The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-01-31


his meeting with him, and the words
he had said.
The man listened in sullen defiance,
and it was evident the recital did not
surprise him in the least.
Unless the child is better cared
for" Father Grey continued, note of
sternness in his voice, measures will
be taken to remove him from you"
The sudden, alarmed look in Joe
Moore's eyes told the priest that he
loved his boy devotedly; and from
that love all things might yet be &C
complished.
The door leading into the next
room was partly open, and voice
called now querulously: Joe, come
here, l want you"
1T is my wife, the man explained.
Il will go to her, and be back pres
emily"
IF she will allow me, | would like
very much to see her." Father Grey
said.
"She has not been feeling well to-.
day. the man replied, and his miser-
a silent plea that he would not insist,
but Father Grey was fighting his Mas
ter's battle now a plying tenderness
was in his heart, a winning gentleness
in his manner. Il understand" he
said gravely, "but let me at least try
to help her"
"All right" Joe answered CURLY, and
went on into the room.
Father Grey waited for some time,
an occasional word of the ensuing
whispered conversation reaching him,
but at last Joe opened the door wide
and invited him to enter.
A cover had been thrown carelessly
over the tumbled bed; and the wom-
an, fully dressed, coarse, unattractive,
bleary-eyed, was half-seated, half-re-
clining there.
With winning, beautiful courtesy
Father Grey greeted her, and as he
took her hand in his gave no sign that
his whole soul was shrinking from
this task; the woman, the sin, the
shame; while he sternly reminded
himself, Here is a soul for which
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal
Word of the Father, suffered and
lived and died."
j Taking a chair, Father Grey talked
sweetly yet seriously to the woman,
telling her the details of his meeting
with the boy, and how deeply it had
grieved him.
''My poor baby, where did he ever
learn such language and tastes?" she
exclaimed in well feigned surprise;
then noting the stern look on the
, priests face, she continued hastily,
''But, of course, the dear doesn't get
the care he ought to have; my health
; is poor, and Jimmy is on the street a
great DEAL"
They seemed to be real tears she
, wiped away, but Father Grey was not
greatly impressed. Joe rose hastily
perhaps you would like to see the
: kid" he suggested. "He went next
door, after supper. I'll run over and
get him if you like
: Yes, l wish you would" Father
l Grey replied.
q HE seems to be a kind-hearteC
V person, your husband the priest said
0 when Joe had left the room. Il trus
I he is good to you in your ill health?'
1 The woman shrugged her shoulders
Good enough" she returned indiffer
emily, except when he drinks. I've
e never been able to persuade him t.
$ take the pledge. Maybe if you tool
e him in hand you could get him to-"
e The shadow of a weary smile
n touched Father Grey's lips. "Th'
= pledge is good in many cases. n
S answered, "but the sacraments SHOULD
7. come first You can't keep pledg
# without the grace of God, and tn
g grace of God for Catholics lies in tn
l. sacraments.'
He paused, with an inward praye
q that the Holy Spirit inspire his words
it and then with grave sweetness spok
~ to her of her souls welfare. She sa
e silent, shrinking, ashamed, but h
could not tell whether or not he ha
J. touched her.
o The next moment Joe returned wit
Jimmy, shy and remembering nothln
o of his first meeting with Father Grey
q. The priest stayed a little longer, tall
n ing pleasantly to them all, then ros
to leave.
q. give been telling your good VIII
e about the value of the sacraments,
lie he said, glancing at Joe, land l wan
it you both to make up your minds to
g. to Confession as soon as possible
s Choose, of course, any priest you d'
in sire, but if you would come to me
is think l could help you. Any time 20
is could come, l would be at your SER
ice," he ended wistfully. He waite
n moment but there was no response
10 then, with a grave God bless you
m he made the Sign of the Cross and lei
Or the room.
to The man went with him to the doc
n 'T'll come, Father-tomorrow evenln
H. if that is all right for you,' he sal
tie earnestly. 1--WE got a job now, SO
IS may be little late getting there, bl
SIS I'll come sure and-it's been sewers
ne years since l went to Confession" /
or ended nervously.
With a word of encouragemel
en- Father Grey shook hands with him.
h, Don't you think you can persuat
ID your wife to accompany your
rs asked.
ut I'm afraid not" Joe returned, Isl