The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-06-18
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE WILD STRAWBERRIES.



PART I.
One day an old soldier with wooden
leg came into village, and became SUD-
denly very ill. He was unable to proceed
on little straw in q shed, and fell into the
utmost distress.
Little Agatha, the daughter of poor
basket maker, took compassion on the sick
man. She visited him every day, and
every time she went made him . present OF
a three-penny piece.
One evening, however, the old soldier
said with much concern "Dear child,
heard only to-day that your parents are
poor; tell me honestly, then, where you
get so much money for had rather die
of hunger, than accept of single half
penny which you could not give me with
good conscience"
"Oh !" said Agatha, make your mind
easy the money is honestly gotten. I 60
to school in the next market town, and
the road thither lies through wood,
where there are abundance of wild straw
berries Every time l pass, gather
basketful, and sell them in the village; and
always get three pence for them. MY
parents know this we'll, and have no OBJ
lection. They often say there are many
people still poorer than we, and therefore
we must do them as much good as our
condition permits.'"
The bright tears stood in the eyes of the
"My good child" said he, "God will
bless you and your parents, for your chari-
table disposition"
Poor though it bs. can JOY impsrt
PART II.
Some time afterwards, distinguished
officer, who was decorated with many or
ders, was travelling through the village.
He drew up his carriage, which was
magnificent one, before the inn, in order
to feed his horses; he there heard of the
sick soldier, and went to visit him. The
old soldier Immediately told him about his
little benefactress.
"What - cried the officer, "has q poor
child done so much for youf your old gener-
al cannot do less. shall Immediately give
orders that they provide for you the best
accommodation which the inn Affords"
He did SO accordingly, and then went to
the cottage of little Agatha.
ed, " your benevolence has warmed my
heart and brought tears to my eyes. You
have presented the old soldier with q great
many three-penny pieces; accept now In
return for them, the same number of gold
pieces"
ooh, no! !" said the astonished parents,
" that is too much"
"By no MEANS" said the general; "this
is only a poor compensation the good
child may still expect the better one in
heaven"
The best rewards of earth and heaven
To works Of charity are given
A COOP ExAMPLE~A little boy ten or
twelve of age, in Namur, q city in Belgium,
was often forced without fault of his own,
to hear much cursing and swearing. He
had no one at home to teach him, so it
must have been his dear guardian angel
who filed his heart with hatred and dis
gust for this sin, so displeasing to God.
HIS father was a cross, iil-tempered man,
and one day when his little son came home
rather late punished him severely and then
began to curse and swear. The child, ter
ror- stricken that he had been the cause of
his father taking Gods holy name in vain,
fell on his knees, and cried ooh, father
father! beat me, but don't curse" The
man looked on the pale, frightened face OF
his ctild, and was silent. He was deeply
| touched and never forgot the incident, and
| from that time was completely cured OF
his evil habit.
BE CHARITABLE.-Amongt the goad quail
tiles which our young friends should &C
auire, charity is Important. 1t is 30 neces-
sary that no one can be really excellent
who has it not, no matter how many other
admirable traits he may possess. True
charity does not alone consist in q willing
ness to give aims to the poor, but it lie
shown in many and higher ways, 80 that
| 5ASe$o
| But charity, when by it we ouly mean
giving, is in itself a good thing: There is
not too much of it in the world, and you
should learn to cultivate 1T. Few Things
are as disagreeable to see in Others as
meanness and selfishness, u desire to keep
all the good things themselves, and dis
like to giving any thing away. You do not
care for the friendship Of companions, o.
this kind, you see how unlovely such dis
positions are, ard you have no wish to be
like them. 1t is good to give, it does Ut
good it makes as better, moro generoui
and l.rge-hearted.
There ia a charity of Judgment. which
you should practise. Be not harsh il
opinion of others, nor quick to believe the
worst; think good rather than evil of YOU
ne,ghbors. There is no fear that we shal
either think, or speak, or act uncharitabl;
if we have loving hearts. Be filed will
kindness of heart towards Others, and 20,
shall certainly be charitable, while happi
ness will be- your reward happy because
you make others happy.
| NI6CELLANY.