The Daily Worker Newspaper, June 4, 1927, Page 10

No Holy Picture for Janek Liew Polish settlement consists of eighteen blocks between Kosciuszko Avenue and Warsaw Street. The church of St. Stanislaus, like a feudal castle, stands in the centre, towering above its domain and exacting tribute from it. The Reverend Mieczyslaw Szczytkowski is pastor. He is God’s own represent- ative: counselor of conscience, advisor in matters political and practical, collector of nickels, dimes and dollars to further the glory of Ged and feather the case of his agents. * * % There were skeptics in the Polish Machine America makes men godless. In the bustle of women and children buying soap and scouring powders in Panek’s grocery, Domski, a steel-worker voiced his opinion: “Because tomorrow the priest will visit all the homes, you clean and serub from cellar to roof. ‘Then you pay him for the visit!” : “Keep your mouth shut!” Poniatowska answered heatedly. “You'll go to heil for your blasphemy.” “. . , and he’ll criticize the devil there!” An old peasant type made the sign of the cross. The children looked on quizzically. “Psia krew,” Domski emphasized, “all that these eld women know is to gossip and pray.” *. . .and praise our good looking priest, ch Panek?” But Panek was in business. And his business came mainly from people who praised the priest. Be- sides, why court a sermon some Sunday on the ques- tion of “business places that serve as centres of attack on our God?” It doesn’t pay! So Panek smiled but kept silent. “These women will be disappointed. The priest isn’t apt to change housekeepers. He’s got a good looking one now,” Domski taunted. The older women scewled but did not answer. Many facts on the matter were common gossip. a a cod At the nun’s home business was feverish. Women and children came all day to buy chalk that had been blessed, holy water, a tiny whisk broom to sprinkle it with—whatever was lacking for the visit of the priest. The money went to the upkeep of the nuns who lived in a well furnished home be- hind the chruch. There were those who voiced an opinion the nuns Tived too well., Others protested the continuous stream of visiting nuns who did not teach but visited for weeks and months at a time at the expense of the parish. Visits cut down maintenance expendi- ture at the central home of the nuns. ~ Almost every home between Kosciuszko Avenue and Warsaw Street shone brightly. Floors were serubbed clean, Curtains newly ironed. Best linens on the table. settlement. Jankowska spoke to her son: “The house looks clean, doesn’t it, Janek? need not be ashamed wher the priest comes!” Her face beamed in pleasure. “Sure, mother,” Janek looked up from his book, We = Sika zee eR “and he'll ask you why you don’t send the kids to parochial school.” Janek’s younger brother and sister attended the neighboring public school. Even the small sum charged per month at the catholic school could not be spared. “Ah, Janek, but the pries is good,” his mother defenied weakly. “Good at collecting!” Janek’s mother loved him. The priest did not like him. He did not go to church. Janek led his class in high school. But gossip brought to the pricst’s ears that Janek read “socialist” books. “That boy will hang some day!” the priest once said. “The devil always makes his disciples wise.” “Janek is a good boy,” his mother ayswered. He worked after school hours. He he!ped at home. His mother, meek as a mouse and fearful, secretly admired her boy. He dared even to oppose the parish priest! * * Preceding the priest an altar boy went from home to home to announce his coming. This allowed time for final preparation. To borrow money when none was in the house. “The priest is next door!” Janek’s mother gave a final glance around the room. From the adjoining room Janek looked at the table. A crucifix stood in the center. Aside of it, blessed chalk. A receptacle with holy water. The sprinkler. A dollar bil! lay in front of it all. “Say, ma, that stuff with the doHar bil! in front of it sure looks funny!” The Difference THE U S A Workers are still working 10 and e We *—~“12 hours a day in heavy industries. BE sprevcrnsien By WALT CARMON “Sh, . .Janek, the priest will come!” But the priest did not come quickly. The neigh hors were among the best contributors to the church. Some claimed that donations to the church could be guessed by the length of the priest’s visit. When the priest entered Janek was reading in the next room. His mother kissed the priest’s hand and the children followed. Janek pretended reading. The priest said a short prayer in Latin. He sprinkled holy water around the roem. Then with blessed chalk he wrote three letters over the door- way. Initials of the three wise kings who followed the star to Bethlehem. The household was blessed. The holy seript above the doorway would guard the home against all evil. “These two are lovely children,” the priest com- plimehted, ignoring Janek whom he could see. The altar boy collected the small donations. He reached for the single dollar on the table. “Yes. . .they are all good,” Janek’s mother ven- tured timidly. “They should be going to parochial school. They must be taught religion.” Ps Janek smiled in the next room. “T try to teach them their prayers,” she answered meekly. “Well, we must be going. There are many homes to visit.” ’ A single dollar is but little encouragement to priestly conversation. “And for you two good children,” the priest reached over tc the altar boy’s well trained, ex- tended hands, “here is a holy picture to keep you with God.” The children urged by Janek’s mother, accepted and kissed tho priest’s hand. As the priest moved to the door, the altar boy noticed Janek in the adjoining room. “Father, there is another in the family!” The priest looked at the tactless altar boy sharply. Such a fool! He turned im feigned surprise. “So there is! But Janek does not weleome the priest. Holy pictures are only for good boys!” Janek smiled but kept his face to the book. * * * As the footsteps of the priest died out Janek entered the room. His mother put her arm around lis shoulders, “You're a good boy, Janek!” “And yeu’re a good mother, too. But a foolish one.” Janek looked at the lettering above the door. Then he glanced at the table. “Well, the priest is gone. So is the dollar!” “Ah, Janek, we will earn another.” “But the next one bad better go for shoes for the kids!” Janek’s mother nodded. As he left the room she looked after his receding figure with pride. Janek led his class in school. Janek did not even fear the priest! _ Janek would be a great maff some day! Workers in he industri IN RUSSIA— wor orly six 5 3 i rae Drawing by Jakob iurck,