The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-07-20

uOudDlo NO PERMISSION was asked
this time, because the refusals had
gone before And there was only one
good reason for this-the groom was
Protestant, and in that strict Catho-
lie family (would there were more
like them) permission for a mixed
marriage was not to be thought of
for moment We will not dwell on
this familys Indignation and distress
when the newspapers were read next
morning. Our story is with the wife
who for love of the husband of her
choice thus set out in life. Out of
evil often cometh good, says the pro-
verb.
She went to her husbands family
and was the only Catholic there; but
she made her faith respected. After
the birth of little boy the husbands
health began to fail. He was ordered
West. He came home better. Two
more children were given to them.
Again the husbands health failed, and
now reverses came, but again he went
West at great sacrifices, and the brave
little wife prayed and worked alone.
After some months word came that
he was improving and had settled
with an uncle in Michigan and only
needed Annie to become perfectly
well. She could ill afford the journey,
but it was her duty. Leaving her two
children with their grandmother, who
was still strong Methodist, the wife
took her baby in her arms and started
for Michigan to the little border vii
lage, where there was scarcely any
civilization. Her heart was heavy
enough when she saw she would have
to rough it, but she took up her burden
bravely, offering all she suffered for
the conversion of her husband.
This is what she met in her new
home: A log house three miles from
the village, where the uncle and three
rough, good-hearted lumber men
lodged, in the midst of a clearing.
Her husband instead of getting better,
grew steadily worse, and the little
division of the rude house, partitioned
off for their bedroom, allowed the
winds of heaven to penetrate hun
dred chinks, and the snow and rain
as well. She was the only woman,
and the only Catholic, around, and to
her lot fell the care of all the house
hold as well as her sick husband.
Everyone was kind, but more than
kindness was needed. AS the winter
grew colder and colder, only one
room was habitable, and into it was
crowded the cooking-stove, the dining
table and the invalid, together with
the rough seats of the lumber men.
And the invalid became weaker and
weaker.
! There was little church three
miles away, and once month a priest
came there and said Mass.
Poor young wife! 1t was sad
change for her, and on Christmas Eve,
as she sat weary and worn, thinking
about her absent children, of her old
home, of all she had left behind, she
could hardly suppress the tears. Her
husband was wrapped in blankets in
an armchair near the fire, and his
hollow cough came rasping on her
ear. She went over to him quickly
Annie he said feebly, "are you
going to church tomorrow
Yes, Arthur. Don't you know it
will be Christmas Day as we'll as Sun
day."
christmas Day." he sighed
christmas DAY." he sighed. Christ.
mas Day, and such a Christmas for
you. Oh, Annie, how l reproach my
self for bringing you here"
Hush, Arthur" said the brave
woman. 1T was my duty to come
You will break my heart if you say
you regret my coming. No woman
who loves her husband-no good
Catholic woman-would do anything
else"
AYE, indeed said the man; 'you
may we'll say good Catholic woman
I have watched you, Annie. If there
is a true religion on earth, it is the
one that made you what you are
Annie, could you bring your clergy
man up here after service?"
do you mean it, Arthur was thu
joyful cry.
81 mean every word of it. I wan
to talk to him. I haven't much tim'
now"
Annie bent over him with sorrow
: ing tears, but her heart was full o
gratitude.
. The journey through the bitter wine
and snow next morning was full o
} thanksgiving for the Babe of Bethle
| hem. The priest came, a man VIII
7 understood his fellow-man. The few
difficulties in the way of the invali'
were smoothed, and with unbounde'
/ faith and gratitude to his wife, Arthu
? received baptism.
. 81 will come before New Years,
, said the priest, land you can max
/ your First Holy Communion. You
} wife will instruct you"
! And Annie instructed her husband