The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-11-06
A LABORER IN THE VINEYARD.

Father, the carrier came while
you we're away and here is a letter
for you"
Father Lukes tired eyes opened
quickly and little flush of pleasure
spread over his pale face as he bent
from the saddle to take the precious
missive from the careful hand of
John, his Chinese Catechist who was
also his house boy and general mana
ger.
Thank you, John, did the carrier
bring the provisions from Yen Chou
also?"
Receiving an affirmative reply, he
dismounted stiffly from his steaming
mare, giving the animal an affection
ate pat as John took the bride reins
from him.
Rub her down bit, lad, for she
is tired like her master"
AS he crossed the strip of bare
earth that led to his tiny dwelling
house, the weary droop partly left his
shoulders and the tired lines in his
thin boyish face, caused by care and
hard days in the saddle, relaxed in a
happy smile for the letter in his hand
was from America-from home.
YEARLY enough, however, he dropped
into a bamboo chair by the door and
tearing the envelope open quickly he
began to read with leisurely enjoy
ment.
1t was long letter closely written
on many thin sheets. His home let
tiers we're always long, and though the
news was often months old before it
reached the sleepy little village in
the interior of Southern Shan Tung,
periods only, still it was of the great
est interest to him and he watched
and waited eagerly for the letters.
They were the one link that bound
him to the world of loving friends
which he had left ten years ago, to
labor in the vineyard of the Lord;
and in as hard and barren vineyard
as China he had found the goal of his
hearts desires.
There was much news in this letter.
The first part was written in his
mothers fine, precise hand. The
most astounding information was that
Margery, dear little Margery, who
was a baby of eight years when he
left America, was going to enter the
convent of the Good Shepherd, in
their home city.
81 wish she we're coming to China,
he reflected, as he tried to picture her
in the white habit. "She would be
too frail for China" he remembered
sadly.
When he opened the letter some
thing had fallen out unheeded, but as
he read the firm masculine hand that
followed his mothers, a wave of feel
ing swept over him and he reached
for the fallen article. Sure enough,
it was a ticket-really and truly a
ticket to America. With dimming
eyes he read.
"We are growing old, my son, your
mother and 1, and Margery is leav-
ing us. We want to see you once
more before we die. dared not send
you the money to come home, for /
knew the temptation would be too
great to spend it on your poor Chi
nese-but they will be there when
you get back and l am sure you can
obtain permission for short visit
home. Come, my boy, and make us
happy-all together once again"
The last few pages were from Mar
gerry as had been the custom since
she was able to print.
Luke, dear, do come soon, for I'm
dying to see my big missionary broth.
er, and as mother has told you, am
going to the convent. Perhaps you
could be here when / receive the
habit What a happiness that would
be! Do come, soon!"
Then there had been more news
and much love from them all.
Father Luke sat very still after he
had finished reading, but his heart
was singing wild hymns of joy. TIC
go home eater ten years-to see
Father, Mother, Margery, the OLD
| friends-the beautiful home-where
the parents would soon be alone. TIC
visit his old college-to meet the old
| fellows-the Church where he had
said his first Mass. oh, it was toe
good to be true-home-home. The
Bishop would let him go, he reflected
for on the occasion of his last visit tC
Yen, he had said:
| Father Delmore, you are looking
badly worn, / wish l could send you
| home for rest. Maybe we can find
the money before long,"
Then he added, whimsically, "Yor
ought to begin to save, Father" and
John, who was present, had laughed
at the idea of Father Luke saving
anything, for every bit of money and
nearly every gift of food that came
his way. went to the relief of the
many poor he met on his trips around
the country, so that sometimes they
both went to bed without very much
supper, for John would not touch q
morsel his master did not share.
While the priest sat musing hap
PLY, John returned and stretching
himself on the ground close by, lay
regarding Father Luke wistfuIly
through his dark, patient eyes. A
letter from America was almost as
much of an event to him as it was to
the priest and was about the only
thing that ever aroused the young
Chinese from the characteristic in.