Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-12-23
The Bishop
Kitten
A Christmas Story
BY FRANK H. SWEET.
19ys, by American Press
Association.

writer beside him. The bishop OF
Winchester sat in the window in a
straight backed chair, for il appeared
that be could not even allow himself
the luxury of resting when he might
have rested.
"a note of thanks from the president
Of the board of managers Of the Home
For the Homeless" said the secretary,
opening another letter, with a lit
tie sigh of relief. for he was near the
end of the pile He says that your
magnificent contribution has saved the
home from serious difficulties and that
this will enable them to go through
the winter comfortably"
mo answer needed" said the bishop
briefly.
"A letter from MIR. Hanlon for help
for a poor family. He says ne has
found a family In great distress, and
he looks to you for advice and assist
ance."
He doesn't need advice. He needs
assistance. Tell him to draw on me
and do what be thinks necessary"
"A letter from MIR. Quintard in ref
erence to young Cooper. the theological
student. He mas married and so has
forfeited his right to continue his
course and enter upon his career un-
less you are willing to make an excep-
ton In his case
The bishops face flushed and his
lips set in line like iron.
Write Mr.. Qulntard," he said in icy
tones. that he will please convey to
the young man my compliments and
tell him that since he has put his nose
to the grindstone be may keep IL there.
He is to tell him from me that be can
seek out some humble employment for
himself"
Are you going out, SIR" asked the
secretary as the bishop put on his
Overcoat.
Yes" replied the great man sim
ply. Il promised to give talk to the
workingmen tonight at the Dayton
mission"
There was world of personal his
tory 10 the simple answer. II was
cold aud dismal night, aud the fire was
burning cneerily in the CRATE. yet this
man. who might nave taken his ease.
was going to the farthest extremity OF
the city 10 talk TO grlmy wOrkingmen.
The secretary watched him with won
der and curiosity In his face. The
hard. stern. unDending man, the self
sacrificing sympatnizer with the poor
what contradictions were III this mans
nature.
The mission stood In the midst of a
thlckly settled district populated chief
ly by the wOrkmei from the toundries
aud mills that abOunded there. The
mission house was small and plain
and not TOO comfortable, as the bishop
knew. for he had spoken there before.
10 his surprise, the doors were closed
and the place was dark,
"Strange." he said to himself II did
not think ! was too early"
Nothing stirred about the house ex-
cept little furry kitten which sat on
the steps and rent the air with ago
nized howls.
Mercy, what a voice" exclaimed
the bishop uueasily. Are you cold,
poor little Kitty
LooknNg up aud down the street to
see that no one was coming, ne took
the tiny kitten up and stroked its
head. Il opened its mouth WIDE aud
walled for something II missed and
could not explain, II surely muSt be
almost frozen. No one was coming
vet. The bishop unbuttoued his over
coat at the top aud thrust the kitten
In.
III see any one coming | can take
Il out" he thought. perhaps one of
the workmen will take II home TO the
children"
Lulled by the warmth. the kitten
was quiet for a moment. but all at
once II realized that there was some
thing else needed. II crawled up, put
out It's head aud howled louder than
ever.
Mercy on u.s." exclaimed the bish-
op, I'll must be- hungry. II the men
would only come
Sure enough there was some one
walking up the street with rapid |
swing. But he was about TO pass
when the bishop stopped him.
Pardon me, my friend he said, |
but l expected there would be serv-
Ice In this house tonight Can you tell !
me-
mo; it's Christmas night" said the
man. hurrying on,
He had mistaken the night. and all |
this long Journey! TOO bad. kitty"
he said 70 the head which was JUST be-
meath his chin and which was giving |
ulteance 10 the widest aud most nope
less bowls. "As have nothing else
10 do. though. perhaps I might lind
place where they would give you
little milk aud maybe adopt you"
A little distance farther on there
was a house where there was a lre In
lhe front room. aud he could hear a
mans voice within. Ah. here was the
,laca, man would understand the