The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-10-24
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE LITTLE oUTCAsT.

day i'll winter at the outer door of cottage |
on a bleak moor in Scotland. The snow had
been falling very fast, and the poor boy
looked cold and hungry.
You may come in, at any rate, till my
husband comes home. There, sit down by the
FIRE; you look perishing With !" and she
drew chair up to the warmest corner; then,
suspiciously giancing at the boy from the
corner of her eyes, she continued setting the
table for supper,
Presently came the tramp of heavy boots,
and the door was swung open with quick
jerk, and the husband entered, wearied with a
day's'work.
* look of intelligence passed between his
wife and himself. He looked at the boy, but
did not well pleased he nevertheless
made him come to the table, and was glad to
see how heartily he ate his supper.
Day after day passed and yet the boy begged |
to be kept ''until to-morrow so the good |
couple, after due consideration, concluded that
as long as he was such good boy and worked
50 willingly, they would keep him.
One day in the middle of winter, n peddler |
who had often traded at tho cottage, called, I
and, after dsposing ofhis goods, was preparing |
to go, when he said to the woman
"You have n boy out there splitting wood"
pointing to the yard.
eyes do you know him 7"
" have seen him." 49,
"Where who is he what is he ?"
" A jail-bird," and the peddler swung his
pack over his shoulder. "That boy, young as
he looks, saw in court myself, and heard him
sentenced ten months. You'll do well to look
carefully after him."
Oh, there something so dreadful in the
word '.iailp The poor woman trembled, as
she laid away the things she had bought of the
peddler, could she be easy until she had
called the boy in and assured him that she
knew the dark part of his history 80
Ashamed and distressed, the boy hung down
his head. His cheeks seemed bursting with
the hot blood, and his lips quivered.
"Well," he muttered, his whole frame
shaking, 'theres no use of my trying to do
better everybody hates and despises me, no
body cares about me-"
"Tell me-" saidthe woman, chow came you
! to go, young, to that dreadful place. Where
is your mother ?"
! grief that terrible to behold, "oh!
| hadn't no mother! hadn't 40 mother ever
sinceI was baby! If only had mother"
he continued, while tears gushed from his
eyes, F'I wouldn't have been bound out, and
] kicked, and cutfed, and horsewhipped;
wouldn't have been saucy, and got knocked
down, and then stole because was hungry.
! oh If I'd only had mother"
The strength gone from the poor boy,
and he sunk his knees, sobbing great,
choking sobs, and rubbing the hot tears away
with the sleeve of his jacket. :,
! The woman was mother; and although ali
her children slept under the cold sod in the
churchyard, she mother still. She put
her hand kindly on the head of the boy, and
| told him to look up, and SAID from that time
| betskould find in her mother. Yes, she even
| put her arms around the neck of that forsaken,
deserted child. She poured from her mothers
tenderness. Oh! how sweet was her sleep
that night how soft her pillow! she had
plucked some thornS from the path OF little
| SHINING but striving mortal.
That Door boy is now promising man. His
foster-father is dead; his foster-mother aged
and sickly, but she knows no want; The
"poor outcast" is her support. Nobly does he
repay the trust reposed in him. r.
''When my father and mother forsake me
then the Lord will take me up"
Your ANGELS ADvICE.-First let me re-
mind You that life must have some end to
answer, and that both God and men have a
right to expect certain things to be accomplish
ed by you. To know yourself is of very great
Importance; to remember your ignorance in
respect to most things around you that peo-
pie must have seen great deal more, and
understand, therefore, better than it would be
| reasonable to expect from you. Then do not
think too highly of yourselves, but cultivate
modesty and humility. What You desire to
know, that your books do not instruct you IN;
ask of your parents, oryour elder brothers or
sisters, or your teacher, some kind friend
Obey your parents and do not question what
they wish, but dot and always with cheer
full heart. If you should do wrong, confess it
and seek forgiveness, watch more earnestly in
future and never, no never, utter what Is
false Be kind to your brothers and sisters /;
let not pride nor envy make you indifferent to
them or be grieved because they have what
~ tyou have not. Forgive those who may offend
yon, and let not anger fill your heart
| Avoid bad company; be not entlced to acts
of mischief; let your plays be free of malice
or i'll temper. Fear God, and remember that
sin against him must be repchted OF and f0r-
sakcn, it will lead You into the darkest
regions of everlasting death and sorrow. Pray
to God that He may be your guide, and save
8 you from the many snares of youthful life
, Chose the godly for your companions, and
resolve with all your heart to seek the way
) that leads to everlasting life. Seek Gods
: blessing on all you do, and pray that lie may
' make you good, wise and happy; that he may
: make you the Joy of your parents and friends,
e a holy member of His Church on earth, and a
l blessing to the world~in which you live.
ForgetHot that you may die before the DAYS
4 of childhood are over. How many graves just
/ large enough for You found in every burial
G ground! You will surely die, enter eternity,
n and appear before the Judge of all mankind
=; If you should not die in youth, but live tc
: fourscore years, religion will adorn and bless
= you and also make you n real good to al
s. around you. 90 Remember! thy Creator in the
, days of thy YOUTH"
: WHAT Young MEN SHOULD Dol. Every
young map1should make the most of himself
t intellectually, morally and physically.
e+--2. He should depend upon his own efforts Il
IT, accomplish these results.
-f=-:5 He should be willing to take advice from
i those competent to give it, unless his owl
$ Judgment or conviction, properly founded
. az Le il unfortunate enough to have