The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-05-09

prayer, and delivered a long and
rambling address to the Almighty, in
which no word of the dead man was
spoken, but much attention was
called to the fact that the wicked
pride and hardness Of heart of the
two youngest members of the house
hold added to the burden the mother
had to bear. Billy had taken himself
away on Mr.. Martens arrival, but
loyalty to her mother kept Evelyn
with her.
Katherine and Angela, coming
home from school, decided they must
go in and see Mr.. Marcy.
Everybody came to our house
when Gramma died." Katherine said.
Course, they always do, there
was lots and lots came when our
Willie died, and he was just a boy"
Angela answered.
They e thought of asking per-
mission, going to see MI. Marcy had
been for SO long a part of their daily
program. They had omitted the visit
the day before because mamma had
said they were SO busy over there,
but the funeral was tomorrow and
they wouldn't be home in time, so
they had to go today. They talked it
all over and saw nothing else to be
done.
They walked up the path very SOL
EMMY, holding tightly each others
hand.
eff we cry it'll make EN- feel bad,
so we mustn't" Katherine whispered.
YES" said Angela softly.
1t was Billy who saw them and an
swered their light tap on the door;
they did not wait to be asked in, but
stepped inside at once
1--WE want to see him." Katherine
said.
Mrs. Marcy came hurriedly from
the 'sitting-room. ooh, my dears,"
she began, STOPPING to kiss the little
girls, 81 don't think you should
tell them, William, it isn't right for
such babies to see death, it might
brighten them"
1--WE came to see him." Katherine
repeated.
What shall 1 do?" Mrs. Marcy wa
vered.
Mother, I think father would be
glad" it was Evelyn who opened the
parlor door.
Mrs. Marcy made way and the little
girls went in before her and the 9TH
ers followed. Evelyn led them to her
fathers side and showed them their
medal pinned beneath his coat. They
looked long and earnestly at their old
friend. There were no candles about
his coffin as there had been at Grand
ma Maheney's and at Willie's; there
was no crucifix or holy water as they
had had; it was all quite different
and the little girls were sorry, but
down close beside him and blessed
themselves, and Angela began, "Our
Father" and Katherine whispered it
with her, then Hail Mary" each
three times, and finally, Eternal rest
grant him, o Lord" MAY 'petual
light shine on him." MAY he rest in
peace" just as they said every night
at home for Grandma and Willie.
Then Katherine opened her eyes,
We'll say his prayer too" said she,
and together they repeated, Mary,
conceived without sin, pray for us
who have to thee" Again
they crossed themselves, then rose
and went soberly out.
They did not know that the first
real prayer Billy had ever said was
the 20, my God" that burst out with
a sob as they closed the door; they
did not know that the tears stream
ing from Evelyn's eyes meant the first
ray of comfort had reached her sore
ly tried heart; they did not know that
the bitterness that had held mother
and daughter apart for months melt
ed away in the sudden rush of ten
der sympathy the sight of their
simple faith invoked.
Mrs. Maheney was inclined to be
shocked when Katherine told her of
their call. ''WhyS Katherine, honey,
you shouldn't have done it; they don't
thought"
well" said Katherine, pausing be-
tween bites of apple, red and round as
her cheeks, what else could you do?"
you did just right" put in Mr..
Maheney, "and I'm proud of my baby,
so l am" Katherine could not under
stand why, but she enjoyed being
picked up and kissed, anyway.
Mr.. Mahaney and Mrs. Doran, went
over in the evening to say they hoped
the children had not disturbed any
one. 1t was quite a different family
that received them from the one they
had e the day before, a gentler,
stronger mother, a sad but comforted
daughter, and a younger son who had
lost all his bravado and recklessness
and was both subdued and manly.
Dear friends" said Mrs. Marcy, Il
never in my life saw anything more
touching and beautiful than the little
girls praying there beside our dead.
They made me see that he was ours
still, ours as never before. / want to
know more of the religion that makes
such faith as that, and you must help
me. I want it for myself, and my
daughter, and my son. The children
brought a benediction to this house
and I hope it may remain with us al
ways. Julia G Dor IN Extension.