The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-03-27
FATHER DAMS PARISH
written for The Catholic Bulletin
by Nina.),

congregation was small, but most of
the people well-to-do, some even
wealthy, and the little church was
free from debt.
Nora Sullivan was Father Dams
housekeeper She had never mar
ried, and was now woman of some
forty years of age. Nora's happiness
was to serve the good priest, and keep
his house in order =
Father Dan, though proud to have
a parish of his own, was far from
being happy, and of late frown was
often on his boyish face. Now he was
slowly walking up and down the broad
walk in front of the Rectory
|Pshaw!" he muttered to himself
at last, why did the Bishop ever
send me here? Why" what he was
going to say was not finished, for just
then Father Mcdonald drove up in
his car, and Father Dan forgot his
trouble in the joy Of seeing his friend.
Father Mcdonald was some years
chum and advisor to the young priest.
ut seemed as if you would never
come,' complained Father Dan, as the
two shook hands.
I'm starved. Is dinner ready?'
laughed Father Mcdonald.
Yes" replied Father Dan, Mora
has everything waiting"
After dinner the two priests sat
smoking their cigars in Father Dams
coy den. 1t was lovely evening in
window came soft breezes and the
twitter of birds All nature seemed
to be rejoicing-yet there was a sad
look in the face of the younger
priest.
+ Father he sighed at last, I'm in
trouble"
Il know it, replied Father Melon
aid with a twinkle in his gray eyes,
Il knew something was in the air
even though you were jolly at din
it, we haven't had good chat for
fully three months
Father Dan sighed deeply and
crossed his legs over the handsome
collie lying at his feet.
You seem to BE- very comfortable
here" unused Father Mcdonald, as he
shook the ashes from his cigar.
Mora hasn't been cruel to Jack, has
she?"
Father Mcdonald we'll knew the af-
lection the young priest had for his
collie.
mo. she hasn't" he replied, "she is
kind to him-calls him Poor darling
and feeds him every dainty, and Jack
is just crazy about her.
The dog, hearing his name, opened
one eye, yawned, and went back to
sleep again. =.
well, what is wrong?" asked
Father Mcdonald, growing curious.
It's just this" stormed Father Dan,
"why does the Bishop send young
priest into parish where bunch of
women are fighting?
"If it was amongst men, might do
something-but blamed if l under
stand these women. They don't fight
openly, and that makes it all the
worse
Father Mcdonald softly whistled
There has been some trouble going
on for years about the Altar Society,",
continued Father Dan, land it seems
| to be growing worse. Mrs. Foster was
! the president some years ago-she is
| a wealthy widow with one little girl
| Well, something happened-and al
one of the meetings the ladies voted
to have Mrs. Brainerd for president.
attorney Brainerd's wife, in
| quired Father Mcdonald.
| yes, she is a very nice woman
somewhat reserved though; all the
. women seem to like her, except Mrs
| Foster.
| "Since Mrs. Brainerd is the pres
ident Mrs. Foster doesn't attend the
meetings at although she is yer.
anxious to do anything for the church
and is very generous. She is yer.
pious-but too sensitive and takes
everything to heart so. To make mat
tiers still worse-Nora has offended
her" ~
Mora? What has she done?" asket
Father Mcdonald. "She seems to b.
very kind"
! "She u.s." replied Father Dan, "s'
good to anyone in trouble, and al
ways willing to care for some one
baby. Sometimes the women from
the country leave their babies witt
4 Nora, while they do some shopping
But she doesn't like Mrs. Foster
and always places a wrong motive OF
her actions. Mrs. Foster told me sh
was So friendly with Mrs. Brown, VIII
kept house for Father Coleman, an
that it g.ieves her Nora is so coo
in her manner toward her. On
day I told Nora she must be NOR
charitable in her opinion of Mrs. Eos
ter, that she was a very pious woman
going to confession once a week
and receiving Holy Communion nearl
f every morning. And what do yo1
think Nora answered ame? Indeed
Father, from the way She gossips an,
NEEDLES in other peoples affairs :.
think she would need to go to comics
sion every morning. If the good Lor
gave me as fine pair of eyes as n
gave you I'd keep them open and no
believe all that woman tells. Ma