The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-10-04

to relate about the war, which he
thought could not last much longer.
Scott has begun to land his forces
near Vera Cruz, and is going to adj
vance on Mexico, he said, "and
Perry is sailing south with strong
sea force"
Mary Cullen listened, the while Cor
mac, mounted on his stout little burro,
was securing the country for miles
around to notify the Catholics, about
fifteen or twenty in all, that there
would be Mass early the next morn
ing at their house. On his way home
he stopped at the post Office and re-
ceived letter for his mother from
one of his sisters and the weekly
paper from New York. On opening
the paper he found it contained the
first accounts of the battle of Buena
Vista, and from habit he ran his eye
down the column of killed and wound
ed. And then the boy stopped, with
a cry he could not suppress. There
were the words that meant so much
to him and his mother. Feargus Cul-
len, private, Company C.-Infantry,
killed in action"
God help my mother said Cormac
Then remembering that he was father
less, the boy wept.
There was no mention of his broth
er, though he searched for the name
Michael Scott Cullen. He, therefore,
was presumably still alive and well.
1t was at sunset that he reached
home. The Father was walking up
and down the field at the west side of
the house, while Mary Cullen prepared
the evening meal. Afterward Cormac
remembered the golden glory of the
sunset and the light over the La
guna; almost it seemed to him that
the gates of Paradise were wide open
that night to allow some of the celes-
tial radiance to flood the storm-tossed
world without.
He beckoned the Father to him and
briefly told him the news. you'll
tell her, Father?" he said.
And the priest, who lived only to
bless and comfort and heal, assented.
Later, my son." he said. 'She is
busy now, and tired. After her even
ing work is done leave her with me,
and | will break the news"
Cormac ate little and talked less.
His mother on seeing his preoccupa-
ton thought he was thinking of his
confession and Communion on the
morrow. so she devoted herself to
talking to the priest. Very gently he
led her out of doors about seven
o'clock, when her work was done, and
pointed out to her the dying rays of
the sunset splendor in the West.
''It is darkening now,' he said, "but
remember that AT evening time it
shall be light"
Then very slowly and gently he
broke the news to her. She made no
cutlery, but with moan she pressed
her hand to her heart Agonizing
physical pain had come to deaden the
pain of love bereft. 1t was only mo-
ment after ALL The priest called Cor
mac, and together they worked to re
store her. But for her the call had
come and her work was done. The
Gate of Paradise was wide open to
receive her. Was it not good to die
thus, in that lonely wilderness, with
the "Absolvo te'' sounding in her ears
And so it was Requiem Mass the
next morning, and afterWard they
laid her away in sight and sound of
the sea that had so often recalled the
far off Scottish coast of her youth.
And then Cormac was alone.
He came out of his room the next
morning, quaint figure clad in his
grandfather's blue army suit and belt,
the drum slung over one shoulder, the
cap held in his hand.
Il am going to fight for my country,
Father" he said.
81 knew you would, my son. God
bless you"
And then a thought struck the
priest 1T will be long, long jour-
ney by land" he said. why not first
take your boat and row out in the
Gulf? Perry and his fleet are to pass
here some time tomorrow, bound for
Vera Cruz. 1t is possible he would
pick you up"
To this Cormac assented. He would
try, and if not successful, he could
come back and go over land to Vera
Cruz.
The kind-hearted priest stayed with
him while he put things away and
made up a bundle for his knapsack,
and when all was done they retired
for the night. They were up at half
past three, and by four they had eaten
their simple meal Then the boy
locked the front door and gave the
key to the older man, who was to
leave it at the nearest farmhouse
where friends lived.
The priest wrung Cormac's hand
again and again. Courage" he said.
Remember, my son, that your name
means Coilean, or young warrior; it
is the ancient Irish of Cullen"
The boys eyes kindled. Il am
glad" he said simply, that I can be a
warrior now"
"a brave warrior, Cormac, and true
true to God, true to your country
(Confinued on Pace 81