The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-01-11
THE POTENCY OF KINDNESS: OF
THE BOY APOSTLE.
A True Story.

A True Story.
There was intense excitement in
the sleepy Southern town. The whole
population was filled with ill sup
pressed anger, and crowds of men and
boys thronged the streets, particularly
around the courthouse and Jail.
Women gathered in groups on their
verandas and in the shops to discuss
the fearful crime that had been COM
mitted in their midst. 1t was a brutal
murder, and the murderer was a
negro. Only strict surveillance kept
the poor wretch from being dragged
from custody and hanged to the near
est tree.
The murdered man was his master.
What matter if the slayer was goaded
to madness by cruel treatment and in
sulting words To many wild son of
the South a negro has no soul; he
has no rights; he is even yet a chat
tel, not worth as much as a good cow
or a horse. So these people reasoned.
The murder was, to be sure, commit
ted in moment of frenzy, but there
was no defense; the conviction of the
poor wretch was foregone conclu-
sion.
The learned court made haste to
have the trial, and the jury quickly
pronounced the fatal word GUILTY."
Public opinion was satisfied, and the
excitement cooled down.
In his death cell the negro sat. No
one bothered him. He was left alone
to terrible fear of death and the
world beyond the gallows. They asked
him did he want religious aid? No!
He never knew religion in life; it was
an unknown factor in his thoughts as
he sat and brooded with sullen brow
and muttered his baths. In the dark
and in the light of the few days that
were between him and eternity, peo-
pie came and looked curiously into
the barred window of his little CELL
But no one pitied him.
Among the throng that passed
through the Jail were two lads, who,
like all boys, were curious to see a
condemned man before execution. One
of them heartlessly called him to the
window and the poor wretch came.
Immediately a spirit of wicked un-
kindness prompted the lad to call at
him.
"You scoundrel! You murderer!
The country does we'll to turn you
over to the gallows!"
The negro, who expected a kind
word. turned away with bitter oath
on his lips.
Shame on you, Tom," said the
other lad. "How dare you talk that
way to poor condemned fellow!
Watch out that the Lord doesn't take
his part since nobody else does!"
"Pshaw!" said the first boy, ''he de-
serves his fate. I have no pity for
him, the black DEVIL"
"Stop!'' said his companion, Eve
didn't come here to act the judge. He
has my deepest pity" and calling to
the poor black wretch, he said some
kindly words and gave him some
money.
The black mans eyes. filled with
tears. young massa," he whispered,
''if you done cum heah alone by your
sell, Use got sumpin' to asst you. Kin
you cum tomorrer, all alone?"
Sure" whispered the boy some
what startled, as he made off down the
corridor after his companion, who had
turned disgustedly away.
The guard who was standing by and
who had heard the whole conversation,
nodded approvingly and the boy dis
appeared.
This was Catholic lad of fourteen,
whose faith commanded him to be
charitable to the unfortunate and treat
his neighbor with consideration. His
Catholic faith taught him also that
the black man had an immortal soul
that could be made as white as snow
if he repented for his sins and became
reconciled with God. The kind words
he uttered brought Gods grace, and
the boy determined he would go on
the morrow and see if he could do
something towards saving that negro's
soul. He said nothing at home, but
his promise never left his mind. He
thought of it that night, and at the
hour appointed he went alone to the
Jail to keep his word As he passed
the guard, the man said to him:
'sI'm glad you came; that niger has
been raving about you ever since yes
terday. 1t seems he took wonderful
fancy to you. You are the first one
he's ever talked about"
They opened the cell door and the
boy, with certain tremors easily &C.
counted for, found himself alone with
the condemned man. The negro fell
on his knees before him.
young massa," he sobbed, 'Tse
goin' for to die, and Use pooah black
niger wild murder on my soul Day
want me to git religion, but I doan
see dat any 'ligion counts dat amt goi
no kindness. You took up foah me
'gainst dat young gemplin dat cum
long wild you, an you said dat dc
Loard would take my part, an ali
night / bin thinkin' dat your 'ligior
must be de kurrect one, for you gil
me comfort! If die in any 'Iigion It's