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

the NeWcOmDS na0 HlOHOpOlIIeu.
Moreover, several heart-to-heart talks
had succeeded not only in convincing
the convalescent that he ought to be
something" religiously-but some
thing very definite" Newcomb's re-
ply was, Wen see. Anyhow, well
look you up in Japan"
From the first days after his arrival
in Toxic Father Higgins started to
prepare himself for his ministry.
Every afternoon, betaking himself to
quiet, cosy kiosk hidden away in a
corner of the schoolhouse grounds, he
studied the strange but picturesque
tongue of the land of his future labors.
After a month of practice and effort
he was able to gather from the neo-
phyte porter's explosion of syllables
that visitors awaited him in the recep-
ton hall; nor was he surprised to
find there his two friends of the Ma
yurma.
I'VE were bound to look you up,
Father Newcomb broke in, shaking
the priests hand heartily.
"Well it was certainly good of YOU"
replied the latter. And Japan-after
your trip from the North-do you like
it, Mrs. Newcomb? Yes and no, per-
haps!"
That's just it exactly" agreed the
lady ITS a land of pictures and
flowers; but also of hardships for us;
so few conveniences; sightseeing in
Japan is too wearying to be enjoy
able"
During the walk about the large
school grounds, Father Higgins ex-
planned to the couple the aims and
| hopes of the institution as we'll as the
work of the Church throughout the
| island. While they rested in the
kiosk, the scene of the young mis-
sionary's daily encounters with odd
sounds and weird characters, Irving
| Newcomb, not yet restored to health,
| apparently, observed, Father, l can't
begin to thank you for all you've done
| for me-
ut has not been much I'm sure,
| Mr.. NeWcOmb," the priest modeStly
rejoined; but I'm glad to have served
you even so little"
| "Little!" exclaimed the visitor.
| why you've made life real for me.
I've been chasing phantom; running
from pillar to post trying to snatch
up little health: SO wrapped up
in myself that I've never given a
thought to any one or anything else"
But one must safeguard his
strength and vitality" protested
Father Higgins; that's only fair"
"Of course!" returned Newcomb
but my case has been a stupid one,
fighting death and disease, without d
hope-folly, sheer folly!-and l never
realized it before that dull Sunday on
the boat. | assure you that ] thought
a great deal that afternoon, and more
since"
And the upshot of it ALL" en-
CURED the missionary.
"is this" Irving, responded, taking
out his pocketbOok and handing a
draft for a goodly sum to the sur
lprised priest. That's for making
something defnite'-in other words,
la Catholic-out of me, and to help
you in your work here of making
something else besides Buddhists out
of your little Japanese. 1t is my in
tention to enter the Church for good
when | get back to San Francisco
| The priest held the mans extended
hand for a moment, saying with evil
ldent emotion. MIR. NewcOmb, my dear
man, thank God and not me for this
great gift of your new faith. He uses
the weakest instruments and the most
unlooked-for occasions to work out
His plans. The first step in this
blessed change was the boisterOuS
visit you received from my little Mass
Iseryer on the Mayurma, was it not?'
Right you are Newcomb agreed
heartily, land it had all the power and
motion of the little rascal himself"
A few months later a letter reached
Father Higgins from San Francisco.
1t was written by Mrs. NeWcomb her
self, telling him of her husbands bap-
tism and happy death, and giving in
teresting details of her own reception
into the Church. He was filled with
consolation, a sentiment which was in
tensified when he read for the second
time the closing lines of a letter from
Reginald Bevins which had arrived by
the same post: Pray for me, dear
Father, and maybe some day | shall
be out there working with you
Reggie
Philip Mann. In The Messenger of tbs
Sacred Heart.