The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1907-02-02
APosToLATE OF A NEWsBoY.
"a True Incident, Written for The Missioner
(Rezl Richard w Alo-a,,lon

boys were being formed, evening in the school
house OF my parish. j watching the lads rs
they placed in divisions according to their in
teligence, when suddenly scuffle was heard ct
the door,
Every head turned as a boy was pushed
forward. He fell, but quickly regained his feet
and tried to make his exit but two other boys were
behind him, barring the way He stood at bav like
small wild anmal his terrified eyes taking in
the windows vainly trying to if escape were
possible.
What does this mean4 y I asked sternly.
Father, this Teller has been hangin' round the
buildin for an hour He wants in. but he's fraid ~
What you afraid of. my SOM"
No answer came from the boy. who certainly,
looked frightened to death He was ill-clad, small
and pale.
What is your name! Don't be afraid, Speak
up, like mani
"Willl" in husky voice, twirling his cap,
'Wll Whatg'
Father he amt got any other name, He hasn't
got any parents, nor brothers. nor nuthin'" said
the boys, who seemed to know him,
One of lfes waits, ] thought: thrown on the
stream of humanity, wanted by nobody cared for
by nobody, and yet soul for whom Christ died
"Will, are YOU Catholics"
eyes, Father
do you want to make your First Communion p
He looked up eagerly,
Yes, Father"
We'll, come here and sit down, and I'll teach
VIII looked furtively around, and seeing l
smiled, and vet was in earnest took the seat gave
him, and his presence forgotten. lie
looked and listened in silence all evening.
l thought it better to say nothing TO him that
evening If he came again it would be time
enough. When the other boys left I found out
from who fingered that VIII was a newsboy,
lived under steps in summer, and in ash-pits in
winter; always said he a Catholic bu1 until
new, never came near a Catholic school. and he
twelve years old! He had heard other boys talk
about night institutions and came with the crowd
but lacked courage to enter until forcby landed i'll
the room by his chums, who would have ''no fooin'
where the priest was"
Next evening VIII was on hand. Face clean,
better clothes, though sadly threadbare but respect
full and attentive. He could not read instruc-
tons proceeded laborous y. However he grew
more and more earnest, mastered the chapters Of
Catechism. and ere long the most devoted chap
in the His big brown eyes never left my face
when | spoke to the class. He helped to put the
room i'll order after dismissal and always fingered
until | said, Goodnight, God bless you, Willie"
He learned his prayers, and [ gave him a
sary, and the time drew for First Com
munion and Confirmation. he became. if possible
more attentive and earnest. Often | spoke to The
boys about the saints of God, little anecdotes of
charity. devotion and prayer. Once when l had
told the story of the early martyrs, Wills eyes
lever fixed on mel glowed, and that night he said
to me. Father, I'd like to die Martyr
''Well, my boy, YOU might, although not By fire
or sword"
''How then Father?"
by loving others better than yourself By Civ
ing your life to help others. There are many
martyrs in this world, Will
He said nothing and forgot the circumstance
First Communion time Will passed the
examination and made his general confession.
lad grown greatly interested in him, end had
spoken to some charitable ladies who provided him
S1ita 9th au6b ad -~vo
lie was a respectable looking lad messenger
JOY. But although had provided him with home
le left it. to live with an old apple woman. who
5ook him to her warm heart and gave him little
corner in her humble lodgings, and grew fonder of
lin every day. And he responded to Granny's love
y giving her all his earnings.
After VIII had been confirmed aud made his
irst communion, he still came to see me- and / no
iced with anxiety he had hard. hacking
cough. [ mentioned it, but he only laughed and
aid it was nothing che didn't mind it, But
5ranny came to me- greatly worried over her
10Y.
Father" said she. Il wish you would BID him
lot TO pray long in the cold. | do be listening
or him to go to bed but he is on his knees till all
ours with his heads in his hands, and the room do
e cold, for can't have fires at night
Wills purity and piety had begun TO make q
Ieep impression my mind. He is chosen soul.
thought, and often he looked to me like young
Amt. with his steady brown eyes fixed rapturously
N me, when [ talked of the martyrs and holy ones
# God
One bitter cold February night Will came to
ZEE me. l noticed his cough worse, and spoke |
o him about taking more care of himself When
e was leaving, blast of icy wind swept through
he doorway, nearly taking me off my feet.
will" I said, "you must take the cars home.
lave you the changer" l added "Well, I declare"
aid Will, feeling in his pockets, 81 guess left my
honey in my other suit But I'll run, Father"
"No, you'd freeze night like this. Here is car
are" and l handed him new quarter. "Than1
on, Father, III borrow it and pay it back" said
with smile. "Be off them" I said; ''Good-
light"
"But the blessing"
God bless you! God bless you" and hastily
osed the door,
/ thought no moro of VIII for day or two.
he weather grew bitter cold. No one left the
ouse unless he had to do so. But one afternoon
lie telephone rang and a strange voice asked me
ould ] go to such house to poor person