The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-04-02

akin to love. Her present life was too quiet,
and she longed once more for the old haunts
the hustle and throng, che never ending tide Of
strangers and the boisterous revelries that had
combined to make up what there was ofpleasure
in her paskexistence. Like the majority of those
raised In onr great city, she had come to think
that : other places may be very good in their
way, but--thsre 70 only one Ne,o York;
surprised, sne morning in early December, by
the return 81 gecelia, which, to them, was as
sudden and unexpected as had been her de-
parture. She was placed in the same room and
Betsy, who had been moved to another room.
Where have you been all this time ~ asked
Nelly, as they sat together, partaking of the
breakfast which Cecilia had sent ont for.
ton, Salem and saw Bunker Hill and all them
things, I had nice time, Itell you"
"You goin' to stay here now :" inquired
like 3 SsI for after ALL their amt no place
"That's 81, replied Nelly, I've often heard
them as had gone all over say the same thing"
$50 Betsy has left you :" asked Cecilia.
Yes, bps she lives down stairs"
4" Why dkd she leave 2" s.
OF 9 ssss aasses asn En- aaa her made ss.
What aSoily gow said Cecilia, "ain't they
we'll matched, thought He's q sleepy headed
BOBBY, and she's q lazy good for nothing"
"And they can both drink as long as any
long, replied ceceiia. r' D'' y "'n -''''
II don't think it will" said Nelly, "for
"Well, wen give 'em one good night any
how" said Cecilia, I" as Pve just got back, it's
no more'n fair should stand treat, so you tell
them and the girls to come up here this even
ing, and Wen have little supper. Ten
O'Clock is early enough, as I want to take q
walk through Broadway by gas light, just for
With this agreement the girls separated,
Cecilia going to the little restaurant at the
corner to order the articles she wanted for the
evenings entertainment.
The night was bitter cold, the wind sung
drearily around the corners, and swept with
full fury through Broadway. The clouds hung
heavily in the sky, portending fearful storm,
warning the citizens to seek shelter in their
homes. Percy MacVain, who had remained in
the city much over his usual time, still cherish
ing the hope of finding the girl Cecilia, and
then, by further investigation, settle the ques-
ton of her identity with the lost child, was to
leave for his home on the morrow, and had re-
solved to spend that night in visiting the ten
ement houses and low resorts and inquire for
the object of his search. He had visited seve-
raj of the ferries, and spent hours in watching
homes across the river. 1t was nearly nine
o'clock when, after visiting several uptown
places, where he thought he might meet with
success he came into Broadway and walked to-
as the night was, there were crowds of poor
uncertainties passing along the street, eagerly
scanning the face of every man they met,
hoping to receive small pittance, that would
relieve them from distress, for this one night,
at least. Some were clad in gay colored pop
Inns and merinoes, with fashy ribbons ON their
hats, and streaming out behind, their shoul-
ders covered with shawls of every color and
texture. Others wore soiled and time-worn
silks, cut in last years fashion, and carried
fans in their hands, as If in mockery of the
season. Some were yet in summer costumes,
light bareges, chene poplins and debayes.
Others appeared in calico dresses, and cowed
shivering before the cold blast as if the thin
calico was all that protected them from the
rude winds. Some were old and careless,
frontery that knew no shame, Others, advanced
in years, were yet more modest in their de-
meanor. There were young girls, tender in
gliding, more swiftly than the Others, down
that dark and terrible road of ruin, below
shame, lost to honor, beyond hope, far, far be-
yond the pale of law and affection. One OF
with thin, pale face, where hunger and
neglect had left deep traces, the dark eyes
shining out from the ashen paleness that sur
rounded them, with o fierce, unnatural light
by the chilling wind that swept down the
street, and as she went by, q small voice
within his breast seemed to say, Is it here
Percy MaeVain, that you would look for the
victim of your malicef Is the delicate child
torn by you from the embrace of loving
mother, one of thesef Have you taken hel
from homo where every influence would tend
to virtue, honor and refinement, that she
might fall into this road of misery, want and
crinef But for you she would have been sur
rounded by luxury, protected by kind and af
fectionate parents, a1d have become the pride
and joy of her home-eeeis she now one of thit
throngf Think, oh man, of the angel yor
have torn from the influence of religion, from
the love and reverence of God; and placed OF
the high road to degradation and shamew
AS these thoughts coursed through his brain
ever returning when he strove to shake then
of, one of the women stopped him, and askes
for charity in Gods name. Pulling forth
went on, and he, prompted by curiosity, fol
lowed. Going up Broadway, before reaching