The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-11-06

Johns interest in that far country
was keen, where things were so won
derful, and not drowsy and unpro-
gressive as here in China. The read
ing OF the letters meant far more to
him than the priest ever suspected
for the hoy, deprived of his people
and remembering wildly his uncle's
cruelty, had an intense love for the
sanity missionary who was giving his
life so generously in foreign land,
away from his people who loved him,
for the souls of the thankless natives
Johns opinion of his fellow country
men had passed through several
stages; from aversion and disgust to
intense pity and love such as his mas
ter had for them, which Father Luke
had noticed with interest. His whole
character had been shaped by daily
contact with the good priest who saw
in John possibilities which he took
| pains to develop. Indeed, John knew
well that he owed his very existence
i " INV PAAO01 1OI Idu LIZ NV
vened when the merciless uncle
would have disposed of him in the
barbarous way the Chinese take to do
away with unwelcome children.
Johns parents, who were of the bet
ter class, really loved him despite the
fact that one foot was slightly twist
ed, causing him to limp when he
walked. When he was six years old,
| they both died, of fever, and his uncle,
deeming him worthless because not
perfectly sound, was making prepare
tions to drown him when Father
Luke, new to China and her ways and
stung with the horror of it all, bought
him from that individual for a small
| sum and wasted exhortation. He
never forgot the pitiful look in the
child's eyes while he made hasty
bargain with the uncle. John became
| his and he fed, clothed and taught
him and grew very fond Of him. How
much of this affection was returned,
the priest but dimly guessed, for with
the stolid Indifference of his race,
John made no sign. He learned rap
idly-and now at the age of sixteen,
he could read, write and speak, teach
Catechism and serve Mass as we'll as
| cook-What there was to coOk-and
look after things while the priest was
away from Yen. Once a native priest,
travelling to the interior, had spent
the night with them, and John, in
whom a new hope was aroused, had
piled him with questions and forth
with applied himself-with greater
zeal than ever to his studies; but
with his usual reticence he spoke but
little of his hopes.
This day he lay patiently regarding
his friend and waiting until he should
speak. After a long time had elapsed
Father Luke came out of his dreams
and smiled down at him.
Good news, Father?" he asked
slowly.
''Oh, very good news indeed, John.
one thing. A Sister Of the Good Shep-
herd. They wear a beautiful white
habit and live beautiful life"
| John has seen Sisters once when
the priest had taken him to Yen
Chou, and he regarded them as angels
too beautiful and holy to be looked
upon. So he sat upright at the news.
"On1y I can't realize she is grown
up," went on the priest. "She was
so little when l came here, but ten
years is long time. You have
grown UP a lot yourself in ten years,
John"
| Eyes, Father" said the young Cate
chist, half proudly-tugging at an
imaginary loose thread on the sleeve
of his long, loose jacket and looking
embarrassed.
What is the matter, John? Any
thing happen while was away?"
mo, Father, only the usual things.
I taught the catechism and went to
see the old woman who was dying"
How is she?"
She died, Father"
did she ask for me?"
mo, Father, the priests from the
joss-house were there with their
charms but she did not speak at all.
Father Luke sighed. 1t was hard
sometimes, working in the vineyard
of China, to see the fruit of the
labor lost-for the blight of paganism
and superstition is hard to conquer;
but he was brave and patient.
We'll, John you wanted something
what is it,"
Father, do you think ! could study
more and be priest?"
Father Luke looked at the anxious
face, tense now that the secret was
out, and something that had long been
forming in his mind rose up and con
fronted him.
why, yes-perhaps-yo want to?'
with all my Observation-Disclosures
am afraid-do you think this will
hinder?"
He pointed to the despised foot that
had nearly. cost him his life.
Il don't know-John. We will ask
the Bishop when he comes.
Continued on page ID