The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-03-18

He gaZed earnestly at him as the
Stranger supported him in his arms.
o. he gasped and. tears of dis
appointment stood in his eyes, "you
ant-my dad-after all" Then
poor John tainted away.
1t happened that the man who
resembled Johns father was doctor,
so, having learned from some one in
the crowd where the child lived, he
called an ambulance and took the
little fellow home.
Poor Mrs. Brennan and Mary were
Mortified to see their little John car
ried in bleeding and apparently dead,
but after the physician had examined
his injuries he assured the weeping
mother that they would not be fatal.
Then he told Mrs. Brennan what John
had said about his dad when he had
seen the doctor bending over him.
Mrs. Brennan related the story of the
terrible fate of the vessel on that
| memorable night, while the physician
listened with interest to the story
from one who had been a participant
in that awful disaster that had shock
ed the entire world. She told how her
little boy was always finding someone
who bore real or fancied re-
| semblance to his father, and that he
| always declared that dad would come
home some day.
The doctor remained at the house
until his patient regained conscious
ness, and after few words with John,
| went away after promise to call in
the morning.
The boy became very fond of the
| kind, Dleasant-faced doctor who some
times brought his own son, who was
just Johns age, to call on the patient
| Often he would take the two boys out
in the automobile with him, after
John had completely recovered. One
day they had long ride to visit a
fellow-physician and friend Of Doctor
Halls who had charge of a large
sanitorium.
The two lads sat ON the grass and
| RECALLED themselves with nuts and
candy that the generous doctor had
bought on the trip, while Doctor Perry
showed his friend over the place. The
grounds were beautiful and extensive
and had the appearance of a great
park. At the rear of one of the build
ings a imam sat reading under a
pergOla.
"There is peculiar case" said
Doctor Perry, nodding toward the
figure. They paused in their walk and
the doctor related strange story tC
his friend. The patient had been
picked up by a passing vessel shortly
after the great ocean disaster of the
previous year. He was lying on q
floating bit of wreckage, and seemed
half dazed when rescued. Then he
was conveyed to this sanitorium. He
could recall nothing of the disaster
save that before the ship sank he
threw himself into the water, trust
ing in his ability to swim to safety
Then, after some time, when we'll nigh
exhausted, he suddenly received g
blow in the head, and perceived that
floating log had struck him. He
grew faint and dizzy, and after several
unsuccessful efforts drew himself ur
onto the piece of wreckage Their
he lost consciousness.
Since coming to the hospital he
has had periods of mental alteration
but was gradually recovering. How
ever, he had no recollection of his
former life, save that his name was
John Brennan.
At mention of the name, Doctor
Hall at once thought of little John
and of the story that his mother had
told concerning the narrowing catas
trophe through which they had pass
ed. He mentioned it to his friend and
added, Let me call the boy" Then
he fastened off and returned with
his son and John.
The group approached the spot
where the man still sat. DR.. Perry
addressed him and he glanced uI
from his book.
'Tve brought some friends to see