The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-12-28
Continued from page s.
AT THE CRIB.

He opened his eyes. There was a
feeling of peace at his heart. Mary
had come to him; her sweet womanly
presence had soothed and cheered him
as it had many time before. He
feared almost to stir, for the touch of
her hand was on his hair, still in light
familiar caress.
Suddenly the boy set up and looked
around him piteously. The lamp was
still burning brightly, but the fire had
died to ashes. The childish eyes
sought every corner of the room.
Mamma! Mammal" he called
softly.
John started up, wide awake now.
Hush, Dermot, hush," he said broken
ly, clasping the little hand that he
had held through the night Mamma
cannot come"
Mamma can," said the boy, posi-
lively. Santa Claus did bring her
COS l asked him.
"She is up in heaven" John said.
''She will come for Dermot and daddy
some day."
But l want her now-now," sobbed
the child. "She was in here with you,
sittin' there pointing to the chair.
So, the boy had dreamed, too. John
stroked the curls with new tender
ness and, wrapping up the child,
warmly lifted him in his arms.
He showed the rocking horse, and
Noah's ark, and the Woolly sheep, but
the child was comforted only for
moment.
Want to show them to Mamma"
he said. Bring me to Mamma"
D,,s TIL
down in his wife's chair, and held the
boy close, close to him. Bring him to
Mamma! that would be his lifes work,
and he prayed God to bless it.
'I'll tell Dermot a story" he said,
and he turned the child around SO that
he could see the Crib. Then in low
tones he told the story of the little
Child, Who was born in poverty, and
of the Mother, who had naught of the
worlds wealth to give him. Dermot
was naturally a generous child.
'I'll give Him my coat" he said,
He's too small yet. He's little-little
like the baby that came from heaven
and brought away my Mamma"
How the sharp grief pierced as if
knife were turning in his heart! But
the boy must be comforted.
Son." he said, slowly, "He has no
need of such gifts now; but we'll find
out together poor children who want
food and clothes and toys, and We'll
make them happy. And then He will
| be glad"
But I WANT want, Daddy, to give
Him something for His own Self
John paused with a lump in his
throat. How young and soft and frail
the boy was to learn remuneration.
Then he said tensely.
"Shall we give Him-Mamma?"
The storm of sobs broke out afresh,
and the little curly head was turned
away from the Crib and hidden on his
fathers shoulder.
"Oh-no-no-no,' came in broken
gasps, mot my Mamma-not mine.
| He has His own Mamma"
But, He wants nothing else-from
u.s.
John waited for the storm of sobs
to subside, praying inwardly for the
| boy as he had never prayed for him
self At last Dermot lifted little
swollen face and turned it to the Crib;
but he clutched tightly still at his
| fathers coat.
Baby Jesus said the childish
voice, Zoos You want my Mamma
You can have her-for-for-" there
was sob but it went bravely-"for
Loan
Father and son sat motionless. The
| boy fell asleep at length, and perhaps
dreamt again of his mother. John
stayed awake, bordering. Life took
on new meaning for him in his silent
vigil before the Crib. Joy had come
and gone, and sorrow had come and
he could not but think what it meant;
but he accepted his cross resignedly,
even cheerfully. He would meet Mary
some day-but he did not wish it to be
soon He wanted to do so much in
this world first. Thank God for the
wealth that meant power to do good.
Then there was the boy-above and
beyond all the boy. The boy with a
mans life stretching broad and long
before the little feet. But his mother
in heaven would guide him, better
perhaps than she could no earth. God
knows best always. He knelt before
the crib and prayed. "Thy will be
done on earth, as it is in Heaven. -
/ -Mdrp Prendergost. in the
i Catholic Bulletin of Dublin,