The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-05-14
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING, MAY

81 have no home there now" said Cecilia,
"my mother is here, and come to look for
her"
"You come to look for your motherf Well
hope you may find her," as she said this she
| turned as If to go away, and then, after some
| thought, she continued, where are you going
to stay to-uightT
al don't know maam. haven't found any
mi Mrs. Macourty thought of the many evil
| ways that were open to such an unprotected
child. of the rebuff and scorn she might meet
Come with me, child, and will give you
shelter for Tonight"
The girl accepted the invitation without
and they crossed Canal street street
ing much was said during the rids-Mrs. Ma
conrty was thinking of the little ones at homo,
Annie, bright eyed child of six; George, a
checked cherub of two years of age. These
had come to comfort her, and fill her heart
with love and her mind with anxious care,
smiles and winning ways could not sever her
| thoughts from tho darling, who had been SO
mysteriously snatched from the home-circle.
Years had passed, years Of doubt and hope. Of
grief of that loss was as fresh and fervent as
when it first occurred. Mr.. Macourty felt the
blow terribly, but. he was in the whirl of a
friends turned bis mind to other subjects, or
persuaded him, as he endcavored to convice
his wife, that the child was dead. But q
mothers love is deep and lasting; no reason
will sway it, n time blot it out; even thou gh
repealed and scorned it turns again and ain
to it's idol. Mrs. Macourty would have been
happier if she had known that her little one
was dead then her heart would have turned
to the little green mound, or the marble tomb
that hid from her the object of her love, and
tainty that before the Throne of Grace one
angel voice was pleading for her. No reason
ing could persuade her that the child was
dead. For days and weeks the question was
Visions of the dear babe, growing up in want.
ignorance, amidst crime and misery. without
the knowledge that there was God, Or that
sin brings degradation, would haunt her mind
and hang over her life like pail. And as she
rode honeward with her little stranger, she
wondered if her Cecilia had fallen that low,
and for the sake of the absent child she
solved to aid this young wanderer in her
search for her mother. :
At the gate they were met by the children,
who were delighted to see their mother home
again, and Annie shook hands very agreeably
with the little stranger, and volunteered to
show her all the toys and make her comfort
able. Maggie, with her sweet face full of merri-
ment, came laughing and shouting "Me appee,
mamma, me appee."
Yes, darling, 1 brought you an apple"
said Mrs Macourty, catching her in her arms
baby, in her looks and her childish ways, that
her mother vas constantly reminded by her
of little Cecilia.
After laying aside her street dress, and ar
ranging her toilet she returned to the sitting
room, where Cecilia and the children were
busy inspecting the playthings that Annie had
Or SWbe Srs' Won live with in New York :, Mrs,
MacOurty inquired.
81 lived with lady named Brown replied
Cecilia, "but did not hear from my mother
"What is your name Z" Mrs. Macourty had
been too busy with her own thoughts to ask
the question before.
Cecilia, maam."
Cecilia ~ exclaimed Mrs. Macourty, start
led by the coincidence of the name.
Yes, maam, Cecilia Benson. My father
died when L was very young, and my mother
had to work very hard for our support"
Mrs. Maconrty was reasured by this apPar-
emily straight and circunistantial story. The
excitement was all gone, and although she
bring to her home, one of the same name and
about the same age as her own lost child, she
did not doubt the story at all.
In the evening Mr.. Macourty returned, and
was met with kisses and loving words by his
wife and children. He had grown stouter
than when we last saw him, wore a heavy
beard, and looked more settled and manly,
but the seven years had improved his looks,
for he seemed younger than before. His wife
told him the strangers story, and dwclt much
on the fact that her name and age were the
same as that of the child they had lost"
I" You don't think that is our child Z" said
he.
Z" oh! no, George, not at ALL" replied Mrs.
Macourty, she says her mother is living in
this city. No did not think that-but sue is
80 poor and friendless, IL thought" here
she paused.
/" We'll, my dear. what did you wish 7"
al thought that we might let her stay here
for q while," she said, until she can find her
mother"
"Just as you like" he replied, and 60 the
matter was settled.
After supper the little ones were sent to bed,
and Cecilia was placed in a small room next
to theirs, with door connecting the two
rooms, through which she watched the other
children they prepared for bed. Annie
knelJ before an altar Oruamented with small
0iatuette of the blessed Mother and child, and,