The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-07-21
OPTICIANS

face, waiting for his father to speak;
but as the latter remained silent he
said:
What is it, father?"
81 must go to war, son.
The child did not at first realize
the full import of his fathers words,
and said:
Don't feel so bad, father. Well
always be together, so we needn't
mind He waited, watching the
effect of his words, but his little heart
sank when he saw the result
mo, no, my son." answered the
man, and the boy knew that final
decision had been reached "Tomor-
row we will both leave for the city,
and you will go on with your studies
under the care of dear friend of
mine, professor in the school of my
boyhood And you will be very happy
there until | come back" He strug-
gled to hide his emotion, and patted
the little fellows head to comfort
him. An hour later the moon crept
over the hills and found the two still
sitting silent on the porch. Another
hour saw the man lift a tired little
body in his arms, and bear it tender
| ly into the cabin.
The city streets were crowded.
The sound of music and rhythmical
marching filed the air. AS people
rushed here and there an occasional
hysterical laugh, or a sob arose from
among the crowd. At three o'clock of
that same afternoon five thousand
men, dressed in uniform and prepared
for departure, drew up in order, and
with brave hearts boarded trains
which were to take them to glorious
work. AS the trains rolled away, one
man on the platform of rear car
searched anxiously among the specta,
tors until his eyes rested on a little
i boy, held above the crowd on the
shoulders of kindly-faced man. The
i lad raised his hand and saluted. The
man on the platform drew himself UP
and returned the salute.
AS the weeks passed and stretched
out into months, the boy grew to like
his new surroundings; they were all
so different Slowly he made the &C
ouaintance of other boys. All their
studies and games were new to him
and he watched and learned with
keen interest until he was one OF
them. The days were spent with his
companions in study and recreation;
but every evening when the other
boys had gone to their rooms, he
would make his way to the end OF
!, hall. tap lightly on closed door, and
moment later, enter a grim, book
crowded room. At the further end Of
this room was large, heavily carved
desk, and several deep leather chairs
Behind the desk sat a man who
/. watched the boy with great tender
ness as he settled himself in one OF
the chairs. Thus they spent an hour
together, sometimes reading a letter
from the lads father. These letters
were. as yet, very regular. The father
, was stationed at far distant fort
awaiting orders. His letters were
filed with encouragement and hope
, full plans for the future, never once
casting a shadow on the boys trust
ing spirit, nor revealing his own fear
! ful expectations. There were letters
| however, which the boy never saw
but they secretly influenced his life
, either for the present or the future
| They were only for the eyes OF thu
| professor whose heart often sank a:
the real situations were made known
to him. At other times the professor
would speak of his college days spen
!, with the boys father, and Of their oc