The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-12-25

StIccI. lcu SpcU " Tie ucAL corner
grumbling under his breath. The
whistle shrilled again. The police
man was coming on at full speed.
At the corner, the fleeing burglar
stopped and crouched close against
the wall of house, revolver in hand.
The coming officer was on the heels of
Death. a.
tits his own fault" gritted Red;
''he ought to keep that whistle quiet
Suddenly the memory of the scene
before the fireplace came to his mind.
The revolver went hurtling into the
gutter, and Red turned again to fee.
Il can't kill even cop after that,
ON Christmas Eve" he whispered
"She loved me cause I'm good"
Halt" came the call again. The
officer had turned the corner. Red
began to zig gag from side to side as
the revolver cracked. 1t was in vain
The officer knew his business. One
two-three bullets in quick succession
sped down the street. One struck the
fleeing man in the leg, and as he fell
another low-aimed bullet crashed into
his back.
Red was in an unconscious heap on
the snow.
Good Lord" murmured his pur-
suer regretfuly as he came up to his
| quarry; TO have to shoot a man on
Christmas Eve"
Another officer came speeding up
"a yeggman down and QUIT" said
the man who had shot, Ring up the
Mercy Hospital. No Jail for him.
He's almost finished
Red revived as they were carrying
him into the hospital.
For Gods sake, priest!" he
moaned. And kind-hearted police
man fastened to grant his request.
| The wounded man was hardly in
! bed ere priest was at his side. Into
the kindly ear of Father Bryan Red
poured the contrite story of his vast
ed life. Soon the hand of the priest
was raised to absolve him. Amounted
and fortified with the Bread of Life,
the poor wayfarer was ready for his
Christmas journey.
|
Red, who had told his story of the
burglary. lit was she who brought me
back to the Little Jesus"
"The policeman who shot you is
waiting outside to beg your forgive,
ness" said the priest; "he is a Cath
Ole, poor man, and feels very sad
about the affair"
THAT kid saved his life, too," said
Red. II was waiting round the corner
with my gun cooked, when | thought
of my promise to her. And l never
miss"
1T would have been terrible had
you killed him. said the priest; che
has large family
Bring him in, Father" said Red
there isn't much time left That bull
let hit me hard
The priest opened the door and the
policeman entered. He could not ut
ter a word. Red reached out hand
and clasped that of his slayer
Pm glad you did it. Don't fee
bad" he gasped; I'm all o. X. will
God now. And wouldn't have been
but for you. I'd have gone to my ole
tricks tomorrow
! "Ah, but it's hard on Christina!
Eve" said the officer sadly. This ii
only filling my cup"
He has little daughter in thi
very hospital" said Father Bryan
she cannot live unless she goes t,
Colorado for the winter, and the poo
man can't afford to send her."
you won't have to spend Christ
mas in Jail for doing me up, will you?
queried the patient.
"No-thanks to Father Bryan tina
/, is fixed" said the officer. HE secure,
: bonds for me-"
Good for you, Father said Re-
, YEARLY; it was evident he was goini
fast.
Don't try to speak. Turn you
thoughts to God,' said the priest.
"Ah, Father, I've got only few
minutes and want to do something
before 60" Then Red grinned to tn
surprise of the beholders. "Mayb
I'm going to be Santa Claus after all
as that kid took me to be. Can yo'
get my clothes, Father?''
The priest went to the door WOE
deringly, said a word to an orderl.
and in a minute returned with tn
blood-stained garment.
Reach in my pocket and get m.
knife and slit the lining of the lef
Sleeve" said Red, handing the Goa
to the officer.
The latter did as he was hidden AM
. a ragged piece of paper was disclosed
THAT kids going to Colorado afte
ALL" whispered Red. He was clench
ing his hands in pain. 1t was clea
time was short.
Here's me picture, Father h
said, handing the paper to the priest
"and don't forget that this policeman
brought me here 1t was him alone
:. And Red fell back unconscious
The priest leaned over him-a nurs
applied a restorative to his nostrils
, and he came back to consciousness.
Read the paper, father he mul
INJURED weakly.
"Ten Thousand Dollars Reward!
began the priest, "for the capture dea
or alive of Red Morris-alias Ton
King. Wanted for the robbery of tn
First National Bank of Philadelphia
and for the murder of two policemen.