The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-03-09

4s = -
salesman ever gives a lavish custom
er. Round about the shop the Editor,
walked, examining with care the vari-
Gus pieces on display, His interest,
however, soon was conferred on an ex=
quisitely carved mahogany table. 1t
represented the vast toll and skill of
the wood carvers of a generation ago,
before Grand Rapids became the CEN
ter of the furniture industry and be-
fore machinery and the glue pot had
supplanted the artisan
He looked at the table long and
carefully, with a puzzled frown on
his face. He suspected that he had
seen that table before, but for the
life of him he could not imagine
why it was for SALE So finally he
drew the auctioneer aside for a mo-
ment and engaged him in whis-
pered colloquy. He found that his
suspicious had been correct-there
were not two such tables in exist
ence 1sss:'. IA. .-.5 .@
%''I wouldn't put that UP for sale
now" he said to the auctioneer. ct
is too valuable a table to be put up
before this crowd. If it is going to
be. sold, though, want to put in a
bid on it. In fact I would like to
have an option on it for few days. ;,
Very good" said the, auctioneer,
L doubted myself whether it was
wise to put it up for sale. 1t is too
valuable table to be thrown away
but the woman who sent it needs
the money"
That's very strange" muttered
the Editor, shaking his head in puz-
zled way.
When they reached the end of the
two blocks the Cub chuckled tri-
umphantly.
Il win," said he. "'Not sign of a
story!" -
''You lose," returned the Editor in
quiet tone. Il have mighty fine
story" -
The Cub gasped in surprise. VI 80
What is it," he asked.
"Oh," answered, the Editor easily,
Il did not say I'Would tell you what
the story was. Wait till you see it
published %
He looked at his watch thought
fully for a minute, and then went
on.
II may have it in tomorrow nights
edition. When it is published, l will
show it to you, and then have good
smoke at your expense"
b Good" said the Cub; cit will be
worth it.. If you can pull story out
Of that old secondhand furniture
shop you deserve the box of cigars -
That evening the Editor made a
call. 1t was an unusual thing for
him to do. He generally spent a
busy day at his Office, and then ask
ed nothing better from life than a
quiet evening at home, reading. AS
a result, his social list was very
small, and even that list somewhat
neglected. He was rather guiltily con-
scious of his social shortcomings as
he went his way that night. He was
going to poor old Jerry Sullivan
home. How seldom he had bestirred
himself to go there when Jerry was
| alive. And worse still, how shame.
fully he had neglected the family
since JerryS death. Not once had
he dropped in to say a friendly word
| of good cheer to Mrs. Sullivan and
the children-not once since the fu.
neral He reproached himself, and
| felt as though he had betrayed his
lold-time friend.
| Just now he had a special interest
to cause him to go to visit Mrs. Sui
Ivan. How did it happen that that
antique table which Jerry had pur,
misunderstanding the Editors hobby
for antiques, although it was away
above his means-how did it happen
| that the table was up at auction sc
shortly after Jerry's death? Was there
need for money in the Sullivan house
hold? Well, Jerry had never saved a
cent-indeed he had lived up to every
cent of his salary; but there was the
| matter of insurance-some $4,000, il
he remembered Alright. Jerry had
| spoken of paying premium on ii
just before he was taken sick. That
should have been enough to. tide the
| widow over few years till the chill
dren were able to work
The Editor was shocked when he
saw Mrs. Sullivan. She had grown
thin and emaciated, and there was a
distressed and worried look in her
eyes. She welcomed him kindly, and
told him that she was indeed glad to
see him. The Editor apologized for
not coming sooner, and then in the
course of the talk brought up the
matter Of the table as delicately as he
could It had been in the middle OF
the living room, and SO it was natural
to remark on it's absence.
Where is that beautiful old carved
table you used to have in here? AL
ways envied your possession of it, and
wanted to own it myself"
A blush of shame, suffused the face
of the poor woman.
Il have had to sell it." she said.
you know, Jerry did not leave any
money. We were extravagant, / sup
pose, and now have to pay the pen
atty. don't know how / can possibly
keep the children in school, but l
hate to take them out, and I am try
gipo nvprv.s other waU RI opt along