The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-12-25
A CHRISTMAS GIFT.

TWAS a beautiful afternoon in De
cember, and the feathery flakes fell
thickly, silently, covering Mother
Earth with beautiful glittering festal
robe. Along the streets Father L.
eagerly wendell his way until he
reached small white cottage.
But, Father, surely my mother will
not die. am sure the Child Jesus
will leave her with me until Christ
mas, anyway" sobbed despairing
little voice, and two tiny hands clutch
ed those of the kindly priest, as he
left the room of the sick mother.
There, there, little Marjorie; you
must not cry like that !" and after a
| few comforting words, such t1s only.
Our Dear Lords close followers know
how to bestow, he said: God knows
best; and if your mother is happier
with Him, He will take her! Put
on your cloak now, like good child,
and as the Blessed Sacrament is still
in the chapel, go and ask the Child
Jesus what you will, and I am sure
He will grant you what you ask. .
Every morning after saw Father L. as
cend the cottage steps.
| Now, dusk is gathering, and it is
the third day after Christmas. Again
the good Father makes his way to the
cottage. This time he administers
Extreme JUNCTION and Holy Viaticum
to the dying parent. Aware that her
life is fast ebbing away, the mother
asks for her little girl.
II am leaving you, my baby" she
said in low, unsteady voice, with
out any one whom know to care for
you. / heard yesterday from your
'athers brother, who is very veal
thy man. He will take you when
am gone. OF earthly goods, I leave
| you little, but there is one gem
leave little Marjorie; tbs an heirloom
Esof great value. lt is your holy faith
You will make your first Communion
no doubt, by next Christmas, if not
before. Now, promise me, my darl.
ing, no matter what happens, you will
be true to your faith" Kneeling by
the bedside, little golden-headed Mar
j jorie made her last promise to her dy.
/ ing mother.
Again, December has come. BY the
4 Preside sat Father L. In his hand he
/ held a letter. His head was bent, and
his face was sad. The letter, dated
from Zion, was from Marjorie, and
thus it ran.
Dear Father:
Il Il do not thinK3I can make my First
Communion at Christmas. Uncle does
II not want me tosbe Catholic. But
il will, because told mother / would
and told. the Child Jesus, too, ant
His mother. think they are going tc
take me to California this Tuesday
heard uncle giving the orders to the
new maid. You know, he took Mary
away from me. Father | want sc
much to go to mother. Perhaps-Oh!
could you, Father, come and steal me
away before Tuesday, and let me live
with you? I will wait for you by The
big gate.
MARJORIE.
/ Life went on much the same in tht
village. Father L. made his usual Wis
: its to his flock, cheering many a hear
! and home. And when a kind neighbol
would enquire of him for little Mar
. jorie he would say that she was vel
and happy, enjoying the rays OF thu
/ Southern sun. But the good prizes
was troubled, for was it not harves
time now, and why had not the chile
written again? 1t was creeping vel
on to year since she left him, fol
she had gone when the first snow
flakes fell.
mo, no, want none of it; take i
away said a child's feeble voice.
But. Marjorie, you must eat some
thing. Come, now, just look hov
) tempting this tray of fruit is, and yol
know Uncle win feel very bad if HI
: sees his little fairy refusing TO eat"
5 The maid laid down the tray and re
, adjusted the pillows on the large arm
| chair But what thin little form la.
: among them? Surely, it is not GU
!, little Marjorie's! Listeni The docto
r and uncle are coming. Marjorie
) knows their steps. A look of hop,
overspreads the pale little face. Til,
doctor takes the thin little hand AMI
ii feels her pulse. His brow clouds al
ii he shakes his head. Cannot tell
: he muttered; cannot tell. Motion
| ing the uncle to the other end of tn
) room. ct is no disease of the bod.
i that is killing that child. It Seems
: to me as If there is something els
j she is worrying about something sh'
wants and yearns for Now, tell M me
| man, is there anything you have re
) fused this child? / do not mean con
corning wealth. Is there anythins
} she wants? Tell me. Come. Their