Hyacinthe, O. Carm., Sister, Vermilionville, Louisiana, to Archbishop Napoleon Joseph Perché, 1876 May 2

Father Joseph Anstaett has told her that Perché's health is excellent. That does her heart good. She writes in regard to their pastor. Alexandre, her brother-in-law, and Mrs. Albert Judice, the organist, both told her that Father Hyacinth Gonellaz had told them that she was having a love affair with Father Blaise Branche . She and Sister Marie, O. Carm., went to see Gonellaz and asked the reason for his charge and he replied that he had said it so that it would be repeated to her. He thinks they have given too many gifts to Branche. Gonellaz pretends he has no need of an assistant. When she sees Perché she will tell him all the insults she has had to bear. Father Aristide Plotin Slammed the door in her face one day when, in going to the city, she stopped at his house to get warm. Of all the priests of the area only Father Guillot, Father Alexandre Marie éhault, and Branche have remained their friends. The only time she complained of Gonellaz was when she asked that he be relieved of his duties at the Convent. It is said that Perché will not return before October. She will die of worry if that is true. It is said that he will preach at St. Roch during May; she will be among his listeners in spirit. Anstaett has been very good to her. She had a quarrel with Father Gilbert Raymond about their chaplain, but she apologized. All the talk has not prevented their convent from flourishing. The Carmelites already have 10 boarders. She asks Perché to pray for Philomène Judice who was buried on Palm Sunday. Joséphine L'hotellier who left Vermillion two years ago, is no longer at the convent at Labadieville; Mother St. Bernard, O. Carm. , wrote Sister Hyacinthe. They had a small fair after Easter and she made enough money to pay Anstaett what she owed him on the payment which fell due on January 1. :: VI-2-o A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo. 15