The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-05-22

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Just now, sir; / haven't been to school
for two years."
I must have reference"
Try me, sir, without that
What are you worth? ?"
If you mean wages, | don't know,
sir"
Fifteen dollars a week."
mo, sir"
"Two?"
More than that, | think sir"
Huh! Four?"
About that, sir
The boy went to work, and did this,
that and the other thing which boy
could do in and about the buildings
Of the Maxwell Silk Mills. He was
notAidle. Each week he received 81
and to his honor be it said that the
entire amount came into his mothers
hands. This greatly lightened her
burden, for there were two more
children besides the boy, and the
father was dead.
A few months later one morning
when the air was keen and frosty Mr..
Maxwell found boy putting on his
shoes on the office steps.
Who are your"
Sandy, SIR
Sandy? Huh! Sandy who?"
MACPHERSON. You hired me, sir,
in October"
Sure enough. I remember you
now. Why are you putting on your
shoes here?"
Sandy colored deeply for minute.
They are the only ones l have,
sir"
That's no reason why you should
be putting them on here
L think, sir, these are the only
ones, I'll get this winter"
"Huh!"
And Mr.. Maxwell passed within, but
for all that vision stared up from his
desk. He. saw sandy-haired boy
walking barefooted in the frosty
morning, and thought of colds and
pneumonia, and little boy tossing
on sick bed, because the boy wished
to save his shoes. Finally Mr. Max
well pressed the electric button.
Brooks appeared in the door.
Send me young Sandy MacPher-
son."
Sandy came minute later.
Here boy; buy some shoes. You
will become sick if you go barefooted
these cold mornings"
Mr.. Maxwell handed Sandy a two
dollar bill.
81 can't take this, sir, unless l work
extra for it,
Work extra, if you want, but get
those shoes"
Soon after this Mr.. Maxwell noted
that his desk was cleaned each morn
ing, also the chairs and floor of the
| office. When finally the office win
doWs glistened as they had not done
in years, Mr.. Maxwell called Brooks.
"Who has been cleaning up here?"
Sandy. He says you gave him
permission to work extra; he's putting
it in on the Office"
Huh! What sort of boy is he,
Brooks?''
''The finest as steps, sir"
On Saturday Sandy's envelope con.
tanned five dollars in place of four.
Two weeks later Mr.. Maxwell, com
ing one morning earlier than usual
discovered Sandy putting on his shoes
on the Office steps. Perceiving that
he was not seen by the boy, Mr.. Max
well waited until the lad was gone in
before he entered the building. At the
earliest opportunity he glanced al
Sandy feet and saw very much worn
shoes, very much blackened Brooks
was sent for.
Brooks, young Macpherson walks
here barefooted through the cold and
puts on his shoes at the Office door,
want to know the reason
Two hours later Brooks brought
some startling information. Mrs
Macpherson was sick; the doctor haC
ordered better food; and Sandy's new
shoes had to go in order to obtain it,
ut was a long time before he'd tel
me, sir. He said he hoped Father
Martin-the priest, sir-nor his moth
er, nor you, would ever find it out
HUH"
That afternoon Mr.. Maxwell's auto
mobile stopped in front of the Mac
Pherson home. Father Martin was
lust descending the steps. Mr.. Max
well looked much relieved, and called
the priest aside
Here is some money" said Mr.
Maxwell when he finished telling
Father Martin of what Sandy was do
| ing. "Do for these people what is
needed. BY all means get Sandy an
other pair of shoes, but don't let hin
know that the money came from me
i or he'll work himself sick"
The priest smiled, and took the