The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-09-14


might have been won back but not by
threats. Harsh words would only
repel where the voice of love would
infallibly draw.
John loved his mother. There was
nothing he would not have done for
her had she insisted, but she never
insisted.
John" Mrs. Armstrong would say
when Father Martinez had gone,
Father thinks a great deal of you.
Yes, mother, but l wish he would
think little more and speak little
less. He will soon have the whole
village afraid to look at me. | really
believe he would like to see me
ruined, beggar. | detest that man."
HE is Gods anointed, John. He
may be wanting in tact, but his i'm
prudence ought not to make you for
getful of your duties to God. He is
a very good man, firmly believe, and
he tells me he is continually begging
our Lord to give you light
"He lacks a great deal more than
tact, Mother, and he will have
mighty stiff trail on the last day if
his Judge is anything like him. What
right has he to Judge my motives for
staying away from Mass? 1t is kind
of him, however, to pray for his
enemies and l hope the good Lord
will reward him with little more
true Christian patience and charity
l may have done wrong, but
But what, john" she would say in
her own sweet way.
'Oh, mother" he would reply
there's no earthly good in trying to
come to an understanding with him.
And then not wishing to pursue this
unpleasant ,topie further, she might
| suggest, as she often did:
We'll, John, perhaps you would
like to go to Mass with me tomorrow"
"Manana," tomorrow - and tomor-
row never came. Each day brought
some excuse, business or the weather
or fatigue or the like. Each morning
she would go off to Mass but unless
Frances or Stephen accompanied her,
she went alone, with heavy heart, to
pray for her son.
The party we had seen entering the
Armstrong mansion had come out to
discuss the ways and means of avoid
| ing the danger threatening the town.
Supper over, they were seated by the
CHEEKY log fire, which kept out the
dampness of the December evening.
The dancing flames played in alter
nate light and shadow upon their
honest swarthy faces. On the large
mahogany table interspersed with
coffee cups lay their revolvers, a
familiar sight even in Bustamante,
for the six-shooter was as common
as the ever-present cigarette, but
the rifles caused the brave heart of
the mother to fear for her son, and
the servants tiptoed about the house
Il think said MauriqueZ, one OF
Johns closest friends, when Mrs
Armstrong and Frances had retired to
the library, that it would be we'll il
few of us stayed all night at the
mill. There is no telling what the
rascals may do
4 But John would not hear of it.
ut isn't worth it, he replied, III
they burn the mill, we can build an
other, but you can never get another
mother or sister"
81 know" he added in reply to an
explanation, there are others at home
to defend them, but they can never
be too we'll protected. No, you must
return home tonight, and tomorrow
at daybreak we will meet at the front
gate to welcome those rebels"
This was the decision and shortly
after ten, the little party disbanded
Tomorrow at sunrise" John
called after them as they disappeared
down the pathway.
: Turning back, he whispered few
hurried words to Stephen and went
into the library, where his mother anG
Frances were saying the Rosary.
4 Mother" he said quietly, don't be
| afraid. | hardly think there is any
: great danger threatening us, but il
| will be better for you not to stay here
Il tonight. Garcia will bring the car
rage at eleven, and you, Frances an6
) Stephen can reach the railroad be
; fore morning. Your suitcases are al
| ready packed and"
II "But you will come with us, won
you, John?" his mother pleaded
: In few days, mother, when thi:
: trouble has blown over, but not to
) night. Stephen will take care of you
!. am sure, and will soon follow 20,
], to the States. am tired of Mexico
! mother, tired Of these people who arr
ever at one another's threats, ant
[ more than tired of the Padre, m!
prophet of evil"
II Mrs. Armstrong did not look up