WHICH IS IT?

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 43, 25 October 1890, Page 20

WHICH IS IT?

A YOUNG Catholic priest, shortly after beginning his labours in his first parish, received a visit from one of the older fathers. Anxious to show the progress he had made he called np a class in catechism for questioning. ‘Biddy Maloney,’ he began, ‘ stand up.’ A slip of a girl with blue eyes and brown freckles arose in her place. ‘ What, Biddy,’ said the young father, ‘ is meant by the howly state of matrimony ?’ * Shure,’ began Biddy glibly, ‘ ’tis a sayson of tormint upon which the soul inters to fit it fer the blissid state to come.’ ‘ Och !’ cried the questioner, angry and mortified ; ‘ to the foot of the class wid ye, Biddy Maloney. It’s tlie in’aning of purgatory ye’re afther givin’.’ But here the old priest interposed with a quizzical smile. ‘ Not too fast, me young brother,’ he said restrainingly ; * not too fast. Fer aught you and I know to the conthrary, the gurrul may be perfectly right.’