The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-04-05

the water, Wnlcn just reached below
his armpits. Leaning forward until
his chin touched the water, the old
priest stepped about, cropping about
with his hands and placing his feet
carefully to avoid the slippery places
on the rocky bottom and the numer-
GUS and hidden holes that abounded
in the pool In this manner he worked
carefully about the spot in which he
had seen the boy disappear and after
a few moments his knee came into
contact with a bulky object that
moved as he touched it. Reaching
down he encountered Timmys body
and taking hold of the boys waist,
he raised him with mighty effort
until the boys pale face was lifted
clear of the water and the dropping
head rested upon his shoulders. Grip
ping tightly the apparently lifeless
body, he turned and made for the bank,
when his burden was suddenly wrest-
ed from him by man whom he rec
ogniZed as resident of the village
and workman in the quarry. The
newcomer had come to the quarry on
some errand, had seen the priest slip
into the water, and had shouted en-
couragement to him, but in the excite
ment of the moment the clergyman
had not perceived that relief was at
hand.
Bearing the boy between them, the
two climbed from the pool, and the
work of resuscitation began After a
quarter of an hour during which time
they worked unrelentingly and with
many murmured prayers from the
priest, young Whelen opened his eyes
and the clergyman and his helper
sighed with relief At sight of the
priest, however, the boy tried to cry
out and the frightened look again
took hold upon his features, but the
kind words of the priest and quarry
worker reassurred him and he lay
back and closed his eyes. Satisfied
that the boy was past danger, the
men waited until they believed him
to be thoroughly rested and then pre-
pared to carry him home. The journey
to young Timmy's house was COM
pleted without further incident and
leaving his companion to do the neces-
sary explaining, Father James turned
toward his own home.
A few minutes he stood looking
down at his drenched garments that
had been changed for more suitable
attire and as he stopped to pick up the
mud-stained clothes he muttered: Il
wonder what Whelan'll say when he
gets back from the city,"
y -
1t had been a strenuous Saturday,
and when the last confession had been
heard, it was we'll past ten o'clock.
Father James was none the worse
for his mornings experience, though
he was very tired, and after locking
up the little church he YEARLY drag
ged himself through the garden and up
the kitchen steps. Mrs. Stanton was
waiting for him, and her presence in
the kitchen at that hour startled the
priest Usually she departed to her
rest Immediately after the evening
meal and Father James knew instant
ly that something was amiss.
whats wrong" he asked, "are We
sick?"
mo-" the woman answered, with a
queer look that told Father James
that she had very likely heard of his
adventure earlier in the day. There's
somebody in the parlor waitin' to see
you. They've been waitin' for We
since eight o'clock" and with this in
formation the old lady left the room.
Father James hesitated Its Whe-
lan," he thought. Then he tip-toed
into the hallway and took his black
thorn from the corner. Grasping it
stoutly he walked into the parlor,
where, seated before him and on his
best rockers, were Mr.. and Mrs Whe-
Ian, both looking very peaceful and
better natured than at any time Faith
er James had seen them since their
arrival in the village. The couple
arose and the man advanced with his
right hand extended in friendly greet
ing. "Put tn shillalah down, Father"
he said. eye won't need it."
} Father James obeyed and before he
had chance to speak Whelan con-
) tinued: Della and mesilf know all
about it, Father Keatin,' the man
that helped We, told us Everything and
we've come to thank We for it." Be
fore he had finished speaking the
: mans wife advanced to her husbands
side and joined in: What he says
is true, Father"
!, Father James was wary of the big
Irishman's protestations of good will,
but when Mrs. Whelan added hers,
!; his fears gave away and he smiled
!. generously
: That's all right" he said. Tim
/, mys a fine boy, and I'd hate to see
We lose him. But" he added, what
did Jimmy say?"
Whelan thought for a moment
WELL he said, "he didn't say much
but we Earned that he'd called
; names"
: At this information Father James
: laughed and even Whelan smiled, but
the woman waxed determined. "Tll
bate him for that tomorrow" she
said.
: When the woman finished speaking
moments silence reigned; then
; Whelan, after looking at his wife
; spoke: Father, I've got somethin' to
tell ye."
'sWhat is il ." asked the priest kind