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

placed him on a couch, and worked
faithfully over him until conscious
ness returned.
Soon the old man looked about him.
and seeing the strange face, begged
to know what had happened. He was
assured that all was we'll, but that he
must remain where he was until morn
ing.
Your people will be notified i'm
mediately if you will give me the
name kindly urged the Father.
To this remark the stranger turned
his head and said: Il have no one
who cares and my home is wherever
chance to get lodging. There was a
time when all was different, but that
time has long since passed"
Tears filled his eyes, but he was
told not to think of the past, for he
needed all of his strength and must
be quiet until morning.
The night wore slowly on for
Father Norton. Sleep would not come
to him; but not so with the old man,
for he was thoroughly weakened and
slept peacefully until morning. Once
or twice he spoke, and the priest
thought he uttered the name of
Marian. Father Norton's mind was
troubled, and he longed for morning
that he might question further just
why this man seemed so lonely. He
could not be mistaken in the name he
heard the man speak-and wasn't that
his mothers name? Could this man
be his father-this man with the long
grey beard and eyes that spoke of
naught but sorrow?
Early next morning, as the light
began to shine into the old man
leaving, as he seemed to feel so much
better. The weather was extremely
| cold and snow was falling thick and
fast, so he was urged to remain
! through the day at least.
Father Norton questioned him re-
garding his past life, but received very
little satisfaction, as he frankly adj
mitted that he never cared to speak of
the past Then the priest in friendly
manner related the story of his poor
fathers life, and of the great wrong
and Injustice which he had been
forced to suffer. The old man started
to his feet but then, as if doubling
the words he heard, he sank back in
| L,; ornonn1 Tho nrinSf
appeared to heed not, for he con
tinued with his story. At the mention
of his poor mothers death the listener
gasped:
Marian. My wife! and you are my
son, though l knew you not"
There, alone in that chamber, with
none but God as witness, father and
son were reunited and their happiness
for the time seemed complete.
Still great work awaited Father
Norton. His father had never beer
instructed in the truths of religion
and feeling keenly, as he did, the in
| Justice which had been thrust upo1
him, lived life void of the confidence
and friendship of man and doubtful o
the existence of God. To rectify thi'
mistake was the task awaiting thu
son. This was not, however, to b.
accomplished in few hours, bu
rather task which stretched out TO
weeks. But in this, as in all othe
instances, right was might. No longe
did he doubt the existence of God, bu
wept when he realized how trifins
his sorrow and sufferings had been il
, comparison with the sufferings o
Christ.
i Then on the Feast of the Ascension
; with loving faith and the simplicity o
child, he received his Blessed Lor'
, for the first time in Holy Communion
He was not left to battle mucl
! longer with life's warfare, for fey
weeks later he closed his eyes to tn
cares of earth and departed to tn
land of eternal bliss to be reunite
with Marian. who had gone before t
! ~ ts.c aias,ls,ni prepared for hel
4 s4' 800 ny. - The missionary.