Nora was to receive, with John McLaughlin and his wife to assist. The other 74 John McLaughlins were to act as ushers.
The Salvation Army came first, led by the lass who found Michael.
Procession No. 2 was Mike and the teamsters who “don’t take nothing for such as she.”
Third, in special horse-cars, which went through from Dorchester to Somerville by a vermilion edict from the West End Company, the eleven families of that No. 99. They stopped in Roxbury to pick up Ellen and the hostess of the Review Club.
Fourth, all the patrolmen who had helped and all who tried to help, led by “cop” No. 47.
Fifth, all the school children who had told the story and had made inquiries.
Sixth, the man who made the Somerville Directory.
Seventh and last, in two barouches, Harrington and the chiefs of staff at the general post-office. And the boys asked Father McElroy to make a speech to all just before the dancing began.
And he said: “The lost sheep was never lost. She thought she was lost in the wilderness, but she was at home, for she was met by the Christmas greeting of the world into which the dear Lord was born!”
NOTE.—It may interest the reader to know that the important part of this story is true.