The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-20

"And, Dick, it is SO mournfnl to think
that while you and are sitting and talking
here, my mother may be looking at the
and harsh man shut out from her eyes the
| son whom her heart greedily covets.n
"Dear, dear fellow!"
If were your son, Dick, or Ned or
John were your children, wouldn't you like
to see US z"
did not see you." The words passed my
lips mechanically-in a moment repen ted
them.
"Ah, there it is" he sobbed, and the
tears gathered afresh to his eyes. "There
it is. Oh! Dick, Dick, God help my poor
mother! God comfort her!" Again his
head fell upon my bosom, and his arms
chung around my neck.
There was a moments silence broken
only by poor Fid's sobs. 1 said that we
should try to be happy; that we should re-
member it was Christmas eve, and that
good times were in store for us.
&c Fid, shall Ned sing for us %
" AS you and Ned wish, Dick yes, please
do"
every well, dear. Ned, will you sing
for Fid and mess''
Ned; who was not an unaffected witness
of Fid's SORROWS, instantly said he would
with great pleasure; his throat was very
no difference, as we were all friends, and no
critics. For once, he was sure, Fid would
not be critical. At this / strove to laugh.
and Fid put his thin hand into Ned's, and
squeezed it with all the warmth of his
genial nature. Then Ned drew in his feet
aud coughed twice, and began to sing the
first stanza of Z" The Bard's Legacy"
"Who's making that COMPOUNDED racket 2"
asked voice from the top of the kitchen
stairs. None of us had the courage to make
an answer, but we gathered closer together,
and whispered that it was Mr.. Millet. In
minute Mr.. Miiiet came down. He caught
Ned, and pressed his knuckles under the
boys ear, until he screamed from exquisite
agony.
:" I'll teach the whole Of you better man
ners," he said. ~, "'.Ioa beggerly ours, do
You want to turn my house into a ballad
sin ger's-do you 7" 49,,
'9We thought it was no harm, sir" said
Ned, in a very feeble, terrified voice. <
81" lf; Wel9f people sings said M: Nil Mil
carly, pampered whelps, as you are, sings
too, I'd like to know where's the differ
ence. And such q solemn night, too, when
you should be down on your knees, thank
ing God that you have warm beds, and
bread and milk for breakfast = ,-,e-
"And meat upon Sundays" said Mrs.
Millet, who had reeled down stairs and
Joined her husband. "Prime beef that cost
twopence 'apeny a pound, with the bone
and suet." @aF'r - ~ 49,
"Too good for them," observed Mr.. Mil
let. Meat only gives people airs and pre-
tensions. Let it be haddock for the future,
dear, and herriDgs when that can't be had"
" Haddock and herrings it will be" said
the lady. Precious fine, indeed, a-singing
obscene songs instead of being praying for
your master and MISTRESS"
" / said so BEFORE" observed Mr.. Millet;
Al g.,
Had their suppers, Mrs. Baker?"
attempt at bowling.
"Then they deserve none" replied Mr..
Millet. "Let them do without it, Mrs.
Baker. 1t will teach them manners. That's
the way showmen tames their bears"
Mrs. Baker, who seldom saw n Snowman
and never n bear, Endorsed this assertion
with an emphatic affirmative, and we were
ordered to bed. Upstairs in the Christ
mass darknesJ-up the long flights, guided
ply the dusty handrails-past the old clock,
and the rotten hat stand, and the Shiny
umbrella rack, we fled to the garnet. The
bells had long ceased, and we heard moth
ing except the voices of stragglers in the
streets far below, and the storm as it clat
tered across the states. Creeping into bed,
silently and miserable, Gods universal com.
forter, sleep, visited our eyes, and we slept.
1t must have been past two o'clock when
q cold hand grasped my arm like clasp OF
ice causing me to start up VIGOROUSLY in
bed. l stared about the room, n cowardly
sense of fear beating down all emotions Of