Don't Despair

But as he read the letter his attention was distracted by the actions of a shabbily dressed fellow leaning against a post in front of the church.

Brother Michael couldn't get him off his mind and, thinking that the poor fellow might be in financial difficulties, he took the $20 bill and wrapped it in a piece of paper, on which he had written, "Don't despair, Brother Michael," and tossed it out of the window to him.

He picked it up, read it, looked at the priest with a puzzled expression, tipped his well worn hat, and shuffled off down the street.

The folling day brother Michael was saying his morning prayers when another priest informed him that some man was at her door who insisted on seeing him.

He went down and found the shabbily dressed stranger waiting for him. Without saying a word he handed Michael a roll of bills. When he asked what they were for, the fellow replied, "That's the sixty bucks you have coming.