The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-07-04
CHATTER XXI.

last, on one of the first days of the first month
of spring, raw and dreary day, when DR..
James had been glad that no patient needed
his attendance, he had made o bright little
Are, and was sitting in his study chair deeply
engaged with the last number of the Catholic
World, which Father Barry had lent him.
Richards came in from the post-office, laid the
doctors mail upon the table, and then went
home to his mothers house. DIR. James very
deliberately finished the article he was read
ing, stared at the fire for q few minutes, and
then carelessly took up his letters and glanced
at the handwritngs. There was one from his
sister Lucy, one from medical friend at the
West, and-what was this i-one in n clear
firm hand, which gave him start, and brought
him very quickly oat of his feverie.
"Fron Morgaret Lester. What can she
have to say to me 7"
A misgiving came over him as he held the
letter in his hand, and he delayed opening it.
What might not her boldness and indepen-
denoe be capable of! lie smiled contemptu-
ously as he realized that his imagination was
running away with him.
"She is engaged, suppose" and he quickly
broke the seal.
"MT DEAR FRIEND: write to you because
bulc ID bHo very napplebC Gay OF my lie, and
because 1 owe that happiness, after God to
You.
ado you remember your words, For the d.
Tection of practical, systematc good works.
Well, I established myself in New York
with the object of making myself happy
by doing as much good to the poor as was
should begin, thought of your words, and said
to myself, found how true that advice was
in that quiet little town; now, why should it not
hold good in great city like this, where there
10 so much more isery, and where opportuni-
ties for doing good are so much greater'f So
said to my cook, whom found to be q good
Catholic, going to her confessions and commu-
MONS regularly, Where does your priest live
For want to go and see him! She gladly told
me where to find him, and went " here she di-
rooted me, and found old, white headed
FIenchman with most conrtly manners, before
whom felt as unpublished as a school girl. i
told him the simple truth, and aske to be in
structsd at to how I could aid the poor. Well
We sat down, aud he gave me little sketch
OF the different Catholic charities in New York
and each one, as he described it, seemed to me
best of all and saw how much more good
could do by aiding those perfectly organized
sibility He ended by telling me of n lady who
would take me with her and show me all these
Institutions.
''From that day began for me life of revel.
ations. / had always 8 dreamed of lives of he
roism and began to see that they were not
only possible, but Of everyday occurrence
among those men and women devoted to works
OF mercy. Then came the question, What is
1t that inspires snch self-sacrifice, such com.
Plete abnegation and ignoring of self, such all
embracing charity and purity of notivei For
In no case could sec trace of any personal
advantage to be gained from these almost
super human lRbors. And then, DIR. James, /
began TO look into the doctrine Of that church
which all my life had been taught to regard
"a the teacher of falsehoOd, superstition, and
idolatry.
The result has been that u week ago was
baptized Roman Catholic, and this day, for
the hTst time, have received our Lord Jesus
Christ in the most holy communion.
20 my friend Gods goodness has been
great 70 me, and am happy as n person
should be who has found there is such a thing
aS heaven upon earth This is why have writ,
ten to you, because my heart, in its gratitude
10 God' turns next to you and also because l
wish you TO hear from one except my self of
this great change in my life.
ANA now, cannot end MY letter without
one more word have another saving of YOURS
in my mind was !, not this 7 DO as well as
you know how, and then be at peace That
le true; yet II is not all that will be required
oL US. We ought to try to know the best
thing and then do what We know as we'll as
"MXRcAREr
"P.S.-Msrtha Buruey, after trying her best
to disSuade me, had the justice to examine
what was about, and she was received into
she church this very day"
Father Barry received this news by the same
AARAA aS OT. James, ana from him Margaret
heard at once. The piouS priest wrote letter
foil of joy and conGratulation. of good advice
and blessing; but to her other letter no answer
was received. Two weeks passed, aud no word
came. Miss Selma had written reproachful
and admonitory letter, assuring Margaret that
1t was not too late, and while life was spared
her she could draw back. She insnuated that
plan of rescue could be easily arranged, and
offered her home asylum to the fugitive
Margaret laughed over this letter and show
ed it to her friends with great glee. However,
she wrote back kind and soothing answer,
which softened her aunt little, though the
subject continued very sore one for long
time. To think that she should have been a
month in the Same house with Margaret, never
the Vaccinations of which the
poor child was being made the victim! But
when she applied to DR.. James for sympathy,
no said abruptly,