The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-06-11

car and took the first vacant chair by the aisle 1t
happened to be beside jeff.
Something of the forlorn, pathetically bittle look
about the boy must have stirred his sympathy, for
he began to talk directly that the train IN mo-
ton.
"In hard luck, my boy!" He laid a strong, firm
hand on Jef's knee.
Eyes"
'Well, keep up hope and work on. You will pull
through after while"
Something in his sympathy touched the boy, and
almost unconsciously he told his story of failure
only he did not mention his father.
81 know what it is, said the governor, and his
eyes grew reminiscent ~ came to America from
Ireland when I was fifteen. [ a country boy
and knew nothing of the way of city-and | was
not strong I could not work on the streets or the
railroads. [ walked the hot pavements many days,
trying for work
"At last / got place in the kitchen of cheap
restaurant The heat was terrible. The horrid smell
of the steaming, spoiled food was worse; and the
curses of the cooks and walters nearly drove me
mad.
81 was sensitive and afraid would not please.
They worked me almost to DEATH and abused me
fearfully for my ignorance and awkwardness.
Il slept in a little airless hall over the restaur-
ant where the heat mde tahe nights hideous
than the days.
"One day [ slipped on the greasy floor and
dropped large bowl of hot tomato soup The pro-
prietor heard the crash and rushed in, snarng like
mad dog. He grabbed me by the neck and rubbed
my face in the soup the floor, and he rubbed the
stuff into my hair and clothes, and down my neck,
and then kicked me out into the street.
81 was in horrible plight, and as I walked the
street, rage and dependency fought within me- l
determined that would kill the proprietor and then
go and jump into the river.
when it grew dark l stole a knife and started
back to the restaurant. Under corner light came
face to face with young man who stopped and
spoke to me.
-" In hard luck, partnerp he asked. He had the
gentlest eyes and the sweetest smile of any man 1
ever saw.
Yes said, I'm out of job did not tell
him what had started to do. He talked with me
a few minutes. Come with me- he said, and I'll
try to get you a job
HE taught in night school, and [ waited at
the foot of the stairs for two hours while he gave
his lessons. Then he took me to his room. | guess
1t was not much of a room but it seemed like
Heaven to me then, for it had window that opened
to the outside air.
Next morning he gave me one of his suits of
clothes-he had only two. He was small man,
so his clothes just fit mel was only sixteen. He
walked and walked with all day hunting job
and finally found one. After I started to work he
got me interested in the night school,
The Governor paused minute. "And was the
only one he saved There were dozens of Others"
He ran his hand across his forehead and his lips
trembled slightly, as he added:
"You know, lad, I'd rather see that man than
any one in the world. For twenty years 1 have in
quired in every city or town in which [ stop, but
cannot find him anywhere"
"What was his name?" asked JEFF, stirred by the
story.
James Gardner-we used to call him Jimmy"
As the train slowed up at the next station Jeff
was waiting at the door, and got off hurriedly.
1t hundred miles across country to his
home. He walked every mile of the way, and the
evening of the third day came into town with his
head held high and his step firm, as though ready
for a race.
Unmindful of his worn and shabby appearance,
he greeted several acquaintance heartily as he
passed down the main street. But his greetings
were brief he started for the little farm three
miles south of town.
1t was daylight when he reached the house. His
father was walking disconsoltaely up and down the
yard, his head dropped forward, an absent, weary
look on his face.
With rush Jeff cleared the fence and crossed
the yard. With terrible grip his arms went about
the little and held him tight.
"And you have really come back to me- nv son Q"
said the father TREMENDOUSLY.
"Yes"-and Jeff's voice rang-'T have come back
to you and victory."-Cathoic Telegraph.