Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

238 DANGER IN THE DARK.
and degraded from the sphere they are destined to
:fill.'
"Then you perceive, there may be other motives
than a wish to educate, for the sake of enlightening.
that induce Romish priests, in this country, to build
up schools and colleges!"
" I've heard a great deal about these nunneries, Mr.
Carleton, but have been inclined to think them misrepresented;
at all events, that they are not the corrupt
institutions some would have the world believe."
" Gladly would I be persuaded, Mr. Eldridge, that
naught but purity were to be found in them; but when
I have abundant testimony to the contrary, the force
of which I cannot possibly resist, I would surely sin
against truth and humanity to turn away from it with
indifference."
"What evidence then can be adduced, that the
priests who have the supervision of' such institutions,
are impure men ~ Let us have a single instance, well
authenticated."
" Well then, let me give you an instance, which
created no little excitement in the State of Kentucky,
a few years ago; and about which a good deal was
ssid at the time, in the newspapers. I'll relate it to
you in the language of' Dr. Rice, who resided in
Bardstown at the time the affair happened:
'" Some twelve years ago, a nun in Kentucky, left
the institution with which she was connected, and
returned to ber father's house, alleging as her reason,
the improper conduct of the presiding priest toward