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

ill comes from. the church. There
ought to be path near here. Sure
enough, here it is. I'll just take a
short cut and look in at the church
afore | go to the tavern, for the
church, thank God, is the one place
that is never closed in Ireland" /.
And musing on these and a hun
dred other thoughts he started down
the hill He had gone but a few
PAGES, however, when the earth
seemed to open under him. He felt
himself falling, falling, and uttered
cry of fear. Then his head struck
some sharp object and he knew no
more.
When he awoke he heard some one
saying: who is it, boy?" l..
Then voice answered: Its some
poor traveller, Father, who missed his
way and fell into the new quarry on
the side of the HILL
Garry him into my house." said the
first voice, land some of you go for
the doctor"
Then Regain lapsed into uncon-
seriousness.
When he came to, his head was
bandaged and one arm was numb,
whilst there was something in his
chest that choked him when he
breathed A middle aged priest and
an elderly man, whom Regain took to
be doctor, were standing by the
bed on which he lay.
How do you feel, now, my MANI
asked the doctor.
Kind of queer in the head, sir, and
my chest hurts dreadfully," answered
Regain. where am -"
"In the house of the parish priest
of Ballina," answered the doctor. Are
you a Catholic?"
Faith and l am, SIR replied Regain
Then l leave him to you, Father
for you are the only one who car
help him now said the doctor to thu
priest. My man." said he to Regain
prepare yourself for the long journey
for you are beyond my aid"
For a time Regain lay still, over
whelmed by the words of the doctor
/ The latter left the room and the prizes
! began his preparations for administer
, ing Extreme Unction. He left tn,
room for a time and then returned
and heard Regan's confession. Afte
he had received the Holy Viaticun
and had been anointed, the dying mai
| lay with his eyes closed in silent com
munion with his Lord. When h
! opened them again the priest was sit
! ting by his bedside.
| well, Father said Regan cheer
! fully, Goods Holy Will be done, i
what I now say with all my heart
But at first it seemed hard to com
back after thirty years and be me
by death, just as 1 reached home"
Thirty years." said the priest
And you are not an old man! Wer
you born near here?"
! Sure, your Reverence, | was Dor
and bred in Ballina. But I've bee
gone so long I suppose there's no on
would remember Shamus Regain"
"Shamus Regain cried the prizes
Good God, Shamus, is it you! l ar
your brother Shaun"
/ Shaun ?" exclaimed the dying maj
and a priest? o God you are to
good to a sinner like me-" And h
burst into tears.
| The Last Words.
For a long time the brothers SUI
veyed each other silently. The prizes
sat by the bed with his brother
hand clasped in his, whilst in broke
accents the wanderer told the stor
of his life Shaun" he ended weak,
my gold will do some good to yol
Sure it's all yours now But bring p;
per and pen before it is too late an
write out a will and I'll sign it,
The priest did as requested, and tn
housekeeper and man-of-all-work wei
called as witnesses. The injured ma
signed the will and sank back on tn
pillow exhausted.
Then the priest took the clamm
hand, fast growing cold, in his an
poured forth the history of the famil
from his mothers death. Then Shau
told of his struggles to get on in tn
parish and keep out of debt.
| But" said he in conclusion, eth
people are poor and the old church
falling to ruin. God only knows no.
| am to keep up the work"
Faith, Shaun darlint, you're forge
ting about my money! said the il
jured man. tBallina can have tn
finest church in County Mayo
TRUE for you" responded hi
brother thoughtfully. "Shamus dea
this is the happiest st. Patrick's da
that ever dawned for Ballina. Ma
God reward you for your generosity.
Pray that He may have mercy o
my SOUL" said Shamus. But day
dawning; open the window, Shaun,
want to see the sun rise on dear oil
| Ballina."
The priest opened the window, an
the cool morning breeze blew into tn
room. The first faint streaks of ligh
appeared in the East. Outside lar
set UP it's song. Then the grayis
light turned to crimson with the frs
beams of the sun; the sick ma
pressed his brothers hand and mul
mured f"Shaun, mother is here.
Then as the sun appeared in all hi
glory, and the light streamed over hi
and valley, YEARLY. the head fell bac
on the pillow and the sick ma