The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-05-26

from the burning 1 hope and trust, but
most uncertain still"
And yet, though the good priest
spoke sincerely, he was conscious of a
vague remorse for his words as he
saw the young "firebrands' head
bowed before him at Benediction, and
the "baptismal vows" that evening.
Been good all day, Jack?" asked
Sister Raph, laying a gentle hand on
his shoulder as in the gathering twi-
! light they met at the chapel door.
You bet!" answered Jack, with the
cheer of a good conscience. Been up
to the park looking at the swans. 1
amt forgetting Tarcissy." And as if
to round out his good day, Jack lin
gered after Sister Rapids departure to
help Nose, Father Lawrence's sable
sexton and caretaker, to lock UP doors
and windows, and make everything
fast for the night.
"Dar now!" exclaimed Nose, pausing
with sudden dismay in the midst of
his labors. Done clean forgot Sister
Raph's basket wifi all de fine linens
and lace altar cloths she brought from
de convent. An she said pintedly she
must hev EN- back tonight"
''I'll take en- said Jack, willingly.
Dunno" Nose scratched his head
in evident perturbation. You see.
chile, dem tings amt ter be handled.
Sister Raph packed 'em herself, and
said it We're agin church rules fer any
body else to tech 'em, and I'd hev to
kerry the basket mos keerful. But
deys called a meeting of Blessed Peter
Claver society tonight, and dar's to
be nomenashun for officers, and eff
1 amt dar to look arter dem, some no
count niggahs will be pushing der
selves in. So if you take dat basket
keerful, I'll glib you quarter"
Don't want your quarter" said
Jack. bluntly. I'D carry baskets all
day and all night, too, for Sister
Raph" And taking up his burden. he
started off through the deepening dusk,
proud of his mission, happy to win
another approving smile from the
sweet friend who had so blessed and
frightened his life.
He had been good all day, as he had
promised her, nay, as he had promised
Him, who this morning had made the
lonely, loveIess child's heart His
throne. And Jack felt he could never
be bad again; the old life seemed to
dead thing, with which he had no more
to do.
The foul narrow streets through
which he had to pass began to glimmer
with lights. AT the corner Nick Den
ver's saloon blazed like devils bea-
con, but tonight Jacks eyes were lifted
above the wretched house-tops to the
stars shining softly in the quiet skies,
and his thoughts flew back to a pale
worn face that seemed part of dim1y
remembered dream. His motheri
Sister Raph said that dead mothers
looked down upon boys on their first
communion day.
Hi, halo! here he is, boys, here he
isl" 1t was an exultant war-whoop
that broke in upon bis reveries as a
band Of Point Rats burst around the
corner. Nick Denver. his black eye
still very much in evidence, heading
their ranks.
Here's Kiddy Kent, come for his
MASKING. Give it to him, Nick, you've
got your chance. Shut up his peppers
And with boots and jeers and ribald
words, they gathered around our little
Jack. Stand back, fair play; it's
Nick's first co.
Jacks heart gave wild leap, as all
the fierce young street savage in him
rose to the fray. Then, then, like
flash, came the thoughts: his promise
this morning-little Tarcisius-
Get out" he said, in choking
voice. Get out of my way, boys; I'm
I'm on an errand, 1 ain't-ain't fight
in tonight
you amt, Ell, snarled Nick Den
yer; look out for yourself, then, for
[ am" And he struck out at the
white faced boy fiercely, while with
wild yells of delight the others gath
cred around, for young as Jack was
his record was notorious one. But
to the onlookers' amazement, there
came no responsive blow.
Bracing himself against the wall of
a house behind him, Jack stood, white,
desperately painting, warding off as
oil H. Ii,
with one hand, while with the other
he clutched his basket.
Fight, you dummy, fight, or We'll
pound you to a jelly" shrieked the !
Rats in chorus.
Il won't" gasped this new Tarcicius. |
81 won't, you towards! Kill me if you |
want. I won't fight tonight"
Nose, hurrying along the street, to
be in time for the nomination, was
stopped by wild hubbub at the |
corner, where Policeman Brady's |
baton was scattering the Rats right |
and left. "Ye bloody young divils, to |
be numbering loike this on my bate!'' |
de Lawd," gasped Nose, as though |
the broken crowd he caught light of |
the white, blood-stained, death-like !
boy, supported in the policeman's hold, |
It's Jack Kent, done killed."
No, not killed, but pretty nigh 4 |
IICISs IL yOu .hilOW luG DOY, look TO |
him, my man, while / catch some of J
those young villyans and give them !
a taste of the law they won't forgit."
DE Lawd," murmured Nose as he |
took the senseless boy in his arms.
Nigh dead, shuah huff, and a cotchin'
on to Sister Raph's basket, jest as he I
promised. Hi dar, mister" and the
negro appealed to a man standing at
one of the doors near by. Let me in.
for Gods sake, wifi dis boy, fore he
dies on my hands, an somebody run
for Father Lawrence and the doctor, I
quick"
Jack. my poor Jack. do you know
me?" asked Father Lawrence, when
a few moments later he and the ply
stefan bent anXiously over the little
PROSTATE form.
The voice family stirred some linger-
ing chord of consciousness. Didn't |
fight" came slowly from Jacks pale
lips. Been = Tarcissy - straight -
But our new Tarcisius was far too
tough a young American to be killed
by the Point Rats. Jack got well.
though the slums around Nick Den
Ver's knew him no more. Judge