Central Catholic High School - Echo Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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12 THE E650 naped on his way home from his work. At this Mr. Bronson started. A nation-wide hunt was made for him, but to no avail. I then was forced to work and earn my own living and the boy's. When the boy was old enough he started out to sell papers to assist me in the up- keep of our little home. Well, this is indeed a surprise for me. What was your husband's name ? ques- tioned Mr. Bronson. Harry, the mother answered. Isn't your name Lucille ? asked Mr. Bronson. Yes Well, I am your husband who has been kidnapedf' Thanks be to God, they exclaimed as they embraced each other. Harry, tell me about yourself. After I was abducted I was carried to Alaska, where I was put to work in a gold mine, and guarded all the time very closely. But I managed after a while to escape to a point farther north in Alaska, where I secured a thousand acres of land to work. It was rich in gold and coal so that is the reason why I am living here in luxury. I, upon my return, looked for you, but as it was tive years hence, I didn't have any luck until I had the luck of hav- ing Jimmie find my pocketbook and return it to me, with you later. This is surely a real Christmasj' said Jimmie, as he started an attack on another box of candy.-NORBERT SUELZER, '26. The Beautiful Christmas Surprise The snow had fallen all day, as it al- ways seems to do before Christmas. The roofs of the village were snow-capped, the chimneys were pouring forth black smoke, and lights were beginning to appear in the windows. The inhabitants were going home-all were happy, their faces iiushed with excitement, all were carrying bundles. In one lonely cabin at the edge of the town, four children pressed their faces to the window. Darkness set inland Santa Claus began operations. After the supper dishes were cleared away, they huddled around a small wood fire. They were discussing the probabilities of a visit from Santa. The snow and the fact that they had been good children-why shouldn't he come? The loving mother gave but a sigh, she had nothing to give them and their tiny poor hearts would be broken. The mother told them the story of Him who lay in the manger of old in Bethlehem, on a Christmas Day. She led them softly off to bed and dropped a tear on their cheeks as she bade them good night. She knelt at her bed and prayed that the Holy Child of Bethlehem would send the Santa, not as the kind benefactor of the story-books but in the form of her hus- band, who had not been home for the last live years. On the fast express, annihilating space, was a care-worn man, deep in thought, mindful of the occasion but thinking only of his wife and children. He was a victim of a miscarriage of justice. The wheels of justice move on the honor and truth of wit- nesses, but sometimes they perjure, as in his case. He told his wife nothing of his pardon from prison. The train came to a sudden stop and the man gathered up his numerous packages and boxes. The conductor said Merry Christmas to him as he disappeared in the darkness. Silently he entered the humble cottage, his home. He decorated the Christmas tree and placed about presents for all. I will not attempt to describe the joy of the meeting of this father and his happy family. ' They attended three masses Christmas as a token of thanksgiving to the new-born Babe of Bethlehem for his kindness. The spirit of the yule-tide in the family pre- vailed not only for the day but for the entire year. So it is with any home that has so devout a mother. FRANCIS CORBETT, '26.

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THE Christmas 'Twas when the world peace attention tore, The Christ Child in swaddling garments did ' lay, And there his Virgin Mother in a manger bore, The rebukes of the people uttered on Ilis birthday. The shepherds tending their flock at night Ilecame startled when heavenly voices they i heard, And saw in the sky a star shining so bright, ' When the angel told them to part and leave ' their herd. Peace on earth to men of good will greeting The angels to the shepherds at His birth they said, Be this our salutation to men when meeting Ere naught the angel's voice avail us in our 4 stead. J - ALFRED GARDNER, '24, ' 4, ,f,K' . , V , ,-.faq-, A Real Christmas It waspthe eve of.C.hristmas, but this did not hold any great enjoyment for Jim- mie Clark, who sold corner and about the to support his mother, newspapers on the near neighborhood, his only friend. Paper, paper, cried Jimmie to the passers-by. Of course Jimmie had a few regular customers and on any great feast or holiday like Christmas, New Year's or Easter, they would give him quarters and dollar bills and tell him to keep the change. The night grew colder and the paper dispenser felt it too. The snow began to fall faster and faster, and it seemed like each flake tried to beat each other to the ground. About a half hour afterwards. while walking along the boy discovered a black object lying in the snow. lYonder- ing what it was he stopped and picked it up. Brushing the snow off of it he opened it. Neatly folded inside he saw a check from a trust companyffor S1.000.00 and also two ten-dollar bills. Lapping a fold ECHO 1 1 of the pocketook he saw the name of James Hronson. Uh, that's the nice man that always gives me tips. Jimmie, prompted by his conscience, and being an honest boy turned to give and place the money in the owners hands. Running as fast as he could, Jlllllllif: at last arrived before a very large resirlenffe. He was admitted by a maid. and asked to see Mr. lironson. The maid called him and in a few seconds he appeared. Hello, boy, what can I do for you Mr. Bronson said in a cheery voice. Did you miss anything quizzed Jim. Not that I know of-wait. he said, searching his pocket. Oh, I lost my pock- etbook with a thousand-dollar check in it. Don't be alarmed, for I have a present foryou. I guess this is your pocketbookf' Jimmie informed him. Bless ye, boy. such luck. and as a re- turn gift you and your mother must spend Christmas Day with me as it is lonely here. said Mr. Bronson. Hurray! Thanks, I'1l go and tell mother. Jimmie hurried home to break the good tidings to his mother. who lived in a tenement house in the slum district. Mother, we're going to have a great Christmas this year. Here both invited out to Mr. Bronson's for the day. Oh. it will be great. The next morning found the ground white with two feet of snow. Jimmie and his mother went to church with their hearts Iilled with happiness. About ten o'clock they went to the house of Mr. Bronson. Here they were received with the greatest hospitality and welcome. There were all sorts of fruit. nuts and candies to eat. and to make everything cheery there was a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Sit down and tell me of your troubles and experiences. said Mr. Bronson. Mrs. Clark began: lYell. shortly after we were married my husband was kid-

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THE ECHO 13 The Value of a Dollar Jimmie and I were hard workers. We ran errands, helped in the fields, sold pa- pers, etc. But we were doing all this for an ultimate end. john Barns owned a horse. Although its bones stuck out of its sides in conglom- erated bumps, we thought it to be one of the finest horses in the city. Best of all, the horse was for sale, but john refused to talk business with us, because we were not big enough. He wanted people who had money for his prospective buyers, not kids. Although our business did not flourish, we kept plugging along. One night, after we had earned the great sum of ten cents, we met John in the store. He looked at us with a sneer on his face and said: Do you still desire to be mas- ters of that horse ? We-.answered-him -by saying, Do fish like water ? i . , When you get some capital, I will talk business with you. With this remark he left us. We kept on with the good work and finally had enough to talk business with John. The next night we arrayed ourselves in the best attire and departed with joyful feelings. W'e rapped rather timidly on the door and waited expectantly. john appeared and looked at us with a grin. We are ready to come to terms, said I. Hes looked dumfounded, but asked us to come into the house. Shoot, he said as he hunched himself into a chair. Mr: Barnes, we want to buy the horse. but you must throw in the harness and a rig. - How much do you intend to pay me for this horse ? One dollar, I replied with some pride. All that could be heard from John was a groan and he fell from his chair. B EUGENE HUSSELMAN. 'Z-1. Cathedral School lllistorical Sketchp 'l'he Cathedral School of l-'ort Wayne was founded in the year 1846 by the Very Reverend julian Benoit. Being a zealous advocate of Christian education and ani- mated by his characteristic zeal for relig- ion, he resolved to establish a school for the younger portion of his flock in which the science of a secular education should be blended with religious and moral train- ing. He accordingly erected a small frame building Z0 by 30 feet. As the pecuniary resources of the parish were very limited he defrayed the expenses of building and maintaining the school largely from his personal revenues. A competent instructor was procured who conducted the school till june. 1852. ' It became apparent that the existing fa- cilities were inadequate for the rapidly in- creasing number of scholars and that a larger corps of teachers was necessary. . To supply this demand. Father Benoit procured three Brothers of Holy Cross from Notre Dame. the members of whose community have ever since retained charge of the school. The frail frame building soon gave way to more commodious quarters when the present spacious structure tThe Old Broth- ers' Schooli was erected in 1858. A commercial department was added to the primary grades with the view of aiding young men in preparing themselves for the mercantile profession. Scores of suc- cessful business men have received their coznmercial training in this department. The total number of those who completed their studies in this institution exceeds two thousand. tThis was nearly thirty years ago.l There are at present seven teachers em- ployed in the school. tive in the primary grades and two in the commercial depart- ment. The school is well equipped with such