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

curiosity, and filing me with Undesirable
terrors. Down through the foggy skylight
shaft of moonlight found its way, and
spread like pool of light ON the worm
eaten floor. The door was open, and l
could discern through the top Of the lobby
window the chimneys outside, the bright
ridges of the roof, and the outline of a pop
Lar in neighboring yard. For few min
utes did not observe Fid, who stood close
to the bedside, trembling from intense agi-
tation and cold.
"Fid, dear fellow, what is itf'
Dick, oh Dick-listen."
bent my head, and did as he desired
but heard nothing.
"What is the matter7 What has fright
ened you Z" asked. Fid, you are very
nervous"
Fixing his eyes on the door, he sat on the
edge of the bed, and placed his arm under
my head. my mother, Dick, has been
here. was lying wide awake when she
knocked at that door. I knew her knock
three little taps-quick taps. In q moment
l was out of bed and opened the door, but
no one was there. I CROPPED all around the
lobby and down the flight-no one. Greatly
TERMED, Dick, L came back; and when
Just closed the door the Knock came again.
and again, Dick. when caught your arm
"TLe wind-the rats, suggested.
No, no." he said calmly, ~ twas IN y
mother; she is dead know it."
endeavored to calm him and although
my own Imagination was uncomfortably
stimulated by what l had heard, l tried to
convince him that he was the victim of q
very common dclusion of the senses.
He shook his head mournfully. "Dick, }"
he said, don't know why it is, but can't
cry. / suppose cried all my tears under
the counter yesterday, and while l was
awake in bed cannot cry again, though
my eyes are burning and my head is. SO hot
But know, God pity her, she is dead, she
is dead-dead.'
"N0nsense, you dear old fellow. She
shall recover, and we shall all be SO happy
years hence, laughing over your ghost
stories, you little fool"
I'm Heaven, hope" said Fid.
And on earth, too, please Cod" 1 re-
piled.
4" Not ON earth, Dick-no, not on earth.
An abrupt single knock at the hall door
made us leap. The knock was repeated
thrice. We heard Mr.. Millet's window
raised heard him speaking to somebody in
the street; heard his door open, and his
voice crying "Nedr'
eyes, sir" said Ned, waking up at the
sound of that terrible voice. ,...
"Ten that boy" said Mr.. Millet, that
his mothers dead, and be hanged to her.
What an hour of the night for people to
die, when every one ought to be in their
beds"
A faint cry from Fid, and he fell heavily
on the floor I raised him up and laid him
on my bed.
"And tell him." he continued, that
although he's the worst of bad lads, and
isn't thankful for-all 1 does for him-he's
got pair of new socks last week-that he
may go and see his mother, and call up the
relieving officer and order her an early
coffin. Do you heart"
Yes, Sir"
You'll find the key here, under the
matt and saying this, he slapped his door
to, and retired.
1 helped to dress Fid in the dark, in
wardly resolving, although it was a capital
crime, to accompany him to his mothers
house, and give the poor fellow all the con-
ISOLATION could afford. Stealing down in
the thick of the night, walking cautiously
behind, we arrived at Mr.. Millet's door, and
were about passing, when it opened, and a
back in the heavy shadows of the staircase,
my heart beating with a quickness and
loudness that almost deprived me of breath.
" Is that you 2" said voice, which in
stantly recognized as Mr.. Millet's."
"Tis sir" said Fid.
"You're bad boy" observed Mr.. Millet.
You're stealing nothing, L hope; come
here"
He caught hold of Fid, passed his hands
into his pockets and down every part of his
person. ais this purse ~ he asked,
thrusting his hands into the boys bosom,