The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-03-15

lying tar below the waters of the ocean
brought tears to his eyes and sobs to hi
| voice. isslHss ~ zos 0;fi3 sld
How does old nissus STAN itfn he in
CURED ~ chcked and mournfnl tone. s.
heard the news. and. hasn't cried one tea,
yet wish she would, y added Aunt Polly,
sympathizinglyz (" for I know t'would ease
her mightilyn
| Fer some time both mother and son sal
in silence, impressed, it seemed, by that
strange hush that comes over the house
within which great sorrow has taken up
| its aboGe..S, H.,
At last Aunt Polly's motherly instinct
took alarm, and she hustled up again. "You
is looking mighty poorly, Jim. You ain't
had no good time after all, has YOUR 81
No, indeed, nanny and / is monstrous
glad to get home again, / tell you:' ~ e {
He stretched out his feet as he spoke,
witt, a comfortable grunt, and settled him
self more at ease upon his chair. :! n -77-
hat you gwyne to say to mas Dud-
ley, Jim II amt seen none of them sense
you been gone, 'cept it's Miss Blanche. She
the street. She said she feared you must be
dead, cause she alters thought you'd come
back hOme.r
"Did she say dat ~ asked Jim, his eyes
frightening, and his heart swelling at the
good opinion his young mistress entertained
of him. /" I hope she will be home tonight, y
he added earnestly, " for must go to see
master, shure !" -
spec you could eat some hing now,
Jim; for you don't look as if you ever had
had too much. can Almost see through
you"
The object of this invitation Immediately
confirmed his mothers expectations, and
confodnded her by the ease with which he
caused large quantity ofhominy and gravy
to disappear.
That evening, thanks to good dinner,
thorough ablution, clean clothes, and plenty
of good advice from Aunt Polly, the re
turned slave felt equal to any emergency. a.
Before suffering him to depart for his
masters residence, Aunt Polly took him
into the mourner's room.
The widow, pale and fearless, was alone
with her mighty sorrow. Seated in low
chair by the open window, with her hands
crossed upon her lap, she hardly looked up
when Aunt Polly, in low, respectful voice,
announced that Jim had come home and
wanted to see her, she stretched out her cold
hand and answered:
70 q. You did right to come back, Jim; am
very glad to see you. y
ct am mighty sorry to see you in such
trouble, missus,n but here Jim's voice fal!
tered, for the sight of that sweet, pale face
with its one abiding look of sadness, melted
all his heart.
The widow seemed touched by his SYM
pathy; but long drawn sigh was her only
answer. ~ p q
ct hope you keep your health good, mis-
sus?" again spoke Jim, determined to con-
troll the choking sensation in his throat.
-" Yes, Jim have been quite WE'LL
don't know how it will be, i" she added, after
a pause; "there is nothing left for me to
live for now" 49, ~.
Jim could make no reply to this sad and
desoiate assurance; but Aunt Polly, in a !
soothing, confidential tone, answered her
grieving mistress:
"Don't talk SO, honey. De Lord is wise
and good, and knows what is best. You've |
got heap to live for yet, honey"
oh, Aunt Polly! What is there for me
now ~ asked the widow, with quiet, hope
less smile. - sag -
"Live for de Lord, honey Live for Him.
Get close UP to Him, jcs as close as you can,
honey, and He'll help you bar it :" =
q q ou are right, Aunt Polly. said the
widow meekly. His rod, aud His staff, |
they comfort me.' ~
just then q low rap was heard outside the
parlor door, and Jim hurried away to an
swer it.
T. Two men, carvings trunk between them,
stood without, and depositing it on the
opened doorway, one said:
"This is the young mans trunk. Mr..
Davis sent us round with it, and says he
will call very soon to see the lady hersef.n
They turned away, while Jim drew the
runk within the room and closed the parlor
ioor. Aunt Polly, who had been on the
llert, signaled to him from his mistress
Dom, to be quiet with the trunk, as she
cared the sight of it would unnerve the
onely mourner; but the widows quick ear
lad already heard the unusual sounds, and
he rose from her low seat, calm and tear
ess.
"Don't go in there yet, honey" said Aunt
Polly, putting herself in her mistress, way.
Least ways, not jes yet; let me tell you
irst what it is"
1t was too e.-Mrs. Brown had gained
he parior door, and by the dim sunset light
The saw the old, well-worn and well-remem-
,ered trunk. Had she not packed it loving