The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-03-07
SUPPORTING ONES PASTOR.

The whole family were at dinner
when a knock was heard at the door,
and Germaine, little girl of six or
seven, was sent by her father to open
it. To the amazement of all, it was a
priest who stood at the threshold.
Good morning, my friends" he
said Il am your parish priest"
The husband and wife stood up,
staring at the newcomer, whilst the
children, resting their elbows on the
table, gazed, open mouthed, at the
long. black soutane.
And what do you want, sir?"
asked the husband.
The priest with one glance had
taken in the scene before him-no
Crucifix, no holy picture; gaily col
.ored chrome Autograph of very de-
collette lady over the fireplace and
amazement in place of welcome on
the faces of all
81 have COME he replied, ito ask
you to contribute towards the support
of your pastor. We are visiting all
the houses in this neighborhood, and
I did not like to make an exception
of yours"
There was no answer to this, but
the husband looked at his wife with a
sheer upon his face and a shrug of
the shoulders.
You know" the priest went on,
that we cannot live now without
aims, since the law has taken every
thing from us"
The man to whom he spoke was
turning over in his mind all that he
had read in the paper about priests
how they were parasites, living on the
poor useless creatures who trade on
the superstition and credulity of the
people, and much more of the same
sort
''The law is the law, Monsieur
Fable" he said at last "One must
abide by it."
"a law that takes away the posses
sions of any one unjustly is an unjust
law. What would you say if the law
took your belongings from your"
"I'd work and earn more for my
self. I am no idler," retorted the
man, with an emphasis on the pro-
noun that was Enthusiastically intend
ed to be insulting. And SO the priest
understood it.
Believe me-" the man went on
with intentional insolence, "the people
won't stand much more of your beg,
ging You have drained them to the
last drop already, and they'll have nc
more of it."
Without a word, the priest turned
to 60. He could not keep the indig
nant flush from his face, but no word
passed his lips, not even when the
man called out parting insult as he
walked away:
"You have arms, haven't you? Sure.
ly they could help to do something
better than begging"
The woman had kept silence during
the interview, knowing her interven.
ton would be of little or no use. But
now she addressed her husband.
"Why did you send him away like
that? Perhaps it will bring us i'll
luck" she said sadly
Certainly the visit had brought i'll
temper with it, for during the rest oil
the meal the man went on grumbling
about priests, saying they were the
cause Of half the evils in the country
against religion, which was the enemy
of liberty; against his wife for not
agreeing with him. even against the
children. whose noise and chatter got
upon his nerves And as he went out
to his work again he had final word
of grumbling to say:
Whenever a priest comes near us
or even that we see one in the street
there are always disagreements and
unpleasantness between us. See what
birds of evil omen they are! So now
am l not right in sending them about
their business when CAM" And, go
ing out, he slammed the door behind
him.
Six months later. in that same
room, the mistress of the house lay
dying. Her face was as white as the
pillow on which her head rested, and
the children, quiet for once, gathered
round the bed in a frightened group
whilst her husband, sitting by her
tried to bring her back to conscious
ness again.
At last the invalid opened her eyes
81 thought was going that time" she
whispered, and the mans eyes were
wet. She tried to speak again, but
her voice was so feeble that he haG