The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-07-09
JOHN M'LEAN's CONVERSION.


Donald MacAllister, the man whom | addressed
as Uncle" Che was "Uncle" to everyone within
radius of five miles, smiled indugently as he set
tied himself in his chair and lit his pipe 1t was
no ordinary favor L asked; for the old Highlander.
laxative enough on most subjects, had never be-
fore been prevailed. on to relate this particular in
cdent. 1t is wonder, then, that l felt amply
rewarded for all the sacrifices [ had made in cul-
tiyating old Donalds friendship. Had | not left
my companions scores of times to sit with him
while he recounted some legend of his native Scot
land. a story of his pioneer days in the wilds of
Cape Breton! And had | not been fortunate
enough to drop in him on more than one occa-
sion when his supply of tobacco had run short and
there was on hand to fetch some from the
village store! By these and many other little at
tcntions | had finally got his promise to tell me
the story which he had kept to himself for forty
wears So he began.
Well well! / suppose | must keep my promise
and tell you about John MacLean's conversion. 1t
is over forty years since he died, and l was then
living with Father Angus Macdonald. That was
year or two after we came from Scotland. Father
Angus was appointed to this parish as soon as he
came this country, and nothing would satisfy
him but that / should stay with him. 1t was
pretty rough country then, | assure you; yet
/ don't think | have been happier since than
was during the three years | spent with Father
Angus. The people were so good and kind such
spirit of helpfulness prevailed, that it was not hard
10 be cheerful, even if | had looked my last
Bonnie Scotland. Two or three evenings each week
The Young people would gather together, at a diff
ferent house each night, until they had made the
round Of the settlement, and then there would be
songs and Stories the music of the pipes, and
sometimes reel to timber up legs. And then
there was what called the "Coommon," where
we boys met to try our skill at jumping and put
ting the shot and tossing the caber.
We often had visitors from some of the other
settlements. he VOunp DarticRlarly used 10
come share In sports 1t was shortly after
my arrival that John MacLean began to visit from
Glen Isla All, but he was fine figure of man.
this same John MacLean! Tall and broad-shoul-
dered be was; straight as pine tree, and active
and supple as mountain cat There was not
Youth in our settlement who was his equal at run
ming or leaping; and even big Sandy MacLennan'
who never met his match at Highland games, had
all he could do to hold his own. And he was
Mg-hearted and good-natured that no one could
help liking him, though he a Protestant. And
Jet me tell you that religious feeling great
deal higher then than 1t does now. The memory
Of the persecution which had sent the first Cath
Gle settlers across the sea for their religions sake
still fresh. The young men who had voted for
the hrst Catholic to SIT IN Parliament IN the
British Empire since the Reformation, were only
mdde-aged then. So you see it is not surprising
that there was good deal of distrust of their
Protestant neighbors the part of the Catholics;
while the Protestants, who had had the upper hand
X
could distrust or dislike j. ohm MacIean. There
no narrowness or bigotry about him, though he
was a staunch enough Presbyterian, and always
ready to stand up for his creed. As good many
Of the old folks were STRONG" religious ques-
rions he found plenty opportunities of doing this,
and so came in for good deal of free instruction
Catholic doctrine.
Well things went on in this way for a couple
of years. We heard rumors that the good Pres
byterans Of Glen Isla much shocked at the
intimacy Of of their number with the Paplsts
But John MacLean gave no sign. The only change
noticed in him was that he spent less time on
the Common, and was oftener found talking to the
old men or to Father Angus.
How well | remember his last visit! 1t
Sunday evening, few weeks before Easter. 1t
raned about dusk, so persuaded John to re-
main night. 1t continued to rain all that day,
and the next day until dark. He waited until late
afternoon for the weather to clear up. Then, IN
spite Of circumstances, he mounted his horse
and rode away.
The road to Glen Isla leads over the River Ness,
YOU know. When John reached the river, he
found that the wooden bridge which spanned it had
Uecu carried away. There ford higher up;
and, as be did not wish to turn back, he resolved
to riS. the passage. Perhaps he would have sue
ceeded had it not been that his horse, heated and
perspring. succumbed TO the cold, and sank under
him in mid stream He was splendid swimmer,
and succeeded after terrible struggle, in getting
To shore In his exhausted condition he could
hardly walk, and barely managed to reach the near
est house. a mile away. The next we heard of him
he was very ILL.,
I am sure that neither storms nor floods would
have kept US from going to see our friend, had we
thought that his illness was serious. But, some-
how the possibility of poor Johns dying never
entered our heads At the worst, it could mean
only that we should not see him for week or two
During the next few days we heard from HIM
frequently. Now he was said to be better; another
time there was no change in his condition; but al
ways he was not considered TO be in any danger.
Then late in the evening Holy Saturday Father
Angus sent for me q was helping one OF the neigh
bor> with his wood-cutting) and said:
Donald, l am going a sick call, and want
YOU to come with me, for do not know the road"
Why, Father, surely you know every road and
bypath in the parish by this time! I"
Surely l do" answered Father Angus; but,