The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-01-19


i had meant to buy a. new one this
spring. ! had, indeed declared Mary,
blushing scarlet and looking apollo
getic, 7 had even put five dollar
bill aside for it, but"
But you sent it off to the Propaga-
ton of the Faith, instead" put in her
friend in an aggrieved tone.
Right as usual COMFY" laughed
the girl. Il just couldn't help it when
/ got the last number of the Annals
and saw all the pitiful appeals for
help. 1t seemed so unnecessary to
spend all that money on the adorn.
ment Of my homely self. 1t isn't as
It We're pretty and stylish looking
as you are, dearest. But never mind,
can save up enough on my lunch
cons to. buy a bottle of Bixbys black
ing fluid and. a new flower at the
department store, and when my old
straw is dyed black and, retrimmed
you won't know it,
J. Wont /, though! !, And it's a shame
you're stinting yourself on food and on
everything! i can't understand! I'm
willing enough to do my share OF
church work, but / wish to get some
pleasure out of hfe-and l just love
pretty clothes!'
And just love missions. Every
one must have hobby, you know"
laughed Mary.
well, any how, hope your old
missionaries won't prevent your COM
ing to tea with us tomorrow and then
to see Ramona. You promised me,
you know, so don't forget"
Never fear! I've been looking for
ward to it for over a week." answered
Mary as with a warm kiss the two
girls parted at her door. She has
tened up to her very humble little
back room en- the third floor. 1t was
badly Uttered with her dressmaking
work. put down at the last minute
when, fastening out to Benediction,
and. she began by tidying up, for she
was intensely methodical.
Nine o'clock" she murmured.
.Well, I've said my night prayers
and | can finish this dress easily
tomorrow, so I'll give myself an hour
at the vestment for that missionary"
and with happy smile she took down
2 cardboard box containing it. After
making the sign of the cross she
started sewing, while she murmured:
Il offer Thee every stitch as an act
of love, dear Jesus" She made a
pretty picture as she sat, there look
ing so peaceful and happy, with the
electric light touching the ripples of
her masses Of fair hair. She was not
exactly a pretty girl, yet there was
an indescribable charm about her
sweet face, her constant smile and
earnest gray eyes.
The next morning, while busy at
her dressmaking, her pastor, Father
Blackmore, came hurrying in.
Don't let me interrupt you, Miss
Luscombe,' he said kindly. "We can
talk just as well while you sew.
know too well by painful experience
how unpleasant it is to be hindered
by a, caller"
IT depends upon who the caller is,
Gather answered Mary, with a,rWel-
coming smile. @ - '.f, ..'' :
THANK you, child. But go on with
your work, else I'll feel in the way,
and there are several things I want
to talk OVER with you"-and the good
priest began to discuss many plans
for parish work of one kind or an
other, for Mary was his best helper.
Dear, dear!" she exclaimed with a
deep sigh, how l do wish had lots
Of money to give you for all these
things, Father, instead of being just
a poor seamstress!
IF you had lots of money you
would most likely not give half as
much as you do now" answered Fa-
Their Blackmore with a smile. "The
wealthy people are always the poor
est givers and the weather. they are
the less charitable they become
Money seems to bring curse. with
it. 1t dries and shrivels up the heart
and makes people utterly selfish. You
remember what Our Lord said about
the rich! You give us your help and
your prayers and a big share of your
earnings, and your life is. blessed by
God.''
Then I'm thankful that I am poor, :
laughed Mary "And it is strange, but
my slim purse always reminds me of
the widows cruise of oil, for whenever
1t is. getting. down. to the last dime. or
SO, God always allows me to earn a
little sum which sets me going again.
He is. so good! Still, it seems to me
that.if had money, my greatest joy
would be to give it out wholesale. I
have but. few wants myself; my tastes
are very simple and my heart is in
church work and missions"
Yes, now it u.s., but, do not wish for
wealth, for you are frail like all of
US, and it might spoil you. Poverty
is a blessed and holy thing, a gift of
God. Oh, by the way added the.
good Father, Il was about to forget
one of the principal things / called to
speak to you about today. | had a.
letter this morning from that mission
airy priest for whom you promised to
make vestment, and he tells me he.
is about to start back to Africa and
will pass through here tomorrow
when he hopes YOUR gener-
GUS gift will be ready for him