The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-07-04


cemetery gates. But neither of these
things had they elected to do. The
Bishop proposed walk across the
meadows to connect with the steam
cars at Branton, and the Governor
readily assented. And the Judge,
seeming the unusual, had insisted on
joining the twain.
Its a commonplace, of course"
said the Judge at length, "but / can't
help remarking that Brother Jude was
an extraordinary man. I wonder who
will undertake the task of writing his
life-story?"
The Bishop smiled, a little dryly.
His official neurological notice will
be written in French, and very likely
by a man who never knew him at
first hand. 1t ought to make interest
ing reading"
That's the custom, is it," the
Governor asked. well, perhaps it's
just as we'll 1t would take a big,
broad man to write Brother Jude's
life. Anybody could set down the
mere facts; but to paint a portrait
of Brother Jude as we knew him, as
this city and this State knew him
that gentlemen, would call for an
other Brother jude
1--WE shall not look upon his like
again" the Judge quoted, an unwonted
quaver in his tones.
ut would be an absorbing project,
all the same" the Governor contin-
ued II confess it fascinates me-"
why not write his life yourself,
them" asked the Bishop.
"Your Lordship knows very well
why not. | couldn't write it from the
inside. / am neither Catholic nor
monk, so many vital aspects of
Brother Jude's career I would neces-
sarily miss. His external achieve
ments and his sterling character |
can appreciate as we'll as any man;
but for the rest should have to con-
tent myself with conjectures, and
know from experience that my con-
lectures are invariably wrong"
There's only one thing to do, then"
said the Judge with a smile. your
Excellency must turn Catholic"
"And monk, Ell? Would the end
justify the means? But seriously,
can't get the notion out of my mind
I'd do great deal to understand just
how Brother Jude came to be what
he isl won't say was
''You would find it simple enough, /
fancy" the Bishop remarked. His
family was Irish and Catholic His
teachers were the Christian Brothers,
whom he joined just as soon as they
would let him. He made his novitiate,
studied his books, taught his classes
and the first thing he knew his
superiors began piling dignities and
responsibilities upon him. His infiu-
ence became pronounced in the
Church and out of it, and he fought
the good fight to the end. What
more?"
Those are the facts" the Governor
protested, ''the bare unilluminating
facts. l want to get behind the facts. -
Behind the veil, behind the veil?'
Is that it?" asked the Judge, half
whimsically. Wasn't it Roman
gentleman of your professional stand
ing who once asked, What is TRUTH
and then didn't wait for an answer
We'll, I'll wait for my answer" the
Governor replied, ''if any answer be
forthcoming. This thing, you know,
is a hobby of mine. | like to get at
the supreme moment in a mans life.
Now, what do you suppose that is?''
"The moment he leaves it, l should
say" the Bishop declared softly But
that can't be your idea"
'The supreme moment, as l see it,
is any future moment" announced
the Judge. For all we know, the
supreme moment in our lives will be
when we take the cars at Branton"
mo" said the Governor, very posi-.
lively. You don't take my meaning
| hold that the supreme moment in a
mans life is when he comes under
the influence of some man or some
event or some, idea that changes his
entire spiritual complexion and makes
him henceforth a different person
Thus, the supreme moment in my life
came twenty-five years ago when |
went with old Boss Graham to see
Modjeska in Macbeth Graham
didn't see himself in that play, but !
saw him; and for good and all l cut
his brand of politics. And you remem-
Der that Graham met his Macduff not
so long after that-for there always
is a Macduff waiting in the wings
when any sort of Macbeth comes on
in the last act
That's a digression,' continued the
Governor, but it is it's own excuse. 1t
shows what | mean by the supreme
moment. Now, what was the supreme
moment in Brother Jude's life?'
His joining the Brotherhood, of
course" replied the Judge. HE be
came a monk, and his order did the
rest"
Pardon me, but I can't see it that
way at ALL the Governor insisted
Il don't know much about religious
organizations specifically, but organi-
cations generically do know And |
know perfectly well-and so does
Your Honor-that organizations don t
make men, Sometimes they pick them
often they groom them, frequently
they give them chances; but make
them-never That living, leaping
something that goes into your great