The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-04-18
EASTER CROSS.
By FANNY AVERT.

By FANNY AVERY.
p. 81 say Martin what do you pay for
"Dear enough." said Martin, as turning,
he fell from his elevation, and lay at full
length on the ground beneath the church
window. 49, --s- y ---.t-~ ~
Both boys laughed heartily but sud,
denly Martins laugh changed to- cry of
pain, as, attempting to rise, he found he
could not move his right foot.
What's up now7 Are you hurt ~ asked
Frank, running to his cousins assistance.
@e9! Eye sprained my ankle. What
"Sit there a moment and I'LL call Dan |;
he's blowing over in the garden"
r"And are 70 kilt entirely n, asked Dan,
coming in hot haste and STOPPING over the
PROSTATE form. Martin was lying quite
still and his face was very white.
!" No, Dan, L am not killed, but cannot
move my foot" and the tears gushed from
the eyes of the suffering boy and rolled
down his white cheeks.
Well, I'll lift ye, lad, and take We into
the priests house; but what were ye doing
percffed up yonder like an ewif saw ye
from the garden, and wondered why ye
didn't go into the door like Christian, and
not be staring in at the window, like pry-
ing hereto as We are"
aDon't scold, Dan. L was looking for
the Cross" sobbed Martin "the Cross that
Willie White said was in the church every
EASTER
"And don't the Church al,cays have the
Crossfn said Dan. "I It's the Sodality Cross
and flowers We mean. But it's not Easter
until tomorrow, and couldn't ye have
waited and come then 7"
| ono; Uncle Joshua wouldn't let me.n
"Now that's mistake; know your
uncle BETTER" said Dan, as he carried the
boy in his strong arms up the priests steps.
Uncle Joshua was the village doctor with
whom Martin was spending few weeks
They were not Catholics, neither Martin
nor his uncle's family, and when he heard
Willie White tell about the Cross with its
wreath of flowers, he had great desire to
see it, and knowing little about Easter, 1t
occurred to him, as he was passing the
church, that he would peep in the window
he had n slight suspicion that Willie had
exaggerated. He had just made the ascent
to the window, and established himself in
q favorable position to view the interior
when his cousins voice startled him, and
losing his balance he fell as we have related
DIR. Graham fastened to his nephew.
whom he found lying on Father O'Donnelpf
sofa with the good priest himself by his
side. The doctor was a man of few words
and very sensible withal-and after an ex-
animation which discovered fracture in
stead of q sprain, he applied the necessary
treatment, anu IDeu aShcu Iuc pElSSt . pOA
mission to leave Martin in his present quar-.
tiers, as it would be dangerous to move him
And thus it was that our young friend be,
came an inmate of the Priests house anC
saw the Cross at Easter.
The Angels Sodality held their celebra
ton on Easter Sunday after Vespers, ana
the Cross that Martin had heard of was the
one borne at the head of the procession
Every child belonging to the Sodality pre-
scented an Offering of flowers, which, being
arranged into q wreath, were twined arount
the Cross.
"You shall see the Cross, my son" SAT-
Father O'Donnell, when Martin told hin
the object of his peeping. And Martin di'
see it, when, with its sweet burden of flow
ers; it was brought into the room where h
} was lying, and filled the apartment with a
odor which seemed to hnger around hln
ever after. fhe chifftreu gathgrUd IrUuu
this standard and sang beautiful hymn
and continued the strain rs they passe
, from the room. Martin followed the eros
with his eyes as it was borne away, an
clasping his hands he exclaimed aloud
From this day, dear Lord, / will will tax
up my cross and follow theew What
glorious Easter was that for Martin tn
Lord had risen for him indeedi
For long weeks he was confined to hi
couch, and this was at first heavy cross
bear, but after awhile it became light, 10
be bore it eheerfully and lovingly:
Some years later, Martin and his consl
Frank entered the priesthood together, an
each attributed his conversion to the Easte
Cross.--AngeI Guardian.