DICK'S DOLLAR

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 23, 6 June 1907, Page 37

DICK'S DOLLAR

Dick was .an orphan boy, fourteen years old, who worked for Mrs. Lane on her farm. He had plenty to do, but got for his labors only his board and clothes, Frequently he was scolded ; sometimes he was slapped. Affectionate himself, the greatest want he had was love. When Father John went to t-hat neighborhood to say Mass once a month, Dick was his devoted slave. He met Mm at the station, carried his heavy missatchel to the house, waited on him, and, finally, served his Mass. Father John loved the boy and appreciated his services. One time, after Dick had been unusually attentive and self-denying, Father John, as he was going away and the train was starting, put a silver dollar into the boy's hand and said : 1 That's for yourself, Dick. I want you .to spend it. Good-bye.' I Good-bye, Father,' said the boy, 'and thank you very much.' The train was off before he could get over his surprise or say another word. ' " A dollar ! A whole dollar ! And his own to do wiith as he chose ! pick went up the road with a light heart. He came to a store. There were many things in" it he woul-d like to buy— a clock, a baseball and hat, a pair of skates, etc. While he was looking in the window, Will Hartford came up to him - «' 5?!? 1 - Dic S. L ' said he ' ' don ' t you w an* a trade ? ' What is it ? ' asked Dick. I 1 must have some money to go on an excursion SSLtote "'donL.* 7 slea ' my ■"""•>•. —«r lar ' That WaS a barsain ~ four dollars' worth for a dol'J'™ a mind to take 'em,' said Dick. «v 7'7 ' £ Ye you a dollar ? ' asked Willmyself" ' her John £ aye me one this morning for ( , pnl ' Oh ' d *J y°« ***>. Jim's puppies ? ' asked Will, sud?Ho L & and Jl h , unter on a box of ammunition. fi™ dSS« f '• Th 7 re A1 th * fi^t breed. He wants a doHar ' PieCe them> but he offered me one for now AI Li hh n 1 J eh n- < l f , sled .. fis hin^rod, and penknife were Dick. SUeSS I>U Spend my dollar for a pu P» Will said you-I'S uSV™?* 1 ans * wered Will. ■ I don't blame c V- ■ i 2° ? ave one of 'em myself.' •What Jo you want -there?' he asked « tJ?» P,. s**5 ** Father Johnville ' an hour *G° on the train for Main-

1 You can take the next train at 11.30 o'clock,' saild the boy. ' Father John will be in Mainville till after Mass to-morrow.' ' I can't go,' said the old man ; 'I've no money. And I did so want to see him.' ' The fare, is eighty-five cents,' said E»ick. -. •' Take this and go,' handing out the dollar. ' You'll have fifteen cents for something to eat. Father John will give you money to get back. 1 The old man seemed reluctant to take the boy's money, but at last he consented. 'I'll pay you back,' he saitf; 'trust mV as) he walked away towards the station. Dick was not so sure that he' 4 ever see his dollar again, but he had been touched by the misery of the old man when the latter found out that Father John was gone. So hope of clock, baseball, bat, skates, sled, fishin-g-pole, penknife, and dog. was gone, and the boy, being a real boy, was sad. What a disappointment !• But if it was to be done over again, he'd' do it just the same— sorrow and suffering appealed to. his loving heart and he . was prompt to make sacrifices. He went back to the house and told Mrs. Lane. She was furious with him* ' You wasted your money,' she said ; • you gave it to a worthlass tramp ; you're a goofo-for-nothing boy ! ' A momth later Father John came back to say Mass again. When he met Dick he said : 1 You need not tell me how you spent your money. The old man to whom you gave it told me. He is dead. He was feeling that he would not live long, and had not been to his duties for nearly twenty years. You can see that he must have been anxious to find a priest. He died at peace with God. He had no relatives. He owned a run-down farm about twenty males from here. It is worth about three thousand to four thousand dollars. He willed it to you and made me your guardian. ' ' Oh, Father ! ' exclaimed the boy. ' And you are to come to live with me,' and next September you are to go to college.' ' Oh, Father ! ' exclaimed the boy. ' Yesi, God has rewartied you in this life for the sacrifice of your dollar, a thing that He does not always do, and now you must put your new talent out at interest. ' Dick did not understand the last part of that sentence, but so long as Father John said it it must be all right. It was a happy boy that took a look at Jim's puppies that afternoon and- bade good-bye to Mrs Lane next morning, going on the train with Father ' John Her?™ thG DeXt day t0 hiS neW home in • In September the farm was sold and Dick was IS +h° C< l ge> com P leted the c °urse in six years, and then he weht to a seminary, where he now is expecting to be ordained a priest himself next year -