The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-29
For the Morning Star and Catholic Mes.enGerl
ELLEN FITZGERALD ;

Nf
AsysenIH INN SWIITAGs the Irish Exile and Poet,
pr
n. ELDER.
tContinued)
c,,.,rrp N - -"
- -.
After breaktass, snat nr nIa aud Sa,thfsi
.eryant and her son, the few simple gifts she
had prepared for them. dark, warm wooden
dress two pairs of brown stockings KNIT ny
her own hands, bright madras kerchief for /
the mother and O sky-blue eravat for jim.
KNen's oughtfulness in the choice OF black |
alpaca apron for the good old woman and two |
uink-bordered handkerchiefs for the son, com |
pleted her conquest Of Aunt Pol va heart;
al have gift for you my aea ai,.is sa mar soe
whore blazed bright, coal fire in honor OF the
day, and taking an ornament from the mantel-
piece, che placed it in Eiiens hands. IL was
an ebony CROSS with TN" agon1on nSui1 I, Cl
our Saviour soulPtnred on IL IN Wy. AMo
6orrivng look so touchingly delineated, that
Mra. Brown said as she gave " TO the orphan:
"Ths ia beautiful, although 50 sad.
George brought il from Hevre two years ago,
and thought prizeit highly, give it to you,
nv sake, as wei as for the mystery 1t 80 elo-
ouenrly teaohes' ~"
q. A cross! strange Christmas gift for one 80
young! But as E.len's hands folded themselves
around the precious relic, she remembered that
throurl 100 gatherings pictured there. came all
earth "nnption aud all mans joy that
peac" nd within it's mystic shadow
aanIy I'D poor humanity lay claim to the
brightness of eternal life.
uope this symbol of our dear LORD 3
sac, SEQ will always remind you of the pre-
cion, Don, for which it was offered up. But
have s,ill another gifts queer one perhaps
but ~ ~ u notion of mine to give it to You
also
n vas in the widows room, Carefully laid
awav in an old fashioned handbook ana wrap
ned IN tissue paper and linen cloth. wed
ia;ny wreath of orange leaves and blossoms.
what am to do with this ~ asked Ellen
not a little amused ut the singular present.
Keep it. my dear, untal yon can wear IL u
Aha altar. This too was brought home by NJ.
son from one of his voyages. He laughed
when he gave it TO me saying, III bring hom'
a bride some day to match the wreath, so taxi
WOOD care of it for thennknown ladys sake.
He bought it in Rio, not only because he atl
mred It's beauty; but also to show me how
aowers." ,..st.
And now rs Ellen more closely examined il
she saw with wonder that MOVERS, puus ant
birds the whole so delicately cut and s.
Derf.ctly blended that no careless eye couls
recognize the original fabric.
The wreath was very pure and beautiful
with its trembling leaves aud pearly buds, an,
Ellen held 1T in her manu- Win .eehHE o ss ~,
40 realize that this dainty garland had ono
formed the plumaSe of the forest BIRDS, VINO
spreading their white wings in heavens sur
light had warbled both the wedding song an
funeral hymn. Ebony cross anu snow
wreath Was Ellens life passing through sol
row and suffering to he crowned at last wit
stainless flowers of peace and happiness!
Mrs. Brown laid the wreath on Etens hei
( and looked her aImirinsly. "A black dres
and white garland, dear, are not very appr,
pirate but You look like q bride nevertheiess
~ think nothing can he sadder snan TO sc
"A br;3e dressed in niourDiug,' was Elsn's sin
nile answer as she lifted the wreath from Ii,
head little dreaming how sad some briuais
the future were destined to be.
OF course the Christmas dinner was eScellei