The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-07-25
MERRYLEGS.

Fortune had been kind to Frank
Hamilton, DR.. Frank, as he was gen.
orally called to distinguish him from
his father, old DR.. Hamilton. The son
had risen by his talent and industry
step by step up the medical ladder,
had married a charming girl, a Win
some lassie," as his old Scotch nurse
called her, and at the time we write
he had just bought a good practice in
the country town of Old Ford Here
again the golden ball of fortune
seemed waiting for him; for hardly
had he taken up his residence at odd
Ford House." when an accident oc-
Cured in the hunting field to one OF
the visitors staying at 'The Hail. Dr..
Frank was called in, and treated the
case so skilfully that his reputation as
clever doctor was at once estab-
lished. He was what would be called
good all-round man, and certainly
made his mark wherever he went, es-
pecially among the poor, to whom he
was always willing to give the great
est attention and kindness. His wife
was well suited to him in every way.
The family consisted of four children,
Horace and Hector, and younger boy
of eight, whose name was Cyril, but
his father gave him the name of "Mer-
rylegs." The name was supposed to
explain the bright, happy face, and the
extreme fleetness with which he could
run. A little girl of five years, Doro-
thea, or Dodo, completed the family
party.
DR.. Franks family were all, and had
all, that this world could possibly wish
for, good, upright people such as one
often meets, but with the one great
want in their lives and their home
They lived totally without religion;
| they were, therefore, tolerant, or rath'
err, Indifferent to any form of belief
Now and then an unsatisfied craving
| for something unknown would assert
itself for moment, but earthly happf
ness and prosperity carried the day
The three boys had been baptized in
| the Protestant Church, more respect.
able formality than from anything
else. And Dodo had not even had the
semblance of baptism, for at the time
of her birth an aunt who was abroad
begged that the ceremony might be
postponed until her return. The aunt
died before she could return, and sc
the long postponed ceremony never
came off,
When the Hamilton family we're set
tied in their new home the doctor be
gan to cast about for school for the
boys, and one morning he received a
letter from an old friend in London
who strongly recommended a school
where his own son was being educat
ed.
''The very thing, said the doctor
.'I'1l go and see the place this very
day.
what place, Frank" inquired the
wife, looking up from her own letter
There are a good many places in the
world
Then the doctor read the letter rec.
ommending the school at a Benedic.
| tine Abbey situated about two miles
out of Old Ford.
"Oh, goodness, Frank, l hope they
won't turn all our boys into monks"
The husband burst out laughing al
the idea. Then with an air of mock
solemnity said:
They might have chance with
Horace and Hector, but they'll have to
be good runners to catch MerryleYs,
dear little chap, and he asks such
queer questions. Yes, I'll go over to
day and make all inquiries. | know
the education the boys get is excellent
The Fathers are all highly cultured
men, and the boys also get an ample
supply of outdoor manly games; so
think it viii be Just the thing for
them.
On his return the doctor told his