Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-04
THEN READ THIS


Nv can l say to you, good Father
n Leciair?" asked Aldrich, sorrowfully.
He had expected to find the it'll,
father Of Attegat broken In spirit
sunk in woe overwhelmed by this di!
aster.
Pere Leclair smiled!
His face was as pale as his hair
was white. and weary lines were under
bis eyes: but he smiled. and his voice
was firm when he greeted the young
man.
He supported a row Of books upon
one of his arms.
Come in, my son." he invited. II
am packing my box. l have plenty
Of time for a talk with you. There il
one comfort in being 4 poor priest;
one little box holds all, and the work
is soon done
but you must not leave us-somc-
thing must be done--they do not un.
4 derstand!" blazed Aldrich, passionate.
y.
~ II wrote to the good bishop--a long
letter, as l told you l should write.
Yes, 1t seems he did not understand"
AIdrich found Representative Clif.
ford striding TO and fro in the study.
This is damnable outrage, Aldrich.'
he stormed. Il have seen trouble COM
ing, but 1 didn't dream it would go
as far as this. Cnderstai d? or
course they don't understand. They
are eaking the heart out OF body,
the brain away from a soul. and ex-
pect the body to live! That's what
II means when they take Father Le'
clair out Of this parish! The people
" here haven't realized what he has
meant to them. They have been growl.
ing and muttering; but they haven't
realized that Father Leclair is a part
Of them. part of their souls and bod.
les! They'll wake up. But, they'll
wake up too late!"
Pere Leclair tucked the books into
the box.
perhaps my way with them has not
been the good way, after ALL he said,
mildly. II thought 1t was the right
way; and we have been happy here.
But now at the end too much trouble
comes to my people. am not wise as
the great men in my church are wise.
1 will not presume to advise them. i
have done something which Is not
right. SO my people have turned
against me-"
"It's no such thing" declaimed the
patriarch. "Other men have made the
trouble. The people are not awake
M they have been fooled They don't
xnow what's good for 'em They have
often the hand of their best friend
ssBut. Father Leclair. tell me! Have
YOU given up hope? Are you going tc
a let them put you away in this fashion
E y Aren't you going to protest." de
manded Aldrich.
n ~IIere's your home! Here's every
thing you have worked for addeC
"a Clifford. His wrath made him carr
less of his words. You have givei
everything to these people. fo'
haven't got even a decent suit o
clothes to wear away. That's all righ
40 long as you stay here where you
home is; but it's all wrong to throw
YOU out. You aren't going, Father Ii
clair! You can't go!"
The priest smiled again. wistfuil
but bravely.
sIt Is not for me to say, my goo
friend. / am an old man. and goin
away from here is hard. But I mus
20. / could disobey my superiors whe
n was a matter between the good Coz
~ conscience and myself. That ma
n - could be appealed from huma
"A tudxment in prayer to God Himself,
dfd that, Friend Clifford. / knelt II
,on~ night through before preache
NV sermon. I was called upon f'
sSerifce! Perhaps my life had bee
1.fd IN too easy places. Perhaps
eve penance. 1t Is better to sacrih'
- and position than to sacrin'
nvfction of the right when the
<1re OF my own people was concerne
I stood for the school"
His face grew radiant.
II honestly believe that the humb
inuolation of myself upon this alt
,,lu work In the hearts OF my peop
will bring good to them In the el
out of all this evil which is upon
.ov. The school will do it's work all
- time. ! win go away, as a
.unnded. and I will go witho
" ~ IN my heart and without sloo
~ face"
stretched his palms to them. 9
u IN his gesture and his eyes.
Il ask you to help me In these da
1<Sa Do not try to arouse hate
Eollnacy In me. Say to me. 1t mt
1 - tor the best. Pere Leciair. Go
4 come out Of the sacrifice. Thou
. ors old and are taken away frs
- whom YOU love. yet n must
Goa has something else for
< tas,' ana intends 70 prolo