The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-06-13

him as you please-the oftener the
better-for can see clearly how his
heart is a very fountain of thankful
ness toward you, and no wonder"
Sheridan, in spite of himself, felt an
embarrassment that he could not ac-
count for. If" he said, Il felt free
to use my privilege of sentiment, and
my right of discovery, for I found
Johnny, literally found him, | would
be inclined to take him home with
me. But the dear little waif would be
| injured by my clumsy selfishness. OF
course, as far as kinship is concerned,
he may be as near to yourself as to
me, for all know, SO you will have
| more title to him who can give him
| better care in his illness. I recognize
this truth freely, that though the rug
ged hand of man may be the one fitted
to provide the support for life, the
gentler. womans hand has no good
| substitute when poor health is broken
But another matter must be considered
| before / willingly part with him. The
| child is a Catholic, and as such should
be reared if God spares him. Now, if
you are not a Catholic, perhaps it
might be an awkward position to find
yourself in, were you to accept his
charge"
While Sheridan had spoken the lady
listened with deep attention, and
when he had finished she said without
any hesitation whatever: 81 accept
him and his care with more pleasure
that can express, and shall be guided
in all things concerning him by your
explicit, and hope frequent, direction
There shall be nothing whatever done
for him without your sanction. | pre-
sumo that at present his restoration to
| health is the most important matter,
SO he shall have all that medical skill
can prescribe, but if he need even now
any spiritual attention l will procure
it at once"
The officer was standing now, and
something, more than or at least other
than embarrassment confused him.
He was silent but seemed to wish to
speak. He turned toward her and
made a graceful, manly bow and
turned as if to go when the lady laid
her hand upon his arm.
81 shall feel dreadfully sorry if
have in any way hurt your feelings, -
she said in evident alarm.
Madam, you could hurt no living
thing, believe" said Sheridan, "and
| inc LoI 10
happy and grateful man. l have no
words to express my measure of thank
fulness and, if you will pardon me, my
esteem. You are more than lady
you are true and good woman"
Johnny" said he, turning to the
sick boy, many kind-hearted people
would pity you. do not; | bless God
for this day and what it has brought
for YOU" And to the lady, God has
already blessed you"
When Sheridan came next again,
which he did next day, he began by
saying that he could only remain for
a few minutes as he was hidden back
to the station house on business said
to be urgent. He did not know what
it's nature was but must attend prompt
ly. His pleasure was indeed very
great when he saw a neat little table
arranged with the sacramentals neat
/ ly placed upon it and a picture of
Our Mother Of Good Council richly
framed standing among them The
lady was absent but Johnny explained
that the priest had been to see and
speak with him. Also that the lady
asked the priest many questions, who
wrote on slip of paper, then went
away; not long after the priest had
gone the servant brought all those
blessed things" into his room and
arranged them as, they were. After
wards the priest came again and
blessed the articles and remained a
long time talking with the lady.
Sheridan spoke his approval Of all
that had been done and bidding John
ny to pray for the lady, took his leave
He did not return the next day nor
the next, and when he came on the
third day he was in his citizens dress
The lady met him with question and
almost complaint in her eyes. He ex
planned that business had kept him
and blushed very deeply. She smiled
and said the business" must have
been very happy one. He replied
that it had not that character at all
and spoke in glowing terms of John.
ny's improved condition. "Yes," the
lady replied, ''he is feeling very bright
today, are you not, dear?" "You bet
am" cried the sick one, and clapped
his hands. Madam pressed her finger
to her lips in token of secrecy, and
then the policeman began to suspect
some pleasant conspiracy. He asked
why Johnny was so happy, but the
lad only clapped his hands the more
and laughed.
While all this mystifed Sheridan he
saw there could be nothing in the af-
fair to worry about, SO he laughed too.
Then the lady remarked that she had
not before seen the policeman in his
ordinary dress and asked why he did
not wear his uniform as usual He
stated that it was day off duty with