The Cairo bulletin., 1910-12-05
A PENITENT
A Burglar Is Brought Back to the
Fold on Christmas MON.
BY EMMA EDMONDS
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association


fore Christmas stood on sidewalk In
a great city and watched the shoppers.
On the other side of the street was
large jewclry store, In and out OF
which throngs of people We're going
and coming, many of them carrying
the goods they had bought rather than
risk not getting them before Christmas
morning If left to be sent home by the
delivery wagon,
Mike was watching for some pros
porous looking person to come out of
the store his pockets bullying with
small packages knew the small
ones to be the most valuable intend
Ing to follow him home and during the
night relieve him Of them. Presently
he hit upon an elderly gentleman with
mutton chop whiskers and gold head
ed cane, who, as he emerged from the
store, was examining the said small
packages down into his pocket. Mike
followed him. noted the house he en-
tered and went away.
The town clocks We're striking one
hour after midnight when the burglar
bent his steps to the house In question,
passed from the front steps on to
balcony, inserted jimmy under d
window sash, pulled out the screws
that held the SASH raised 1t and en-
tered large drawing room The
Christmas presents were doubtless
kept above, so, feeling his way up
stairs, he found hall lighted by
gas jet turned very low. He turned
1t tritie higher In order the better to
see the way and, looking into an open
door, saw two little children asleep
with their arms about each other To
the mantel hung two long stockings
bullying in every part. On bureau
was crucitix.
Mike had been brought up Catholic
by an honest Woodworking mother
and remembered when lad quite well
grown seeing his little brother and
sister, both less than five years old,
lying In bed together In this fashion.
He remembered 1t especially because
he had just come In with some toys to
put into their stockings. The sight
took him back to those days when he
had not yet gone TO the bad, and there
came sinking about his heart. He
passed back through a narrow hallway
and, opening a door, entered portion
of the house that seemed to be an adj
dition and cut off from the rest. The
door had scarcely closed behind him
when he heard low voice say:
"Dominus vobiseum."
Mike started, and his knees trembled
beneath him. Whence came the
voice from the ceiling, from under
the floor or from behind curtainsI 1t
had been years since Mike had gone
to mass, much less to confession, and
now 1t seemed to him that he was In
a church: that the priest had turned
from the altar TO the congregation and,
spreading his arms IN an attitude ia
bless them, had intoned the Latin
words meaning "The Lord be with
you"
Instinctively Mike bowed his heafs
and made the sign of the cross on his
forehead
Then suddenly woman's voice be
gan to sing that beautiful hymn Avs
Sanctlssima" C'Hail, Most Holy Moth
err. From the moment Mike hehre
the first note he began TO droop. GRAD
ually he bent almost to the floor, ane
when the words Cora pro nobis'
c'Pray for us") were sung he sank upoi
his knees. When the song stopped thu
, penltent was sobbing like a child.
Suddenly a light was turned ON be
hind him. But Mike remained on hi
knees. He was too overcome by tn
I music to make any resistance,
what are you doing hereT' asked
the gentleman Mike had shadowe'
that day.
, ~ came to rob you, sir" Mike re
piled in hoarse whisper, but hay
I, been turned from my purpose, first, b.
your two little children with thef
hanging stockings and, second, by wha
have heard here. Am | dreamin
that am in a church? Is this dwell
ing, or have I gone madF'
e "Neither. We are Roman Catholic
here, and I have purchased a phone
graph as a Christmas present for m
i wife. who Is Il very devout woman
|, 1t Is intended for such left 1t wount
and suppose something has gon
: wrong with the machinery and starte
I It up. / heard the singing and came
: to shut the thing off"
: Then Mike rose from his knees, bt
with his head still bowed said:
: II am ready, sir, to 20 to Jail an
suffer the punishment | deserve. 81
never again will | commit a Grim
II The influence Of our holy church al
my old mother when | was boy b.
y been brought back TO me tonight
y save me from sinking any lower. a
:, armed, sir, and could kill you in a m
y ment. But fear nothing. Go to yol
telephone, IL you have one in the hous
I and call the police
! The gentleman stood looking at Mil
e for some moments without speakin
then said
II shall not telephone for the pole
The police represent the law, o.