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


had been ripped by an iceberg which
was submerged beneath the waves,
a menacing danger that had been
entirely nndreamed of.
Let us commend ourselves to the
protection of the Sacred Heart and
the Blessed Mother" brave Mrs.
Brennan said, as the children chung
frightened and sobbing to their
parents.
They all felt calmer and stronger
after the short but fervent prayer, and
stood watching the lifeboats as they
were lowered into the darkness
beneath.
Step In, quick" ordered man,
selling Mrs. Brennan by the arm,
there's room for you and the chill
dren." Trembling and pale the poor
woman turned to her husband. 20
John, we can't leave you behind"
Hastily embracing his wife and chill
dren Mr.. Brennan told them to co.
that he would be safe, although he
felt that he would never see his loved
ones again.
Little John chung to his father.
''Tll stay with you, dad, let me stay
But Mr.. Brennan unwound the small
arms from his neck. God bless you
little man. You go with mother and
Mary and take care of Them" his
father said huskily.
A few minutes later the boat, con
tanning a number of women and chill
dren, among them Mrs. Brennan, John
and Mary, dropped over the side OF
the now rapidly sinking vessel.
20 daddy" came the cry from two
childish voices. Mr. Brennan, peer
ing over into the dark depths below
could see the life boat shoot out ovel
the waves away from the Inflated
| steamer
'Merciful Heart of Jesus, protec
them" the man murmured while thu
tears fell. But he half forgot hi!
sadness and anguish of heart in hi!
efforts to assist the remaining womel
and children into the boats, and en-
deavoring by CHEEKY words to impair
courage and confidence in all abou
him.
Rising and falling with the waves
the boat containing our three Friends
glided through the darkness. One,
they saw another boat capsiZe ant
the poor occupants sank to thei
death in the inky depths. Terro
seized the spectators, many of then
fearing to meet a similar fate.
Mrs. Brennan softly recited tn
rosary, in which John and Mar.
joined, and their earnest prayer
brought much peace and comfort t.
many poor soul who listened.
Lets sing Star of the Sea-" spok
little Mary when the rosary wa
finished. Then she began the beaut
full hymn:
Thrown on life's surge, we claim tn
care,
Save us from peril and from woe.
Far out over the dark eXpanse @
water sounded the sweet, childis
voice:
Mother of Christ, Star of the sea,
Pray for wanderer, pray for me. -
8 A peaceful calm seemed to hav
fallen over every one after the hymn
was ended. Then little John whisper
ed to his mother: 20 I know til
Blessed Mother won't let anythin
happen to dad, and, mamma, we didn
, say our goodnight to Jesus in tn
! Blessed Sacrament, did WEI"
Brushing aside her tears, the poo
mother began the beautiful evenin
prayer to the Dweller in the Table
, nacle, which they had always recite
every night together.
Maybe dad is saying it about thi
. time, too," said the little boy lool
= ing wistfully up at the bright star
9 Seems good to know that Our Lor
is looking at us an watching over u
from the Tabernacle, even though W
:. are way out on the ocean. And Hi
q little red lamp is burning over the1
. wherever the land is. I know H
won't forget u.s." Before long job
was sleeping TRANQUILITY in HI
9 mothers arms, oblivious of all troubl
: Dawn was breaking when a rescu
= ship discovered the survivors of til
= previous nights disaster, and too
them on board.
The little boy was terribly di
:, appointed at not finding his fathe
!, on the vessel that had picked thel
up. He was certain he would sc
= him there, and scanned every fac
: | eagerly hut in vain
1t was sad homecoming for til
9 little family. They had gone off S
!, happily with no thought of the dill
! disaster through which they must c
n before seeing their home and friend
! again. For days and days poor Mr.
4 Brennan and the children watche
+ and waited in hopes that Mr.. Brel
! nan would come home,-that he migl
q have been saved, although they kne
!. from reading the newspapers thu
4 hundreds of lives had been lost. An
) knowing that her husband woul
q bravely sacrifice his life to say
v another, the grief-stricken woman fe
certain that they should never sc
him again. 1t was a heavy trial, il
: deed; but Mrs. Brennan bore her eros
like the true Christian woman thS