Kentucky Gazette

Austerity of the Monks of La Trappe.

Every one, at his first entrance assumes a new name. With his former appellation, each is supposed not only to quit the world, but to abjure every recollection and memory of his former self. No word ever drops from their lips, which can possibly give the least clue, by which the others can guess who they are, or where they came from. Often have persons of the very name, family and neighborhood, lived together in the convent for years unknown to each other; nor have they suspected their proximity, till at the death of the one, the name on the grave stone revealed the secret to the survivor. Some years ago, a youth of great talents entered himself at La Trappe. His early and deep piety edified the whole society. After a few years, the austerities he had practised at so early an age, undermined his health. He fell into a slow decline. One of the monks was appointed to attend him—He was selected as having himself left the world at a very early period. The youth died. About a year after his death, one of the monks happening to go rather earlier than usual into the burying ground, their usual walking place, he saw the monk, who attended the youth, standing with his arms folded, contemplating his tomb. On hearing him, he immediately fell back into the walk; no more notice was taken, the burying ground continued the daily walking place, nor did any other symptom ever escape. Ten years after the monk died—His grave stone unfolded the secret. It was his only son whom he wept, and whom, though unknown to him, he had so diligently attended.