The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-04-24
JUVENILE COLUMN.
HOLIDAYS AND WORK.

i ASSa6eSA W nAuOs 10 always counted tn(
weeks and the days before they came. ani
was the most boisterous of any in his vel
come. He had even been heard to say
wlsh holidays would last all the year,
Wasn which Of course was not granted
But Edgar learnt during the Christina;
mondays that there is something better
than play, something which make people
happier and more satisded than any kind OF
amusement, and that something is good
honest, hearty work.
Edgar was feeling very moody and dis
contented one morning, just in the humol
to quarrel with everybody, and himself
| too.
lam notepjoying the holidays a bit, y he
said, in q very grumbling tone. - it is
stupid to have a Christmas likathis; there's
! no fun going on at all"
"Why don't you amuse yourself, Edgar Fl
asked his sister, little Emma, who was in
ooh, it is very we'll for you to talk, y
| said Edgar, sneeringly; you fuss about with
| that silly doll hour after hour, and dare
| say you are quite content. But 1 want
| something more than that nonsense to
amuse me.
hat do you want Z"
81 want q good turn at skating. I
bought some new skates with my own
money because should have some good
fun tbs Christmas, and there has not been
single frost since" sg.
hcro was Tue secret OF his 0lScOntent.
Disappointed in skating, he cared for moth
There is nothing to don ST
Nothing to do I" That was Edgar,s cry
the whole time, and there is really very little
that makes us feel so thoroughly uncom-
comfortable and miserable as having plenty
of time and nothing to occupy it.
Edgar did not enjoy that day at all. He
sauntered abOutS with his hands in his
pockets, first in one room then in another,
whistling and signing, and looking out of
windows until he began to wish it would
be bedtime. For he could settle to nothing.
AS soon as he took up q book and began to
read it he grew tired Of it, and threw it
down again. Emma tried to persuade him
to play game at draughts, but he did not
care either for that, or for chess, or indeed
for anything. And once he even went so
far as to say, 81 shall be glad when school
begins again"
Was not Edgar a boy to be pitied?
All that day it rained fast, and in the
night that followed, Edgar, not sleeping as
sOundly as usual, awoke several times to
hear it pouring down and beating against
the window. 1t quite frightened him,
though he was usually very courageous
boy. In the morning, almost before it was
light, there were some stranger noises still
to be heard, and when Edgar got out of
bed and looked through the window he was
startled to see nothing but water.
ooh, the floods are OUT" he screamed.
z" Father, mother, the waters are up to our
step and will come in the house."
1t was quite true. The river was swollen
to almost vice its usual size, and in several
places the EN- bankment had given way, and
the waters had rushed over the meadows
and into the gardens of the row of houses
in one of which, Edgar lived.
His father and mother hurried down, audi
SO did the servants. Martha, the houses
maid went first. But as she went down
the kitchen stairs they were all startled to
hear her shrek out
"Ob, shall be drowned 1.-The water is |
coming up the stairs ~
And indeedtwo of the steps were already
covered. What was to be done? The |
waters were still steadily rising, and Edgar
was quite afraid that they would ali be |
drowned. But presently happy thought |
struck him.
ooh, father, if we could only get that
boat that built last summer! Don't you
know that with the wood which uncle gave
me built boat, and you would not let
me take it to school because it was such an |
awkward thing Z"
I" remember" said his father. "Where
Is it7
" In the attic" said two or three voices
;ogether, they started at once to fetch
Very soon the boat was brought down."
But am afraid it is not water tight"
ala his fatner, ana now shall we row
wen if we get in 2"
al can row." said Edgar, "for we have
owing matches at school, and have got
more than one prize"
But l shall not venture in the boat if
an help it," said his mother. "Ours is a
arge house, and l think the waters will not (
each higher than the kitchen. But how
will these poor creatures do who have no
pper rooms 7" {
"Old Hawkins 7"
Several thought of him at once. ~,
He lived in IL very little house near to the
liver. There were only two rooms on one !
oor, and it was low, for there were no steps |
o enter it.
He will be drowned" said Emma.
And she could not help crying, for she t
owed old Hawkins, who talked SO nicely to !
er, and thanked her SO earnestly for the :
uddings and other things which she often !
ook him. ,
Mammal said Edgar, "let me 90 in /
~ boat and fetch him. He will be safe in /
ne of our rooms, and that will be much L
etter, for he must feel very sad and very a
,nely there" I
"But dare not let you go alone, Edcar.n I
al will go with you, Edgar" said his t
lther. t
The boat was launched with great diff
llty, but at last Edgar and his father were p
lfely in it, aud they began rowing rs hard &
} they could.
Many people called them from the win r
ows, and they promised to come back for =, =,
lem as soon as they had fetched Hawkins. :
The boat answered admirably and van | =,