The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-02-08

lie; their clamOr and Jangle. In the
country man finds peace and rest and
quiet, with nature and his Cod
True, true" Father Thorne ex-
claimed, "but / love the whirr of
sound and l have found God amid the
throngs of bustling humanity
STILL" continued the young philoso-
pher, ''in your modern Babylon deceit
stalks the street, and graft stares at
you from every corner. All is tinsel
and glitter, and the more trappings
a man has the farther he thinks he
is above his brothers. While here all
are on common ground. You will
find nature unalloyed, and perfect
tranquility which is the first step to
happiness"
The visitor looked at brother and
sister. Joy akin to perfect bliss shone
in Miss Rockwell's eyes as she gazed
fondly at her handsome, exuberant
brother. All his words and gestures
seemed to thrill her, and his attitude
of contentment filed her with feel
ing of pleasure she could not conceal.
What a truly devoted pair, unused the
priest. And in truth they we're, for a
love akin to the angelic sealed soul to
soul. Father Thorne recalled his
scattered thoughts to the subject in
hand.
"You have grim conception of the
city," he replied, answering Rock
wells denunciation IT never viewed
it from that angle. It's din and roar
always spoke to me of activity and
progress. What you would call a
modern Babylon, would name mill
fed by human grist, where wheat and
chaff are flung in the hopper together
from the bad; preserve the former and
endeavor to save the latter from the
burning"
The two young people watched him
closely, and his eyes glowed as he
continued:
"Oftentimes, when the hoarse-
throated whistles announced the quit
ting hour, I would mingle with the
crowds surging from shops and fac
tories. Friendly mods, hostile looks
and suspicious glances met my gaze,
and I would think of the immense
amount of work to be done in such a
vineyard Encourage the strong, sup
port the weak, overcome suspicion
and crush hostility. There was work,
and 1 loved it."
Father Thorne's animated counter
ance confirmed his words. Rockwell's
brow wrinkled as if with unspoken
pain and his eyes were pools of I'M
fathomable trouble. He shot glance
at his sister and the look disappeared.
well, Father" he cried, when the
din lessons and the bird-sings fill your
ears, you will never wish to leave us"
He took his sisters hand in his A
flush mounted her cheeks like the
maiden blush of spring. Her eyes,
swimming with happiness, met her
brothers.
"And, Jim, you will be Father
Thorne's guide. You know" she con-
tinued, turning to the priest, these
hills breathe history and the legends
of ancient days. Brother knows them
all. He will be your guide. I know
you will enjoy it
The priest smiled vaguely, but his
troublesome thoughts he hid in the
inmost chamber of his mind
Il will be delighted to explore these
hills. 1t will be pleasant introduce
ton to Grayson."
Before the visit ended, the three had
become fast friends. AS the priest
drove over the hills, he could not
: efface the image of Rockwell and his
sister from his memory.
During the following week, Jim
, Rockwell and Father Thorne were con-
slant companions during their leisure
hours. There were fishing trips to the
3 mountain brooks; an exploration OF
Indian Gorge; and journeys to all the
historic and legendary spots of which
Grayson boosted. On these jaunts the
two discussed literature, art, philoso
!, ply or some current topic that vexed
! society. Thus the rosy days slipped
into eternity.
\ Sitting upon the brow of hill late
v one afternoon, Rockwell asked his
7 companion:
l.
! city's call as strong as ever?'
. Father Thorne shot an inquiring
: glance at him.
2 "a tree deeply rooted is not easily
transplanted," the priest said, gazing
wistfully toward the distant peaks
beyond which lay the busy metropolis
The gray mists of the evening chung
to the wooded heights and poured into
the valley like filmy clouds. The sur
! struggled vainly to shoot it's rays
: through the vapory blanket and, fail
ing, sank disheartened behind the
towering pines The priest continued
t speaking, as if to himself.
I 81 was happy in the city because
D had plenty of work | liked. My ener
getic nature will not be contented
with Grayson. 1 have decided to re
! turn
I He smiled knowingly as he thought
of the unfinished letter to his Bishop
"You will like it here" Rockwell
! said enthusiastically IF you give it q
t better trial.
e With glowing words he spoke of the
5 beauties of nature, the happiness, the
!. content to be obtained on these cloud
b reaching hills. With hearty laugh
1 and wave of his hand the vigorous
n Rockwell banished fame, ambitions