The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-09-07


came to me, and I see his black eyes
yet flashing with temper, and hear him
saying: Bess, you're the only friend
a poor kid has. II they don't stop
naggin' me, I'll run off, but I'll never
forget you, Bessie They were hard on
him, Sister-father and mother we're
and he did run off, and once in awhile
he'd write letter on the sly and tell
me where to answer, and used to beg
him not to forget his night prayers at
least, and to go to Mass, but then
got this fall and was crippled, and he
never wrote but once after-Only once
in these fifteen years-and he said
he didn't believe in religion any more;
that church and praying were for
women, and he'd leave me to do his
share, and then, Sister, I promised
God | would suffer all the agony of
this awful back and never murmur if
He would bring Charlie around, and
since have been in this blessed place
it has been easier, and he is never
minute out of my mind"
How many rosaries do you say
day for him, Bessie, besides all the
suffering?"
We'll, Sister, as have nothing else
to do | say fifteen decades twice in
the morning and twice in the after
noon, and a few other little prayers
between the palms."
God bless you, DEAR" said the nun;
keep on suffering and praying, and
put me in your prayers too, Bessie,
for l need them
rs it you?" said Bessie, with an
incredulous look. Never prayer do
you need. Taking care of all of us,
and of the like of me, from years end
to years end. You'll go right up, Sis
ter and she tried to motion with her
twisted hand and arm towards the
blue sky.
The nun laughed, softly; then
Strengthening the covers and giving
pressure to the hand that held the
worn rosary she went on her round
of duty.
Poor Bessie had indeed suffered and
prayed for fifteen years, and offered it
all for Charlie, her wild and only
brother, who had drifted from the
Church and was some place in the
wide world-Bessie knew not where
but the marvellous faith of the poor
cripple was so vivid that everyone was
interested in her, and her .piety,
patience and resignation made every
one love her.
She had a remarkably sweet face
and a soft, winning voice, and the
doctors and nurses who succeeded
each other year after year looked on
her as a prodigy, and did everything
skill and science could suggest, even
though unavailing, to help her condi-
ton. But she never murmured when
| they told her after an unsuccessful
operation or an agonizing examination
that nothing could be done. She only
smiled and said, Il don't mind; I'll
suffer for poor Charlie
Those fifteen years of torture were
an apostoIate for one, single soul. A
daily sermon was preached from that
hospital cot, which was silent but
powerful incentive to many discour-
aged heart to go on and weary not. The
Sisters felt Bessie's good influence in
the hospital, and because she was in
durable and without money or friends,
they took tender care of her, and she
loved them with all her soul.
One day the superior of the hospital
came to me with a paper in her hand.
Father Alexander" she said, IT won
der if this could be Bessie's brother?
1t is Pittsburgh paper that has found
it's way somehow to St. Louis, and
here is an account of an accident
Casa man whose name is given as
Charles Horton. He was taken to
Southside Hospital. The name struck
mechanics Horton! Would it be
worth while to inquirer"
"It certainly would" was my reply.
thought a minute and said: Sup
pose you write to the Sisters in Pitts
burg. They visit the hospitals. They
would make inquiries. If good is to
be effected we must go about it quiet
ly."
account of Bessie and asking the
superior to ascertain II the man mao
sister, and what his sentiments were.
But nothing was to be said to Bessie
till information was obtained.
Nearly two weeks elapsed We
were giving up hope, and were glad
Bessie knew nothing about it, when
the superior came to me with a thick
letter in her hand. l knew by her
face there was news.
Here is the reply to that letter
Father Alexander, and we must tell
Bessie at once; will do So while you
read the letter. 1t is quite docu-
ment."
She departed, and I learned that the
Sisters in Pittsburg had gone to the
Southside Hospital, non-Catholic in
stitution, and we're received very kind
ly. They found that man by the
pop,o of Thor1oc Horizon WAS there