The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-11-24
Father Fadden's Invalid.

There's a fellow to see you, an |
nounced Michael.
Father Laden looked up from his
account book with relieved air. He
was trying to be systematic, for he
had suddenly realized that one OF his
great spiritual defects was his irregu-
larity. Father Henderson had told
him So
Il told him that was great fault
of his Father Henderson confided to
Monsignor Ewing. Il felt that | had
to say something to him to cheer him
up"
Wrestling with debts and credits
was a most undressing affair; and
after weeks failure to strike any
thing like balance, Father Laden
had decided to give it up.
There's a fellow to see you,
Michael repeated, and he added his
own opinion, unsolicited as usual.
He don't make much of hit with
me-
Show him into my drawing-room,
Michael the pastor bantered, and
from all the things that Father Ewing
must have taught you, I'm surprised
to hear that there is even one human
being on this glad, green earth OF ours
who does not make a hit with you.
There is one, then, an several
thousand of them what don't"
Father Laden followed Michael
into the drawing room." There, in
one of the two steady chairs that the
establishment boosted, sat a man.
Father Laden looked keenly at him.
Yes, it was the unlimited guest OF the
other night.
How do you do" said the priest in
greeting.
'How are yuh?" returned the guest.
There was silence for a moment.
| Have you changed your mind?'
asked Father Laden. Have you de-
cided that you need the 'tin, after
ALP
| Nav" answered the other.
| Il suppose" the man spoke UP
after a few seconds, that you are
wondering what in thunder I'm here
| for
| mo, I'm not You're here to visit
me, and-I'm glad"
| do you remember the other night
when | called on yuh?''
Somewhat
do you remember | caught yuh in
the act of counting out the money fol
fresh air and fresh eggs for some
dame wot had to have 'em?'
MARY Russell, perhaps?'
That's the one Well, I've been
dom some tall thinkin since that
night when yuh spoiled a good job fel
me. And I've been a-wonderin' how
could get back and have another spie
with yuh. And l gets a-thinkin' tt
myself.
bob Leonard says l to myself
if you should cash in today and take
up six feet of good earth fer grave
could yuh say to yerself that there was
one good hams turn We ever did tc
any guy or any dame on the face Of
the earth? And believe me, Priest
IL had to answer Mo- And so
thinks to myself: There's thai
priest fellow, wot's so interested il
me that he's worrying how I'll appear
at the Day of Judgment. And here's
me, wot don't give a blow fer the
Day of Judgment, either mornin' Oh
afternoon And so, lays bet with
myself. Says | to myself, That prizes
was a decent guy, the gamiest pick
ms | ever ran into; and just to show
him that I'm there all right I'm goin
to find a job and get some none.
that won't land me in the 'pen" if thu
higher-ups ever trace it, Here's {
ten-spot to show what laying bricks
will do. Now this is the proposition
I'm going to make to you. Send thu
Russell dame to the country, and eacf
week I'll give you ten dollars to sill
on to her; and I'll keep dom it unit
she is either cured or cashes in. ART
yuh next?"
Il Father Laden looked at the man
Deep down in his heart he prayed
: earnestly for light, for guidance, tina
: he would not spoil the wonderful mo
ment with the wrong word. Then hi
Preached out his hand and took The
dirty bill that his guest of the othel
night handed him.
4 Il think it's dandy scheme" hi
said, and if she gets well you'll b.
Gods instrument.
mix on the noise" Leonard ele
gantly commanded. You know, it.:
only a bet l got on wild myself to d.
the right thing by yuh, and ! suppose
the best thing a guy could do fol
yuh is to let yuh do something fol
somebody else'
Father Laden put his strong white
hand in Leonard's Thick, stubby one
you've the maxim of regular
man in you," he breat,led softly, "ant
i do believe you when you say yol
will do this for this poor sick girl
and that you will do it honestly. | d.
believe you.
Mary Russell's life had been fail
ure. Everybody said so. Early in life
she had wanted to be nun-"in {
strict ORDER she had explained
duties that were nearer at hand ihat
prevented her. Later, she had relin
pushed her idea. The brood of chill
dren that her sister left to her care
MT drna,nc and faucieS far from hn1