The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-10-16
JUVENILE COLUMN. ~
THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK.

tSCS.monu al my young IoauoSe "uO
should visit London in summer to be sure
to go to Windsor, and there pass at least
one day In the lovely forest that surrounds
that ancient residence Of royalty. The
forest of st. German apd the park ct Yer
sailles do not convey any idea OF this Inn
mense and majestic wood, where the glgan-
tic trees extend their roots across green,
messy downs in full bloom. Even in the |
dog days, under this foliage enc breathes q
fresh fragrance, one feels profound re-
pose, and nature there would appear mute
but for the birds wSrbling in chorus, and
even imagine himself remote from all civ
ilization, but that occasionally an elegant
barouche, full of noble lords and ladies,
drives through the we'll graveled roads
which traverse the forest.
, One morning in, the month Of August,
1913, travelling carriage crossed the Wild
est part of Windsor Forest; the baggage
piled upon the imperial announced that it
was something more than drive for the
family within this vehicle. The rapid pace
of the horses showed that there was an end
to be attained in the shortest time possible.
The travellers did not seem to be interested
in the beauties nature spread before them.
Although the temperature was mild and the
air balmy, the windows, and even some OF
the curtains, remained closed. On the
back seat of this carriage sat lady of
about thirty years of age, who held In her
arms young boy, whose head was partially
concealed beneath the folds of silk man
tie folded around this very beautiful lady,
OhOse manner indicated her to be the
mother, as the white fingers played with
the blonde curls of the taciturn child. He
was q boy of eleven years, but scarcely
looked seven, SO delicate and stuuted was
his form. His figure, quite deformed,
would have appeared ungracefnl to the last
degree but for the little velvet dress which
maternal love had ingeniously contrived to
conceal the disfgured shape of the poor
child.
On the front. seat was a gentleman of
proud and severe expression of counten-
ance, who smiled only as his eye fell upon
the child, who appeared to sleep.
"Now he rests," said the mother. Chow
he has suffered at that school from tue I'M
kindness of his schoolfellows! Our little
Alexander is right; hencefOrth he must
live in solitude, and hide his infrmity from
all . sysg;n viii, ao;t mo .. we'll as our
son." returned the gentleman. For then
shall no longer be exposed to meeting-as
in the streets of LondOn-that crowd of
cursed Professionals, or those old rascals,
Cromwel1's creatures, who have beheaded
| name the gentleman raised his hat and the
lady bowed her head.
az wager" continued the father, that
his companions ill-treated our child because
he was good Catholic, and son of parti-
san of the Stuarts. Wretches! call him
names him, SO intelligent, already SO
expanded mentally-call him hunchback ~
| At this word the child started as if bitten
by a viper. He abandoned his mothers
arms, and placed himself standing between
her and his father.
eyes," said he, clenching his little hands
with rage, "they called me hunchback, and
that in public, the day of the distribution
| r. lo Of schnnl hafnra all the a
rents assembled. Oh! / am sure, father
that if you had been there you would have
drawn your sword. But you were travel
ing with my mother, and could not avenge
your son."
When he spoke his little body was drawn
up, his eyes shot fire, his face was beauta
full with Indignation.
"Calm yourself" said his mother. Yo'
know very well they were jealous because
you took all the prizes.
" Yes, they were jealous" continued tn
child, "jealous, above all, of that eciogu'
of Theocritus that 1 translated into Eng
lish verse, which my master wished me Il
recite in public. But when approached
the edge of the estrada, dressed in tn
4 pretty shepherds costume that my kint
aunt had made for me with so much care
and which fancied was SD becoming, thel
voices swelled into hooking murmnr
and they all cried out together, %, the lit
tie hunchback! the little hunchbackw
"Hush!n returned his mother; "yo'
have already told US all that. Do not re
peat it (; do not let us think OF 1t again lie
us think of your good aunt, whom we shat
find in our pretty cottage at Blnfeld. Sh'
has prepared everything for your reception
she has put the books you love best In you
room; she has added to your avlary BIRD
) recently arrived from the Indies. Thel
look how beautiful nature is" pursued HI
mother, who had raised the windows Q
the carriage, and pointed to the long yer
dant arches under which the bRrouche wa
passing. 1--WE shall find our garden bed
J in blossoms our sheep pasturing ON tn
slopes of the green turf. Our beautiful
> tame COWS will come and eat bread froI
your hand. Come, smile, my dear littl
poet and forget those bad boys"
"You are right, my dear mother" re
plied the child in a serious tone. I" Wi
also forget myself-that is to say, this mis-
sbapen body that makes every body laug
, when pass / will only think of the pow
: ers of my mind, develop and Increase then
? will some day make the works of my geniu
3 elevate.me far above those who laugh
me. From to- morrow, father, we Will oegi
a severe course of study"
!, Eyes, my son." replied the gentleman
f nI have engaged our excellent and learne
neigbbor, the curate, Mr.. D., and togethe
we will instruct you thoroughly In Gree
, and Latin"
z ayes, yes, so that may be able to rea
3 all the ancient poets, and become pot
myself" replied the child, who had reco1
D cred his eauanimity. "See," cried, h
n t..,;,rX COWARD the carriage door, Ssee ths