The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-12-01

areth, where as the author put it
CLUSTERS others. who live to love and
pray and die in Nazareth"
He treats his concluding part Of the
novel with tender pen and in note to
the writer says, II hope have done
the patient Sisters Of Nazareth no
wrong. Surely 1 have too great an
admiration for them and their work to
picture them other than as faultless as
humanity can become"
Perhaps same Catholic critics may
complain that Susie, after all the dis
appointments of the world, seeks the
convent as last resort for rest and
peace, thus giving what is left Of life
to God and religion. And yet our own
Catholic novelists do the same in many
cases. 'The Triumph of Failure" that
strong piece of fiction from the pen Of
Father Sheehan, puts Godfrey at last
in monastery; and Miss Leila Hardin
Bugg in "Orchids' leaves her heroine
in convent.
IT'S true, that the impression is left
on the minds of the reading public
that monks and nuns only become so
because they are disguised with the
world and hence embrace religious
life: whereas the fact is that the great
majority of those who enter our re-
ligious orders, whether Of men or wo-
men, do so at an early age and willing
ly, joyfully, gladly give to God and
Holy Church, the best of their youth
full days and all the strength Of their
young minds, begrudging God nothing,
giving Him all, and only regretting
that they have no more to give.
Mr.. Lloyd's novel will pay perusal
and its pictures of Kentucky life will
remain pleasant ones on memory's
camera. However, one must note that
the author in his laudable desire to
prove that so-called scientific methods
are fallible, leaves his novel open to
the criticism that he makes the VOC
dooism and sign-reading of the old
darkey most infallible, for his predic-
one is surprised to learn that such ne
gro sorcery existed forty years ago in
Kentucky, as it is generally supposed
that such exaggerated manifestations
Of it existed only in the swamps and
bayous Of Louisiana in the Terre Bon
ne and Laequerche country. Opie
Reed, who wrote "a Kentucky Col
onel," and is, believe, a product of
the Blue Grass state, threw aside the
pen during the recent campaign and
took the stump. He is a unique char
acter and an old journalist in n rem.
iniscent strain told of his first meeting
with the then unknown Opie. He said
1t was in Paducah, Ky.
One afternoon there walked into a
newspaper office a queer-looking fel.
low, about 6 foot high, bare foot and
carrying a little bundle tied up in q
red bandana handkerchief. He put
the bundle on the floor and throwing
himself into chair, said:
"Evenin' gentlemen; what's the
chance Of a man getting a job on this
sheet?" The editor asked him wha,
kind Of a job he wanted.
"Well," he drawled out, anything
from editor to galley boy. Society
stuff my white alley, though, an il
the editor that takes in the social func
tions of this settlement is needln' n va
cation, I'd like to sub for him."
The editor laughed, but finally toli
him he could have few days work
He sat round for while and eventu
ally said to the editor,
BOSS, I'd like to negotiate abou
two bits till have somethin' coming
Z You see the pixies pretty hard travel
i'm, an I've got stone brulse on m!
heel about as big as a but'nut, and II
| like to get little arnica or spawn
cure to kinder ease it up little"
: The editor gave him the two bits e;
cents and Opie left and the mex
2 morning was back again and began t,
r turn out copy that made the editor
4 eyes dance, and Opie stayed RICH
I along with the editor till the paper be
8 came famous all through Kentuck,
e and Tennessee. He drifted down t,
' Arkansas and started paper Of hi
l own, the Arkansaw Traveller, that be
4 came famous for its humor and 1T
G true to life description of scenes of TIN
! Southland. Opie was always Il grea
v story teller and here are two Of his re
cent ones.
e II knew said Opie, IAN old fellow
h in Kentucky, who happened to be ap
c pointed justice Of the peace to fill on
Y an uncXpired term. For 20 years Ii
f had been chairman of every Democrat
o ic convention held during that time il
G his county.
c "Hc particularly prided himself W
g on his knowledge OF parliamentary
r. law. \ few moments after he too
v his seat as magistrate man was nj
II raigncd before him for stealing Il hot
y After he had been properly introduce
n | +l,o nj In,,,ro,, nuo,r ~ Il