The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-08-10

Good news travels swiftly. AS Joe
Darcy entered his home his mother
met him at the door, her eyes shin
ing proudly.
I'm very, very glad, Joe.'
Joe frightened with pleasure. He
thanked her gently, then passed in
side to receive the greetings of his
brothers and sisters.
The news had also reached the great
mills by the river, where his father
worked. Your boy is giving the Gov
ernor's grandson run for the prize"
said one of his fellow workmen, and it
went from man to man until he was
overwhelmed with congratulations.
Tell the lad to do his best; our
good wishes are with him. all said.
Feeling ran high in the academy.
The Hill Fellows" coterie of boys
who lived in the aristocratic Hill Sec
ton, rallied around Gorge Coulson.
Those whose homes were in less pre-
tentious Midtown" favored Joe OAR
cy. The wise counseled. Let the
best man win," and it was generally
SO1CCuOu LAdt LAC UCSI 1AdA w 10
George Coulson.
The three weeks of fervent prepare
tions were not long in passing. The
evening before the Friday appointed
for the writing of the theme Joseph
Darcy YEARLY laid aside his books.
Its no use," he said dispiritedly.
unless a miracle happens, Coulson
wins. It isn't in me to do anything
brilliant enough to beat him.
Cheer up, boy" said his father;
"the fight hasn't begun yet. Do your
best and you'll win. Of course, it's in
you" He dared not say how much he
wanted him to win.
His mother placed her hand affec-
tionately on his arm. Don't be dis
couraged, Joe. We are all praying for
you. Do your best"
Joe sat for a minute with bowed
head, then burst forth vehemently:
"No one can understand how much |
want to win! It's been pinch and
grind ever since I can remember, and
if get the opportunity for technical
training it will mean so much to you
all! l ought to get it. I've worked
hard-harder than Coulson ever
dreamed of working, yet he will step
in and take the prize. The contempti-
BILE snob. I'd just like the chance to
get the better of him."
Joe, Joe, don't talk like that" his
mother said; IT'S wrong. Beat him
if you can do it honestly, like man,
but if you can't win, take defeat
bravely. It's the test of courage.
Don't lose your self-respect or self
control. They are better than any
prize
She trembled with excitement. Joe
stood shamefaced before her.
I'm awfully sorry, should not have
said so much, but"-a little defiantly
that's the way I often feel now
This little display of passion
strengthened in his mother a vague
uneasiness which had been on her of
late-that Joe was growing away from
her. When the young people had gone
to bed she sat brooding over her sew
ing. She recalled Joe's face with the
flashing eyes, the firm mouth, and the
mother heart prophesied:
There will be no half way with
joe" Then, as a sudden, sinking fear
took possession of her, she whispered:
God grant it may be the right way"
Unless a miracle happens, George
Coulson will win!" Joe Darcy echoed
this remark again the next day as he
| laboriously strove to express his
thoughts on paper, and glancing up for
moment he saw George Coulson
writing with that free, graceful sweep
of his.
When the bell rang Coulson was the
first to rise from his place, his theme
done. They still had fifteen minutes
for finishing touches, but the discipline
was relaxed and conversation was
general.
"Whew, but it's hot" George Coul-
son exclaimed. He raised the window
and stood enjoying the stiff breeze
which blew in upon him. Joe, busily
fastening his papers, caught this re,
mark:
Yes, I had half a mind not to enter
at first, but the folks at home want
me to have the honor. / don't care
much either way. I can pay my way
through
There was a significant pause, and
Joe bit his lip and bent more closely
over his work as Coulson's sneerine
voice continued:
Il suppose if l had dropped out il
would have made big difference tt
some people-not mentioning any
names
Joe's face burned with an angry
flush, but he said nothing. Some Of
his friends turned from the speaker il
disgust. Suddenly George gave hasty
l. l. dow