it, and havo my rea
sons to prefer the Carmelite ordor."
" And may I know what those reasons
are?"
" My lady, nothing that could bo con
sidered as boing in tho least degree dis
creditable to the holy Capuchin fathers.
If any thing, it is rather creditable to their
humility, although"
" Was your reverence going to say,
'Although their humility is not com
plete'?" "On tho contrary, it is so complete that
it is even carried into excess, to such an
excess, indeed, that I should really hesi
tate to say in what it consists."
" Reverned father, as it is only an excess
of virtuo, your telling of it cannot in the
slightest degree Injure the venerable Ca
puchin fathers, and can only add to the
esteem In which we hold them."
"Your ladyship is right. This is the
point of view in which I should place my
self, and not to speak in such a matter
would bo indeed sinful, as it would leavo
the people in Ignoranco of some of the
virtues of the holy Capuchin order virtuos
of which those holy fathers themselves do
not boast, being, of all the monastio or
ders, the most specially addicted to the
practice of humility. Know, thereforo,
my lady, that those holy fathers are so
bumble that they carry humility to a do
gree of which most men are,and I acknowl
edge myself to bo incapable. Whenever
they commit a mortal sin, instead of tolling
It to their confessor alono, and concealing
it from the whole rest of the world, they
make a silent but public acknowledgment
of it by sewing n additional patch to their
robe."
My readers must be told that one of the
chiefest points In which tho Capuchin ordor
boasts of humility consists In wearing
garments as old as possible; and the holier
ier a Capuchin is the more is bis garment
covered with patchos, of all dates, sizes,
and shapes, and of all the shades of brown
from a dead-leaf color to almost black.
Some Capuchins enter tho order at the ago
of fifteen, and reach that of a hundred
years without having had, during all that
time, more than one robe, the appearance
of which, as far as patching Is concerned,
may be Imagined I The number of patches
Is not, however, so far as I am aware, la
any direct ratio with the number of mortal
sins committed, although I should not be
surprised if tho confessor of a Capuchin
should prescribe to him, as a penauce, to
put an additional patch to his raiment.
Tho chaplain of the castle was one of the
oldest and holiest fathers of his convent,
and had his robe full of patches of the
most varied aspect. So, when the lady
had heard the explanation given of them
by the young Carmelite, she became se
rious, and ceased to ask further questions.
The supper being now over, she thanked
the young friar for all his instructive dis
course ; and as it was the custom of our
fathers to go to bed immediately after sup-
per,and start on their journeys early before
breakfast, she recommended herself to his
prayers, wished bim good night and a good
journey, and ordored a servant to escort
him to his bedroom. The servant left
him there in company with a brass candle
stick four foet high, which stood on the
floor with a candle in it two feet high, and
a wick half an inch thick and two inches
long, The bed was eight foet square and
five feet high, with a huge canopy and
heavy curtains ; and thoro was a ladder to
ascend by. Tho young travelor had a re
freshing night's rest, and beforo daylight
ho was on his way. The lady had little
sleep, and spent most of tho night in re
volving in her mind thought after thought.
In tho morning she rose earlier than was
her custom, and went to the balcony to
watch for tho coming of her chaplain.
Ho camo at last ; and as soon as sho
could discern him in the distanco, his
form bent with ago, his steps slow and
tottering, his eyes evidently dim, his hand
loaning upon a cane and occasionally using
it to fcol the way her heart burned with
indignation. " Tho scotindrol I" said sho,
" the old scoundrel!" But I wonder wheth
er ho will dare to say mass 1"
When ho approached nearer, and was
preparing to cross on the draw-bridge, sho
could with the naked cyo count every
patch on his garment. "And with that
robe on too 1 that robe, every part of which,
by the innumcrablo patches which it bears,
stands as a witness of his abominable sins 1
But I must prevent that. I must not per
mit such a horrible profanation of the
holiest ordinance of our religion."
So sho went rapidly down stairs, and
mot the father at the door of the sacristy,
going to prepare for mass by putting on
the priestly garments, "Holy Father,"
said she, "if this expression is not a mock
ery, I perceive that you are not in a fit
condition to say mass. Return to your
convent, nnd tell your superior that I ro
quest him to send in your placo another
priest moro worthy than you."
At those words of his ponitent,ordinarily
so docile, pronounced in a tone of voice so
different from thoso to which he had beon
accustomed to hoar her employ, the old
ascetic at first felt his heart dismayed and
his mind dizzy. But he soon recovered the
balance of his thoughts and of his fcolings,
for he had been too long at the school of
voluntary humiliation to be met unprepared
for any insult that this world might still
have in store for him. So ho answered
with a meek voice, tremulous through ago
but not through evil conscience, " Your
ladyship is very right. You are very right
ray child. God knows that I am a poor
sinner, . very unworthy to say mass. I
trust tho Reverend Father Superior wil!
send you a priest worthier than I."
So ho resumed his way toward the con
vent in the same manner as ho came.
When he reached it, he went to the coll of
the superior, asked his benediction, and
delivered his message without comment.
The superior, supposing that he had beon
overtaken by some scruple of conscience
just beforo Baying mass, spoke to him en
couragingly, saying, " It will be well, my
son. God is merciful to us sinners. Go to
your coll and pray. I will come after a
while, and hear your confossion."
The old father went to his cell ; and the
superior began to think within himself,
" But whom shall I find to send now, if
Father Anselm is not holy enough. There
is none holier than he, unless it be perhaps
Father Rorauald. So he sent orders to
Father Romuald to go to the castle to say
mass instead of Father Anselm.
The lady of the castle had been all this
time on her balcony waiting to see whom
the superior would send to her. At last
Father Romuald came, walking slower than
his colleague, for he was older, aud having
his garment, if possible, more full of patch
es, for he was, if possible," holier. . This
sight was too much for the lady. She did
not even give him time to got into the
castle, but sent him orders by a page to
return to the convent, and tell the superior
that she would write for further explana
tion. She immediately went to her writing
desk, and began to write two letters. The
first was as follows :
"To the Reverend Father Superior of
the Capuchin Convent.
"Rkvebknd Father. The salvation
of our soul boing the principal thing, it is
of the utmost importance for us to iutruBt
our spiritual direction to none but the
worthiest hands. As you do not happen
to have in your convent any holier men
than the Roverend Fathers Anselm and
Romuald, 1 shall henceforth dispense with
the ministrations of your order." ..
The second letter read as follows :
"To the Reverend Father Superior of
the Carmelite Convent.
" Reverend Father. I am anxious to
intrust the direction of my conscience to
none but one who can truly lead me in the
i mtlis of eternal salvation. The Reverend
father Elias lately honored my dwelling
with a visit, which lasted but a too short
time. It was, however, suilicent to fill me
with respect and veneration for the learn
ing, wisdom, and Christian virtue of the
order to which he belongs. I therefore
humbly beseech your Roverend I'uternity
to select for mo a confessor and chaplain
from the Carmelite order ; and, as there is
no convent of your holy order iu our im
mediate vicinity, I have given ordors that
an apartment be prepared for him in the
castlo itself."
Both letters were dated, signed, sealed
and dispatched. The superior of the Ca
puchins did not know what to make of the
one which was addressed to him, except
that it was clear that his convent had lost
the chaplaincy of the castlo.' The superior
of the Carmolitos, in receiving the other
letter, looked jubilant, and ordored the
chapter bell to bo immediately rung.
When the : monks had assembled iu the
chapter hall, "Reverend Fathers and
Brethren," said ho, "great and many are
tho privileges which Frovidence has at all
times bestowed npou our order .through the
merits of tho blessed Prophet Saint Elias,
its founder. Tho letter which I have just
recoived, aud which I will now communi
cate to you is a now proor, not only of tho
excellence of our order, but also of tho
estimation in which it is held by tho
world." no then road tho letter, and ask
ed tho advice of tho community.
Thcro was but 0110 voico that tho young
father, who, by the wisdom of his deport
ment, had beon so instrumental iu procur
ing to the order this new and high distinc
tion, was tho person most fitted to fill the
position of chaplain and confessor of her
ladyship. As he was not yet a priest,
application should be made to tho bishop
in ordor to have him immediately ordained
extra tempora.
This was dono. Many generations have
passed since, and tho castlo has had many
knights aud ladies as successive owners.
But the chaplaincy is still in the hands of
the Carmolito order, a fact which those
who do not know this story cannot explain,
as the Capuchin convent is so much the
nearer.
An Unpleasant Visitor.
Tho Detroit Z'Vea JVcsj tolls how a wild
looking man, with his hat in his hand nnd
blood running down his shoulder from a
badly bitten ear, called on tho Mayor of
that city. " Is this tho Mayor of this
town ?" ho screamed. " Soo this 'ere oar!"
The official looked aud replied that it was
sad-looking. " Yes, and it was did right
in this town right down here not forty
rods away 1 Is this a ono-hoss town, whar
they jump from bohind tho door and grab
a man's ear, or is it a big town, whar they
strike from tho shoulder ? This is tho way
I fight !" and ho unbuttoned his jacket and
dancod around, shooting out with his right
and then his loft, and then "getting
away" from a blow on the nasal. The
Mayor was kept dodging to avoid a sore
cyo, and he hastily promised to have tho
police look into tho matter. " Perlice !"
shoutod the man " who said perlice, what
I want is for 'em to stand up Bquare and
come for me so and so and so 1" And
ho jumped this way and that, ducked his
head, and kicked higher than the Mayor's
nose. Then he squared off in front of the
hatrack and knocked tho hats right and
left " No, sir, I hain't no chicken 1 1 want
a square shako and no moro I Let 'cm
climb on to mo by tho front door and they
gits it in this way aud that way and so
and under the chin and on top of the
head and in tho stomach 1" His kicks
and blows drove tho official into a corner
to avoid accident, and tho man was prom
ised that hereafter he sliould have a square
show according to the latest rules of tho
P. R. "That's biz, that is !" he replied,
getting ready to walk out, "and now I
know this hain't a one-boss town. Lot 'em
climb on to me now let 'em come in front
and both sides, and all around, and if old
Trenton don't flop her wings and crow
then I'm a red dog undor a meat wagon !"
A Moral.
A nut dropped by a squirrel foil through
the opening in the middle of an old mill
stone which lay upon the ground, and, be
ing thus protected, grew into a thriving
sapling that shot np through tho opening.
In a few years it had increased so that it
filled the space and was firmly wedged to
the sides of tho heavy stone. Still It grew,
and in a few years more, little by little, it
lifted the entire weight clear from the
earth, so that a man could sit beneath it.
All was done by atom after atom , borne by
the sap to the growing trunk, Think of
this, my little man, puzzling over " long
divisiou" in arithmetic ; little by little of
thinking and working will take you through
fractious, rulo of throe, and those terrible
problems at the end of the book, by-and-by;
but be sure that little by little is not neg
lected. And you, hard-working lad on the
farm, or iu tbe shops, look at Frauklin,
Watts, Morse, Field, and thousands more
who have lifted the weight of circumstances
that would hold them down like millstones,
and who have by their steady perseverance
risen above their fellows, easily bearing
their burdens, and " keop pegging away."
Borrowed Trouble.
Half the misery of mankind Is borrowed
misery. For instance our neighbor's child
Is taken ill with the measles. Immediately,
one begins to conjure up frightful visions
about one's own children, when, very like
ly, they will escape the contagion altogeth
er, or get through it very lightly. Or, we
are taken ill ourselves. Immediately we
aggravate every symptom, and banish pos
sible sleep by computing the piobable loss
to our business if "laid up," and indulg
ing fears that we may not recover at all,
forgetting those golden words, " Sufficient
unto tbe day Is the evil thereof.
(.if " Here and there is a man," says
Henry Ward Beecher, "who still believes
that the world was really made iu six ordi
nary days. Such rueu are twin brut hers of
the oldest mummies in Egypt, and the mum
mies are the best men of the two sorts."
Professional Cards.
JE. JUNKIN. Attorney-at-Law,
Nim (l(Minillelil, l'erry co., Pa.
AOUlCfl Next llftnr In IIim reuiilpneA of Jluluft
Jmikln. 4atl
VM. MAtlKEI,, Attorney-at-Law,
. N"w I'leuiiilleld, l'erry countv, Pa.
r Office w til Chan. A. linnu.it Van centra
Square, ailjolnlux Mnrtlnwr's Store.
J-EAVIS POTTER,
A J. A'OKJIISY AT L.AAV,
NEW II LOOM FIELD, PERRY CO..PA.
jSJClnlms nromntlv secured nmi nitir,tni
Writings anil all legal business carefully atteml
cd to. 3i yl
JAMES II. FERGUSON, Attorney-at-Law,
NEWPORT, PA.
-umcc MarKci street, near tne square. 35 6
CHARLES II. SMILEY, Attorney at Law.
New Bloomlleld, l'erry Co. Fa.
M-Omce with 0. A. liarnett. Esq., next door
to Mortimer's store August 20, 1872
"ITTM. A.SPONSLElt, Attorney-at-Law,
y Office nil joining his residence, on East
Main street, New Bloomlleld, Perry Co., Pa. 8 2 ly
CIIAS. A. BAUNETT, Attorney-at-Law,
New Bloomlleld, Perry CO., Pa.
a-ORIce adjoining MorU:ner' Store. 3 Sly
JBA ILY, Attorney at Law.
New ltlnmiitlclrl. PprrvCn . Pa.
Office opposite the Court House, and two
uuurscasuH me. i crry county Hans.
Refers to B. Mclntiro, Esq. June27,1871.
JOHN O. BHATTO, Surgeon Dentist.
New UliM.mllelil VfVrvfin . Pft
All kinds of Mechanical and Surgical Dentistry
done in the best manner, and at reasonable
prices.
r,OIIIce at his residence, one door East of the
Robinson Houso, and opposite Win. A. Sponsler's
Law office.. 3 2 ly
WM. M. HUTCH,
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW,
New Bloomlleld, Perry co., Pa.
-0ff1ee Two doors West of F. Mortimer
Store 3 7 ly
CIIAS. J. T, McINTIKE, Attorney-at-Law,
New Bloomlleld, Perry co.. Pa.
" All professional business promptly anufaith
f ully attended to. 3 2 lv.
"1T7"M. N. SEIBEHT, Attorney-at-Law
TV New Bloomlleld, Fenyco.,ra.
Bloomlleld, 3331v.
LEWIS POTTER, notakt ronuc, New Bloom
lleld, Perry Co., Pa.
Deeds, Bonds, Mortgages and Leases carefully
prepared and acknowledgements taken. All
kinds of Pension and Bounty papers drawn and
certified, will also take depositions to be rer.d In
any court in the United States. 7 10 ly
1T7"M. A. MOKIIISON.
Y V JUSTICE OK THE PEACE and OENEKAL
COLI.hCTOlt. NkwOkhmantown. l'erry Co.. Pa.
- ltemittitiiceswlll be made promptly tor all
collections mane. 7 44
yyiil-IAM M. BUTCH,
Justice or the 1'eace,
AND GENERAL COLLECTOR,
New Bloomfleld, Perry County, Penn'a
n- Special attention paid to Collections of all
kinds. Deeds, Bonds, Mortgages and Agreements
KilHj U CACCUICU. v itjii
Auctioneer. The undersigned gives
notice that lie will cry sales at any point In Perry
or Daupiii counties. Orders are solicited and
prompt attention will be given.
K. D. WELLS,
New Buffalo,
Perry co., Pa
HEAL ESTATE
At Private Sale.
The undersigned will sell at private sale his val
uable farm situate in Juniata township, Perry co..
Pa., adjoining lands of George Tizelt, George
icKua unu outers, containing
91 ACRES,
of Red Slate land, about 75 Acres a re cleared, and
in a high state of cultivation. The balance Is
well set with timber. .
The Improvements are a good two story Log
uuu n euLjieruoiiiueu
DWELLING HOUSE,
LARGE BANK BARN,
TENANT HOUSE, CARRIAGE IIOUSK, NEW
There is also a Well of good water near the
house.
There are also TWO GOOD ArFLE ORCH
ARDS on this farm, with a variety of other fruit
trees. This property is near the village of Markle
vllle In a good neighborhood.
Any person desiring to purchase a home, should
see this property before making a Dual Invest
ment. Price $5,000 ; payments, J2.000 on the 1st of
April, 1)174. at which time a deed will be delivered.
aud possession given . The balance to be paid In
three equal annual payments, with interest, to be
secureu uy juugmeni uonus. . ,
JCall oil or address
JACOB KLINE.
, Marklevllle, Perry eo., Pa.,
OB
LEWIS POTTER,
2tf New Bloomlleld, Ferry Co., Pa.
LEBANON,
Mutual Fire Insurance Company,
OP
Jonemtowu, Pcmi'n.
POLICIES PERPETUAL at Low Rates. No
Steam risks taken. This Ik one of the best
conducted and most reliable Companies In the
State. Country property insured Perpetually
at W 00 per thousand, and Town property at$5 00
per iHoubunu.
LEWIS POTTER,
NEW BLOOMFIELD, FA.,
1 18 Agent for Perry County.
LOOK OUT!
I would respectively Inform my friends that I In
tend calling upon them with a supply of good
of my .
OWN MANUFACTURE.
Consisting of
CA83IMER8,
OASSINET8,
FLANNELS, (Flalnand bar'd)
OAltPKTH, &.',
to exchange for wool or sell for cash.
J. M. B1XLER.
Centre Wool. en Factory. 6,17,4nr
i. M. G1HV1N. J. B. OIVVIK
J M. GIHVIN & SON,
ComuilMMion Mereliunt,
No. 8, SPEAR'S WHARF,
It a 1 t 1 111 o r c . M 1 .
tf.We will pay strict attention to the sale of all
kinds of country produce, aud remit the amount
promptly. 5 3-lly