The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-07-23
JUVENILE COLUMN:
TOM AND MINNIE.

Buzz! buzz buzz There's q bee in a
web ~ cried Tom, looking up from the
bowl of porridge which be was eating in
the rose covered porch.
her seat. Ys6l al -lt
GA precious fright it must be in what q
noise it makesi" cried her brother.
1t is not much entangled--I think that
could set it free !" and Minnie ran up to
the web.
leave it alone. 1t is good fun to watch
it in it's struggles.
cit never can be good fun to see any
creature in misery" replied Minnie, and
with the help of q little twig, in a very
short time poor Sipsyrup was released
from the web.
"Poor little bee!n said Minnie, +" it has
hurt its wing, and some of the web is still
clinging to its legs, I am afraid that it can
not fy."
al hope that it will sting you =" laughed
Tom. care you going to nurse and pet it
here, and get up hospital for sick bees ~
Z" think that it must belong to our
there, and put it by the opening, and let
it's companions take care of it )" and not
withstanding Toms scornful laugh, Minnie
bore off the bee on her finger.
"You are the most absurd girl that {
ever knew" said he on her return. "What
bee /! I should not mind smothering whole
hive!n
"Ah! Tom," said his sister, sswhen there
ia 80 much pain in the world, I do not
think that one would willingly add ever 80
little to it. And have particular feel
were placed under man, and given to man,
and they were all so happy until-until
man sinned now, innocent as they are,
they share his punishment Of pain and Of
death, and it seems hard that tce should
make that punishment more bitter"
"Then my tender-hearted sister would
never taste mutton, I suppose"
"No, the sheep are given to us for food,
but would make them as happy as I could
while they lived. Oh! Tom, we are COM
manded in the Bible to re tender-hearted,"
and "merciful," and surely to be cruel is a
grievous sin !"
81 wonder that you did not crush the
Why should ~ She did nothing wrong.
1t is nature that has taught her to live on
such food 1 would be mercful to spiders
as well as bees"
"You carried of her dinner-she would
not thank you for that"
with a smile, "but I cannot see creature
suffering and not try to help it."
wish that you saw the green-grocer's
horse with bis bones all starting through
his skin, and the marks of the blows on his
head! What would you say to the master
of that horse Z"
ooh wish that he would remember
that one verse from the Bible, Blessed are
the merctul, for they shall obtain mercy
Without mercy, what would become of the
best-without mercy, we all should be
ruined forever-and if only the merciful
can obtain mercy-oh! what will become
of the cruel q"
"Pshaw !" cried Tom, not able to dis
pute the truth of Minnle's words, but not
choosing to listen to them, for he had too
many recollections of bird-nesting, cock
chafer- spinning, and worrying of cats, to
make the subject agreeable. Some find it
easier to silence an opponent with q
-"pshaw !" than by reason or strength of
argument, and this was Toms usual way.
He did not wish to continue the converse
ton, and perhaps with view to change
it's subject, said in a sudden, abrupt tone,
as he stirred his porridge with his pewter
spoon. &" You've not put morsel of sugar
in my bowl"
eyes, indeed, put some," replied Min
ME.
"But you know that 1 like plenty, 1
have told you 80 a thousand times"
"But, dear Tom, have not plenty to
give you've have nearly cone to the end
of our little store-and you know" con-
tinued she, lowering her voice, +" that we
cannot buy more until we are paid for
these Shirts"
The little girl did not add that for the
last three days she had not tasted any SUI
gar herself.
"Nonsense !" cried Tom, starting up
from his seat, and hastily entering the cot
tage. He took down from the shelf a large
broken cup, which was used to contain the
store of sugar. Mrs. Wingfeld was lying
asleep in the back room, being aid~up
with q worse headache than usual.
Fearing lest her mother should be reused
from her sleep, Minnie followed her broth
er, her finger on her lip, a look of anxious
warning on her face. But both look and
gesture werc lost upon Tom, who was
thinking of nothing but himself :
Here's plenty for to-day" he said in
careless tone. emptyiDg half the supply
into his bowl. ,..-7 =
I" But Tom-our poor mother-she is-ill,
you know"
"Weil, I've not taken it ALL"
But we cannot afford"
"Don't torment met" cried Tom, angrily,
helping himself to more.
8. Oh! dear Tom," said the little girl,
laying her hand upon his arm.
+" I'll not stand this nonsense :" exclaim-