Bolax Part 9

Hetty says she's 'done fl.u.s.tered to death.' Sister says I'm the awfulest boy in the world.

I haven't done anything bad today, yet.

Your little friend,

BOLAX.

THE REV. FATHER'S ANSWER.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE.

_Dear Little Friend_:

Even though everyone should say that you have been "worse" than you had been before making your confession, I know that our Lord will excuse you because you acknowledge your faults.

You see, all expected you would be better after confession, and they are much disappointed, because they have not yet seen any improvement.

What a sc.r.a.pe you got into, by letting your dog out of the cellar, and how cruel it was to have poor Trix "chewed up." You were shocked, I am sure, when you found you had hit your mother. Now, how did all this come about? Just because you did not ask permission to let your dog out of the cellar. If you had acted under obedience, you would have avoided all the trouble. Now, this is the lesson to take from your fault.

Do not act without permission, and always obey promptly and cheerfully, then you will be happy; your parents will be happy and Our Dear Lord will bless you.

Hoping to see you soon, my dear little boy, I am your friend in Christ,

ALOYSIUS ROCOFORT, S. J.

SECOND LETTER.

_Dear Rev. Father_:

Since my third confession, everyone says I am showing improvement. Papa says it is your letters that make me good. Mamma says it is the grace of G.o.d given through confession.

Hetty says, "I do believe dat boy done got religion for sure."

Everybody believes in my conversion, excepting Sister Amy; she says the badness couldn't go so sudden; it is still there. Trix's ear is sore yet; that is the reason she is cross.

Indeed, Father, I feel good. I obey better; I have only to be called three times in the morning, and I don't forget things when I am sent on errands, and I even study without growling.

Dear Father, would you like a pair of white rats? They are lovely pets and run all over me; they eat corn off the top of my head and nibble my ears. If you want them, I will put them in a wire cage and carry them into town the next time I go to see you.

Your loving little friend,

BOLAX ALLEN.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE.

_My Dear Little Friend_:

How rejoiced I am to learn by your last report that you are giving satisfaction to Mamma and Papa, and learning to obey; the greatest of all virtues "obedience," preserves us from falling into other sins.

Sister will come round soon, just let her see you are in earnest, and surprise her by persevering in your good resolutions.

I thank you for the kind offer to give me your pets, but I fear the good brother who has charge of my room would object to rats--white or black--so I must decline your present with many thanks, dear child.

Come to see me next Wednesday, I will be home from 2 to 6 P. M.

G.o.d bless you,

ALOYSIUS ROCOFORT, S. J.

ST FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE.

_Dear Little Friend_:

What a pity I was not at home when you called. I wished to see you to find out how you had been doing since I last met you. I hope you went to confession to one of the other priests that day.

After Holy Communion, which you are too young to receive as yet, there is no better means to aid you in doing right than a complete and humble declaration of all that you have done amiss.

It is a good thing to say your prayers in the morning, even though you have to be reminded by your mother. I wish you had interest enough yourself to say them without being reminded.

Always your friend,

A. ROCOFORT, S. J.

A VERY GREAT LOSS.

"Aunt Lucy," said Bolax one day. "I had a very important paper, and I cannot find it. I took such pains to write it because it was to go to Father Rocofort. Did you see it? You would know it was important because it was written without blots."

"Indeed, child, I did not see it, ask Hetty; she cleaned your room this morning."

"Hetty, Hetty," called Bo, "did you see a long narrow strip of paper about a yard long, with writing on it?"

"Yes, I done see a paper like dat; it was on the floor of you' room when I go clean it, and the puppy was a chewing of it. I done took it and put it under a book on your desk."

"Oh Hetty, why, oh, why did you let puppy chew up my paper? It had my sins on it."

"For de Lawd sake. Bolax! you' sins! Den I guess de poor little dog done pizened by dis time. I ain't seed him since he et up dem sins, three hours ago. I guess I'll find him lying dead somewheres."

"Hetty, you stop making fun of me; I'm in real earnest. Sins are things people only tell to the priest, or to their mothers, and I don't want mine to be blowing round for every one to see them."

After a great search, the paper was found and Bo inclosed it in a letter ready to send Father Rocofort. When his mother read the contents, she explained that he could not make a confession in that manner.

"Confession must be made on bended knees."