Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-09-04
CAN A MOTHER FORGETs


EHeripg from the squalid places round it.
,nly in its perfect clean liness--for on en-
ering nothing but the plainest and most
necessary furnishings are to be found.
One bitter night early in February there
,.t in the hardly furnished sitting room,
vonng priest He was evidently expect
inc some one, and some one he loved; for
rom time to time, he stirred the fire and
lacked with something like sigh at the
meager meal which was prepared on the
tahe. II must not put on Goals, he
said to himself; ''for if the FIRE is really
hripbt when be comes in, he will grudge
himself the warmth. | dare not make
ready a comfortable meal, for he will
crudge himself the food 1t is only so for
he thinks that he alone can do without
rest. warmth and comfort; for oh! how
tender and thoughtful he is about every
one else!
As he sat down again the door opened
10 admit a tall, powerful man, looking
weary beyond words, and wet to the skin.
Il needed not his clerical dress to assure
any who saw him what his calling was;
for interesting as his face must have been
under any circumstances, it was rendered
beautiful by the beauty of holiness. and
tbe strength and sweetness mingled in it
made it like the face of an angel.
Dear brother" he said, as he came in,
81 can 90 out no more this night, for my
body is so weary and my heart so sore that
| feel helpless and dispirited as | have
rarely felt before The sin and the suffer
ing the Indebtedness and poverty, and,
above all, the cry of the children, are
breaking my heart. And if mine-O Thou
loving Shepherd what mnst be the suffer
ing be to Thee, in Thy purity and
unequaed tenderness? How long, o Lord,
how long?'
He sank down and buried MS face in
his hands for a few moments, while the
Younger priest looked at him sadly and
m1iously. 1t was so unusual Tor Father
Waren's face to be clouded and so rare
ofhis spirit to be respondent that he felt
sure something was wrong, and that over
work and constant exposure were at last
beginning to tell even ON his magnificent
health and fame. Now dear father, he
said beseechingly. ''do put On dry clothes
and rest this evening and take a long
quiet sleep, for if you persist in this con-
slant Self-forgetfulness, you will have to
give up work altogether, and | think no
greater trouble could befall you and us
than that
well truly replied Father Warren,
81 am resolved to go out 30 more this
night, fer, though the spirit is willing,
the flesh is weak He had hardly finish
ed speaking when a ring was heard at the
door, and the servant entering, said,
Father, a lady desires to see you, and
begs you will not refuse her.
Let me go" said the young priest
jumping up. 1T is too hard this PEI
Detual importantly will speak to her,
and tell her how unfit you are to
evening
DO so my son." said Father Warren,
but let it be courteously and gently said.
as BELTS those who speak in the name of a
gentle and never-weary Master.
he young man crossed himself and left
the "oom he returned, however, after a
few minutes, with disappointed and
SON what mortified air
She will have none of me, dear father,
but desires 10 see you and you, only; her
plea ing is so touching and her longing so
earl Il that have gone over to her side
and can resist her wish no longer.
Father Warren rose briskly and said +:
10 not let her wait another moment.
feel to blame that she has waited so long
already. Bring her in at once, | pray
you, and while the priest fastened to
obey he placed a chair near the fire, and
quttered to himself, Neither turneth a
deaf ear to any poor man. he put the tea
pot on the table and prepared TO receive
cordially the unexpected visitor.
Inc door was gently opend by tall
ady' dressed in black. She was exceed
Agly talr to see, beautiful in feature and
Carlage beyond most women; but there
Was an inexpensive charm far beyond
even that-a dignity and perfection of
manner and appearance such as Father
warren had never seen before.
Advancing toward him, she said in a
VOW clear, and most melodious voice: For
gl'e me, dear father, for disturbing you so
la'e and on such night but no other
gouId fulfill so well the mission which ask
!oq 70 undertake. Will you come with me
y Orng comfort and happiness TO depar-
NY ana errlng soul =? and will you bring
ue Holy Sacrament with you, that. having
toleS,ed and been absolyed he may go
hence in peace?"
90, Dear lady" answered Father Warren,
have not eaten since the morning. My
r.lAe' are wet through, and am very
,geFy Another priest of God more worthy,
'1a an shall 90 with you."
= Nay she said, looking wistfully at
I'm, " pray you, 90 with me yourself, for
4 la1 was | sent. and the time is very
r-1II beseech YOU to come with me and
VV1. H no delay By the love of the Blessed
f'-llsr Tor her Son, by the love of thai Son
e ~, ad hlS erring children, implore you
~ with me and come quickly"
cue beaded so earnestly and tenderly,
- yen Nth something of authority in
=. zone. that the father yielded; and for
5 s,...Al all about her anxity and that some
ri. lad need of him, he hastily put on a
In ana left the house with her.
-, s4o4g biting wind and sharp sleety
N-- - 4iAda walking difficult and conversa-
'.IAQst impossible, so he followed the
,Ea 'aently as they sped quickely along
n, II5Iro" streets. Father Warren could
y3 w marvel exceedingly that the lady
1o' seem to be aware of wind or ram