The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-08

altered together all that wealth could pro.
ure or love suggest. But tho charm o. carnsts.
lken damask, or rosewood fnrnit9rei nuS
he numberless tokens Of love which s1rrounu
,p the cherished wife and mother, IN me many
tight sowrcnirs of other lands, and In the rare
md choice mementoes Of that holy reMgaon
which bound the family in one united nous0
hold, and brought the patient invalid peace
Mrs. Dudley had been q sufferer for many
years, and a. her health and strength slowly
passed away, her doting husband had carf,eu
that change of scene and climate would OrIng
her some increase of health and vigor. NE
hopes were vain: but with the loss OF mes
mind and q patient resignation to Gods good
will, that took all sadness from hearts o. nus
band and children, and filled them with serene
She could walk, assisted by her crutch,
throughout her own apartments, and often
paid little visits to her children's rooms across
the hall. Her life was not an aimiess one, nor
were her thoughts engrossed by self Her SUI
cere piety taught her to relieve the wants Oh
Others and her sweet daughter Blanche was
the willing almoner of all her mothers bouh-
sick lady" whose generous hand sent warmth
and plenty TO her door, and many an orPnIis
child thought of the pale. kind face that c9ura
not show itself, yet sent it's messengers OF love
to cheer the desolate and encourage the faint
Mr.. Dudley had brought with him from Eu-
rope many Of its richest treasures anu ra
| invalid wife had but to gaze upon her picturssu
had passed through and admired, when hope
of renewed health had impaired joys 10 ne'
| own and her husbands heart.
| Statues of the purest marble, stooa afounu
her room and suggested to her much OF eartns
life aud beauty, from which she was SO eA'
The Seasons, four exquisite busts on marble
pedestals, marked for her those gradual
changes of the year, whose influence scarcely
reached her quiet bower. Spring was repre-.
! scented by an innocent, sweet face in the hrst
dawn of womau hood, it's wreath of buds and
trailing blossoms bespeaking the youth and
tinge of care acquired by experience, upon
the lovely brow, made still lovelier by the
hearts knowledge of pain and trial. Her
coronet of grain and full blown roses
seemed to symbol the bright fruition won
by suffering and hope. Autumn was lueenly
head. unbowed by the storms that had passed
over her, and crowned with u dladem OF Jus,
: cious fruits, whose sweetness perhaps hao
rpened out of bitter woe and cruel torture
Uintr grave and godlike, bore his icy corona
as manhoods stronger, sterner nature can peal
the blasting trials and freezing touch of Time
These were Mrs. Dudley's fancies as she otter
: stood before her marble Mentors, and Learned
from them how life's seasons pass away, leav
ing on human hearts rosy Gud, blooming
rose a polden-fruited promise or q cold and lc!
. memory!
In full view from the chair she general.
!
-, beauty and grace of Raphaeps Madonna d
y San Cisto, before whose loneliness so man.
u gifted minds had bowed awe-bound and won
~ der-stricken u
i | the most wonderful creations OF Raphael
pencil she is at once the exalted ana olesse
:, woman, of whom the Saviour was born, and tn
!" tender, earthly Virgin, whose pure anu humol
IL nature was esteemed worthy of so great n ues
tiny" The Church, the cloister, Heaye
Is itself from out this marvel ous painting SPOKE
N each it's separate lesson, to Mrs. Dudley hear
y Pope Sixtus, gazing heayenward, .sho"e
IL whence came his help and inspiration; :
Barbara, with enraptured face, betokened tt
as peace and joy lof holiness; while the angel
vs. forms, so perfect in their purity and repos
1 faded into iusignifcance before the high'
glory, tho immaculate perfection the III
. as fathomed beauty OF the Mother OF Goa
no There were other rare and costly pictures {
er, the walls, but most of them told more
less of sin and suffering: Guides Beatrice
q vivid painting of Chatean6ria n " Dea
his of Alfalfa" and even Raphael's Fornarina
by But from all of these the eye turned WI
in pleasure to the brighter things which spoke
i'm peace and purity, of heaven and Cod
M Standing in recess of crimson silk, VINO
he warm hue gave glow OF life to the mari
m form. was a life size statue of the Virgin sp
led less from her birth. This exquisite piece
md art Mrs Dudley had selected in Rome, and h
he had it enriched by the blessing of the Holy
ther himself. Before it, suspended from
an golden bracket by slender chains of the sa
wn material, burned o lamp whose pure fla.
low never wavered nor paled throughout the mig
as or day. Beautiful emblem of that consoli
hat Faith which illumined the household a
our threw halo of brightness around the lives
all!
n n TRANSPARENT alabaster vases of grace
,he, FORMS and covered with delicate tracery
er's leaves and fowers-in themselves marvel
b q skill and taste-held delicate, white ro
whose fragrance, floating through the roo
LEY filed them with sweetness. Emblematic, I
ten of that fragrance of Christian love wh
should diffuse itself from the sanctuary o
ion, all Gods suffering children.
nful 1t was customary for Mr.. Dudley's family
assemble every evening in their moth
ner, room, before parting for the night, 10 Joir
i 1 prayer before the Virgins shrine
Q as The night that saw Jim restored TO
this masters protection, found MIR. Dudley, W
rs and Blanche fastening, as usual, to the IN
sour ids presence. AS they entered the room,
ress, perceived Kate sitting on the silken cushlo
gain her mothers feet.
iee' The other children joined Kate in hon
~, there while Mr.. Dudley, kissing the pale CT
~ of his wife, drew his armchair nearer TO
LII own.
Win No one W ould have taken the delicate inv
to be the mother of that well-grown son
anu anu those two graceful daughters; for slck
lnct, frnp n