The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-01-01
JUVENILE COLUMN.
KITTTE AND HER FRIENDS.

KITE AND HER FRIENDS.
Little Ruth was a very pretty little girl,
with bright laughing blue eyes, dimpled
cheeks, and soft golden hair, which latter, |
should judge, was source of great plea |
sure to her from the manner in which che |
frequently arranged and. rearranged it, |
However, as has been said, she was pretty |
little girl, and, like most little girls, had |
two particular friends, whom she liked |
very much. aug t
Angela was very beautiful and wise, |
though somewhat older than Kittie, while |
Self was just her own age, with only the |
semblance of wisdom and beauty. But the |
latter had such knack of making herself
appear lovely, and of telling such pretty
many times preferred to her better friends.
Besides these two friends, Kittie had, of !
course, among her schoolmates others with
whom she played, and who thought fun
was not fun at all unless she shared it. One
day number of them were going nutting,
and called for her, as they knew that this
was one of her particular delights, and one
she always enjoyed with all her heart. 1t
was SO lovely to be in the green woods,
with the tall trees wavering above ones
heads, as if, as their little friends would
say, they were keeping time to some beau
tiful music; Sd pleasant to run through
the dried leaves, which made such q crack
ling noise under ones feet, or to sing at the
top of ones voice, SO as to hear the sound
come back like an answer from some far off
friend. o yes, indeed, this was just what
she liked, and SO she must go with them.
They couldn't take no for an answer.
Now it SO happened that Kittie's mother
had gone to town on business, and left her
little daughter to take charge Of her babyt
brother till Mary had got through with her
work.. This charge usually was very plea
SAINT for Kitty, for she loved her cunning
md did oil oh oOu1H ts,
amuse him, but now, with the prospect of
such a days fun, how could she bother her.
self with him it could not be expected; if
he was only big enough to take, but he was
not, SO what was to be dOneR
"Stay at home," said Angela, "you will
have more real pleasure in the end"
"No, DON'T" whispered Self, a." what fun
can you have here, let Mary take care of
Willie, she can do that and her work, too"
"Your mother wishes you to stay here"
said Angela, and it is wrong to disobey
her."
"But," said Self, "she need not know
that you went, because you can get back
before she does, and even if she does, she
will be pleased to know you have been
having nice time, instead of being cooped
up in the house III day"
"That is true" thought Kittie, "and
| might as well go.' and thus, between the
coaxings of her companions, and the whis-
perings OF Self, her friend Aogela's words
went unheeded, and she started for the
woods, telling Mary she would soon be
back. AS you may imagine, Angela felt
very much hurt, and, at first, thought she
would remain behind, but, upon reflection,
she concluded she would go, too, and pre-
vent, if it were possible, Kitte from doing
further wrong; for you know, my little
friends, one wrong step makes many. Self,
on the contrary, WAS quite elated to think
she had conquered, and determined to try
more of her arts. Her young companions
knew nothing of the conversations which
We're going on, and wondered why she did
not seem as glad to so as usual, but they
wondered more at her unusual sedateness
and silence, as they hoped, skipped and
jumped along. They made, ts yon may hs
as-,r ed, many laughing remarks upon 1t,
which seemed to make Kittie appear more
gay, but that ALL So they concluded
she would be herself when get to the
woods but no, for the further they went
the u4"ve quiet She became, an 'i"w' could
it bc otherwise. Every time til laughed
she l,.i.. ined it was her little i'i'"ther's
voice calling her back; looked ste TO the
right or left, something said $50 home" in
the meek eyes of the little lambs size saw
Wiliie's fearful ce-in the buboiinS
brook, that always had such a merry sou :;
for her, was heard her little brothers. 'n,,ti
| ing-the green fields did not look as bright
as usual, nor the butter cups as golden.
Did they do it to tease her9 Why, even
the very breeze seemed whispering mother,
brother, and all kinds of things but fun
Still she kept on, for Self was as busy as
ever, and kept whispering of the good time
they would have in the grove. But do as
she would, she could not be as merry as hei
companions. Why was it7
Because" said Angela, "they have a
right here, and you have not; they are not
disobedient, and you are taking the time
which belongs to your duty for play
and Almighty God is smiling on them, but
turns his face from you. Do you not de-
serve that he should, and is it not just they
should be gay 7"
but, Angela" whispered Kittie, 81 did
not think of it in that way-it seems sc
nice to get out of the house, and Self said
should have such "a nice time, AID it would
be no harm, SO 4 thought it wouldn't; but
l sec now was wrong. o what shall do
what shall i do 2"
"Turn back" said Angela. sit is neve,
too late to do good"
But Self said, " Shame what will yeu'
play mates say. They will know just wha
you have DONE"
- don't care if they do" answered Kit
tie, bravely; Angela and l will run back
and will strive in future to think OF my
duty above all, and, in doing 1t, try to for
get how naughty l have been to-day"
"BrayO! bravo!" whispered Angela, ana
taking her friend by the hand, she waitet
! till she had kissed all her companions good
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