The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-01-29
PAUL's CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
By Ida L. COGHLAN.

Mrs Clifford put her bundles on the table and
,ached for the matches. Paul must be asleep she
aought, else he would hear me. l am really glad,
or | am late tonight, and it is lonely here in the
dark She carried the lamp into the little hall
room which served a kitchen, lighted it and the
little oil stove and set the water to heat for their
tea.
Is that you, mothie, DEAR" called wee voice
from the other room.
Yes darling it is Just a moment and I'll
bring a light. You were asleep when mother came
home she did not light the lamp for fear of walk
ing YOU
Mrs. Clifford set the lamp on the table and
stopped TO kiss the eager little face. Paul twined
his arms about his mothers neck and she kissed him
fondly.
Did the back hurt much today?" she asked.
1T just hurt awful this morning, mothie When
Mrs. Flarrity brought my dinner she gave me some
medicine but my back didn't feel better until the
little boy came to play with me- Then it didn't
hurt any more"
so he was here again? How long did he stay?"
It'll it was getting dark"
Did YOU ask his name Paul?"
Yes, mothie; his name is Christopher, and he
says his mother knows he comes; she's always glad
when he comes to see me-"
Mrs Clifford was greatly troubled. A poor
widow she was obliged to leave her invalid son alone
all day while she at work. Mrs. Farrity, the
kndhearted woman from whom she rented her
rooms. gave Paul his dinner and looked in several
times day to if he needed anything. Mrs.
Clifford troubled about the little boy who had
been coming of late to play with Paul.
No one seemed to know where he lived or whence
he came. Sure. | never see the child at ALL man.
Mrs Flarrity said in answer to her query q never
see him come and uever see him go, but there can
be no harm in his coming to see Paul; in fact, the
child always seems better after he's been here"
Il should like to know something of the boy"
persisted Mrs. Clifford "I'm very grateful to him
for coming and to his mother for letting him come
thought. at first, that he was the son of some
wealthy but charitable woman who was really in
teresed in my poor boy. Paul says that when he
asked HIM where he lived the boy answered. o. ev-
srywhere'"
Mrs. Flarity laughed "'Twas Just bit of child
l>h fun, woman DEAR and what matters it. anyway.
where the boy lives as long as his company is
help and pleasure to Paul!"
NO doubt you right, Mrs. Flarrity; it does
Mt matter and Paul is really better for his coming"
Mrs. Clifford pushed the table close to Pauls
char that they might have supper together.
What did you and Christopher talk about today!"
She asked as she buttered his toast.
PauI- face frightened "Ie told the most beau
tlful stories about the angels and our Lord | told
nm how hard it to lie here all the time know
lng that | couldn't ever walk, and how you always
tell me to be patient and cheerful; that as long as
Nod wanted me to be helpless 4 must bow to His
WILL hen he told me about a woman in the Bible.
me was widow like you and had little boy
IKE me. He growed up to be a man and he died
They were carrying him out to bury him when they
met our Lord. The poor mother was crying so
hard mat our Lord sorry and he told the
10 get up, and he did get up and was all we'll And
mothe-he asked me if we ever prayed that |
might get well. I told him yes, that you al
ways making novenas for me. Christopher said for
us to make a novena to the Infant Jesus. He said
ne would ask his mother to pray for me too; and
mohie dear maybe the Infant Jesus would cure
me SO that ! could walk"
faulS wan little face was radiant and his eyes
bright with hope. Cant we make the novena,
mothie"
Yes. darling. we will make the novena; if the
dear Infant Jesus thinks it best for you"
lie CAN make me well, can't he, mothie?" he
interrupted eagerly.
tie certainly can" she answered earnestly, "and
lie certainly will if He thinks it best"
Ihough she spoke reassuringly, Mrs. Clifford
hoqght Of the many, many novenas she had made;
made with faith and confidence; with no appar-
eht benefit to Paul. She resolved to make the no
Fena IN honor of the Infant Jesus. Each night
5Ie and Paul rected the novena prayers together.
lWce during that time Christopher came, each
lIne cheering Paul with the hope of cure
Christmas morning Mrs. Clifford went to an
carly Mass, leaving Paul asleep. On chair be-
Sde hls bed were the few presents she had bought
nm. During the Mass and especially after receiv-
ing holy communion. the pious widow prayed fer
FeAty for her boy. "That he may be able to walk,