A Father of Six, and an Occasional Holiday

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ...indeed seemed almost a supernatural coincidence of two diametrically opposed feelings. There is no greater calamity for a person in the clerical profession than the loss of his wife, especially if he loves her, as Anton loved Nationka. Such a loss implies solitude for the rest of his days---singleness for evermore, surrounded by the world and its temptations, in a calling which demands absolute integrity of life. On the other hand, priesthood is the highest aspiration of such men as Anton, and therefore its attainment is the greatest good fortune which can befal them. Both these ideas came simultaneously into the deacon's mind, and at this moment he felt guilty in his conduct towards Nationka. In her dying moments she was unselfishly thinking only of the future happiness of her husband and children, and possibly enduring terrible suspense at this very instant, while he was thinking about his career, and preparing himself for promotion. Notwithstanding his efforts, Father Anton completely failed to reconcile these two conflicting emotions. Thus it was that for the rest of the day, and during the evening which he passed in church trying in vain to attend to the service, for he had to prepare himself for the ceremony of the next day, and all night as he lay awake, and even the following morning during the celebration of mass when his promotion was being accomplished, he remained in a state of dull indifference and insensibility. His heart ached intolerably, his face was pale and his eyes sunken. Even the bishop standing at the altar remarked his careworn face, and said to him in a low tone--" Have courage, Anton; think not of earthly things! Remember the office you are assuming! " But Father Anton could not take courage, and...