The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-02-17
BRlDGET'S PICTURE
Twas an old and faded picture,
Poorly painted at the best,
OF Our Lord, the Holy Infant,
In His Mothers arms at rest.

Mrs. Deemster came in and shut the
door with snap. Her mouth. alas!
set in hard lines, there was frown
upon her brow.
well, mother" cried Stella, turning
round upon the piano-stool, has the
new slavey Gomez"
pray, do not speak SO. Stella.
'Slavey' is a word detest."
Sorry" said Stella shortly. But
what's wrong? You look as black as
thunder"
Yes, mater" chimed in a boy Of If
teen, yawning lazily. "You do seem
waxy-"
"And no wonder. Mrs. Deemster
flung herself into chair. After keep
ing me waiting for fortnight, that
woman sends me"
"A niger or a."
Neither" sharply Far worse-a
Catholic
/ Stella swung back to the piano, with
a laugh Of derision.
"A rough diamond from Ireland,
bet Fancy" bringing her hands down
noisily upon the notes, "a Papisher in
our house! pity her."
"Pity her!" cried Mrs. Deemster
"Pity me! think of all she may dol"
II hope she'll cook decently," quoth
Raymond IF she does, don't care
whether she's Turk, Jew or atheist.
She doesn't bite, suppose?" -
How do know, Ray?" his mother
snapped out. II could believe any
thing and everything of "a"
lis she Catholic?" asked Stella
THE worst-a real one-a Roman
Catholic! The others are simply Prot
estants under a new-fangled name. I
don't care for them. But still"
II hold more with the old Sort" Ray
mond exclaimed. 1--WE known some
jolly good Roman Catholics and clever
ones, too"
There you are" Mrs. Deemster's
eyes blazed. THE creature has con-
taminated you already. The very
air"
Send her away" laughed Stella.
"She's dangerous. And don't mind
being without servant, one bit. Mrs.
Bone is first-rate char and it's nice
dining out sometimes"
Nonsense, child. can't go on liv-
ing in that extravagant way. Well,
Raymond, have you seen herr"
Raymond had just bounded back,
after a voyage of discovery to the
kitchen.
Eyes, mater, and she's working like
good one. She's at neat as can be
and the place is shining She smiled
at me from a chair on which she was
standing hanging picture on the wall
"a Popish picture-Ah! I thought
you'd Jump at that. Will you send
her away? 1 would. if l." his eyes
twinkling, were you. She's too clean
and too tidy and too" .
Raymond, stop! I can't afford to
lose good servant" Mrs. Deemster
sprang to her feet. Bridget must stay,
for the present. The picture, of course,
must CO." And she hurried out of the
room.
Nothing more was said about Bird
get or her picture, for some time.
Stella was away at music lesson;
Raymond had gone back to school,
and when they returned, in the even.
ing, their minds were full of other
things.
The supper that night was unusually
nice. The table was well-laid. There
was an air Of comfort and order every
where. The new girl was proving her.
self something of treasure.
IF only she weren't a-but I'll try
to forget it." thought Mrs. Deemster,
as she sat alone in the parlor when
the young people had gone to bed.
"She won't get anything to encour.
age her here, and before long she'll
give it up"
4 Bridget came quietly into the room.
She was not handsome. But her eyes
had a peaceful light; her face was
sweet and youthful looking; her skin
was very fair.
''If you please, ma'am," she said, in
full, clear voice, what Mass would
you wish me to go to tomorrow morn
ing?"
"Mass?" Mrs. Deemster grew red
"You can't 60 to Mass"
But must-please. It is Sunday
, l am bound to CO."
! "But tell you-you can't go. have
, tea at seven. We breakfast at eight
: thirty, and the early dinner must be
, cooked by one o'clock. Have you
| taken that picture Off the wall in the
: kitchen?"
} Yes, ma'am. I've hung 1t over my
: bed"
} TITS faded old thing"
THAT may be. 1t belonged to my
} grandmother, who had it from her
mother. And I love the dear holy
!, faces. even thought they are faded
} How silly to worship images like
that"
, Excuse me, ma'am." Bridget spoke