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

riding as hard as he could, stopping
only at the scattered cabins and farms
to eat and sleep. Later they heard
that Taylor had reached the Rio
Grande, and was encamped with his
valiant little army opposite Mata.
moras. On the 18th of May, 1876, war
was formally declared between the
United States and Mexico and this was
followed by a call for $4,000 volun.
teers.
After that events moved rapidly.
Two men on horseback, authorized by
the commanding general, appeared at
San Pedro looking for recruits. The
father was the first to be enrolled
OF New Hampshire stock and of Irish
descent, he had drifted south in
early manhood, had married a young
Scotch wife and had lived at San
Pedro ever since. But he had brought
with him the traditions of his emigre
grandfather, sturdy Irishman of
giant stature who had fought through
the Revolution for his adopted coun-
try. For proof he had the very sol
der suit worn and the drum that had
been carried by his gallant forbear,
the first American Feargus Cullen, for
whom he had been named Proudly
he showed the recruiting sergeants
his revolutionary relics, and then he
called his sons.
Michael will go with me-" he said,
''and Cormac must stay here to take
care of his mother"
But the boy started forward. Let
me go too," he pleaded. 20 father!"
The sergeant seconded his appeal.
1--WE want all the men we can get"
he said There are few recruits in
this region as strong and as able to
fight as your sons"
But Feargus Cullen had made up
his mind.
May he said, "the boy must stay
If Cormac goes too his mother will be
alone. My two daughters are married
and have gone to other homes far
from here. One son goes with me to
the service of our country, the other
stays here to till the farm and take
care of his mother. This is just"
Cormac listened and acquiesced.
His father was right, but perhaps his
turn would come.
But before he went away Feargus
Cullen called the boy to him, and
there, spread out on the broad kitchen
table, was the coat and cap, the drum
and knapsack belt worn by his grand
father, the first Feargus, whose name
signified manstrength or strong man.
81 am leaving these behind" his
father said. "They are for you, Cor
mac. If you have the chance to wear
them remember that your grandfather
served his adopted country to the
death. Here is the bullet hole, just
over his heart, that killed him, and
here Opening the coat where there
was a dark brown stain) is the blood
he shed for the stars and stripes"
"I'll remember" said Cormac.
After that there were hurried leave
takings. Cormac stood with his moth
er by the gate, watching his father
and brother marching proudly down
the road until they were lost to sight
in a cloud of dust.
There followed long lonely days and
weeks when the boy did his best to
cheer and comfort his mother who
visibly dropped after the departure
of her husband. Often he wished his
sisters were at home, but they we're
too far away to be summoned, espe-
cially in the present unsettled state of
southern Texas.
At night when his mother had re-
tired early, Cormac took his boat and
rowed out on the Laguna. Sometimes,
gazing up at the dark blue dome stud
ded with stars, overhead, he felt as if
he were canopied by a great blue flag
pierced by the stars of hope and cour-
age and endeavor. For the boy yearn-
ed passionately to do some great and
noble deed for his country. Mean
while he was daily being proved in
courage, endurance and love through
the little things that strengthened and
rounded out his character.
They heard of the battle of Mon
terey in September, 1916, and then
stray news reached them from time to
time, until in February, 1847, came
the battle of Buena Vista. In De
cember, 1916, volunteer from farm
some six miles away was invaded
home, and brought Mary Cullen word
that her husband and son were well.
There had been no time to write let
tiers, but the news, scanty as it was,
cheered and reassurred them. Surely
the war would soon be over!
1t was toward the middle of March
that Cormac, crossing a field to the
house for the midday meal, saw a
figure on a burro coming down the
road. With a joyful exclamation he
recognized the priest, Father Martin,
who had baptized him ten years ago,
and who once in every two years
found his way to the scattered Cath
olics of that lonely region. He ran
to the house to tell his mother. Her
worn face lit up with joy as, accom-
panied by Cormac, she FASTENED to
the road to bid her guest welcome
Then followed happy day and even
ing, for the priest had the latest news