The Catholic bulletin., 1916-01-22

CONTINUED from page 6.)
A MOTHER OLD AND GRAY.
broad sweep of land that stretched
away to blue lake beyond. Whether
seen in summer or winter it was a
lovely spot, the more SO as the barns
and outbuildings, unlike those of most
American farms, were hidden behind
heavy growth of frs, and so were
not seen from the road.
The wide clean kitchen with raft
cred ceiling and diamond paned win
dows that looked south and west, was
warm and cozy as the old woman en-
tered and removed hood and shawl
A sleepy gray cat was doing on the
hearth of the open fireplace, and a
kettle was singing on the stove in a
small room beyond where their meals
were cooked. Surely, here was the
abode of peace! But the intense ST.
lence spoke of loneliness and isola-
ton. There was no sound of chill
dren's voices, no merry laughter of
young people. Quietly and yet quickly
the sole occupant of the room moved
around, getting the evening meal, and
ever and anon she glanced down the
white road, as she had looked and
watched in vain for ten years.
1t was about z o'clock and together
they sat in the kitchen with no light
save the warm glow from the fire.
place. But outside in the long side
hall a lamp burned brightly in the
window that faced east, a window
that looked out toward -the road that
led to the village, beyond which was
the railroad.
The old man moved in his chair.
''Tom is late" he said, "still I or
dered that box in good time, mother,
it has my Christmas present for you,
and something for the poor Carriers
who live down by the mill.''
"You are good to try and make a
happy Christmas for them, father
buff only"
And then suddenly the gray head
was bowed on the table, and from
the sad blue eyes there came rain
| of tears.
"If only our little Mary Josephine
was here, father,-the child of our
old age. Oh! have borne this grief
SO long, father, and SO have you, and
now it seems as il our hearts would
break"
She was ON her knees in front OF
him and had taken his two toil-worn
hands in hers, and clasped them close
to her breast.
Listen, father, we must go and find
her, you and |. For ten long years
| have said nothing, but | have suf
| fered, the Blessed Mother knows how
much. You love our child as much as
| do, you want her back, and you must
forgive her now"
The old man gave a half strangled
sob. Il want to, Mary, but | can't
/ can't. 1t seems as if it would kill
me to ask her to come back"
The sweet old face in front of his
became tender, transfigured, illumined
as if by divine message of healing
and power.
| "Yes, Joseph, you can, you must
For ten years you have stayed away
from the Sacraments; you have fore
gone all the helps that would make
you mighty to forgive. You must &C
to confession now, this very night
Tomorrow we will go to the city and
find our child. We must bring her
home and have a happy Christmas
| together; for it is Christmas, father
the time of forgiveness and joy; the
time when that other Joseph and
Mary were given the Divine Child tC
love and cherish Who knows but
that our own child needs all our love
and our care now, as much as we
need her."
Yes, she had conquered at last
Slowly Joseph Carroll arose from his
chair.
"The horse is not Embarrassed yet
mother. Put on your wraps and come
with me. Well drive right down and
I'll see Father Wynn"
| And so it happened that driving To
the village they missed Tom Byrne
who had turned off his cart from the
main road to deliver a Christmas box
at another farm. Ten minutes later
the good-natured Tom had carried
their box into the unlocked kitchen
Then he glanced aroung, and looked
into the other rooms.
They've gone out he said aloud
'but they'll be back soon. You've just
got to wait" With which mysterious
remark, directed, perhaps at the box
Tom closed the door and took his
departure
The drive home, about o'clock
through the keen and frosty air, was
fraught with happiness for both ia
ther and mother. Strong in her faith
Mary Carroll that afternoon, follow
ing an earnest novena and Com
munion, had left candle burning be
fore the Blessed Mothers altar for heI
Intention; how miraculously soon hel
prayer has been answered!
As to her husband, there had rolled
from his back burden that seemed
to completely master him. Pride, that
had supported him for ten years, had
made of him slave, until his wife's
passionate pleading, aided by mir
acle of grace, had broken it down.