Brought up in poverty and kept ignorant was the only way to remain healthy back then in the hungry years . The hardest thing for many was to keep clear
of the court . For what it was worth the only law and order was dished out by those who would be seen as watching over the city . One of the things you learnt early in life was to find out what gang you belonged to .
Dublin gangs were many .
Dublin jack was part of the quiet ones who ran the bingo halls on the East side and on Saturday they policed some of the local dance halls .
I remember someone once had said that Dublin Jack controlled the bingo numbers . There was a joke going round that Dublin Jack only called out the bingo numbers in Latin so that the educated Catholic's could win .
Now the local Parish priest Father Sean loved the Bingo and could play five books himself at a time .
Before bingo he would often say ,
"Now Jack . Sunday will be only a day or two away . Ask some of the lads to pass the plate around for me will you . By the way how are things at your
school . I'm a man of the world and soon you're going to find out what life is all about . The church needs good decent lads like you and I'm sure you've got the right metal for to be a priest . Come and have a talk with me after mass on Sunday. "
" Father sure you know my heart is wandering and Dublin is a place . Not that I'm complaining like but God knows I want to get myself out of this ."
Father always had an answer ,
" You'll never hear me complain Jack . As bad and as dirty as Dublin City is . Its our home lad . In fact Jack you are part of what makes this city tick ."
Jack was one of the quiet . As honest as the day was long . As time went on he saw most of his school friends leave on the boat across the water to finf their fortune in London . It was only a matter of time and Jack would do the same ,. Father Sean knew that and that's why he persisted to ask Jack about becoming a priest . Father knew the dangers of a big City like London and wanted to protect Jack from all of that . After the hungry thirties there was a desperation about Dublin .
It was about a year after Jacks father died that he decided to leave on the bait train . Father Sean saw Jack to the docks at Dublin and said a tough goodbye .
Dublin Jack soon made his way to London but was unable to find a place to live .The shelters were full and the charities had given up handing out penny lunches .London was like a hungry lion ready to devour anything in its sight .
The street people took Dublin Jack to their heart and introduced him to alcohol . Work was hard to find and Jack felt the cold through the holes in his clothing . Two years had gone by in London with no work and all that Dublin Jack looked for was another drink with his friends the street people .
He had no place to live but the park .
He had no hope except that of a drink .
He was complaining about life and for the first time questioned Gods love for him . Like a empty seat in a crowded stadium Dublin Jack watched life pass him by on a concrete seat outside the Oval Tube station . He would sit day after day trying to forget what it was that had brought him there in the first place . He smiled at the passers by who ignored him and his heart was bitter because of their attitude .
The business people leisurely strolled along the pavement all lived so far away from Jacks living hell . His nightmare had no escape apart from alcohol which set him free for a while .
One day in the manna centre Dublin Jack was told about a bus in Brixton where someone was handing out food and money to the needy .
Jack made his way there and eventually found the old London double decker bus . It had a sign on the bus that said ,
Meals On Wheels for the needy .
There was a queue of about a dozen men in the early morning waiting for a handout ., Dublin Jack got in the queue and when it was his turn to receive something Dublin Jack stood face to face with Father Sean .
Father Sean was speechless and quite upset when he saw Jack but he immediately realised he was in a position where he could help him .
"Thank God I've found you Jack we need you to call out the bingo numbers .
The dance hall needs fixing up and the worries of the young ones are sending boatloads across the water. Come home son and tell your story .
Tell them not to leave looking for work that doesn't exist . Let them see how it is . Will you do that Jack ?"
Jack never spoke . He just stood there with his hand out stretched .
Father Sean took a prayer book from his pocket and placed it into his hand .
Jack walked away with his head down .
Father Sean went after him . He put his arm around Jack and said firmly ,
"Maybe you think running away is going to help you . Maybe you think God has forgot you . Maybe you don't know who you are anymore . Well Jack just maybe you are wrong . Listen to me Jack read me a prayer from the book I gave you .Could you just try ?"
Jack opened the book and said the our father .
That evening Jack and father seam were on the boat heading back to Dublin .
On their return Jack was admitted into a hospital for some treatment .
It took six months but Dublin Jack beat the booze and ended up with a smile
Back on his face again.
Sure now wasn't Father Sean's prayers heard .
Jack finally became a priest and wasn't he a popular one at that .
Now with a parish in a hard place Father Jack took all of his lifes experience and spat it out like fire upon the heads of the people who needed to hear his message . Apart from Father Sean now there was some one else looking out for Jack .
By Doctor Write
The End
Originally Posted On Site: 2008-02-22 14:16:44
Last Login: 05.21.12
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