The Washington herald., 1907-03-31

as did the sworn evidence Of Tillerman
Boyle. who. If a smile Of incredullty
spread over the fzoes OF his listeners.
insisted that he had seen il. and his heart
was in his mouth. Boyle was q great ad-
mirer OF the driver (almost everybody
was who knew him Weli). and never tired
OF singing his exploits 10 the younger
men; exploits which were worthy Of a
more exalted reciter but which scarcely
could have found a more sincere aud pic
tnTesque one. In most matters on which
a difference Of opinion was likely to arise
Murphy and Boyle stood united. and the
calm philosophy OF the driver combined
with the manly hum0r OF the tinerman
was generally victorious III the heated
arguments. which ranged from horses To
baseball and 10 politics.
The pair agreed that Bryan and free
silver were essential to the perpetulty
Of the nation; they both held that long
legged, big-boned horses we're the most
serviceable 10 the department; they In
sisted that Jimmy Collins, who was one
CT the Ancient Order Of Hibernians, and
In good standing. was by far the most
superior third baseman IA the world: they
]
treachery and England's meddling atd-
tude, but ii was wien the question OF
home rule and ireland came up that they
/ held the floor for hours expostuiating
with Redmond and defying Chamberlain.
On religious subjects also they agreed
but there was one matter which wa
never discussed between them without a
reproachfui tone coming into the voice
fNF
over the face Of the tillerman. Both
were Catholics, and both we're ready 10
argue. fight and fall for that faith. yet.
while the driver was a deyOut attendant
at church, Boyle had neglected 10 hear
mass for many years; so when the ques-
tton OF orthodoxy came up the tilieFmau
was ever uncomfortable.
This Holy Saturday night. as Murphy
sat earnestly matching queens and Ut
terly engrossed fn the mazes OF Chinese
solitaire, Boyle, with copy OF the even
/ ing paper on his knee and the sympa-
thetie editorial On a rejuvenated democ-
racy unread. was thinking thoughts
which made him turn his eyes now and
then toward the card player at the table
The house was quiet. save for an occs-
sional restlessness Of the horses and the
steady ticking OF the house clock as it
drew near 10 and passed it.
Murphy shuffled the cards again, rehIled
the pipe, and glanced at the clock, Amt
your watch up, Martini he asked.
Yes, but I'm reading. Denny. and III
stay up a while yet"
Again there was silence for time,
during which the paper remained un-
touched; then, with a slight cough. Boyle
sad: Tomorrow is Easter, Denny"
There was no answer from the driver.
who removed his pipe as he played a trey
! Of hearts.
I wish I was OF tomorrow" said
Boyle, this time with meaning in his
voice.
''Why?" questioned the driver. raising
from his seat and putting away the cards.
i thought I'd like to 90 to St Mary's
| in the morning and hear the Easter serv-
ice 1t would do me good, maybe" Boyle
/ answered.
1T would. entirely" said Murphy.
/ 'But I amt of and maybe it's just as
well. I would be a stranger in the church
now, me that's been a black sheep this
| eighteen years
It's d crime. Martin Boyle, TO be go
/ ing on this way-y0u that used to pass
the plate and was never a month away
I from your duties And Father Sheenan
thought you had the makings Of d priest
/ in you and so did your good mother, and
! so did l. Here you are making your dead
/ father turn over in his grave and having
them that don't know you think your
renegade" Murphy sat down again and
reltghted his pipe.
Il know it, Denny" said Boyle
why. man. you've had ten Sundays Of
/ in the last year If # was church you
wanted. and -
/ 4 know it, Denny interrupted the till
/ erman. Il have a bad streak in me and
well I know it. Ny mother says that must
/ be it,"
NO. Martin, its not that; its your
afraid to make your duties and it's Well
you know it." Murphy spoke earnestly
and the tillerman shifted In his chair.
! I'm OF tomorrow, but III stay on duty
/ till 9 o'clock and you get up early and
/ 90 10 confession before the : o'clock mass
and go TO the and I'll wait till you come
back"
But when VIII you be going to mass,
/ Denny?'' asked Boyle,
/ '1'n wait till the 10. 1t won't hurt me
/ to hear a long sermon on Easter"
/ But, Denny"
BE OF now TO bed and say some pray
ers and I'll call you at 8 And have you
/ your beads?" asked Murphy.
/ 7 have that I never was so much the
1 black divvle as that to lose me beads or
J leave of me seapulars. answered Boyle.
Well, goodnight and good luck,
wished Murphy
/ Boyle looked at him a uloment and tried
| to speak, but a lump rose in his throat
and his eyes moistened.
=" 'Tis you that should have passed
around the plate, Denny and Boyls
went to bed The driver took a last look
/ at the horses. and soon followed up the
stairs, murmuring; Wont his mother be
] the proud one?"
Martin Boyle, with bright eyes and
clean shaven face, sat in ST. Marys
Church the next morning. praying as only
strong man can pray; and beside him.
with happy signs ana many a covert
glance at him, sat his mother. Her heart
had gained one Of its fondest desires,
prayer that had never gone day unsaid
was answered, and even the trembling
cherries in her Easter bonnet seemed to
beam with her. Some of the oongrega-
ton, those who knew the Boyles. were
surprised TO see the man at church. but
all of them looked with admiration at the
broad-shouldered fireman and hts feeble
mother as they went up the aisle together
to communion.
Just as the mass started, the clang Of
the fire bells drowned for a moment the
solemn intonations of the priest, and
Boyle switched uneasiiy In his seat when
the familiar bell Of No. rushed past the