The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-02-28

question always proved to be another
rather than the John Norton so
eagerly sought. One time in particu-
lar she felt that her search was surely
ended. The newspapers issued in
heavy black type an account of the
total wreck of west-bound passenger
train which had~been derailed by a
slide from the mountains. AS she read
of that terrible catastrophe in which
so many had lost their lives without
enc moment of warning, she found
there among the list of unidentified
the description of one bearing similar
marks to those carried by her long
lost husband. 1.-TWO days and two
nights did she atravel to claim his
remains, but on reaching her journeys
end found the body had already been
identified and claimed by a fond and
loving mother, so this trip, like many
another, brought no results. Still with
an undaunted courage she persisted in
The belief that one day he would re-
turn to her. During dark, stormy
ulSuIS, w llc11 ACl COu1u loI ACoI
and sleep seemed impossible, she
would place a lighted candle in the
window, so as to brighten the way
should John perchance return that
hight Then, consoling herself with
her beads and loving trust, she
would sleep and dream of his return.
But strange are the ways of the world.
FOR just what happened to John after
lis release or where he went Marian
never knew. One thing was certain
he remained true to the words he
uttered at parting: Il go to remain
forever
Day after day she prayed that he
night return, for she craved an op-
oortunity to beg his forgiveness and
make amends so far as it lay in her
mower. Hope against hope and prayer
after prayer assembled to heaven, but
all to no avail, for never had she been
able to obtain trace of him.
The holy Fathers who now admin
istered the sacraments to her at vari'
Gus times during her failing health
understood her financial condition,
also the anxiety she felt for her
child's welfare when she should be
called to answer the final summons.
So from time to time they supplied
her with the necessaries of life and
assured her that the child would
always be provided for in their insti-
tuition. This assurance gave her great
pleasure, for Joseph had grown very
fond of the Fathers, and she knew
he would be we'll cared for, not only
| in worldly but also in spiritual affairs.
l prolonged my stay in that quiet
| little village, for l SO thoroughly en-
joyed the rest and quiet that | found
it nard to break away.
Each day l called on my poor sick
| friend and each day could see that
she was rapidly weakening. The fol
lowing September she babe adieu to
the cares of this world to take up he1
abode in that better and fairer land
where care and, sorrow are unknown
| Years quickly passed. Joseph ad
vanced in wisdom and learning. The
! Fathers saw in him great promise
and wished to educate him for the
/ priesthood. Joseph was wild with de
light, for that seemed to be his one
| great desire. Diligently he applied
himself to study and never ceased
praying that some day he might heal
tidings of his father. if he still lived
The months in the seminary soor
passed. He was ordained and as
signed to a parish in small mining
village.
Soon after arriving in his new quar-
ters he was aroused from his study
one dark, stormy night by groans O
pain and distress. Fastening to the
door he found lying full length on thu
slippery walk the form of an old grey
haired man. Father spoke to him, bu
the old man seemed to heed not. Thu
might was bitterly cold and delay
meant prolonged exposure, so the kint
4 nrinst carried. ior rather dragged, tl,'
unconscious form into the no-.