The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-13

Ell IL, 1868.
to direct some brutal reproach or slightly
qualified imprecation at us, poor APPRENTICES.
We lived in o state of constant fear and ir-
ritation, and he knew it. When ten o'clock
at night came, one of us would steal out in
the dark to put up the shutters, taking
care not to speak to the policeman, crime
objectionable in poor apprentice; Then
the shop would be closed, and Fid or
would take the keys upstairs, and having
laid them down silently at Mr.. Millet's ell
bow, follow the rest of the apprentices to
the kitchen, where we sat until bedtime.
We we're given supper, but the bread was
SO bad that it was hard to eat and the
milk, which was kept in q tankard sus
pended to the water-butt, was very thin,
and made us feel very sick. When we had
made show Of eating we drew a long form
to one side of the fire, and, having drawn
lots for places, would sit down. If we in-
dulged in a chat we were obliged to select
within earshot of the hOusekeeper, lady
who exhibited a marvellous taste for carry
ing stories to headquarters, and embroil-
ing us with the authorities. AT eleven
o'clock came the!order for bed, accompanied
by strict iDj unctions not to speak when we
got there. No light of any description was
allowed, lest, as it was charitably intimat-
ed, we should "try to set fire to the house."
Mr.. Millets parlor door had to be pissed
on our way up it was nothing uncommon
to find that gentleman, candle in hand, on
the lobby, waiting to review us. In SO do
ing he was generally assisted by Mrs. Millet,
a coarse minded, good looking woman, who
dressed extensively and vulgarly at the
same time.
"Stop," he would say to us, and then to
his wife, "Mrs. Millet, bear witness, there
is them boys. I'd like to know who clothes
them, I'd like to know who feeds them,
Mrs. Millet; who but their natural protec-
tor"
You puppies" Mrs. Millet would say,
"wby don't you say.yes p" Of course we
all said Yes"
"Havent treated them" he would con-
tinue, "as if they were born proper; as if
their fathers and mothers could be had tu
the goods Don't II" This question was
invariably put with u good deal of yivacity,
the speaker selzlng one OF us, poor appren-
tees, by the hair, aud pressing his knuckles
under our ears until we were glad to say
eyes, sir"
"And who sends them to bed, Mrs. Mil
let who saves them from transportation,
and from hanging, I'd like to know Go to
bed, yon sneaking snivellers. Co." Mr..
Millet would say, and we were only too hap
DIV to follow his instructions.
Having crept into bed I'VE pulled the clothes
over our heads and chatted in whispers
until we fell asleep. These were dull times,
you may be sure but there was no help
for it. We were friendiess and penniless
and, bad as the great house in the great
street was, there remained for us no other
home in the wide world. t.
Christmas came. And who is it, how
ever miserable, can refuse peaceful heart
l.and holiday smile (clown's paint as it may
bel when touched by the gentle inspirations
| of the blessed season. 1t was q cold, d. y
Christmas eve /; the black frost lay hard
| and slippery on the fagstones; the sky was
| of q light blue, with millions of lights spark
| ling on the windows of the dingy shop
puffy heaps of snow lay crammed in be-
tween the tops of the street ratings, and on
| the corners of mouldings of the sign boards,
and on the tops of the gas-lamps, and in
every nook and Granny where its pure pre-
sence could find refuge. The streets
were thick with people coming and going
to market, and their pleasant voices pene-
trated to where we stood. It was misera-
| BILE to be there when every one around us
was SO happy but what could be done
When we heard the clock strike eight, John
suggested that we, poor apprentices, should
send Mr.. Millet a petition, begging him,
because it was Christmas eve, to permit the
shop to be closed at nine o'clock. Fid was
generally our literary man; but as he was
Respondent and sad in consequence of hear
| ing that his mother was at the point OF
death, John drew up the petition, and il
| was taken up stairs by the housemaid. In
few minutes she returned, panied and sor-
rowful. "Master says said the woman,
"that as because you're blackguards, not to
| close the shop until eleven O'clock" We