The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-08-02

young man was notably successful in
his chosen work. But, what do You
think of poor Bill? Had he not under
taken rather large commission? To
be Catholic, we know, requires more
qualifications than Bill had ever
dreamed. Let us see how he Jared.
He asked questions of the other
boys
What does Catholic have to do?"
"Oh, he has to say lot of prayers,
n go to church every Sunday whether
he wants to or not, n go to confes
sion"
Confession! What's that?"
"You have to go and tell the priest
all your sins, how many lies you told,
and if you stole anything, and if you
sassed your ma, and if you swore, and
all that
"You mean-tell everything l do
that's bad? Everything? Every lit
tie thing?"
"Uh-huh, kneel down before the
priest and tell him everything you
do"
Gosh! Does anybody really do that?
Does he-does Mr.. Wells do that?"
Sure he does; n so does Bud Car
ney, n Mike Gleason, n lot of the
fellers here"
We'll, I'll be jiggered!"
ANY time!" he sputtered to him
self, on his way home. why, it amt
American, that's what it amt. What
would become of your Declaration of
independence, I'd like to know? A
man with any pep in him wouldn't be
such a worm. No, sir! No patriotic
citizen would do it-but what about
Mr.. Wells? He's lieutenant, amt
he? Gosh! he must have put it over
on General Pershing pretty bad, I'll
say. Aw, Shucks!"
Thereupon he thrust his hands deep
into his pockets and walked along
whistling dolefully; an unfamiliar
frown rested on his smooth brow and
he was very sober, indeed. Maybe,
you don't know what it is for a boy
STEPPED in hero worship to have to
give up his idol. Mr.. Wells believed
in confession, didn't he? Then, didn't
Bill have to do the same, or lose his
beloved scoutmaster?
This confession business is more
than | can swallow" groaned the wor-
shipper. After that he went no more
to the Settlement House, and he tried
his best to forget Mr.. Wells. He was
dreadfully upset over it. He was cross
at home; he took in the movies
oftener than before, hoping to find
"surcease of sorrow" He skipped
school, sometimes, for the purpose,
but on this point his conscience
pricked him. You perceive he had a
conscience, where it had been trained
But he quelled it. 'Aw-what differ
ence does school make, I'd like to
know? Mr.. Wells is an educated guy,
and what's it done for him? | don't
want to be educated if that's all you
get out of it,
Finally, one Saturday morning, on
his first run out, as he was going past
the Cathedral, whom should he see
entering the church but Mr.. Wells,
the loved, lost idol.
Whats he up to, I'd like to know ?
Blamed if l amt going to sneak in
and see what he's doing here!"
Sneak in he did, into the peaceful
ness and beauty of the Catholic
Cathedral. Nobody noticed him, the
few people present being attentive to
their devotions. So Bill fingered for
moment and then sat down, quietly
observant. He soon became COM
pletely absorbed; he forgot the fight
of time, and when the people ad-
vanced to the altar rail, Mr.. Wells
nearer, nearer.
At Communion, when the Host was
raised, Bills attention was riveted He
gazed straight at the Sacred Host.
ing, then it gave a sort of jump, and
a mysterious sensation surrounded
him. His eyes filled with tears.
Through the mist he saw Mr.. Wells
receive the Blessed Sacrament and
turn away from the communion rail;
and as he noted the serious counte-
nance and the really noble bearing of
the young man, conviction burst upon
him.
"Gee That teller couldn't make a
mistake about thing like this. You
know he couldn't. I've GOT to wise
up, and then you watch mel"
Transfixed he sat, even when the
small congregation began coming out.
Mr.. Wells, coming down the aisle,
halted beside the boy in extreme sur
prise. He saw that he was agitated,
that he wished to speak.
What is it," he inquired gently.
Say, Mr.. Wells, what was you doing
up there in 'front.'" hoarsely demanded
Bill What WAS it that man gave
you?"
For moment amazement held Mr.
Wells silent, but when he saw the
boys burning eyes so eagerly fixed
upon him, comprehension came, and
great compassion. Tenderly, rever-
emily, with the eloquence that was his,
he told to Bill the story of the Bread
of Life, and the poor little street waif,
fascinated and enthralled, BE-
LIEVED!
Gee. like this church, would they
let me be a Catholic, do you think,
Mr.. Wells?"