The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-08-01
JUVENILE COLUMN.
EFFIE's DREAM.


extended wings, looking very gay and
cheerful; others with heads inclined and
arms folded across their breasts, wearing
on their countepances an expression of
bitter sorrow; some futtteripg with I'M
certain fight, as if unknowing on what sad
errand they were bent; others moving along
serene and composed, as though animated
with q consciousness of noble motive
and all surrounded by circling rainbows,
which shone in q manner most marvellous
to see. And high above the luminous
spheresat four surprisingly lovely seraphs,
whose brows were lit mp with a heavenly
glow, aud whose eyes were calm and deep
As q sheltered woodland lake. And one of
these smiled a smile of unutterabIe sweet
ness, while another looked forward ever
with steadfast, unwayering eye, and a third
necessarily poured forth unfadipg flowers
from her liberal band, and the fourth spread
out her snowy pinions as if she longed to
fly away to realms unknown. Then over
the whole glory rested, exceeding in
splendor even the golden and purple sun
rise that sometimes kindies ON, q lofty
mountain peak; glory which dazzled the
spectator, so that one would be fain to
cover ones eyes, as angels veil their faces
with their wings. in the presence of the
Unutterable. .s!rr.5..,., Z,
1t was a strange and beautiful sight which,
visible to NO waking gaze, beamed in won
drous distinctness on. the senses of the
y
that it held her spell-bound in a deep
repose, like that of death. She saw it in
all its rare details; it seemed to her a
reality; and she would fain have joined
that sweet throng of spirits, but for an in
huence she found it impossible to resist,
and which constrained her to lie still.
+" Beautiful creaturesG" she murmured /;
"who apd what are ye7 Beautiful! Yet
not SO all; for some of you have gloom
upoA your brOws which cannot look upon.
What do ye here Cannot ye speak to me 2
1 am Etfie Douglas; pray tell me your
names and Grand"
AS she spoke, she became aware of q
dark figure standing by the side of her
bed, and partly bending over it. The
figure was clothed in black, and wore a
long veil, which, however, she had thrown
back upon her head. Leaning her pale
foreheadason one hand, while the other
smoothed Effie's pillow, she gazed steadily
upon the sleeping yet wakeful maiden.
Efie Douglas" she said, "do you not
know these Eormsq Do you recognize
none of them 7"
"No, indeed see that some are merry
and most are sorrowful, but they are
strangers to me-"
"Alas," replied the figure, chow speedily
mortals forget their past How little they
think OF what has been. Always planning,
always hoping, always looking forward !;
never casting glance on what lies behind
on the road they have already trod, on the
time they have already spentw
" What have these strange forms to do
with the past And what need have to
vex myself with thoughts of yesterday :
1 am but a child of eleven years old, and
nurse says am too young for thought"
You are not too young to do wrong /;
you are not too young to do good and
evil than good in your future life, dear
Effie."
DO wrong! Oh, am sure am a very
good little girl; both papa and mamma
say SO. am CROSS sometimes-you know,
all little girls are; and so is nurse, who is
ever so much older than am. As far as 1
can see, Everybody Is cross now and then"
" A very poor reason why you should
loose your temper, Effie; and think there
are many tender spirits in the world, who,
tried and tempted sorely every day, yet
always cherish love within their hearts,
even as their divine Master did of old.
But do not think, child, that your only
fault is being "a little cross You asked
me who and what were yonder forms now
lowering above you. Effie, they are the
hours of your past life"
"The hours! What! all the hours that
l have ever lived ~
Given So"
'I see a numerous throng, it is true, and
they stretch far away in the distance beyond
the reach of sight. But tell me, what is
the meaning of themRn
Each hour that passes over you has its
own peculiar spirit or angel, who SORROWS
or makes merry, is cheerful OF depressed,
according as you abuse or use your time.
These angels are the living record of your
past, and keep account of all your good
and evil deeds, feelings and thoughts"
Why do some appear SO bright I"
"These are your good hours, Effie; they
may well appear radiant and beautiful, for
they bear witness to your kindly actions,
your charitable sympathies, your purer and
loftier sentiments"
t'And the dark, gloomy forms 7"
care the spirits of your evil hours, dear
Effie; moments when you gave way to I'M
kindly feelings, jealousy, envy, ill-temper,
spitefulness, or pride. See, some are more
sOrrowful than others, for they are compelled
to record your worst deeds and passions,
and these spirits so sympathize with what
you do, that they become exactly what you
make them"
"There are more dark and sorrowful
than bright and joyous hours"
"Just as there is more sin than goodness
in yOur life little Efie.D