The Irish standard., 1905-12-23
Bears Remarkable Fruit, as the
Story Proves.
4 Priests Experience at Death.
bed of an Actress.
Grew. Richard w. Alexander in the
Missionary

was unconscious and dying, and that
she might be a Catholic, for she had a
rosary on her dressing table. l went
hastily with the holy oils. l found a
girl of about twenty-five. lying pale
and helpless on her bed. Her eyes were
closed, and her long, dark hair, dis
ordered on the pillow, framed a singu-
larly sweet, innocent face. One of the
hotel maids was busted about her, and
1t was not hard to know what faith
shone in her honest, charitable eyes.
Stepping reverently aside, she said in
hushed voice to some of the troupe that
were in the small room:
It's the priest
Every one made way, and stopped
over the girl. She opened her eyes
and tried to smile.
Are you a priest?' she asked.
Yes, my child I answered.
Am l very bad? l am in awful
pain, but maybe I'll get better Then
she suddenly tainted.
1.-The maid spoke of gave her re-
storatives, and l hurriedly asked what
was the matter.
{" Why, Burtie was performing her
great trapeze act today and missed her
count, father; she fell thirty feet.
The surgeon says her spine is injured
and there is no hope. He only gave
her twelve hours to live, perhaps not
that. 1t is her grit that keeps her up
father said the young woman, with
tears in her eyes,
She is the best performer in the
company said another young woman
Is she an actress"
oh, yes, father We have refined
vaudeville. But we are d very select
organization. said the woman, with
emphasis. 'Burtie is very correct. No
breath of gossip ever touched her!
She kept us all straight. Poor Burtie!
Just then Burtie's eyes opened.
The priest she said family.
II made a sign to them. You had
better all leave, and l will call you in
few minutes
Yes, father they said obediently
and was alone with the dying girl.
Father. want to make genera
confession said She and she begar
with difficulty clear, honest, sincere
confession. 1t took her some time, bu
she would not let me hurry her. sale
a few words and gave her as penanc'
one Hail Mary She began to say i
aloud slowly. My child said, MAKE
fervent act of contrtion first. l an
going to give you absolution
ooh, no, father she said; you mus
first give me the sacrament of hap
tism.'
'Baptism!' l said, amazed. Surel
you are baptized
No, father. / am not Il Catholic.
was never baptized. In belief ar
and always have been a Catholic, blu
l never received any sacrament. l g
nv rosary. learned that at schoo
But our life has been SO rowing that
could only do that much l never ha
much chance, you see. | was wild an
self willel. and when grandma died
left school: and as there was no one
restrain me. being alone in the world
,..,1,, al ,tI
wild horses and doing burlesuuc. Bl
- 4 never forgot all ! learned at the cor
vent, although | did not think about
j T. long time.
Where did you go to school. II
child?'
ITO boarding schoul-tu ST.. y. Ac;
deny, Pennsylvania
Il knew the convent well. | pause
amazed at her story, told with ditiicu
ty, for her sulferings were evident.
Won't YOU baptize me, father, al
then give me absolution? Baptism
enough know. but l want it,
"She folded her hands and look
steadily DIT ne Will udIh, SUI eyes,
which saw death.
" Indeed / will, child and took o
my stole and, Selling a goblet Of wat
from her table, l eXhorted her to pc
feet condition, and fervently baptiz
her.
Thank God!' she whispered a
closed her eyes.
1T seemed to me, after few m
ments' pause, that the CHASTITY hue
death had given place to more Iii
like color. l waited.
Father said she, I'm suffer-
terribly, and l know now that l "
die soon. l want you to give me HI
viaticum and Extreme Unction.
Il hesitated. l was amazed. HI
was dying actress. just baptized
How did know whether she was sui
GENTLY instructed? She read !
thoughts.
"'You don't think am instruct
father? belfesve firmly that
Blessed Eucharist is our Lord Hims'
His true body and blood, which
to receive without fasting because
is my Viaticum; and Extreme Unct
q. <1,o 1oot onointinp of the nnrff