The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-04-25

1 nss gEA a.. l.r !. Z tNaiioaal IntcHigencer
| HOW THE CRICKETS BROUGHT
=. 81 GOOD FORTUNE.
| My friend Jacques went into a bakers
shop one day to buy a little cake which he
had fancied in passing. He intended it for
child whose appetite was gone, and who
could be coaxed to ea' only by amusing
him: He thought that such a pretty LOAF
might tempt even the sick. While he wait
ed Tor has change, a little boy, six or eight
years old, in poor but perfectly clean
clothes, entered the bakers shop.
Ma'am," said he to the bakers wife,
g mother sent me for loaf. of bread"
The woman climbed upon the counter,
this happened in a country town. took
from the shelf of four pound loaves the best
one she could find, and put it into the
arms of the little boy.
~ My friend jacques then first observed the
thin and thoughtful face of the little fellow
1t contrasted strongly with the round, open
countenance of the great loaf, of which he
was taking the greatest care.
- Have you any money 7" said the ba-
ker's wife.
The little boys eyes grew sad.
NO, ma'am," said he, hugging the loaf
closer to his thin blouse : t'but mother told
me to say that she would come and speak
to you about it Tomorrow"
&c Run along said the good woman {;
" carry your bread home, child"
"Thank yeu, ma'am," said the poor little
fellow.
Ny friend Jacques came forward for his
money. He had put his purchase into his
pocket, and was about to go, when he found
the child with the big loaf, whom he had
supposed to be halfway. home, standing
stock still behind him.
" What are You doing there4" said the
bakers wife to the child, whom she also
had thought to be fairly off. Don't you
like the bread ~ -a
"0h, yes, ma'am," said the child.
Well, then, carry it to your mother,
my little friend. If you wait any longer,
she will think you are playing by the way,
and you will get scolding."
The child did not seem to hear. Some
thing else absorbed his attention.
The bakers wife went up to him, and
gave him friendly tap on the shoulder.
" What are you thinking about ?" said
she. ~.
I" Maam,n said the little boy, "what is it
that sings ~
.1Ehere=is-na singing >, sttft sAer-
" Yes ~ cried the little fellow. 81 Hear
IT -QueefS, qaeek, fueek, queek N
My friend and the woman both listened,
but they could hear nothing, unless it was
the song of the crickets-frequent guests in
bakers houses.
1T is a little bird" said the dear little
-
it bakes, as apples do
No, indeed, little goosey ~ said the ba-
ker's wife; those are crickets. They sing
in the bakehouse because we are lighting
the oven, aud they like TO see the fire.
'fCrickets !" said the child. " Are they
really crickets ?"
Yes, to-besure,' said she, good-hu-
The child's face lighted up.
Ma'am," said he blushing at the bold
ness of his request, 81 would like it very
much if you would give me a cricket"
IA cricket ~ said the bakers wife, smi-
ling; what in the world would you do
with cricket, my little friend7 / would
gladly give you all there are in the house
to get rid of them, they run about So"
oh, ma'am, give me one, only one, if
you please I" said the child, clasping his
little thin hands under the big Loaf. "They
say that crickets bring good luck into
houses and perhaps if we had one at home
mother, who has SO much trouble, wouldn't
cry any moren
"Why does your poor mamma cry z" said !
my friend, who could no longer help join
ing in the conversation. 49,
"On account of her biIls, siF, - said the |
little fellow. " Father il dead, and mother |
works very hard, but she cannot pay them |
aH.n III -szs;-l-l.fs
Ny friend took the child, and with him !
the great loaf, into his arms, and / really |
believe he kissed them both. Meanwhile /
the bakers wife, who did not dare to touch I
> cricket herself, had gone into the bake
house. She made her husband catch four, /
and put them into a box with holes in the |
cover, SO. that they might breathe. She
gave the box to the child, who went away
perfectly happy. when he had gone, the
bakers wife and my friend gave each other
} good squeeze of the hand.
g Poor little fellow 81 said they both to-
gether.
mn