The Irish standard., 1907-09-21
A Strange Confession,

1t was after noon of the Saturday
before Low Sunday The numerous
banks and large business houses had
for the most part, closed early, as is
usual in London on Saturdays and the
various employes-nanager cashiers
clerks, assistants of all sorts-were re-
pairing to their homes in the outlying
parts Of the metropolis. says the Ave
Maria.
The Tube" and other electric under
ground railways We're crowded with
passengers. as were also the omnibus
es on the roadway above. The vehi-
cles that wendell their way cityward
were, on the other hand, comparatively
empty.
On the roof of one of these omni-
buses Catholic priest was seated He
noticed that the driver glanced around
several times in his direction with a
doubtful. almost inquirng expression,
and the conviction forced itself on
him that the, man was DESTROYS of
speaking to him. So as. soon as the
next seat to the coachbox. was vacat-
edit was not one of the motor omni-
buses-he took the opportunity thus
afforded him Of placing himself close
to the driver, who looked round with a
satisfied smile. saying:
"All right, father" The next mo.
ment, however, ha added, with a sud-
den, anxious change of manner: us
your reverence a Catholic priest-a
Roman Catholic?"
Ut must be remembered that the
so-called High Church Protestant cler-
gy dress in exact imitation of Cath
Ollie priests, and even call themselves
Catholics.)
Yes certainly. was the reply.
The conversation seemed destined to
go no further; for the driver had to de-
vote all his attention to his horses, as
he had got into rather congested part
of the city, and it required all the
skill and GOODNESS of practiced hand
to steer his way through the crowd Of
vehicles. When progress was again
more easy. the driver once more look
ed at the priest. as if to invite him to
speak
What was the priest to say? He
did not care to talk of the weather or
the state of the streets, so he asked
whether the man was Londoner? No:
he was an Irishman. Yet even the dear
land Of his birth did not appear to be
an interesting topic. and the priest felt
sure that the man had something on
his mind about which he could not
begin. Suddenly the thought struck
him that this was the last day but
one for fulfilling the Easter duty. and.
after few more adroit remarks about
Ireland he adroitly brought the con-
versation to that point. and put the
question:
Have YOU been to your duties this
Eastern
The man gave a sigh of relief
II am glad you asked me that" he
said. For the last two or three days
have been looking out for some priest
to come up here who would hear my
confession"
What! Would you make your con-
turmoil of the London streets? Why
not go to the nearest church? Confess
sions will be heard in all our churches
this evening up to late hour"
The 1rishman shook his head and for
a few minutes said nothing. Then he
told the father that he should not be
off duty until midnight. so that he
could not possibly 60 to church. And
as the next day was the last one for
fulfilling the Easter precept. he was
afraid 1t would be the same with him
this year Is it was last year. He had
put off his confession till the last day:
and. though he got up early. and went
first to one then to two. other churches.
he found so many persons round the
confessionals that he knew II he wait
ed for his turn. he. would be too late
for his work. In fact, he had only just
had time to hear mass before hasten
ing to the omnibus yard.
III you will not hear me. father" he
concluded. there will be little chance
for me again this year"