Evening journal., 1911-03-17

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 bulging with
small packages-he knew the small
ones to be the most valuable-intend-
ing 10 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 cramming the said small
packages down into his pocket Mike
followed him. noted the house he en-
tered and went away.
The town clocks were striking one
hour after midnight when the burglar
bent his steps to the house in question,
passed from the front steps on to a
balcony, inserted jimmy under a
window sash, pulled out the screws
that held the sash. raised II and en-
Christmas presents were doubtless
kept above, so, feeling his way up
stairs, he found a hall lighted by a
gas jet turned very low. He turned
II a trihe 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
bulging in every part On bureau
was a crucifix.
Mike had been brought up a Catholic
| by an honest, hardworking mother
and remembered when a lad quite well
grown seeing his little brother and
sister. both less than Eve 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 a sinking about his heart. He
passed back through a narrow hallway
and, opening a door, entered a portion
Of the house that seemed to be an ad-
dition and cut of from the rest The
door had scarcely closed behind him
when he heard a low voice say:
"Dominus vobiscum."
Mike started, and his knees trembled
beneath him. Whence came the
voice-from the ceiling, from under
the floor or from behind curtains7 II
bad been years since Mike had gone
to mass. much less to confession, and
now It seemed to him that he was II
church: that the priest had turnet
from the altar to the congregation and
spreading his arms in an attitude b
I, bless them, had intoned the Latii
words meaning THE Lord be wit
I you"
. Instinctively Mike bowed his heal
and made the sign Of the cross on hi
forehead.
Then suddenly a woman's voice be
/ gan to sing that beautiful hymn CAV
. Sanctissima" ('Hail. Most Holy Moth
, err. From the moment Mike hearC
the first note he began 10 droop Grad
ually he bent almost to the floor, and
when the words "Ora pro nobis'
c'Pray for us'H were sung he sank upoI
his knees. When the song stopped thu
penitent 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 thu
music to make any resistance.
What are you doing hereT aske'
, the gentleman Mike had shadowe'
that day.
81 came to rob you, sir" Mike re
piled in hoarse whisper, but I hav
!. been turned from my purpose, first, b.
your two little children with thei
- hanging stockings and. second, by wha
1 have heard here. Am I dreamin
that am in a church? Is this dwell
ing, or have I gone mad"
Neither. We are Roman Catholic
., here. and I have purchased a phone
= graph as a Christmas present for m
wife. who is a very devout womaI
Z It is intended for such. left It woun'
and I suppose something has gor
2 wrong with the machinery and starte
It up. l heard the singing and came
r to shut the thing or"
with his head still bowed said:
- 81 am ready, sir. to go to jail an
suffer the punishment | deserve. 81
= never again will l commit a Grim
s The influence Of our holy church an
my old mother when I was boy hi
been brought back to me tonight
: save me from sinking any lower. a
Z armed, sir. and could kill you in M
ment. But fear nothing. Go to yol
telephone. If you have one in the hous
and call the police"
y The gentleman stood looking at NIL
for some moments without speakin
- then said:
- II shall not telephone for the polio
J The police represent the law. On
church has done what the law cs
never do. The law can only punis
the church has brought a sinner to 7
pentance. Go your way, and tomo
row, If you will call at my place
business. will give you work"
Mike is now earning an honest II
ing and hangs stockings for his ov
children on Christmas eve. But he
never comfortable in presence Of
phonograph. Somehow It connects hi
with a past that dlstresses him al
which he wishes TO forget
MISS BURKE TO SING.
Nise Nora burke. the wei-kno'