Bolax Part 19

And Ma, dear, while I think of it, did you ever see a nanny goat faint?"

Serious little Amy burst out laughing at the odd question, and Bo's earnest expression of countenance when asking it.

"It's nothing to laugh at, Sister. I'll tell you how it happened. Tom Burk and Dan Donavan were trying to make their goat pull them in a little wagon, but she was not able; they beat her and she fell over and shut her eyes. I stooped over her and rubbed her head. Then a man came, and after a long wait she came to, and he ordered the boys to take poor Nanny into the stable."

"My dear, kind boy, we will have to make you President of the 'Prevention of Cruelty Society.' Several people have told me what a little champion you have shown yourself on many occasions."

"Well," said Amy, "I cannot fight to prevent cruelty, but all my life I have prayed for that intention. When I pray for a poor over-laden horse or a homeless, starved dog, I always say, 'Dear G.o.d, you made these creatures, surely you cannot be angry if I ask you to have pity on them.'"

Mrs. Allen put her head down on the table to hide her emotion, but the children thought it was because she was shocked at what they had told her about the prayers. Amy put both her hands on her mother's arm, saying: "Ma dear, oh, I hope it was not a mortal sin! And just to think I never confessed it! I never thought it was a sin at all."

Here Mrs. Allen raised her head, tears were in her eyes. Bolax put his arms around her neck, saying: "Dear, dear Ma, is it really so bad a sin as to cause you to weep?"

"My darlings, bless your dear compa.s.sionate hearts. I must plead guilty of the very same sin. Without ever letting any one know it, since my childhood I have prayed that the cruel driver might have mercy on his poor horse; that the starving animals might be helped in some way. I prayed that a mercy stroke might be given the dying horses on the battlefield; that the G.o.d of Compa.s.sion would have pity on the thousands of sheep and cattle who perish miserably on the unsheltered plains. Oh, surely our prayers are not lost! Many saints were renowned for their love of the brute creation; dear St. Francis of a.s.sisi called them his little brothers and sisters. So let us hope our dear Lord will not be offended for what we have done in a spirit of pity and love for His dumb creatures."

CRY OF THE LITTLE BROTHERS.

E. M. BARBY.

We are the little brothers, homeless in cold and heat, Four-footed little beggars, roaming the city street, s.n.a.t.c.hing a bone from the gutter, creepin' thro' alleys drear, Stoned and sworn at and beaten, our hearts consumed with fear.

You pride yourselves on the beauty of your city fair and free, Yet we are dying by thousands in coverts you never see.

You boast of your mental progress, of your libraries, schools and halls, But we who are dumb denounce you as we crouch beneath their walls.

You sit in your tinseled playhouse, and weep o'er a mimic wrong, Our woes are the woes of the voiceless; our griefs are unheeded in song.

You say that the same G.o.d made us. When before His throne you come, Shall you clear yourselves in His presence On the plea that He made us dumb?

Are your hearts too hard to listen to a starving kitten's cries, Or too gay for the patient pleading in a dog's beseeching eyes?

Behold us, your little brothers, starving, beaten, oppressed-- Stretch out a hand to help us that we may have food and rest.

Too long have we roamed neglected, too long have we sickened with fear, The mercy you hope and pray for, you can grant us now and here.

BOLAX GOES TO THE CONVENT OF ST. IMELDA.

On July sixth Mrs. Allen took her son to the Convent, where Reverend Mother Gertrude received them cordially, and placed Bolax under the care of Sister Joseph, who was to be his special instructress for Holy Communion.

For a few days he felt homesick, but soon got over it. The good Sisters had always some work or play to occupy their pupils, so that time never seemed long or lonely to the boys.

As the school was only eight miles from Midville, some one went down every week and all the household sent letters to our boy. Reverend Mother gave Mrs. Allen an invitation to spend the three days of the retreat in the Convent with her children, as Amy's health would not permit her to remain away from her mother's care.

CONVENT OF ST. IMELDA.

_Dearest Mother and all at Home_: You will be glad to know that I am well and happy. My First Holy Communion is always in my mind, and I am doing all I can to prepare for the great day. I went to Confession to the Chaplain Father Drumgool, and I will make my General Confession in one week's time.

Please come down to see me as soon as you get this, I want to see you particularly, bring Sister Amy, I want Mother Gertrude and the Sisters to see her. I make two visits to the Blessed Sacrament every day, and beg our Lord to make me worthy to receive Him.

Your loving son,

BOLAX.

JULY 18TH.

_My Beloved Son_: Yours just received, and oh how it gladdens my heart to know you are contented.

I dream of you every night, and my heart longs for you, but I know it is best for your soul to be with the blessed Sisters. The longer you are in such a heavenly place, the less you will feel like leaving it. I look back at my Convent days as the happiest of my life.

Papa has felt less pain in his arm for the last few days, so your prayers are being heard already. G.o.d bless you, darling, and make you a good and sincere Catholic.

MAMMA.

Offer all your actions, even your play, as so many prayers that your First Communion may be a very holy one. Sister sends her dearest love; pray that she may be able to make her retreat with you at the Convent.

Your loving,

MOTHER.

HOME, JULY 26TH.

_My Dear Little Nephew_: Your mother was so glad to see something belonging to you that she actually kissed the bundle of your soiled clothes. Oh, dear child! I wonder if you ever will repay that mother for her adoring love of you. All she asks in return is, that you will always be a fervent Catholic all the days of your life. Don't disappoint her.

Several of the boys were here asking for you, but we did not explain why you were away, as they would not understand about First Holy Communion.

Elmer came and was so glad to hear of you being in the Convent.

Amy and I will be down to see you in a day or two. I will then tell all the news, so this letter will have to be short.

Your loving Aunt,

LUCY ALLEN.

_Dear Little Master_: Wherever you be, do stop for a moment and listen to me, while here on this paper I try to relate how sad we dogs are; not knowing your fate. "Mamma Fan" says you're dead, that she ought to know, for all her three puppies told her so.

They miss the big giant who came every day to love them and squeeze them while she was away.

Tot went to your room and snuffed all around, then he cried very loud, for all that he found was just an old shoe, torn inside and out. Oh!

said he, now I know Bolax's whereabout, those "Goblins" have caught him, cause he wouldn't "watch out."

Your lovingest dog,

DON.

_My Honey Boy_: You' old Hetty miss you night and day. Law! de howse done got so still, even de dogs notis it.