The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-23

4
night. Though most of them were
powerful men physically. there was
one who lowered above the rest and
showed a breadth Of shoulder that
marked him out.
He was evidently rough character.
In spite of his poor clothing, he did
not seem to mind the cold or snow Of
the December evening. He leaned
carelessly against telegraph pole,
arc lamp, with his collar turned UP
and his soft hat pulled down well over
one eye. had passed that way by
| chance and become interested in the
process of paying off; but in watching
this individual soon forgot the other?
His companions, / knew, were wild
and turbulent set-hard workers all of
them, but hard drinkers too when occa-
sion offered and full of untamed ami
NAL spirits. Looking at the deep
| chest, bull's-neck, and harsh features
of this specimen, as he stood apart and
watched his fellows receive their
wages, l thought saw before me six
foot-two of recklessness and depravity.
In groups of three or four the crowd
began to move up the street. A pair
of brightly lighted windows belonging
to dispensary of cheering beverages
held out an invitation that most of
them accepted at once. Almost to a
man they poured into the place and
their hoarse, loud laughter and
| Of told tho foln
of increasing jollity. The fellow had
been watching came slowly up the
street after his companions. He was
counting his money over again and
seemed lost in thought. Just before
reaching the doors that had swallowed
up the others, he stopped irresolutely.
There was uncertainty written all over
him as he alternately glanced at the
money in his hand and at the glowing
! windows. Then resolutely thrusting
both hands into the pockets of his
meager coat he passed the place hur-
riedly A few yards beyond he paused
and looked back. Would he return,
asked myself, and throw away his
/ few hard-earned dollars on drink and
a night of revelry? l felt it was a
decisive moment on which hung the
happiness of that Christmas for him
and for his family, if he had any, and
/ l breathed a prayer that the good
Mother of God would give him
strength to win the battle. He came
back step or two, stopped again, then
crossed over to the opposite side of
the street, and stood surveying the
scene and listening to the coarse
laughter and the spasmodic attempts
at song. 1t was too much; with a
gesture of despair, he rushed across
the street His hand was on the door,
when once more he turned and actu-
ally ran away.
Whispering thankful prayer, fol-
lowed him unobserved. He did not
dare look back, but slackening his
pace into fast walk he went on till
he came to small store combining
the offices of grocery and dry-goods
shop. This he entered. I watched
through the window and saw him lay
out almost his last penny on edibles
and clothes. When he came out I
accosted him, though doubtful of my
reception.
you're one of the men from the
new railroad, aren't your
Eyes" he said little gruffly, as he
eyed me suspiciously.
"Quit early tonight"
Eyes; it's in honor of Christmas.
They let us off early"
well, pardon me, but I noticed you
going in here and thought you must
be preparing to make this merry
Christmas for some one"
J He laughed neryously.
1--WE tried the other track many a
time too. It's bad. It's hard to get
off it once you've started that way"
Going homer"
The ice was broken. He thawed
completely and really grew enthu-
siastic.
Home? Yes, that's it. I'm going
} home. Over at Albion-that six miles
from here-my old mothers waiting
} for me. We've always been together
at least on Christmas. I've got a few
! new duds for her here and something
J for Christmas dinner. It'll make the
old woman happy. I'll be her Santa
Claus"
well, goodbye and Merry Christ
mas"
Merry Christmas"
And he was off in the darkness,
starting on his long tramp to make
glad the heart of his aged mother. 1t
was another victory for the spirit OF
Christmas and I am sure that when
the angels that night sang Peace to
men of good will' their blessing fell
abundantly on the heart that beat sc
, warmly under that rough exterior
J. B. QainlGa,, in Father DUNES Neaos
; boys Journal.