Boy Knight

by Frank V. Webster

  Chapter VI

  The Cost of Honor

  The next morning at about ten, Father Boone was in his office at theClub, waiting for Mr. Roberts, who had phoned him asking for anappointment.

  "This has been a crowded week," said the priest to himself. "On Mondaymorning I found the Club rooms a wreck. Since then, we have had a fire,Bill Daly's adventure and death, all the worry over the mystery and,thank God, its solution.

  "All cleared up now. And out of it comes Frank Mulvy, pure gold. He hada hard ordeal, poor boy. I was certainly severe on him. But under thesame circumstances, yes, I'd do the same again. What a _mirage_ life is!We see or fancy we see, so many things that are not there."

  Presently, Mr. Roberts was shown in, and after the usual greeting, hesaid, "I know you are busy, Father, and so I won't take up much of yourtime. You know I had intended putting William Daly through school, butthat's off now."

  "Yes," interrupted Father Boone, "he knows more now than all thecolleges could impart."

  "Say, Father Boone, do you know it's taken my breath away--the way youpeople look at things. You talk and feel about the other world as we doabout this! Why, last night, everybody seemed to be right next door toGod."

  "That's our Faith," replied the priest. "It's our greatest treasure, thebest thing we have in life. That is, for those of us who live up to it."

  "It must be so, Father. I couldn't help but notice how happy that boylooked after the Sacraments. But, I came on another matter today.William Daly is dead. What I was going to do for him I want to do forsome other whom you will designate. Preferably, that young lad who waswith you last night. But I leave it to you."

  "God will bless you for that. But Frank Mulvy comes of a well-to-dofamily. He is one of the finest lads that God ever made. He intendsgoing to college after finishing at our high school. I have another boy,however, very deserving and very poor. If you will consent, I shouldlike to designate him. His name is Edward Morgan."

  "Edward Morgan it shall be," replied Mr. Roberts.

  "Now, another thing, Father. I have told Mrs. Daly to have as nice afuneral as possible for her boy. That's not an act of kindness, but ofjustice. He saved my wife and child. I shudder when I think what lifewould be without them. All my money would be nothing, with them gone. Ofcourse I shall take good care of Mr. Daly," he added.

  "I am sure you are doing the part of a good and grateful man," saidFather Boone.

  "And another little thing, Father. We are close on to Christmas. I wantto do something for you personally, for yourself, do you understand?"

  "I thank you very much," said the priest, "but, really, I prefer to haveyou help some one else."

  "No, it must be you, Father. I am set. I want to do something to pleaseyou, personally."

  "O, you do! Well now, I'll tell you how you may do that. I have anynumber of poor people in the parish. Some need clothing, some food, somerent. Suppose you help me to help them?"

  "I'll go the limit, Father, I have the money. You send me word how muchyou need, and you will have it."

  "Not so fast, my good man. I only want you to help to a certain extent.You know we have many poor. I could easily ask you for a large sum andnot half supply our needs. Just how much do you wish to give?"

  "How much do you want?"

  "Well, I have at least thirty poor families on my list."

  "Suppose, then," said Mr. Roberts, "that we make it a hundred dollars toeach family. How would that suit?"

  Father Boone felt like calling for help. Three thousand dollars! Italmost toppled him over. "Suit!" he exclaimed, "why, it will be royal!Rather, let me say, it will be very Christian, Christlike."

  "It's done," said Mr. Roberts.

  "I thank you," said Father Boone earnestly.

  "I thank _you_," replied the millionaire. Then he continued: "I see youare doing a lot here for the boys. That is the best work I know of. Ifyou turn out others like Frank and William, you ought to be blessed andthanked. I know your heart is with your boys. Can't I do something forthe Club?"

  They talked over the situation for some time, with the result that theClub was to get a new piano, new up-to-date billiard tables, a bowlingalley, and six sets of boxing gloves. All these were to be deliveredChristmas week.

  As Mr. Roberts was leaving, the priest said, "It's my turn now to dosomething for you. I am going to ask you to do a little favor foryourself. I want you to kneel down every night before going to bed andsay a prayer. It's not a long one, just this: 'O God, grant me the graceto see the light, and the courage to follow it.'"

  "Why, that's easy," said Mr. Roberts. "I thought you were going to askme something big."

  "Well, for all you know, that may turn out to be the biggest thing youhave ever done," replied Father Boone, as they clasped hands onparting.

  Father Boone's thoughts just now had turned to the McCormack concert.After the disturbance, he had sent the tickets to a priest down town,who had a boys' club in a poor section of the city. "But I don't know asit's too bad," he thought. "Those boys down there never get much ofanything. I'll find some way to make it up. The boys won't suffer for mymistake, that's certain."

  He phoned down to Carnegie Hall.

  "Sold out," was the answer.

  "I thought so," he reflected, not at all disappointed.

  That afternoon while down town on business, he turned over 57th Streetto Seventh Avenue and dropped into Carnegie Hall to see what other dateMcCormack was booked for. While he was making his inquiries, a manstanding nearby approached him.

  "Pardon, Father, you're from St. Leonard's? I am Mr. McCormack'smanager; perhaps I can help you out." When he heard that ninety seatswere wanted, he almost collapsed, "But your boys are little chaps,aren't they, Father, from nine to fifteen? Lads of that age don't takeup much room. How would you like to have them seated on the stage?"

  "Why, that's capital," exclaimed Father Boone.

  "Well, I can manage that. We'll give them the first row on either side.That will put them right close to McCormack while he's singing. I knowhow kids like to be near to what's going on."

  So it was all arranged, and Father Boone returned home very happy. Hehad received that very morning a letter from one of the parishioners whoalways gave him something for the Club at Christmas. This time it was acheck for $150.00. The tickets cost him $90.00. "With the rest," hemused, "I shall be able to give them a good time."

  (II)

  That evening the boys were rather subdued. Bill Daly's death hadaffected them greatly. To be playing with a lad on Monday, and to knowhe is dead on Friday, is a terrible shock to boys.

  As Father Boone entered the Club he observed how serious they were. Itwas natural, he reflected, and best to let it work itself out. He wouldnot mention the McCormack treat just now.

  The boys gathered around him, and asked all sorts of questions aboutBill's last moments. Even to these lads it meant something consolingthat he had died a beautiful Catholic death. They told Father Boone thatthey had gone to Mass in a body that morning, and had received HolyCommunion for Bill's soul.

  "I offered up the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for William this morning,"said the priest, "and I suggest that on the day of the funeral you allgo to Communion again in a body for the repose of his soul."

  "We had already decided on that, Father," said Dick.

  "That is good," remarked the priest, "and now another thing. You knowhis mother is terribly broken up by her boy's death. That is natural.She would not be a mother otherwise. Of course, she is resigned to God'swill. So was Our Blessed Mother, at the foot of the Cross, but that didnot prevent her heart from being pierced with grief. Mrs. Daly was verybrave under it all. So much so that Mr. Roberts, who was there, said tome afterwards, 'Your religion is a wonderful thing in affliction.' But,boys, she feels the separation keenly. William was a remarkably goodboy to his mother. Now that he is dead, I can say to you that the poorboy had an awful lot to contend with, and if it were not for hisreligion and his mother, no one can sa
y how he might have turned out.

  "Now I suggest, boys, that you divide up, and some of you go over to thehouse at one time, and some at another, on a visit of condolence."

  "Yes, Father," said Tommy. "We were thinking about going over."

  "What's the best thing to say to her, Father, if we want to show oursympathy?" asked Dick.

  "Nothing," replied the priest. "Words are useless in deep sorrow. Justgo there quietly. Your mere presence will say more than any words, ifyour behavior is considerate."

  "Shouldn't we say anything at all?" asked Ned.

  "Just a word or two to say who you are, and that you are sorry for her.Your presence is what will talk most."

  It was after ten o'clock that evening when Father Boone reached the Dalyflat. He had been stopped several times on his way over, by inquiriesabout the Club, and Daly. On entering he found six of the Club boyskneeling around the body saying the rosary. The lads had held a meetingafter Father Boone had left them, and decided to go in groups of six,each group to stay a half hour. They also decided that the best way theycould show their sympathy for the parents, and to aid Bill, was to saythe beads.

  In order not to disturb them, Father Boone went quietly into the rearroom. Some one told Mrs. Daly that the priest was come, and she went tohim at once. As soon as she saw Father Boone, she broke down. The priesthad expected it. He had seen less devoted mothers become hystericalunder such circumstance. He simply said nothing. He let her have her cryout. When it was over, he remarked, "That's good now; that cry will doyou good." He spoke kindly, but very firmly. He knew that one littleexhibition of his own feelings would start her all over again.

  When she was composed, she said, "O, but Father, what lovely boys youhave at the Club! Sure, they came in here in droves all the evening, andevery one of them knelt down and said the rosary for Willie. It did myheart good. Forgive me, Father, for the cry I had. They gave me so muchcomfort, I thought I was altogether resigned to God's blessed will. Butthe sight of you, Father, brought the tears."

  "Well, I am not surprised at that, my good woman. Did not our Lord havetears of blood in Gethsemani? Yet He was resigned. The end of His prayerwas, 'Not my will, but Thine be done.' If we did not feel these thingskeenly, there would be little merit in being resigned to God's will."

  "God bless you, Father, for saying that. I was afraid I was rebellious."

  "Not at all. You were only human, only a mother."

  Again she started to cry, and the priest sat silent.

  After a moment he said, "And now, Mrs. Daly, remember that by offeringup your sorrow to God for Willie, it becomes something precious in thesight of heaven, and will benefit his soul."

  "Thank you, Father, I'll do like you say. But Father, you should seehimself. I never thought he would take it so hard."

  "Where is he?"

  "Inside."

  "Tell him to come here."

  In a moment Mr. Daly came in. There were no signs of tears on his face,just a drawn, sad expression. His eyes were sunken and dull. He beganfirst.

  "O Father, it's the hand of God on me and I deserve it. If the home waswhat it should be, it never would have come to this."

  "Well, Michael, if it's the hand of God, and it is, it is for your good.The hand of God will never lead you away from your true welfare."

  "But it's the Missus I'm thinking about, Father. It will kill her. I canstand it. But she can't. Oh, if the good God had taken me instead!" Hesighed heavily. "Of course, I feel Willie's going, too, almost as muchas the mother, for I had just found him again. All these years he waslost to me, and mine the fault, the crime I should say, and it is Godthat is punishing me."

  "I believe it, Michael. And He is punishing you here rather thanhereafter. But His chastisements are different from men's. He draws goodfrom His punishments. This will make a man of you, and you will saveyour soul. It brings God and His judgments before you. It shows youthat we never know when He may call us, and that we should all be ready.Suppose He had called you suddenly two weeks ago, where would you benow?"

  Michael said not a word. He just bowed his head.

  Father Boone continued, "Be a man, Michael. Take your sorrow aschastisement from God. You deserve it, as you know. You did notappreciate the child God gave you, and He took him. Live now as a goodman and husband. Don't worry over the Missus. Her faith will take careof her."

  While he was speaking, Mrs. Daly came in. Turning to her, he said, "Mrs.Daly, I feel sorry for you and Michael, but I do not feel sorry for theboy. Willie is now with God. He died the way Christ wants His followersto die. He is with God now. He would not exchange places with the mostfortunate person in this world. He would not come back again if hecould. God grant that you and I may finish our journey to eternity asacceptably as he has done!"

  "Blessed be the holy will of God," responded the mother.

  "Amen," said Michael.

  "Now I am proud of you," declared the priest. "Your sorrow is great, butlike true followers of Christ you carry your cross after Him. That iswhy He had His way of the Cross, so that when we have ours, we shall notbe alone. Come into the front room and let us say a prayer for Willie'ssoul."

  As they entered, the friends sitting around stood up. The six ladssaying the beads continued their prayers, but on seeing Father Boone,they terminated the rosary at the decade they were saying.

  When all was silence, the priest spoke out, "My dear people, let us allsay the 'Our Father' for the repose of William's soul. When we come to'Thy Will be done,' we shall pause for a moment, and dwell particularlyon those words. All please kneel."

  He began: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the HolyGhost, Amen. Our Father....who art in heaven....hallowed be Thyname....Thy kingdom come....THY....WILL....BE DONE....on earth....as itis in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread....and forgive us ourtrespasses....as we forgive those....who trespass against us....and leadus not into temptation....but deliver us from evil....Amen. MayWillie's soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through themercy of God rest in peace. Amen."

  He rose from his knees and quickly and quietly left the room. The boyssoon followed, for it was late. One by one the others left, and thefather and mother were alone with their dead. They sat silent for a longtime. Then Mrs. Daly touched her husband's arm and said, "Michael, letus kneel down and say the 'Our Father,' the way Father Boone did."