The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-04-10

first trial on the way to Him.
Mr.. and Mrs. Knapp were Catholics,
had considerable of this worlds goods |
and wished that their children, Wal
ter, Kitty and Robert, should settle
we'll in life. Kitty, on the day of her
first Holy Communion, settled her
future with Our Lord, promising to
consecrate her life to His service in
the persons of the poor This was a
cause Of great anxiety to Mrs. Knapp
and she determined to get the thought
out of her daughters mind if possible.
One evening she said to her husband:
Now, John, we must try to get that
foolish notion Of the convent out of
Kitty's head think we can
Mr.. Knapp put down his paper and
looking at his wife said: Anna, be
| careful how you try to play with Gods
designs over that child. Neither you
nor | have a right to her soul, nor to
| the direction of her future, only in SO
| far as to advise her in the choice Of a
companion should she wish to marry
You must remember Susan Ward
| She was so determined to cOnsecrate
her life to God, but her people did all
they could to help her to silence the
! little voice that called her until, at
! last, she married and was killed on
| sacrifice to give Kitty up, but when
| one thinks of it, how many girls marry
and go thousands Of miles away and
very often receive unkind treatment
from those into whose hands they are
| given by trusting, loving parents.'
John, if you loved her as l do you
| would not reason thus"
| Yes, do love her, but I love the
| God who gave her and holds the first
| right to her soul and her service. And
let me tell you, Anna, a lost vocation
! is an awful thing to meet in judgment,
not so much in itself as in its conse,
| Quences.'
| "WeI Kitty will have to take dane
ing lessons and go out now; when
out of school she spends her time III
the church or in her room reading
Saint BOnaventure, ETC., instead OF a
story once in q while, as other girls
do
Kitty had made up her mind to obey
her mother and go to dancing school
though very much against her will
Walter was ready in time and Mrs
Knapp felt very proud Of her two chill
dren as she tucked them into the car
riage with last goodbye.
Now, have a good time
Poor Kitty was not thinking Of {
good time. She was begging all the
saints in Heaven to protect he1
, against the world.
The dancing teacher was a very fine
looking young men. He danced with
Kitty all evening. Her brother trieC
in vain to engage her for one dance
but the teacher kept her. Mrs. Knapp
sat up waiting for the children's re
turn. When they entered the livin&
room Walter threw down his hat, eX
claiming, Mother, | nearly lost my
sister. That dancing teacher kept heI
all evening and I heard him remark
; what a sweet little girl she was
Poor Kitty! Her cup was full. She
broke out crying and said, ''Ill never
go back to that place again, never
You may take my allowance of pin
: money to pay for the lessons and give
the ticket to some other girl, and the
! suit, too. | don't like those horrit
, silk boomers and that short skirt
: They do not become bride of Chris
and that is what | shall be-
THE Sisters have put all that int
your head said her brother.
, The next day Mrs. Knapp callet
Kitty into her room and closed tn
, door, bidding her to be seated He
: mother said, "NoW, my child, | wish t,
tell you that your conduct grieves M
very much. You never disobeyed M
-, before, and now you almost tell M
! you will do as you please. What an
=. to think Of it,
"Mother,' said Kitty, ''it grieves M
= as much as it does you, but l may a
y we'll tell you at once. | shall become
Sister. The sweet little voice is call
ing me constantly and l must not tr.
to silence that voice or I shall los
= my soul, because my graces are wait
ing me where Our Lord wishes me t.
go and work for Him. The Sister
have never tried to persuade me to &C
They only explained to us the mean
j. ing of divine vocation and the sur
:. consequences of it's loss
!" But, my child, you are my onl
3 daughter. How can I give you up? BE
e sides, | may as well tell you now, you
e hand is promised to Mr.. W. You ar
to be married when you are IS. H
. has money and beautiful home il
e Chicago. You will have everything
S you can desire. He loves you tenderl.
and counts the days until he Cal
- claim you as his BRIDE
Mother, no man shall ever CLAIM
me as his and the sooner you adop
this as a fixed fact, the better for Il
all. What good would come to me b.
r giving up the Lord of Heaven AM
: earth for a mere man of this world
when | am sure | have a vocation fo
! the religious life?"
Mrs. Knapp took refuge in flood o
] tears At length she said.
kitty, l am going to ask you on
: favor. If l get you pony and SADDLE
y will you ride out with your father o
r brothers in nice weather."
| Yes, mother, if it will please you.