The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-05-11

cruc1fix, but. not until the Indian chief
spoke harshly did the boy reluctant
ly holdaput the object to it's owner.
There Were tears in the bright, dark
eyes, and the kind-hearted padre re-
solved that when he came again he
would bring the small crucifix that
the boy might keep.
With the reclaimed symbol of re-
demption, the priest made the Sign of
the Cross over the young pagan, who
gazed at him with a questioning look
Then Padre Antonio and his COM
panlons went away, but they resolved
to come back soon, and endeaVor to
win to Christianity the obdurate IA
Their of the interesting little Indian
boy.
A violent storm broke that night,
and ragged for several days, during
which time it was impossible to re-
turn to the Indian camp as Padre
Antonio wished to do. He felt that
the soul of the child might easily be
won to a knowledge of the true God,
and he longed to pour the saving
waters of baptism over the little dark
head.
One night when the rain was still
falling heavily, a light tap, tap"
sounded at the door of the mission
building in which the Fathers lived
Padre Antonio went to the door, and
upon opening it was struck with sur
prise, for there stood the Indian lad
gazing up timidly at him. He was
dripping, and his moccasins were torn
and mud stained
"Padre!" he exclaimed, and he threw
himself on his knees at the priests
feet.
Gently Padre Antonio raised him
and led him in, where the entire COM
munity gathered around to view the
strange visitor. After an interpreter
had been summoned, it was known
that the boy had overheard his father
say that he would attack the padre
should he ever come to the camp
again. So the lad resolved to steal
away and warn his new friend, and
in the darkness of the night he slipped
Off unobserved in the storm.
1t was a dangerous journey through
the driving rain, and the mountain
streams were so swollen that he had
to swim several times. But the
thought of the padre-the padre who
was so kind and smiled in such a
friendly wayne would save him at
any cost.
Padre Antonio was deeply touched
at this proof of the Indian boys devo.
ton. He felt more certain than ever
that this little soul-this wild flower
so to speak-was destined to be trans.
planted to the garden of the Church
The priest, after the boys story had
been told, led him by the hand to the
dining room, where a plentiful supply
of palatable food was set on the table
Seated there, with the padre helping
him, the visitor ate with evident relish
utterly disregarding conventionalities
and preferring to eat after the fashion
OF his race. But he was very hungry
| and it did the priests soul good tc
| see the lad enjoy his meal, despite
| his lack of the white mans table
| manners. 81
Never mind, we'll have him entire
ly civilized and cultured before long
| Padre Antonio smilingly assured his
brethren, who were vastly amused al
this unusual and entertaining guest.
On the following morning the sur
shone brightly in a glorious blue sky
The pepper berries glistened among
the lace-like foliage, and the poppies
spread, a golden carpet, as far as eve
could see. sf,i :
Potawma (for this was the little
Indians name) was very happy and
decidedly at home at the Mission, and
| followed his beloved Padre Antonio
about like very shadow.
| The priest had told the boy that
he would send him home in company
with one of the Mission Indians, but
the lad begged to stay. Then, upon
second consideration, the priest feared
that the boys father might punish
him severely for going away, and de
cided to wait and see if the CHIEF
might not come after the lad. Per
haps he could talk with the Indian
and strive to gain his friendship and
| confidence, and, besides, save the little
fellow from harsh treatment.
Sure enough, about noon Potawma's
father STROBE up to the mission, and
demanded to know if his son were
| there. Padre Antonio came out to
meet him, with the frightened lad
clinging, trembling to his brown habit
Il wanted to see the padre again. 2
the boy answered, when his father
asked the reason for his sudden dis.
appearance on that stormy night
The fact of the matter was, that the
boys father feared that he might have
been lost, so the sight of his son
safe and well and so kindly treated
quite Modified him. Then, too, the
evident friendliness of the Francis.
cans and the sight of so many of his
people living happily at the Mission
quite impressed him. So when Padre
Antonio talked with him and told him
how glad they would be if he and his
family could make their home there.
too, the chief finally consented to do
as the padre suggested
Little Potawma was very happy
over this good news. For now he
COuld he noar tho co0d oodro olx,,or