The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-05-30

shall die. Will you come with me for
a month? There is fine fishing and
shooting in the Maritime provinces,
and am going to Boston and catch
the boat next week." said Eugene to
his friend.
well I will be with you, Eugene.
There is fine game there so am told,
and month in the woods will do you
a world of good. Even If I lose four
weeks of practice, and have to deny
myself the company of my little fam
lily, can go with you, old man. Do not
sigh. CHAR up! You will find her out
some day and will be as happy as
am. Ask the old woman to whom you
brought the priest to help you find
her." said Jerry.
That's happy thought, ] will do
it." replied Eugene.
It was small town where the two
friends had to pass day before start
ing on their long journey to camp.
And after exhausting the sights of the
town, the capital of the province, it's
public buildings, drive, park and not
least to say, its market" they were
scanning the two-foot-square sheet
dignified by the name Of an Evening
Paper" to find some further entertain
ment for the evening.
There is show at the opera
house," said Eugene.
"No theater for me tonight" an
swered Jerry.
"Well then, we shall have to remain
at home I am afraid. No, here, Jerry,
how does this strike you? Basket So
cial at st. Joseph's Convent tonight 4"
what is a basket social?" asked
Jerry.
IT have not one idea on the subject, =
replied his friend.
Every well, let us go and have our
ignorance enlightened. It's probably a
way of making money for the Sisters,
so have your pocket book well filled,
Eugene"
The little school hall was packed
with mass of people, almost to suf-
location; but the two friends managed
to get past the door, where there was
modest demand on their pocket
books for the cents. 1t was not SO
easy to secure seat, but one of the
| Sisters who acted as usher, succeeded
in making two children give up their
chairs to the strangers.
| Eugene and Jerry were for a few
minutes the object of attention of all
who could see them. But as soon as
! the entertainment began, they were
like the rest, forgotten in the midst
of the fun.
/ Every few moments some gaily
dressed young woman, or more sober
ly attired matron passed with diff
Guilty through the crowd to the plat
form in the corner of the school hall;
bearing a basket gorgeously decorated
with ribbons and flowers. Every one
seemed to know every one else, ant
the hubbub of laughter and converse
ton was so great, that Eugene sale
i to Jerry: tits social enough. AnC
we have seen the baskets. wonde'
what will be done with them. Shall
we have to eat the contents?"
ct suppose so; there will be spread
after, and all. the nightmares confined
in the baskets will be let loose t.
gallop over our hearts until morning,
said Jerry rather cynically.
Some one laughed quietly just be
hind them as Jerry said this, but the.
did not look back to see who it nigh
be.
A few chords on the piano, and 81
lence was secured. Then there fol
lowed piece after piece by the chi
dren, choruses, solos and quartettes
A piece for the banjo and two mandc
Inns brought down the house, and GU
two doctors felt like two young boy
again. Jerry remarked:
ct wish my wife were here" Blu
Eugene only sighed as he thought:
ct wish that Mary Underwood wa
here"
And now there came forward Of
the platform a gentleman who an
nounced that he had been asked tt
auction off the baskets.
Now ladies and gentlemen, sait
he, IT want you to bid good and sharp
Each one of these baskets contain
many good things to eat and the on
who buys is expected to share thu
contents with the person who donate'
it. Now here is fine basket donates
by Miss Jenny McQuaid. How mucl
am l bid for it?'
1.-TWO dollars" said a voice.
1.-TWO dollars, two dollars, does any
one bid
"And a half" said someone.
1.-TWO and half, half; have thu
three-quarters?"
1.-TWO dollars and a half" repeated
deep voice, while the auctioneer de
clared that that man must be mor'
used to bidding on contracts than a
auctions, and then the audience
laughed again.
After the first half dozen baskets
were disposed of, the auctioneer hell
up one decorated with red, white ant
blue ribbons.
Here" he cried, 'is the gem of tn
evening" and put up by--well
no, can't tell the name"
Name" demanded voices in the au
dience. Name. Name"
, "How much am bid?" shouted tn
auctioneer.
, Nothing till you give us tn
name" said someone.