Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 14 March 1912, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR March 17, Sunday. —Fourth Sunday in Lent. St. Patrick, Bishop and Confessor and Patron of Ireland. ~ ; 18, Monday.—St. Gabriel, Archangel. ~ ’ 19, Tuesday. —St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church. . ~ 20, Wednesday. —St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor. ~ 21, Thursday. —St, Benedict, Abbot. ' ~ 22, Friday. — Frigidiam, Bishop and Confessor. •’ ~ 23, Saturday. —The Winding, Sheet of Our Lord.

St. Patrick, Bishop, Confessor, and Patron of Ireland. r The nationality of St. Patrick is much disputed, some naming France, others Scotland, as the place of his birth. When but sixteen years of age he was carried captive into Ireland, where he remained for six years, thus by a remarkable dispensation of Divine Providence becoming acquainted with the language and customs of the people whom he was afterwards to evangelise. Having escaped from captivity, his one desire was to return to Ireland, bringing with him the blessings of the true Faith to its pagan inhabitants. The desired mission was confided to him by Pope St. Celestine about 432. His labors- were crowned with, complete success. The Winding Sheet of Our Lord. St. Matthew, after describing the Crucifixion, continues : £ When it was evening there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named ' Joseph, who also was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked the body of Jesus, And Pilate commanded that the body of Jesus should be delivered, and Joseph, taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his- own monument, which he had hewed out in a rock.’ •_ ’

GRAINS OF GOLD

A TWILIGHT VISIT. Jesus dear, my heart is yearning For the bliss of heav’n above. Day by day I come to visit In Thy earthly home of love And in this bright evening hour I in adoration kneel. Begging Thy blest, tender mercy .While the twilight shadows steal. For a day shall come whose evening I shall never here behold, Or a night whose golden morrow For my eyes shall ne'er unfold ; While around me all is changing , Plant and flower, root and tree. Yet I trust my heart is drawing ■ Nearer, Jesus dear, to Thee. Day by day I see Death’s visit, 1 Friends and loved ones pass away, Gone, I trust, to fairer regions Where there reigns Eternal Day; 1 ’ And my heart is ever longing For that moment; by ' Thy grace, When with them the veil uplifted, •I shall see Thee, face 'to face. K'. , * , Catholic News.

Swift kindness is the best; a long delay in kindness takes the kindness all,away. \ N * Minds are sometimes more impressed by the example of a faithful soul than by works of doctrine. >

The character of these books clearly indicated the bent of the old Moor’s genius. He had evidently been an alchemist, perhaps a necromancer; for at that period it was by no means rare to find men, especially in Spain, who had studied the art of reducing the invisible powers into obedience to their behests. His curiosity having been excited by the result of his first researches, Don Jose turned from the books to the manuscripts. Several that he ran through appeared to contain nothing but unimportant general instructions relative to the transmutation of metals; but finally he found, enclosed in a leaden case, a roll of parchment, the first line of which caught his attention. There were magical directions for accomplishing certain wonders, such as rendering oneself invisible, changing oneself into any desired shape, and traversing the greatest distances in a moment of time. At last he came to a paragraph the .title of which ran thus: * A method by which one may render his wish sovereign law, and cause it to be instantly fulfilled.’ The young doctor sprang from his seat, almost wild with rapture. * To render one’s wish sovereign lawis not that the very acme of human felicity But let us see if it is possible to secure this high happiness without endangering one’s soul.’ He perused the directions given in the manuscript, and found in them nothing contrary to faith. To obtain the promised gift it was all sufficient to recite, before sleeping, a certain prayer, and to drink the contents of a little flask at the bottom of the leaden case. Jose sought out this flask, and uncorked it. It contained a few drops of a dark and pleasantly fragrant liquor. He hesitated a moment, not that he doubted the efficacy of the formula or of the philtre, as his opinions on that subject were those of his age; but he wished to be certain that he was not self-deceived. So he reperused the lines already deciphered on the parchment-roll, and read, besides, a postscript which he had not at first observed; That postscript contained only these few words: * Our weakness is a barrier• wisely interposed by Almighty God to the promptings of our folly.’ ‘ Fine, very fine,’ he murmured; ‘the old doctor, like most of his race, loved to season everything with moral maxims of general application; but, for the present, I have no need of his fine maxims. I prefer to try the efficacy of his prescription.’ So saying, he carried the flask to his lips, and recited the prayer. He had scarcely finished it when his eyes closed, and he fell asleep. * * * * * Don Jose knew not how long this sleep had lasted, when, as it seemed to him, day broke through his dormer window. Arousing himself with difficulty, he remained for some time in that half-lucid state which precedes a complete awakening. His ideas at length grew clear. The sight of the parchment-roll and the empty flask recalled to him the events of the night previous. But, as he perceived no change either in himself or in the things around him, he was inclined to the belief that the Moorish doctor’s prescription had failed. ‘Well, well,’ he said, with a sigh, ‘it was, after all, a delusion. I awake in my garret, with my solitary doublet and my empty purse. Nevertheless, God knows if I have not while asleep wished to find it replenished this morning As he finished, his eyes wandered to the rafter upon which he had hung his clothes, and settled upon the leathern purse depending from the pocket of his trousers. It was filled to bursting with gold pieces. He sprang up eagerly, rubbed his eyes, stretched out his hand to grasp the purse, and emptied it on the bed. They were indeed gold coins! more gold coins than he had ever possessed at any one time previously. The philtre had not failed; he had henceforth the power of realising all his desires. ■ Eager to make a second experiment, he wished that his garret might be changed into a sumptuous apartment, and his threadbare garments into an entire new suit of black velvet lined with satin. His wish was scarcely formed when it was accomplished. He

next demanded the breakfast of a viceroy, to be served by little negroes in red livery. The breakfast already stood on a table at his side, and the little negroes came in with wines and chocolate. For some time he continued thus to test his new power in all its phases. At length, having become satisfied that his wishes were indeed as sovereign law, he darted out of the inn in an intoxication of rapture impossible to be described. It was true, then, that this roll of parchment had in a few hours rendered him, humanly speaking, richer than the richest, mightier than the mightiest! He could do whatever he wished! . What an infinity of vZZZ^ comprised in those words, and how, as he repeated them again and again, he felt himself augmenting in his own estimation. How were they to be wo r ed to ? him—the kings and the emperorsL the rules lw id 7 J - W “ e aU restrain ed by established rules by the laws of the possible; whilst as for him us domain was the illimitable realm of his own fancy! bad nS 6 - t .n th f Moorish doctor ' s Foment had not fallen into the hands of an ignorant man-an avaricious man—a man subject to the sway of his evil desTresma Unt °f SG ° f * hidal reasonable in his of the master f 0 f his passions, and admitted Doctor of the verity of Salamanca! Humanity could lav hms'e/f S f f6arS - I Don J ° Se Fuez d’Alcantra respected himself too much to abuse his unlimited uowe/ In according that power to him, Providence had estimated him at his true worth, and he was firmly reso] Wed to justify that estimate by the propriety of his conduct. He determined to give Vatd Hi, moderating his own ambition. Placed m his any other person would have wished to be king with palace, with courtiers, and an army. But Don Jose despised greatness. He would content' hint” with purchasing the estates of Don Alonzo Mendos and with living there, like a sincere and modest philosopher the happy possessor of some millions, the title of count and the privileges of a grandee of Spain. 5 „. f aving thus decided on his future aspirations he et forward without delay towards the town of Art’lles where the sale of the castle was to be held, g ’ thronged road he took led as well to Toro and was iou™?vLTh h tl, PeaSa n t3 ’- m ' ,letcers ’ and merchants Cd 7d iD lnf d- Citing his eye about him as he ud ed along, Don Jose made upon each of his fellow travellers some trifling .exnerimenf his f wonderTul facultv ° xpenment ot his wonderful faculty. To the young girl who tripped up to him with a smile and courteous salute, hewished a hamw pUnfulwt ’’h Sweetheart .' t 0 the ,d man tottering colch to rtf “ r ° ad ’ a place in the passing coach, to the poor mendicant, a piece of gold suddenlv ssars ‘ X.TX“.:jr ilmt of th" archangel. After having bestowed succour, he desired soldip^ ■iV UStlCe - And 80 he P unished the swaggering soldier with a gust of wind which wafted his gaudv hat nto the river; the muleteer lavish of his whip bv ightemng i his mules and dispersing them over’ the elds, the haughty official in his coach, who seemed o him to look too disdainfully on the dusty foot-ms engers, by roughly shattering the wheel that unheld ns arrogance. In all this, Don, Jose, was obedfent to rewards’and”® M. hS flrst impressions, distributing rewardß and punishments as the appearance of tlm or hat happened to please or dis jjf him and del ing justice by inspiration, as it were. g At length he came in sight of the Castle de Mendos Sw.-irc a fcvrllage could be reached as well ks by Se main hedgerows one of the loveliest days of summer f The hedgerows were, covered with flowers and fbl’fA '! rang with thousand songs of the birds" Sot "o wood! cutters, camped in their huts of green boughs were chopping i: up a felled tree, and converting it into a variety of household utensils. Don Jose determined that, when the land should be his ' own he would regulate the execution of this particular’ branch of

agriculture, according to certain ideas peculiar to himself. He even traced with a pencil on the corner of his parchment the plan of a forest hamlet, which should admirably combine the convenient with the picturesque. Reaching the meadows, he found that there was room for improvement in the manner of irrigating them, and he calculated the; happy results . that would flow from such improvement. He was better pleased with the vineyard, in contemplating which he recalled a great number of verses from Horace, and passages from the Holy Scriptures. As for the grainfields, he determined that they should be converted into pasturage, and that he would plough up the brierland and transform them into, smiling fields of wheat. The prospective new proprietor was thus busy with his projects, when a voice, curt and imperious in tone, demanded of ; him who had given him permission to cross the estate He Mendos. On turning round, he perceived a young man whose costume betokened a person of elevated rank. He was mounted on a splendid Andalusian, richly caparisoned. Don Jose was deliberately calculating how long it would take him to answer this question, when the young lord repeated his interrogatory with an accent of impatience. The Doctor of Salamanca smiled with that calm look of confidence which springs from the knowledge of power. ‘ Is permission needed to go over an estate which is without an owner?’ ‘ Who told you that it has no owner?’ returned the cavalier. ‘ Those who apprised me that Perez, the notary of Argelles, was ordered to sell it this very day.’ Then you have come to look at it as a purchaser?’ ■ Assuredly, sir.’ ‘ And do you know what is asked for it?’ ‘I intend to enlighten myself on that point very shortly.’ ‘lt has been valued at . four hundred thousand crowns.’ . The gentleman broke into a laugh. Upon my honor, here is an opulent purchaser, truly !’ he exclaimed, in a mocking tone. ‘He travels very modestly, considering his fortune.’ I am accustomed to walking,’ replied Don Jose, with princely good-nature. ‘ Your style is really too humble,’ continued the young man; ‘and your lordship would, in truth, find yourself more comfortable on the.back of my sorrel.’ Do you think so?’ inquired Don Jose, seized with a sudden fancy. ' So truly, that I am tempted to alight and offer you my seat, continued the young man, with increasing mockery of tone. ' ° t j i s eas to satisfy you,’ returned the Doctor; and since it is so, I wish you safely on the ground.’. The same moment, the sorrel reared and violently threw the young lord upon the turf. You frightened my horse !’ he cried, rising up pale with anger. . I , I have assisted you to fulfil your benevolent intention, that is all,’ replied Don Jose, who had taken the bridle of the sorrel, and was preparing to mount him. . ,'V: The young man advanced towards him, brandishing ms whip. • ° cji- t ,Away, clown, or I shall lay my whip across your l( face . he cried, almost beside himself with rage. The blood mounted to Don Jose’s forehead. i • . Th e gentleman forgets that he is speaking to a hidalgo, he said proudly, ‘ and that I carry a sword as well as he.’ 4 ' 9 it. -Lot us see, then, whether you can use it,’ replied the cavalier, who drew his weapon and advanced upon the Doctor. r Under any other circumstance, the latter would have tried conciliation ! but the menace of the young stranger had stirred up his bile, and the certainty that he had nothing to fear gave him courage not usual to

him. He thought, moreover, that his adversary stood in need of a lesson, and he wished . for him a wound that would permit him to reflect on the unbecomingness of his passionate transport. The wish was immediately followed by its accomplishment; the young lord let fall his sword, uttering an exclamation of mingled pain and vexation. Don Jose, who was sure of having wished the wound to be a trifling one, troubled himself no further; and, desiring to complete the lesson by playing out his part in the comedy, he gravely excused himself to the cavalier for what had happened, adding, that he cherished no ill-will towards him, and that, to give a proof of it, he would now accept his previous generous offer. * " -. So saying, he mounted the sorrel, bade the young gentleman good-day, and proceeded at a trot toward the village. ' Those various events had added a slight degree of. fatuity to the excellent opinion Don Jose usually entertained of himself. He had mystified and wounded his man ; and he was equally content with his bravery and his wit. He now knew for certain that his will was not to be resisted; that he was permitted to beat down all opposition, humiliate all pride; and he had already so accustomed himself to that idea, that it no longer caused him astonishment. The only thing he wondered at was, that anyone should entertain the thought of resisting him. He could not endure it; he regarded it as rebellion against his legitimate authority. And so, whilst passing through the village, he found it necessary to knock down a muleteer who did not get out of his way quickly enough. The instinct of tyranny swelled in his soul like a rising tide. He presented himself at the house of the agent who had the disposal of the castle much less like a purchaser who wished to inquire the terms of sale, than like a master who had come to take possession of his own. Unfortunately, the very first words of Perez were to the effect that the castle de Mendos was no longer for sale. The doctor’s disappointment may be imagined. This estate, for which he had beforehand meditated so many improvements, so many alterations, had suddenly. slipped through his fingers! Was it for this that he had expended the treasures of his imaginationhis reminiscences of Horace? — he, the man whose will was sovereign law ! It was impossible. The simple thought of such an opposition to his wishes filled him with indignation; and it was with almost insulting haughtiness that he demanded of the notary why the estate was no longer in the market. ‘ Because Don Henriquez, the old Count’s nephew, had fallen heir to two inheritances,’ replied the man of business, ‘ apd because this ’ re-establishment of his fortune had decided him to keep the lands of Mendos.’ ‘ Why,’ exclaimed Don Jose, ‘ whatever may be the price offered him ’ ‘ He will refuse it.’ Are you .sure ?’ ‘He told me himself this morning.’ O ‘ Is he here, then ?’ ‘ He set out a short time since, on horseback, to go to the castle.’

(To be concluded.)