The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-01-10
"And a Little Child Shall Lead
Them"

hear the catechiSm. He was not en-
! tirely unknown to me, however; I rec
| ognized him as the son of a neighbor-
ing politician man noted for his vio-
lent and extravagant opinions, famous
| as club orator, a denouncer of priests
and so on. When 1 had finished with
my class, l went over to the child sit
/ ting alone on one of the back
| benches. He arose politely with cap
| in hand. His eyes looked sad his
cheeks pale, his clothes though of good
quality and well made, were put on
carelessly and were very much soiled.
| One could see at once that this poor
boy lacked a mothers care
You go to school?" 1 inquired.
Yes, Father. l do.''
But not to the sisters?'
No Father. Papa does not like the
sisters or the brothers."
You have come here, l suppose, to
learn something of your religion"
The child looked at me as though not
exactly understanding.
You wish to hear about the good
God?'
He made a gesture Of indifference.
why then do you come here?"
asked, IF you are not desirous of
learning something of God and His
Holy Mother-the Blessed Virgin?"
Suddenly his face became animated
the sad eyes sparkled.
Yes Father" he said almost in
whisper. Some one told me that the
catechism children all had a mother
the Holy Virgin. That whether they
had one at home or not, it made no
difference, they would find one here. 1
was glad when l heard that, and so I
came. Two large tears rolled 1own
his cheeks as he added
10
very much
The cry of that sorrowful, young
heart touched me deeply. Wait till
the other children have been dismissed
and then | will speak with you again"
l said. When they had gone | returned
to the little stranger.
Come" I said, Il am going to take
you to your mother" He gazed at me
again as though not comprehending.
ITO her" 1 continued. who will take
the place of your mother I tol-
Quoted hi INTO the chapel which the
children of Mary had but that morning
adorned for the feast of her Nativity
When the boy raised his eyes to the
beautiful white marble statue crowned
by diadem of gold. and standing in
the midst of the loveliest offerings of
the garden, he exclaimed
"Oh, how grand! how beautiful Do
you think she will really take me for
her little boy? She has one already
in her arms-a dear little baby! Per-
haps she does not need me: but. oh,
have so longed for mother, and now
that l am i'll l want one more than
ever"
You are i'll, then?" 1 said. 81 re-
marked that your face was very pale"
"Oh, yes, L am ill., he replied. "I
have something here in my side which
hurts me very much. The doctor says
may not go to school any more"
How old are you?'' I inquired.
Il am nearly g. he said
And you can read?"
"Oh, yes, l can read very we'll 1
have gone to school since I was 5.
Papa thought it was better. so that I
should not be so lonely at home. The
cook told me that if papa would only
let me come here l should find a kind
mother. So l ran away this afternoon
and came here"
my child" I said, you should not
have done that. Your father may be
IF you think so, I shall not tell
him: He might not 'at me come
again."
"Oh no. you must not do that. 1t
would not be right to deceive him. Tell
him that you have been here, and be-
fore you go l will give you a little
catechism and lesson to study. If you
wish the Holy Virgin to be your moth |
er you must learn all about her anr the
Infant Jesus
Who is the Infant Jesus?" he
asked.
The child you see in her arms. He
is God
"oh, WELL give me the book, if you
please. viii learn it."
l gave him the catechism. He came |
back next day. His father was away |
from home. he said, and he had not |
been able to tell him. He knew the |
three questions I had given him to |
learn very well. The next day 1 gave |
him four, the next five. On the fol- |
lowing afternoon he did not come. Ev- !
cry time l had seen him he appeared |
paler more exhausted, and had a per- |
ceptible difficulty in breathing. So a |
week passed and he came no more. At |
the risk of mourning the displeasure of |
his father, | resolved to pay a visit to |
my little friend who. l felt certain. (
must be i'll.
The servant ushered me into his
room Immediately. He was lying on /
couch near the open window, looking |
very i'll.
"Oh, 1 am so glad you have come,
he said. extending both his
thin little hands. His catechism was
lying on the pillow beside him. Now |
you can hear my lesson" he said. "I I
have taken new one every day, and |
papa has helped me with it,
Is it possible, dear child" l said
How did that happen?"
L am so weak, you know. I can
hardly see any more The day before
yesterday could not read at all And i
then papa came home and / told him
about it. He was not cross at all. He
said he wanted to do everything that
pleased me, and l told him you said
that if | wanted to have the Blessed
Virgin for my mother. l must learn
about God and religion"
What did your father say to that,
my boy?"
HE said that that was right-if I
liked it. He took the book then and re-
oeated the words over and over again
until knew them by heart"
Il am pleased to hear that, my boy"
said l.
Father" said the child. 81 know
low what religion means, and l know.
90. that my father does not believe
n it, That is why my mamma was so
before she died-two years
lgo. And know that l am going to
lie; l shall have two mothers in
leaven-my own and the Blessed
Virgin.
l heard a heavy sigh behind us. The
'ather had entered quietly, and now
stood looking down at the sick bow.
de received me very politely. When
left he accompanied me to the door
md asked me to come again.
The child is dying" he said. "There
S no hone for him-let him have what
consolation he wishes, His mother
would have liked it,
1 went to see him daily after that