The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-07-25

said in a whisper an earnest Hail Mary
for his sisters recovery.
Perhaps now she won't die, Moth
err he said, as he rose from his knees.
'I'm glad l taught her that prayer"
DR.. Frank came in and out of the
room, and each time he gazed on the
child his hopes grew less; he knew
she was beyond human skill Sud
denly thought seemed to strike him.
Jessie" he said, turning to his
wife, do you know Dodo has never
been christened? We had better send
at once for the Vicar; but supposing
he's away or can't come, | know one
of the priests from the Abbey would
be kind enough to come. Who can
go?"
Up jumped Merrylegs.
"Ill run to the Vicarage; it's only
ten minutes; I'll soon be back
"All right, boy" said his father
make all the haste you cam and
Merrylegs was off like a shot.
When the Vicar came into the study
he looked rather surprised at seeing
the boy, and he seemed rather in a
hurry. The boy told his tale.
Cali right, little man. said the cler-
gyman, patting the child's head. I'll
come in the morning, | can't possibly
come now, as we have dinner party.
"Oh, please, come urged the boy,
''Dodo is very, very ill"
don't hn
should have come before. Give my
compliments, and tell your father I'll
be sure and come tomorrow" So say
ing, he opened the door. You'd bet
ter make haste home; for there'll be
a heavy snowstorm soon."
Once outside the door, Merrylegs
soon made up his mind what to do;
straight up the hill he ran, fleet as
hare, and when he reached the Abbey,
pulled the bell with such violence that
he made the old lay-brother hasten to
the door, wondering if the. place was
on fire. On opening it there stood
Merrylegs, all white with snow, quite
out of breath, and beads of perspira-
ton standing on his forehead.
please ask the Prior to come and
christen Dodo,' was all he could say.
A few moments later the tall priest
and the little lad were fastening down
the HILL
"Why did they send you, Cyril?"
asked the priest.
They didn't, Father. | came when
l remembered the Catechism. | knew
Dodo was not a Christian, SO | ram
"Were you not frightened? It's a
long, lonesome road"
why, was a bit, when I came to
the wood, the wind made noise like
wolves rushing out, like story-books
but l tried to- think of nothing but
Dodo, and ran faster and faster, and
then | said three Hail Marys'
The snow was now falling heavily
and the priest saw the boy was getting
tired. He was much struck with the
manly way Merrylegs plodded on, as
he took the priests hand and trotted
on without word of complaint, like a
tired little dog who knows his way
home. On arriving at the house they
found the parents in great anxiety al
the boys long absence, and greatly re
lieved to hear his voice as he said:
/ 'Tve brought the Prior; the Vicar
couldn't come until tomorrow"
The Prior was tall, well-built man
with clean-cut features and hair turn
ing gray. He was one Of those meT
whose presence gives feeling of con
fidence and peace. He saw at glance
that the child was indeed in danger Of
death. Just before he baptized hel
the doctor came forward, saying:
please, Father, will you baptize the
child with the understanding that
should she recover, she shall be
brought up a Catholic, as that is the
Church in which she is baptized? Dc
you agree to that, my darling?" he
said, turning to his wife.
ooh, yes, yes, Frank" sobbed the
mother, and a few moments later the
saving waters had been poured, and
the sacred words pronounced, and
little Dorothea was ready for Heaven
How can we thank you, Father
Prior" said the mother, "for coming
out on such a night to baptize our
child when we are not Catholics?"
The priest smiled kindly, as he an,
swered:
ANY priest would walk much far.
Their than two miles for a soul to re-
ceive Sacrament Merrylegs is the
person who fetched me-"
Dear little chap" said the doctor
Il hope he's asleep by now. | prom.
ised if he went straight to bed ]
would tell him all about it,
Although they begged the Prior to
stay the night, he would not hear OF
it, saying:
Il never stay out of the Monastery
unless it is absolutely necessary. See
the snow has ceased to fall and the
moon has risen. shall have quite a
pleasant walk
All they could persuade the priest
to do was to have some hot coffee and
allow the doctor to accompany him
part of the way home.
On his return, DR.. Hamilton went
straight to the nursery. His wife
looked up, saying:
She's fallen asleep"