The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-09-21
AN OCEAN EPISODE

The Mayurma mad steamed quietly
away from San Francisco and was al
ready half way through that famous
portal of Western America - The
Golden Gate-when Irving Newcomb,
leaning on his wifes arm, came on
deck, only to find that a stranger had
Esurped one of the two steamer chairs
he had chartered for the voyage.
Having only lately passed through the
hands of surgeon, Newcomb was on
a convalescing trip over the Pacific,
but he looked what he was, an invalid,
and more than usually irascible. He
was about to apostrophise the strang-
er when his wife prevented him.
wait a moment, Irving" she OBJ
served. Il believe it's a Catholic
priest"
"Sure enough" remarked the hus-
band when he observed the clerical ap-
pearance of the usurper, the Roman
collar and the inevitable breviary
But, confound it," he went on, "the
chairs are ours. I'm going to inform
him."
Don't just yet! Perhaps he doesn't
know they're reserved" ventured Mrs.
Newcomb. 'Its nearly dinner time.
Let us leave him there and go to have
the bags brought to the state room"
Newcomb yielded reluctantly, be-
wailing the fact, those priests are
ubiquitous"
While the invalid and his wife
descended the stairway Father Hig-
gins, wholly unaware of the irate at
tention he had occasioned, finished up
Matine and Lauds, and rose to take a
glimpse of the ocean. AS the great
Pacific liner pushed farther and
farther away from the fading coast
line, the young missionary experienced
within himself a curious medley of
sentiments which might be summed
up under, the head of loneliness. He
yielded for moment to their de-
pressing influence, but they were part
ly shaken off in brisk double circuit
of the upper deck, after which he went
down to the dining saloon
The mirth of the tourist parties
gathered at the different tables har-
monized SO little with his present
state of mind that he hesitated mo-
ment at the door of the sumptuous
hall, before seeking out place.
This way, Father!" beckoned the
head-waiter, who took him to a quiet
corner where happily a portfolio at
his elbow would enable him during his
meal to enjoy the gorgeous spectacle
of Pacific sunset
The diners began to file in until all
the places on his side of the saloon
were taken, save the two directly op-
posite him. Even then a couple were
being directed thither, although they
seemed rather perturbed over some
thing or other.
Eat any rate, Irving" the lady re-
marked in an undertone as they
seated themselves, Eve can enjoy the
sunset. -
We'll, that at least is something to
be thankful FORT concurred the other
in tone more or less sepulchral.
Both exchanged nod of recognition
to the priest seated opposite, who
noted it's lack of friendliness and re-
turned it as an aboard Ship form
atty.
We've arranged with the steward
for a special service the woman said
when the waiter appeared, while a
peremptory bob of the head from her
husband was the signal to the young
Jap in white to dispatch himself
Father Higgins fingered over his cot.
fee and dessert, but the special serv-
i've" arrived straightway. much to the
dissatisfaction of Newcomb, who told
the waiter he did not want buttered
toast, but dry, nor his eggs boiled SO
hard, etc.
The missionary rose, said his grace
and then withdrew. to their greater
comfort.
Well he unused, as he mounted