The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-11-12
THE GREAT FEAR.

and big and burly, he had fought his way with
tooth and claw On more than on occasion. he had
at the gaming-table race-course won or lost
3 fortune without so much as batting an eye. He
had killed his man, broken unlike the better class
Of gamblers, and walked into wealth over the pros
trate bodies of widows and orphans. If there were
any ransgresslons against the moral law which he
had not committed, it was only because his knowl-
edge Of wickedness, wide it was, had its limita-
lions. Whether horseback or in his machine
he had shown such daredevil spirit as to make
strong men shiver and fair women scream.
He had been baptized Catholic and a legend
ran to the effect that he at one time knew how to
bless himself. 1t was void legend, but some opti-
msts believed it. Also, he had shown his faith by
an occasional and unloOked-for appearance at
church bazaars, where, during his stay, money was
very easy indeed.
At forty-fve years of age, then, he was still
betting still breaking laws human and divine with
seeming impunity; still, with unchanging face
amassing fortunes, and throwing them away; still
proclaiming well by word as by deed, that he
feared nothing-neither God nor man.
Then something happened.
As he entered downtown saloon one memoir
able night, some of his friends who did there most
resort observed a startling change. His strong
head was not held so high, his shoulders were not
thrown back, and those firm lips of his were
aQuiver.
Give me drink, quick!" he called out in
voice that seemed anothers.
Two bartenders literally fell over each other and
incidentally broke few glasses to accommodate
him. their eyes furtively on the watch in the fear
that he would reach for his hip-pocket.
He swallowed both drinks-for the two had
served hm-threw a silver dollar on the counter,
and then looked round upon the silent and staring
group
Nolan" he said, picking out a young man al,
ready prominent IN the sporting set, will you come
home with me =!
Sure. j. j., answered Nolan.
Together they went out into the night; and, as
the swing-doors closed after them, the men at the
bar looked at one another In dumb wonder.
1T comes to them ALL said a famous horse
owner, breaking the awkward silence; 'they lose
their nerve, and that's the end of They're all
in for good | thought j. j. would last three or
four years yet, but it has come to him, as it has
come to every plunger l ever knew heard
about
Then the group became reminiscent, ordered
more drinks, and lighted fresh cigars.
But it was really worse than his friends had i'm
agined. j. j. Dennison had at last been fright
ened, frightened that he kept his house. where
be trembled and shivered and proclaimed openly
that he was afraid And he told why, also.
lie had, on that memorable night, met some one
face to face and that some one, as Dennison gazed
upon him, was at once entirely unknown and
strangely familiar Describe him he could not.
Clothes! He had not noticed them. All he could
remember the face. Had the face been wholly
strange, or had it been wholly familiar, Dennison
so be claimed, would not have given the matter
second thought. But 1t was great fear had
come upon him.
Detectives tried to get the man he had met and
failed Then a famous neurologist came upon the
scene, and, after a long examination, made, in
learned and technical words precisely the same
declaration that had fallen, in language more
oft An
pications Of electricity, massaging and medicines
were administered TO j. j. Dennison, but to no
effect, His manifestations of cowardice were at
times ptiable
Then, one day, Detective Kelly, who knew his
prayer-book as well as he knew the criminal world
Of the city, came to j. j. with novel announce
ment
Ever heard of Father Drane, J. il" he in
quired, after few preliminary remarks about the
weather
That old priest with the tremendous stoopyG
asked Dennison, pacing the room restlessly, and
wringing his hands when he was not cracking his
fingers
Yes. He's coming to see you today Fact is,
I've asked him.
Donnison said nothing.
One hour later Father Drane arrived and was
ushcred by the waiting detective into the room.
For forty years he had given most of his time to
the work of bringing sinners back to repentance.
People calle' rim "the angel of the confessional"
and often r. ted the saying of some religious
wag to the 1 d that the good Father kept the
angels in / yru 30 busy rejoicing that they were
obliged to aioic vertime.
Father" said . ennison, at taken by the
KIND and winning manner of the good priest you
know it; everyn ov knows tim afraid, I'm
scared"
They we're sitting close together. The priest
had taken Den sons hand in his, and for nearly
half an hour, while Detective Kelly looked on at
respectful distance their hands remained locked
together And all this time Dennison went on
telling his pitiful story-pausing, suffering bab
bling, even. incoherently.
4 Think said Father Drane at last, chat I I'M
qerstand your case and I'm going to cure YOU
Kelly, viii you wait outside for a few minutes"
And as tie detective retired, he something |
supciously like - stole coming out of the old !
priests pocket
The few minutes proved to be something more