The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-08-08
Continued from Page 81
THE MICK OF THE FAMILY.

what do 1 care?" she asked, with
fine hauteur.
He went to her and put an arm
around her. Dear little girl" he cried
softly. you've never had chance"
She pushed him away, laughing.
What do you mean? What kind of a
chance?"
why" he answered, like this
afternoon. Do you know, you've only
been able to get off twice in the two
years I've been here?"
do you think I carer" she cried.
There's where I belong behind the
counter. You know have no brains.
"Brains?" he laughed. what are
brains in a woman? It's beauty and
charm that count, and you have those.
Gwen" he ended seriously, "you ought
to have a chance-and by heaven I'm
going to give you one!"
What have you done, Paddy?" she
demanded, in alarm.
He took paper from his pocket and
gave it to her. "a check for thou
sand dollars 1 got a few minutes ago
sor signing with the Owls he said
unsteadily.
GA professional ball pIayer?" she
asked, looking from the paper to him.
cts nothing to be ashamed Of
he said stoutly.
ooh, Paddy! What will mother
say?"
"she won't like it at first, I sup
pose"
She'll never like it," Gwendolyn de-
clared emphatically "All she knows
of ball players is that Johnnie McHale
became one" =.4
johnnie McHale-bah! He's only
a busher. No good ball player can
drink
Mother knows they all do. And
she's so wrapped up in your career"
"My career!" He laughed satirical-
Iy. Gwen, can never become good
lawyer; l can't bone down. I'll make
more this year with the Owls than
could in a lifetime as lawyer I'm
going to get salary of four thousand
dollars, and if we get in the Worlds
Series-and I think we will-two or
three thousand more.
There's dad still working at sixty
five," he went on. "All of you are
skimping to live. And there's Tonys
little girl. You know she ought to be
sent to New York-that DR.. Gard is
binding her"
ooh, Paddy! you dear, big-hearted
boy!" She went to him swiftly, her
eyes full of tears. you're giving up
everything for some one else!"
Mrs. Cannon had not grown stopped
with age, and now she rose to her
full height, her jaw set square, her
eyes fiaring.
"Out av this housed" she cried
fiercely, pointing to the door.
Paddy Cannon was trembling. He
had argued long and eloquently to no
purpose.
Father" he faltered.
eyer mother is right" said Mr.. Can
non He, too, had built great hopes
on his son-the son he loved best OF
all-and to have him spoil them by
becoming what Johnnie McHale was,
was hard.
Paddy went to the door, and Gwen
dolyn, crying followed him. He kissed
her and turned to his parents.
Goodbye! God bless you!" he
said, and left them.
"The Mick av the family" Mrs. Can
non sneered, turning to her husband.
"Poor bye!" mumbled Mr.. Cannon.
Poor father, say!" she cried. Hes
disgraced ye-yer Mick!"
Mother, you must listen!" cried
Gwendolyn. Cali summer you would
not let me say word, but now | will.
l didn't know very much myself at
first, but I've studied, and | say there's
nothing disgraceful in Patrick's play
ing ball."
"How many times have I told We
never to mention that name to me?'
said Mrs. Cannon stiffy.
"But | wilt" cried Gwendolyn. He
is the best and noblest son you have.
He has just sent me two thousand
dollars
Mrs. Cannon gasped, but quickly re-
covered. yell send it back to him, .
she said stubbornly.
81 WON'T said Gwendolyn fatty.
Its my money, and with it I'm going
to take you and father to see him
play"
ITO see that spalpeen?"
HE is a good boy, mother. Mr..
Braidlaw is going to see him play
"Who?"
L "Mr. Mortimer Hall Braidlaw. You'll
go if he does, won't you?"
Mrs. Cannon melted under the ma
gic name. well, to please YET
They sat in the grandstand a little
above the boxes and watched the
crowd file in. It was wonderful
crowd. Mrs. Cannon thought it num-
bered at least million, but Gwen
dolyn said not quite that many.