The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-06-29

had experienced all these privations
herself in measure, but wealth had
come to her, sweeping her out of the
old sphere into new delights; they had
been satisfying, engrossing. She had
forgotten while she pursued this
pleasant life, that there was hunger
ing and poverty and sorrow in the
world
The poor farming community of
Berkeley had need of helping hand
The little church where Father
O'Brien said Mass twice a month was
in need of many things. 1t was their
desire to have resident priest and
school where their children might
receive instruction in their faith. She
wondered now why she had forgotten
all these things.
While she sat there watching the
glow of the fire in the crate, thinking
new and troubled thoughts, the
children came home and crowded
about her with their childish prattle
of school life. Helen, the eldest, a
pretty little girl of twelve, drew up a
chair beside her mother and curled
herself gracefully into it's spacious
depths!
ooh, mother! | must have another
new dress!" she exclaimed with
sudden decision. "All the girls at the
convent who are going to Aunt Daly's
party next week are having new
dresses made
But you have so many, DEAR" Mrs.
Morrison protested, depressing a smile
at her young daughters air of i'm
portance. Then her eyes fell on the
rose silk on the table, and for a second
time that afternoon a feeling of guilt
swept over her. 1t mutely accused
her again of the proud, vain life she
was blindly following and into which
she was unconsciously leading her
children. She saw it all clearly now,
as she listened to their various and
incessant demands.
When she sat opposite her husband
that evening at dinner, she spoke of
the visit of her niece, Mary Carroll.
He glanced up from his plate with
momentary interest.
Mary here? Why didn't she stay
over for the night? We might have
taken her to the theater and shown
her a good time" Then, as if the
matter were of slight Importance, he
went ON. Il ordered the automobile
from Changers today. 1t will be here
in month
She listened dutifully while he
enumerated the merits of the machine
She had expected him to talk of Berk-
ley, but that seemed a far-off world
to him now. The grasp of the bust
ness world was growing strong upon
him. He was eager to add to the
accumulated wealth his uncle had left
him. He, too, was forgetting spiritual
things.
With a sudden energy that sur
prised him she spoke up:
John, l think we've been selfish
and wicked! What have we been doing
with our money? Don't you remember
how we used to freeze in the church
at Berkeley when the cold wind swept
in where the plaster had fallen off?
Father O'Brien wants an organ. And
there's the school to be built. Oh
there's so much I'd forgotten until
Mary came today"
John Morrison looked down at his
plate a few moments, then met his
wifes eyes earnestly.
Kitty, I guess you're right" he
said "I'll cancel that order al
} Changers tomorrow and send Father
O'Brien a check that will start things
moving at Berkeley
The spirit of the old days of poverty
had come back to reside in Mrs. Nor
rison's heart, and she was grateful fol
the lesson the day had taught.
S. v. PeiND, in The RosarD