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

Lake Chalco The hill Of Contreras
was taken on the goth of August On
the 23d Of August an armistice was
agreed upon, pending the possibility
that the demands of the United States
might be acceded to without further
bloodshed. But this hope was in vain,
and on the 7th of September the final
movement began.
Cormac slept that night in sight of
the snow-clad SUBMITS of Popocate-
petl and Star Mountain. The even
ing was clear, with bright starlight.
Wrapped in his blanket, watching the
smoke that constantly assembled from
the crater of Star Mountain, the boy
remembered that the morrow would
have been his mothers birthday, as it
was also the Nativity of the Blessed
Virgin. From this his thoughts stay
ed to his brother He had made con-
slant and eager inquiries for him
ever since he had joined SCOTS army,
but to no purpose. In Puebla he had
even visited the hospitals, only to
find that his brother was not there.
/ IL Wo0 CA4O 44CAC ucIJ1 at NnO14AO 0OA
Ray, that they met, that final defense
before the fall of the Castle of Chapul-
tepec that led the victorious American
forces into the City of Mexico and saw
the end of the war. At Moline del
Ray there was severe hand-to-hand
| fighting, and during an excited charge
! Cormac got separated from his regi-
ment. Finding himself alone, he made
a dash for thick growth of shrub in
an endeavor to rejoin them, but pres
emily he found he had lost his way,
and the noise of fighting grew fainter
and fainter as he struggled through
the bushes, getting more and more
entangled in their bewildering maze.
Suddenly he came out on an open
clearing beyond which was a long
narrow causeway, flanked on one side
by fields covered with broken lava
and on the other by pond and marsh
es. Hurriedly he advanced, when sud.
denly a tall figure darted out of the
bushes and confronted him.
"Cormac!"
Michael"
Eyes, my brother, it is but you
how came you here?"
But Cormac had started back, shame
and horror in his face. And then his
twin brother understood
"Oh," he exclaimed, "this uniform
l forgot 1t is Mexican, Cormac."
Eyes"
Listen, my brother, / will explain
l was taken prisoner by Santa Anna
was the only one captured in g
sortie. Santa Anna wanted informa
ton, and he offered me my life, and
later my liberty, if I would serve him
otherwise l was to be tortured-anC
so l agreed. You know all is fair il
love and war"
"And so-you, our fathers anG
mothers son, grandson of that Fear
gus Cullen who died for honor anC
right, you have deserted the stars
and stripes to become an informer, g
traitor, a spy?"
i Cormac Cullen's beautiful voice was
vibrant with shame and scorn, as he
hurled these words at his brother
i Il could not help it, Cormac."
yes, you could; you could have
died for your country as your father
and grandfather have done Oh
Michael, what would our mother say?'
How is she, our mother?"
she is dead
Michael Cullen fell back with cry
holding out his hand as if to ward of
a blow, and then Cormac's bitterness
vanished. Tenderly, soothingly as &
mother might speak to her child, he
advanced to his brother and laid his
hand on his arm.
you must get away from here
Michael" he said Go home. The
farm is empty and needs you-the key
is at John Carriers house. AS soon az
the war is over will join you, ant
together we will live there, in the
dear old home, you and t.
How can get away, in this uni
form?"
Cormac considered One moment hi
passed his hand over the sleeve of the
dear old coat he wore. Then he quiet
ly took it off, and presently his broth
er was clothed in the entire uniform
save the drum.
But you," said Michael Cullen
what will you do, Cormac? Will yol
put on my uniform till you regain
: your company"
!, Il will not put on a Mexican uni
form. My flannel shirt will do, and
: have another pair of trousers in m!
, knapsack; as for cap, l need none
: He finished clothing himself as ht
: spoke, then slung the drum over hi;
shoulder and turned to his brother
Nov, Michael, tell me where we are
] and then you must go"
"This is secret road known onl!
to the Mexicans. 1t leads straight tt
the City of Mexico through impassa
BILE marshes and ravines."
Very we'll Now lead me whence
came, outside the shrubbery, and
: will point you the road to Vera Cruz
In that direction you are safe. There
is money in my knapsack that will
take you home
: Swiftly Michael Cullen advanced to
ward the dense wall of shrubs.
Look" he said, these notches OF
) the trees point the way out"
, Five minutes later Michael, will
: downcast eyes and the shame not We
gone from, was shaking his brother
hand in farewell.
MY brother" he said. Il repent