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History of St. Augustine

48 History of Parish of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, Pa.

 

burning. When I spoke to him on the subject, which I did at the first opportunity he declared it settled. Nor would he hear anything more from me about it.'"

     After relating how the king of Holland, having found out through agents where his college chum was immured, offered him assistance which was declined, but as an excuse to befriend him he had his minister tender Gallitzin $2,000 for a watch and some rings the latter had left with him when they parted in Holland, which was ten times more than they were worth, which the conscientious priest was loath to receive, but accepted knowing that a refusal would hurt the feelings of his old-time friend, Mr. Riddle continues: "At the very time of this conversation, his homestead at Loretto was advertised for sale by the Sheriff of Cambria County; and I could not suppress all emotion in view of the hardships that appeared to menace his old age. And I ventured to say something to that effect. But he replied, smiling, "My son, the Lord has provided for me hitherto and will hereafter. I have no doubt of that.'

     "But when the laborers on the canal, then in progress, learned the condition he was in, the money was raised and the debt was paid."

     The next time the two friends met, Father Gallitzin at once referred to his late embarrassment and the payment of the debt. "The noble Irish," said the latter, "relieved me at once. They raised the money and the debt is paid."

     As the writer believes in giving honor where honor is due, he notes that not only the Irish laborers employed in the construction of the Pennsylvania Canal, but also those engaged in the building of the Allegheny Portage Railroad contributed to the fund to pay the debt and he remembers the names of many of said contributors.

The Founding of Other Parishes in Cambria County.

      Owing to the fact that a number of Catholic families had settled in Ebensburg by reason of that town being the the county seat, and the further fact that at first none of the officials of the county except the County Commissioner were elected directly by the voters, but were appointed by the governor of the state, it is true, generally, but not always, upon the expression of the choice of the people by the medium of the ballot; and as the governors then belonged to the Republican, since the Democratic, party, the


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Lynne Canterbury, Diann Olsen and contributors