Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-26

persons that have passed away seems
 to me unusually large, and I have
 felt that loss of some of them as g
 personal bereavement. And, now
 with reluctant and sorrowful pen, must add Father Slocum's name tc the list.
 I do not quite understand why should feel his death as much as do, for we were not intimate friends and our opportunities of personal in tercourse were not many. But fancy that herein others have had the same experience as I: They have been drawn to him through some influence they could not quite define or explain. We meet such men oc- casionally, and we talk of their personality" or their magnetism" !" My acquaintance with Father Slo- cum began in Eorwalk. Returning to my old parish, some years ago, found that the one clergyman there who was talked about more than any other, and always in the friend Hest way, was this Catholic priest. His work was praised, and his per sonal qualities were referred to in terms of admiration. My host, who was an old parishoner of mine. sug- gested that should call and see him. He took me to the pastoral residence on a Monday morning and left me there. The cordiality with which was greeted and the warmth of his friendliness can readily be ap- preciated by all who have known Father Slocum during these twelve years past in Waterbury. I soon dis covered that he was lover and col lector of rare books. and we were at once on congenial terms; but not alone because our tastes were sim liar, we had broader grounds for friendship. I liked his frankness, his evident sincerity, his manliness, and we talked of matters that lie deep down in the life of thoughtful men. I remember that he spoke frankly of the celibate life of the priesthood, and said, You Prot estants think we are not faithful to our vows, but"-and his voice was full of feeling-'you do not under stand how God helps us." He seem- ed to be more like one of "our own" ministers than any priest I had thus far met; so that when he mentioned as he accompanied me to the gate, that one of his maternal ancestors was Scotch Presbyterian, I ex- claimed, "Ah!" that explains!"-a comment which he received with his heartiest laugh.
 It was grateful news to me, when I heard that this Norwalk father" was to be transferred to Waterbury. I was sure he would make for him self as large and as warm a place in the new field as he had made in the old. and after he came I watched with much pleasure the rapid full flllment of my anticipations. Moro than any of his predecessors he made himself one man among men. Loyal to his church and his priestly office, he was at the same time a thorough going American. He believed ia the American type of manhood; he be- lieved in our public schools. His in- dependence and frankness were we'll illustrated in a remark he mads to me on his return from a trip to tit West Indies. Referring to the morals of some of the Cuban priests, he said. with touch of humor, T find new evidence of the divinity of the church in the fact that it has survived the priesthood of Cuba"
 Although we were not often thrown together. I recall quite a number of little incidents, the re- membrance of which brings him vividly before me. On my first visit to his Waterbury study two things impressed me-the array of ancient books upon the shelves and the col lection dish, filled with money, on the study table. He said, That is yesterdays collection-one hundred and eighty-six dollars" and we