The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-05-19

SCeu6 just DIS MdIy was uSl1Fcl4 llo IlAS
preroration of her sermon, and he
caught these warning words. III let
We see Father Tom this time, but
mark me words, if ever agin ye take
a drop, may the divil himself conduct
we to the burning abyss" Hs
rs %lH
Well, to revert to the scene in Fa-
Their Toms study. 1t did not surprise
him in the least to find himself so in
formally disturbed by his intrepid
housekeepr for it was one OF Mary S
most saliant characteristics to be in
formal, especially if one of his parish
toner's was i'll, and had sent for his
reverence; on such occasions nothing
stayed her, not even if Father Tom
were i'll HIMSELF she would help him
into his long frock coat, and, handing
him his old blackthOrn stick, tell him
to hasten as quickly as possible lest
the sick person should die without the
consultations of religion, for after all,
Mary was as solicitous about the sal
walton of others as she was prone to
lecture.
When Father Tom looked up from
his breviary which still lay opened on
his writing table, he took occasion OF
the apparent Utilization Of Mary's face
to be somewhat joVial, so he greeted
her with pleasant good morning.
Good morning, yer reverence, and
sure We read yer breviary already?'
inquired Mary.
Yes, I've just finished" answered
Father Tom, as broad smile
stealthily crept over his big, rotound
features.
Thin may the good Lord be praised
agin," said Mary, for I've got good
news to tell yer reverence. Do ye
reminder old Misther Dugan, the old
sinner who never went to church, not
even to his dhuty at Asther time, he
who do be always tilling me that there
is no God?'
Yes, | remember Mr.. Dugan, in
fact it was just few days ago l saw
him hobbling down the street. What's
good pastor.
We'll, yer reverence, it's a most
miraculous thing indeed" replied
|. Mary, ito think that that old atheist
has held out all these years aginst
the good God and now (but it's like
the rest Of his kind he wants to see
! yer reverence and that immadeatly
too, SO be quick now and see that the
old fellow makes his Asther dhuty."
1t seems that one fine spring morn
ing as Mary was passing the old
dilapidated home that had sheltered
Dugan for many q year, she met the
old man as he was coming out of the
| front gate, and the following brief
controversy took place.
Good morning, Misther Dugan,'
| began Mary, and before he had time
to respond, she questioned him as tC
how he was feeling and whether he
was still of the opinion that there is
no God. To this last question Dugar
gave answer.
Yes, and I'll be of that some
opinion till the day Of me DEATH
SO We will, We old sinner, but marx
me words, on that day yell change
yer opinion" came the prophetic an
swer, as they both went their respec
| tive ways.
It had finally eventuated thus, wher
| NJaru in Not
Toms study, year or so later. She
knew the old man had run his course
that shortly he would be summoned
before the terrible judgment seat o.
God, there to behold in all the splendol
of His Majesty Him Whom he had sc
carelessly neglected here below; she
also knew that her prophecy had beer
fulfilled-that the old man haC
! changed his opinion, as her last in
| tervieW with him had assured her
This was the reason of her jubilatior
the cause of her triumphant smile
for by her own simple admonitions
and persevering prayers she had wor
back to God the soul of the wanderer
She had, unnoticed by others, visited
the old man several times during his
illness, and each visit was like thai
of a good angel. She. not only tolC
him about the Good Shepherd, ant
how Jesus had pardoned the gooC
thief, but like the guarding angel she
was, she never ceased to beg of the
Sacred Heart and His Sorrowfu
Mother to take pity upon this unfor
tunate man.
When Father Tom entered the room
where lay the dying penitent, his eye!
/ first met those of old Dugan, then
turning toward a small table in the
: corner of the room, he noticed that i
contained several old, dust covered
volumes. Upon examining these hi
was not surprised to find that they
were PHILOSOPHERS denying The
existence of God. These had been til,
religion of this poor soul since his
younger days "a religion which coult
not afford him single consolation il
his dying hour. 1t was a pitiablt
sight that presented itself to the gaze
of the good priest; there before hin
lay decrepit old man, upon whose
brow Time had set his seal; his silver,
locks and corrugated countenanct
bespoke a story all their own; and, a.
the shadows of eternity fell slowly
/ over the male amaoiatad faaturoc n