The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1868-11-01

r. NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER /, 1868.

1t was no new revelation of sublime duty
flashing on her to-day. She crouched dowr
on the floor, picking at the chain of the
rag-carpet, her eyes swollen, the tick
tick of the town clock vexing her dull
thought, trying to thrust this new crap.
ping agony out of her brain--to think Of
the shirts she was making for her father, o.
the dinner to cook anything to bring her
this horrible dream; now and then, when
it's reality grew too sharp to bear, sobbing
80, Heaven, have pity on me !" her head
on the stool like o whipped child when
nine o'clock came, aud the brass hands OF
the clock pointed slowly to ten, no calmer
her hands, looking helplessly out into the
bright blue air.
A sudden sound made her stop and stand
motionless, listening. 1t was the jar of one
of the cell-doors; they were taking Sam
out She heard his slow, firm step among
all the others passing through the hall. /!
seemed to quiet, determine her. She ran
to the iron door of her room, by which he
must pass, and laid her head on it as if n
had been his breast. "I'll save you, She
said, in a hot whisper. He was innocent
II she lived to prove the truth, would
Heaven blame herr Then she pushed tina,
headed 's to accept Il. IT love love lin him, l she
said, looking up, a fierce IN her homely
face. I'm save him. Go9 can do to me
what He will. That's alLn
The steps went out on the pavement, the
hall door changed, an1there was noise of
wheels driving away.
came in. :" Times up, Matty," the latter
said chcerfully! cts only few rounds
to Squire Dutton's office. Sam was put in
rather informal last night, as much to get
out of the mob as any other reason. Well
have him taking tea with us tonight, as
usual on holidays"
"No I'll put off the New Year dinner
TIL late. That's BETTER" said his wife.
:" Sans monstrons fond of turkey;" tying
on Martha's hood and furs as she spoke.
0, if what they said were real words |!
Was she ever to sit down beside Sam again
at the CHEEKY little table, with the four
happy faces about ite
"I'll go speak TO Holster before we start"
said the jailer, with Il warning look at his
wife to be silent.
She did not heed it.
was dozin', Matty, last night" said
the mother in ~ rapid mutter, her hands
trembling as they smOOthed the pelerine.
" But I'm dead sure as the clock struck nine
just as Sam went. You know. For Heavens
sake save him, child. He's aged ten years
since they put him in"
"Come, Martha" cried her fathers voice,
interrupting her.
She went out to where her father stood
in the hall; his face had a trouble on it.
THAT poor wretch we took in last night
is dyin'," he said" '' You'd best stay with
her, wife. DR.. Mccoy says as she's took
some drug, and took more on it through
the night. It's too late to save her, Ae says.
An she's turned QUITO be Marget- -IIench,
Sam Cartons cousin her as was unfortu-
nate some time ago
ALI this in n rapid undertone to his wife !;
then, tucking MaItha's hand under his arm,
he led her briskly down the street.
The sun had broken from behind the
gray pail of cloud, and glittered brightly
on the white snow, the dripping icicles, the
long rows of red brick houses, with cheer
full fires shining through their windows !;
the streets were full of happy faces crowds
of young men, furred and cloaked, dashed
along, making their New Years calls.
One, more earnest, honest, hard working
than the whole of them, waited for the
gibbet she could save him only she.
Her father, who was watching her, stopped
short.
% Yes sick, Matty," kneading her hands
in his. " It's so then as you can't speak the
good word for Sam 2" in voice of blank
disappointment.
.'Come on,' she said steadily. ats only
a step farther"
The magistrates Office was one-rOomed
wooden shed at the corner of Pleasant and
John streets. There was q crowd of loafers
on the steps and about the door when they
came near, trying TO catch any crumbs of
news from within, for the door itself was