The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-06-11
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE ROSE OF SHARON

flowers. here rose, there lily, and again
= violet, until their xprons were fnll OF
beauty and sweetness, and they sat down
to rest on q NOISY bank.
.What o splendid heap" laughed little
Ellie, a. they emptied them between them.
But Marion did not stop to admire. Her
head was too full of business ideas, and
Ellie soon followed her example, and the
two were making wreaths of flowers as
diligently as if their lives depended on
their exertions.
The birds sang, the bees hammed, the
butterflies fitted gaily from flower to
flower; but merrier than ell we're the little
girls in the bright sunlight of that summer
day. Suddenly little Ellie plunged her fat
fingers into the heap and drew out lovely
crimson rose sparkling with dew drops.
"Oh, you beauty l" cried she, and was
going to weave it into her wreath.
Marion looked up. "Thats mine, Ellie"
she said, quickly, with flushed cheek, :"
Ellie drew back. "Tbe heap was for us
both, Marion; shall keep the rose."
"Ellie, give it me-" Marion seized her
arm violently, half throwing her down;
but Ellie wrenched herself from her grasp,
aud ran, treadiDg upon her own fallen
shouting aloud in her anger, and her
wreath dangling from her hand, and the
flowers dropping one by ono on the new
mown grass.
What q sad change! Did you ever, dear
children, hear the report of gun on
ing bird fail think it was as sac sight
to sec these little girls rs the sweet bird Of
peace fell wounded from their hearts.
Ellie escaped round the corner of the house,
and Marion walked quickly within with her
complaint. Ellie was called, and the mo-
Their listened to the story by turns.
"Give me the rose, Ellie, she said. Ellie
put it in h. hand. "sI am the ROae of
Sharon and the Lily of the Valley" said
the mother, in tremuious voice. J" Who
is speaking, my children !"
"The Blessed Virgin" said Ellie, in
stantly sobered.
"Mother is very sorry to see her little
girls quarreling thus about . poor perish
ing rose, and forgetting her 30 soon. do
you remember last night, when we talked
of this Rose of Heaven, how you each
hoped it's seed might be planted in your
do you remember how you kne1t and prayed
to God for His Spirit to make it grOwf
| And now look at this rose" she continued,
holding it up before them; " see bow its
beautiful leaves have fallen through your
anger. You have wounded this poor rose,
but oh! dear children, how have you
treated our Saviour Z"
Ellie burst into tears. ooh, mamma, I
have been very naughty" she sobbed "you
may have the rose, Marion. Kiss me, and
leT'us play"
81 have done playing, and the rose is
spoiled" said Marien, coldly. Her mother
looked earnestly at her, but said nothing.
That night the children knelt to pray.
Ellie again asked earnestly for forgiveness
aud a new heart. Marion said her prayers
and went to bed but the mother did not
neglect to pray that night for her sinful,
erring child.
That night, as Marion slept, she dreamed
that she and Eli. were in beautiful gar
den filled with more lovely flowers than
she had ever seen. Glorious angels were
children dressed in white and singing
sweetest hymns. Ellie joined; but Marion'a
, heart was heavy, aud she could not sing.
Suddenly the voices swolled into exultiDg
, harmony, and died away, while an angel
chanted the words, +" Behold shc cometh !!
aud a glorious Queen appeared, attended
, by blessed spirits. The children flew to
meet her, and caught the light of her smile
on their joyous faces. Marion advanced too
, but the smile vanished as abe pointed to 9
lovely rose which she was treading under
foot. Then a cloud came over all, and Q
voice came forth, and as Marion heard il
: abe fell weeping on her knees, for it said
!, Sc love them that love me, and those thai
1 seek me early shall find me. To this mar
will look, even to HIM shat is poor and o
q q contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my
Q word" s.
f Then Marion awoke, and throwing he
arm around Ellie, she prayed earnestly fo
i forgiveness. Aud the Rose of Sharon agate
shed its sweetness over each young heart
Young Crusader.
Q THE ELEPHANT AND THE Fox.-Thes
!, two animals fell into dispute one day a
b to which had the greatest powers of per
). suasion, aud as they could not settle til
- matter themselves, it was agreed to call a.
= assembly of the beasts and let them decid
. it. When they had all taken their places
); the elephant began his Grafton. He spok
). eloquently of the beauty of truth, justic
q and mercy, and the wickedness of false
g hood, selfishness and cruelty. The wise
d beasts listened with interest,"; but the largee
portion yawIed as if it was oil a stupl
80 business. But when the fox began to to-
To his cunning tricks, they showed the great
.. est delight; so he went on sneering at th
"a elephant aud all who loved justice, trut
~ and mercy, and extolling the pleasures {
~ knavery. Upon counting noses, the ms
jority were in favor of the fox.
Months passed, aud as the elephant ws
>" browsing in the woods one day lie heard
re- piteous moan. Proceeding to the place, b