The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-12-04

place. you ask Ah,well-it's the story of love-of
undying devotion to an invalid husband. The
physicians orders were peremptory-a healthier
climate will prolong his life, even though it may
not restore him to his former health.
And so this good woman and her family journeyed
forth, forsaking the congenial companionships and
beloved environments of their eastern home. The
change of climate beneficial to degree and
the cheeks of the invad/took on healthier color.
Good fortune seemed to smile upon them little,
very little money still remained in the family ex
chequer after paying the doctors bill and defray-
ing the expenses of the trip. This was applied as
part payment on small farm. The prospects were
excellent, but heavy storms came the crop was de-
stroyed-and the weakened constitution of the
husband broke down under this calamity
Surely these misfortunes to crush the bravest
spirit-but this woman's cup of bitterness was not
yet filled to Overlooking, and the death of daugh-
ter added another to the dear, dead children over
which her mother-heart was grieving.
Last year her orphan grandchildrens prattle
about Santa Claus and the good things he would
bring them wrung her heart, for she had to disap-
point them; there was nothing to give "Not even
a stick of candy for the little fellows nor even a
cake for the Christmas dinner" she wrote me- 'I
have fought for many years now, still my spirit isn't
crushed; but this is the saddest Christmas have
ever spent" For herself she would not have cared:
she and her family had gone through so many
trials and tribulations that they have learned to
endure tne1n patiently But to the children
suffer-that almost unbearabe
This woman is Catholic, and one of her chief
regrets is the fact that on account of their soa-
ton, she and her family are deprived from one end
ct the to the other of all spiritual mnstration
Inc nearest neighbors live miles away, and it would
seem that in that locality Catholic is not very
popular
wonder what sort of Christmas they will spend
this year! 1t will be little more Joyous than was
their last-of that lam sure-for box will be
made up for them by myself and several friends
whom have interested in the case. Do you who
are blessed with health and prosperity wish to share
the superabundance of your Christmas ioy with
them! Do you care to give little from your store
Tor the cheering of that desolate home? If so, adj
dress me, care this publication.
In passing [ may mention the case of another
woman, concerning whom [ have made inquiry-the
widowed mother of several small children. She has
Just undergone a serious operation The PAYMENT
81 the surgeons fee and the charges for her sooun
at the hospital have impoverished her, and with all
her strength gone and the probability that she will
always remain invalid, she is driven almost TO
despair. ~
Should there be those among nv readers who
1eslre to be instrumental in carrying gladness 70
3orely-tried hearts, both the families Of which T
nave told you may have taste of the low that
should be the portion of every Christian on Christ
mas day-a joy that has been denied them far too
ong go wv