The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-01-09

"11SAA upOA Tic pI6S1uSuGs SuIpLlo0u
that he was working so long after
his usual time for going home. He
had looked at the clock and found
that it was almost before Mr.. Bur-
ton rose and closed his desk-a GER
tain indication that his days work
was donet AT once, Mr.. Orthwein
climbed down from the high stool,
and, after knock that was wholly
perfunctory, passed into the elegant
inner Office.
| Mr.. Burton glanced over his shout
der and, seeing who had entered,
turned about with a friendly smile.
Mr.. Orthwein and his father had been
boys together and close friends then
and ever after. AS the years sped
by, Mr.. Burton had made a vast for
tune, and Mr.. Orthwein, not succeed
| ing, had fallen into a position in his
friends office, which he had filled
faithfully during many years. He was
a short man, inclined to be stout,
and his sedentary life had encour-
aged the inclination. His round face,
with it's insignificant nose, had a fiat
look which was unattractive, but the
brown eyes that smiled from behind
his glasses were as modest as a
child's and as friendly. In the Of
flee he was on equal footing with his
colleagues, who tormented him lit
tie because they loved him a great
deal; but he had always been a fire.
quent and welcome guest at Mr.. Bur-
toms fireside, and If father and son
| patronized him somewhat, they were
all unconscious of the fact. How:
ever since his friends death, two
years before, Mr.. Orthwein had seen
less of the son, who, ideally hand
some, gay, rich, was much sought
after. Not that the young man had
lost his affection for Mr.. Orthwein,
but his life had become full to the
brim of fascinating pleasures to which
the staid, slow old man was alien, and
of friends who, George Burton was
certain, would consider him tiresome
and unquestionably plebeian.
What is it, Orthwein?' George
Burton said, smilingly, when the for.
mer had carefully closed the door
behind him. Did you promise to
intercede for some other poor fellow?''
''No, no, George. / want to remind
you that it is this evening that you
agreed to go with me to the meeting
of the St. Vincent de Paul society,"
and catching a look of annoyance, as
it passed quickly over the young
mans face, he added, little hurt
''You hadn't forgotten
81 must confess that l had Orth.
vein. I made another engagement. ]
am very sorry" But he was touched
by the old mans evident disappoint.
ment and after a. moments consider.
alton he asked, SAT what time could
get away from your meeting?"
| "Oh, by 9 o'clock?"
$50 early?" and he laughed a lit.
tie. Then 1 can go. I'll call for you
But don't promise to join that so
ciety. l. have no time. | told you
so when you mentioned 1t before"
81 know you. did, George, but ]
hoped. At any rate, it won't do you
any harm to see what we are doing
and who knows?" There was HUI.
morous twinkle in his eyes that made
the light-hearted Mr.. Burton laugh
again.
ooh, I understood from the first
that you hope to rope me I'M" he
said.
There are so many poor" Mr.
Orthwein pleaded in excuse, land we
aren't rich, most of us who are try.
ing to help. Besides, George, you
have too much. Something of this
kind would keep you from becoming
spoiled" and he looked anxiously in
to the bright, winsome, self-satisfied
face that smiled down upon him.
Mr.. Burton's heart, big and ten.
der, though self-centered heart, was
touched by Mr.. Orthwein's solicitude.
He was reminded of his father. He
laid both his hands on the old mans
shoulders, as he said, "Ill gladly 60
with you this time, and who can tell
what" He did not finish, being
interrupted by a knock at the door,
One of his managers entered when
he said "Come in" and Mr.. Orthwein
went back to his stool with SO broad
smile upon his face that the weary
clerk at the next desk leaned towards
him and whispered, Whats up? Did
| vrft GOT q T~a ico0
1t was a little late when George
Burton's auto reached the shabby
boarding house which had been Mr.
Orthwein's home for many year. In
consequence they were the last to
enter the meeting hall, and dropped
into seats behind the other men. At
first Mr.. Burton paid scant attention
to the business being transacted; In
stead, he curiously scanned the bare
room and the men assembled there,
To his amazement he saw (side by
side with a few bright-faced medical
students, shabby German music
teacher and a little man whom he
recognized as his grocery two or
three men who stood for all that was
best in x, not only mentally and
morally, but socially.
''If these men are interested in this
affair, it must be worth while" he
thought, with the Difference, only half
conscious, which the neW-rfch feel
for those whose grandfathers and
great grandfather we're of some inn
nnrfaneR and at nnce he began fn