The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-05-31
The SHADOW OF THE CROSS

dASu we!
Yes, child. He made us Christians
by His Blood" And the old man bent
his head until the white hair mingled
with the golden curls of the child on
his knee.
You know you promised us story,
Father, and the sun is almost set"
This was the hour the old monk al
ways spent with his little friends, as
he was the friend of all the little
children of the hill country around,
and he always had stories to tell;
stories of the Master, the great Law
giver, the Christ Who had been put
to death not sixty years before.
Il wish I'd never been a Jew" said
the child again.
$50 do L. echoed Rachel, and the
old man smiled.
He knows we are His children,
now, doesn't he?" And Daniel looked
straight into the old mans eyes, and
was treasured.
well now, the story, Father, for
soon we must Sleep"
The old man rested his hand on
Rachels head, as she sat on the sand
beside him and began.
did you ever see the gate of the
city," he asked.
"Often, and l have wondered and
wondered who lived there"
1T was the home of little boy of
whom am going to tell you. He was
a very little boy and he was blind. He
had never seen any of the beautiful
world because he came into the world
already blind, and none of all the
great doctors could make him well.
And now he had spent eight years in
this terrible darkness.
"One day he sat in his fathers
doorway listening to the people pass
to and fro, some going to market,
some hurrying to morning feast,
others selling their street wares to
the passersby. 1t seemed to the boy
there was more excitement than usual
in the street. When his good friend
Benjamin would come by, he would
ask what it all meant. Until then he
could be patient Now Benjamin al
ways had a kind word for David and
many times he would take him with
him to the city gate, or to the sea-
side.
David loved Benjamin because he
was kind to him, and the other boys
took no notice of the poor blind lad.
So, patiently he waited. At last Ben
jamin came by, whistling as usual.
Benjamin. shouted little David. Ben
knew the little shrill voice of the poor
blind boy, and came toward him.
Good morning, how fares it today?''
"'Tell me, Benjamin, what means
all this noise? There is something
going. What is it, Benjamin."
'Benjamin's face darkened There
is something going on today he an
swered, but never mind that now
Tell me, how are the sheep?'
81 say never mind the Sheep an
swered David, things feel strange tc
me today. l must know Tell me
: Benjamin. l would know if l could
see.'
Benjamin thought a while He
: knew what a tender heart the boy
had, and then he answered: There
is Man been condemned to die, Da
) vid.'
Poor man. said the little fellow
t sadly, I hate to hear of that AnC
both were silent.
"At last the child spoke again
Have you seen the Nazarene lately
r Benjamin? he asked at last; then he
added more timidly, Benjamin, have
: been thinking lately that if could SEE
: Him, and if we asked Him, perhap.
He would be sorry for me and make
: my eyes see again.
3 Benjamin started, but he did no
5 answer.
Y DO you think He would, Benja
I min? His friend was strangely quiet
e thought the boy.
: "It is too late now, little friend,
he answered at last.
"'Why, we can go today; that is, i
you will take me. 1t has not beer
long since He was in this neighbor
hood, and we can find Him. Will you
take me?'
This was a trying moment for the
older boy. How could he disappoin
the little fellow, with his face al
aglow with excitement Yet he mus
tell him in the end, so he might a!
well say it right out; but it was hard
1T is He that is sentenced to die
: David, the Nazarene. He is to die OF
a cross up on Calvary
1.-The Nazarene- But you said Ht
was a good Man, and made sick PEG
pie well, and fed the hungry and PEG
pie loved Him. How can this be?'
! 1.-The Nazarene- But you said H,
was afraid of the people, but, come
I these things are too sad for you. LIE
me take you to the seashore to watcl
the ships
"'No, no, / must see Him. / must
You have told me all of the wonder
full things He has done; and all thest
: days l had hoped He would pass thi
9 way. 1t isn't too late, Benjamin
I Take me where He will pass with Hi
e cross. Please take me. If only tn
t shadow of his cross should fall on me
a Benjamin, l believe would be cured
q / believe l would
It BENJAMIN hesitated. He deeply re
q GREETED he had not taken the lad be
z fore to the gracious Healer; but toda
e would be too sad, too pitiful. An
II yet, thought Benjamin, David is blind
| nj II