The Irish standard., 1888-03-31
THE UBIQUITOUS FRESHMAN.
How Father Croonenberghs, s. J.
Discovered one in the
TransYaal.
JAMES DON0VAN's STRANGE LIFE
He Was Shipwrecked in the Last King
Georges Time, and Wandered from the
Coast to Upper Transvaal.

Coast TO Upper Trars7aal.
| From the Messenger Of the Sacred Heart.
An episode told by the Rev. Father
Charles Croonenberghs. S. j., Of the
! Zambesi Mission, will be read with
pleasure.
1t was in the South African winter,
or dry season, on the last day OF april
1879. The missionary caravan had
plodded its weary way among sands aud
rocks, rivers and forests, and was
camping IN the midst Of the immense
plains OF Western Transvaal. Ths sun
was calmly setting ON the level boriZon,
and the evening breeze brought with it
that blissfui freshness which under the
burning mid day sun The mirage had
made us dream of by it's imaginary
bowers and pictured lakes. All was
quiet and silent around u5, the cattle
were feeding, the Fathers walking said
their beads.
In the gliinmel,ing Sky spot appeared
that grew little by little; a dark human
form was making towards our wagon.
1t was dark already when we received
the greeting OF the strange visitor at
OUR camp fire. A man Of middle
stature, with rough shoes, corduroy
suit long WORN, q broad felt hat On his
gray hair. stood before us. His features
bore the strong marks which that
scorchirg climate speedily leaves on the
face OF men, and on his shoulders he
carried stick from which Was hanging
pair Of top boots, He had all the ap-
paarauce OF q regular tramp, but q
tramp III an African desert is a god
send
''{Jood evening"" he said abruptly, to
the talleat CT us, whom he rightful!y
supposed Was the :'boss OF the party, F."
aren't you Catholic priests? I heard
Fathers W re coming up country, and
came to make NY confession!'
We all drew near, and with a winning
smile Father de Peichln answered,
~ es, my friend, we are Catholic priests;
going up to the Zambesl nation. But
are you net an lris|1tnau?'
"Yes. Father" ,vaa the emphatic ar
swer, 'tand my name is Donovan. My
| father WAS Cathoitt;y and all the Dono
vaus fox ages aud ages were Catholics.
from the time there wete any in ire
| land.'
After saying this the good Old man
WAS on his knees, and, receiving She
priests blessing, kissed bis hands with
tears
| Around QUE glaring ire OF ox-nist, -
Che only fnel Of thess panapas, we
learnsd uonovan's long story, how,
sllipWreeked in the last King George IS
sime, he wandered from the coast to
Upper Y'ransvaal i'll search Of game,
and laoN he had come 50 fat in that he
could not get out any more. Then, as
; age crept on, be had taken to the
scantily paid profession of a wandering
schuolmaster, going from farm 10 farm,
teaching the youth among ths Dutch
Bosrs how to spell their names aud
write or print Boer letter like the fol-
luwillg--a yeracious instance:
Lima and Katie are we'll, we all hope
YOU too, but father died last mouth;
hope you are we'll and alive, / would
like to marry Mary; If you answer that
I may. [ will be happy.
'tEkes myn hee Sc vriend Il am your
gentleman friend): U.'
The next morning old James Dono-
van received Holy Commueion with a
pure Irish devotion. After thanks
giving during the six Masses, while TAX
ing breakfast. b. exclaimed, "Oh, what
a beautiful day; 'Twas so many years
since had seen 5he Soggarth aroon!"
We moved On, but Donovan fojiwed
yet another day The third day, at
evening, when be saw the oxen ready
for another start: the good old man
gathered his bundle. took his stick aud
his top boots, and, baing ready For the
home march, he spoke:
"Dear Father Superior, am but
a poor man, but soon you will be poorer
than am. Here is all have; take it
for the love Of God, and out Of The in
side of his coat he pulled 81 sterling and
a half sovereign.
The Superior refused to take the
money, saying, "God will provide"
Then the Irishman throwing the gold
piece on the ground with decision,
said: t'There lies the money. It is no
longer mine, have given it to God. If
you don't take it, there it will remain, -
and he hurried off.
| Father de Pelchin hesitated mo-
ment, then, taking up the three gold
pieces, said: stop minute; accept