The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-10-04
A~1he GAYBANDIT .
" 9|~-.p Of the :, B 30 ID
~ TOM GILL


| his hat. ITS the frs, holiday I've
ever been offered-let's go before
this old slave driver repents."
And together they ran down the
steps to the girls car.
You're going to meet Father
Campos II you come with me-"
Adela told him as they sped along
He fed over here to the little Mex.
ican chapel in Verdi when the
churches were closed by the govern.
ment in Mexico. He'll be good for
that warlikc soul Of yours. Have
you met him!"
But Ted shook his head. Il don't
even know where the church is. I've
always had . half distrust for
churches. They seem to keep out
God"
What an odd thought"
Not to me. Always to me God
has meant sunshine and open sky. Its
as It there is great deal of God in
the wind and in the silence of the
stars. More than in church. Is that
foolish thought"
who can tell: You might ask
the padre"
AT the entrance to the little sun
baked church they found the man of
God seated in the shade OF willow.
Many years had passed over Padre
Campos. and some sorrows. He had
seen the growth of that country from
little prairie village to the paved
and busting town of Verdi. He had
seen swift killings. and many of
those baptized by his own hands he
had lived to see die in violent and
sudden passions. And all this had
lett HIM with eyes that were a little
weary. but with lips that were al.
ways ready to smile. 1t was some.
thing the years had never dimmed.
the sweetness and sympathy Of that
smile.
He spoke without the least accer,
as he took Ted's hand.
! had heard of you. my son, when
hrst you came. Today | hear Of your
great strength and OF the use you put
1t to last night. Would it be ore.
sumptuous for an old man to saw
that J am sorry the strength God
gave you should be turned to the
pain OF another man?
! had no choice. father"
u know. ] know. Tito is a violen,
child. He has never learned thai
until one is master of ones own
passion. he is only an animal"
Still smiling. the old padre turned
to the girl. you would make even
the great anti.Christ. Nietzche. be.
'ieve IN angels. with that face Of
yours. But let US go inside, where
It is COOL"
Adela smiled up a. Ted. II won.
der it we dare9 You see. padre. this
young man believes-how did he
say itS-thas churches keep out
God" Wv
The old priest nodded rravelv.
Many churches have tried to. nv
child. but where love enters, there Is
0od' Is that not true. my sons"
q throo Of understanding cauRh,
Kadc''ffe at the old mans words.
mere was one who had learned to
1--WE at peace with his own soul. who.
IN world where about him men
fought and plotted. still believed in
the power OF love. Together they
went IN from the blazing MONDAY
sun to the cool obscurity Of the little
church. Peace was there. The clos.
ing door Shut out the world.
a church. the padre was saying
as ne looked at The bare rafters
ABOVE. = church Is not important
either tor good or evil except as y
''fts up mems hearts. That & whv
wnen they drove me out OF Mexico
sna closed the churches, l did no,
despair. for ] knew that If we had
any place in the hearts Of the people
come Gay we should come back. And
knew that if we had no place i,
would be better that we do not ever
come back. Besides. we Mexicans
nave a saying, The desert Is Of God
ana N the desert no man may deny
fTo n cnn~i.s>SN