The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-10-10

"But want to know" said Tommy |
fretfully. "And what makes my face
so wet?"
you are here in the rectory,
Tommy" said the doctor, thinking it |
best to crafty him.
ooh, yes" said Tommy, a happy
smile spreading over his face. 81 le-
member now. . But, Father" he added,
with troubled look, did do wrong?
Did l, Father? There was no one
else to save the Blessed Sacrament,
and I couldn't hear to have it burn
in the fire."
mo, no, Tommy" said the priest,
in soothing tone. "You did per-
fectly right"
Il know I wasn't worthy" contin-
ued Tommy, as if he had not heard;
"but I said an act of contrition, N
then I thought that might do, long S
wasn't in the state of grace
flush, Tommy, hush,' said Father
Rose brokenly, the tears rushing to
his eyes; you did a very noble
thing, my child"
Tommy's face lighted up and he at
tempted to speak, but a faintness
seized him and he could only sink
back on the pillow and gasp, while
the doctor fastened to apply re-
storative.
| But in a moment he raised his
head again. Are the robes all right,
Father?" he asked anxiously.
Eyes, Tommy; yes" answered the
priest.
81 was so afraid they would be
hurt, and I wanted to save them for
you''
Hush, Tommy; you must not talk"
'tBut 1 had to wear one of 'em out"
said Tommy worriedly. Il couldn't
carry 'em all, so had to put one on,
n I'm afraid stepped on it few
times"
"They were all right, Tommy; and
am so glad to have them; but you
shouldn't have done it, my child"
I'm glad they were all right"
murmured Tommy. But you're cry
ing, aren't you, Father? What for?"
Tommy, do you know that you are
a very SICK DOy!
Am II" asked Tommy, startled a
little.
Eyes, Tommy" said the priest, the
| tears raining down his face. Can
you bear shock, Tommy" Then,
as Tommy nodded: Instead of grow
ing up to be pure, strong man,
Tommy, in a very few moments you
are going to be with the angels in
heaven, seeing God, that God Whom
you so bravely bore out of the
church little while ago, face to face,
and dwelling with Him forever"
Tommy gazed steadfastly into the
priests face. I'm going to die?" he
said softly.
Eyes, Tommy; but think of the hap
piness that awaits you"
Tommy was silent moment, then
he said, You'd better hear my con-
fession now, Father. l think I'm pre-
pared, n I'd rather, right off, fore
get any worse"
The boys calmness and resigna-
ton touched the priests heart, but
he prepared everything for admins
tering the Last Sacramento of the
Church, and in a few moments it was
all over and Tommy lay, grasping
tightly the little silver crucifix which
the priest had given him, with look
of angelic peace on his face.
Father he whispered family.
eyes, Tommy said the priest,
bending over him.
Il cant help thinking, Father, that
it is best after all, cause I've been
such bad boy might never grow
to be that pure, strong man you
wanted me to be, n then you'd be
sorry. Now I'll be with the angels
and God, you said didn't you, Father
YES, Tommy" said Father Rose
his tears again falling. "And you
will pray for me, won't you, Tommy?
Always, always for you, Father,
he whispered, 'But you don't need it. >
ooh, l do" cried the priest, his
face in his hands, so much
, Tommy sank back, gasping fol
breath. He held out his hand feebly
. Father, I think-this is-the-end
; I'm sorry Pve-been-such a-bad-
boy. Good-by Father
j, The priest sprang to his feet and
raised him up, but the eyes were
!, closed and the gray hue of death had
> spread over the little face. The
priest hesitated moment, thinking
, that life was gone, but once more
: the eyelids lifted, smile of glorious
rapture parted the pale lips, and he
cried, with the angels" and expired
Father Rose fell on his knees, re
peating the Office for the Dead, but
his lips moved numbly and he fell
stiff and cold. A hand touched hin
on the shoulder, and, turning, he saw
the doctor.
1.-The people are asking for you,
he said. M
, | -MfSS Minnie " D0n0DdH