The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-08-21

straightforward.
Tim Murphy had been day la
borer and tenant in the cottage. For
years Tim had taken care of his
mother and crippled grandson, and a
few months before his death they
passed away, The family were Catho-
lies, but found in the Grants with all
their hatred of "Papists," the kindest
of neighbors. Tim Murphy had often
lOnged for the chance to show his
gratitude. 1t seemed impossible to
do so in big way because the Grants
were prosperous farmers, but one day
the chance came.
Money was tight; there had been
three years in succession of poor
crops for one reason or another. Silas
had put his money into a number of
investments which would not mature
for number of years. A day came
when he wished to buy machine
which he could obtain for half it's
value by paying ready money. Tim
Murphy came forward with $40 of
his savings.
l.
all he said. He absolutely refused to
take a note of any kind. when you
are able to pay I am ready to receive
| it. This is a favor between friends"
Silas Grant took it gratefully. 1t
was a favor he appreciated deeply
and he intended to pay the loan as
soon as the first cash came to hand.
l. :
for something else. Then when the
crops were harvested he needed ready
cash for repairs which had been long
neglected. Money came in slowly;
the following spring he was about to
pay it, when he got chance to buy
the wood lot at sacrifice, and he re-
solved to pay sure when the harvest
time came.
But when the harvests were gath
cred in Tim Murphy was at rest in
the town cemetery, and Silas Grant
was plagued by a gnawing con-
science.
Tim Murphy had died quietly and
happily. There was a sudden call in
| the night, and Silas Grant drove
miles for a priest and doctor. They
both arrived in time, but when Tim
Murphy asked for him after making
preparations for the last long journey
| there was only time for hand clasp
Land an affectionate goodbye"
To the priest, Father O'Brien, and
to Silas Grant he entrusted the
settling of his small estate, pitifully
small when they came to settle; a
made from the sale of the household
effects, small sum of money toward
the new church when it should be
started, and a few minor requests.
Silas looked about the humble
dwelling and thought how many COM
forts that $40 could have bought. All
the years he had known Tim Murphy
he had had the burden of the support
of his mother and crippled grandson,
no less burden than it was cheer
full one. Now Tim Murphy was be-
yond the reach of any material aid.
Silas would have doubled and tripled
the amount to have an easy mind.
What would he not give to see Tim
Murphy some drizzly morning come
i up the orchard and hear his CHEEKY
greeting.
Hello, Squire; fine soft morning,
thank God"
But Tim would never come back.
Eternity seemed a terrible thing to
contemplate, between Tim and him
self, no tomorrows, all yesterdays,
that debt looming up-a debt he could
have paid and did not because he was
grasping and reaching out to get
more. What did all his prosperity
count for now?
These thoughts tortured him night
and day until they began seriously to
affect his health.
One thing grew out of Tins death,
the friendship between Father O'Brien
and himself. The priest was young
man and had taken up his charge, the
mission of Rentham, with great
enthusiasm. There was no church
there, and it seemed impossible to OBJ
tain land on which to build, SO great
was the prejudice against the Catho-
lies, until Silas was thrown in contact
with him in the settlement of Tim
Murphy's estate. Silas found all his
distrust and dislike falling away be-
fore Father O'Brien's contagious smile
and buoyant enthusiasm.
He liked the straightforward man.
ner and simple piety, too, and before
long he found himself on the side of
the young priest. Through his inf1u-
ence Father O'Brien gained the neces-
sary land and began at once on the
plans for the building.
This evening, as Silas sat on the
| wall besieged by remorseful thoughts,
Father O'Brien drove up to the
Grant home and asked for the Squire
Mrs. Grant had seen her husband take
the road toward the cottage and was
uneasy and restless since he had
gone. She was about to direct the
priest to the cottage when something
in the serenity of his face attracted
her. She was just at the point where
she felt she must tell her anxiety to
some one or go mad. She felt instinc-
lively that here was someone who
perhaps could help and would at least
respect her confidence.
'Mr.-ah-Dr. O'Brien, (something
of the Puritan in her baked at the
'Father'), have you noticed how