The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-22
CATHOLIC MESsEaGEA sgADAY

AxSOEOA = nV4AYs
enc. ne g e NssshsR birth. ~ uncle
married whsn Ne disd. Il WA crest Sur
Priss g Ne whsa heard q il, Or 10 wss
looked epoa = : senArmsd old batehszor, and
s e .a sis e .sad Aunt nss;
eeree ~. v3deW 81 the time, with grown
up son: 1AepsS shs added earnestly, that
49, sss vaM ~ sSEn e love mo, 4 only for my
. DO net o. how she can help loving you
cs XoC 5. svs. E eesr." was Mrs. Browns al
Ssvs go asa to AJAX her how
.s..ai6e hsrsslf aad hsr son; but she is Of such
2 SILENT, strange disposition that do not dare
TO follow my 1nclinst3on."
Al ossnot ssy. X 81: letters asa he always
spoke Of being very well of, and of his great
desire to share his msans With us. Ny mother
Va. his only sister, and, until hh marriage. he
heart WAS warm and generous as the sum. After
her DEATH continued Ellen, :" he wrote to me
70 come 70 him, saying. IN his own afectionate
sorrow while he lived, nor after his death
either, If he could help 1t. His plans for me
were very bright, but - was not permitted
him to see them realized" Her voice trembled
it's tone.
"Then he muat have left you something,
Ellen r said Mrs. Brown, quite anxiously.,
been as rioh Is we imagined, and fear he
stinted himself to send what he did to my
mother. His house is plain, small cottage,
poorly. furnished, and everything around my
s &c his Msfs Choice lSa to
may be one Of the money loving, money saving
80. no! am afraid she is quite poor, and
am very anxious to begin teaching, SO as to be
help instead of q burden to her. think if
he had lived, he would always have provided
him, has left me very poor"
:, feel sure he must have left you some
thing! reiterated Mrs. Brown, who had be-
come deeply interested in Ellen's simple story.
az do not mean that, Mrs. Brown" Ellen
answered earnestly. Was not thinking of
money. There are other things far more
Rreciou ~ love. and kindness Alb, had he
now am very friendless."
Ono, no, Ellen. You are very dear to me,
and every day makes me love you more and
more"
How this fond assurance cheered the or
phan's heart! "Thank you" she whispered,
through her tears. "Yoa do not know how
sad and desolate sometimes feelw
Dear cbild!" was the simple answer, but
the words conveyed all the widows meaning,
telling the lonely girl that the desolation Of
her young heart was only q reflection of her
own.
"My mothers eyes seem haunting me to-day"
continued Ellen. "A1i through her speechless
agony, they gazed so pityingly on me, one
might almost think they saw the dark clouds
hanging over my future life"
I trust it may be bright one yet, dear
Ellen. But como, let MS make q truce with
sorrow, and in spite of memory and tears try
to enjoy q quiet, merry Christmas Eve"
Ellen felt ashamed of her weakness as she
trying to cheer and comfort her, while she, in
her selfish sorrow, had forgotten that the
mothers heart must indeed be torn with reeol-
lections of her only child.
1t was an agreeable interruption to both
Ellen and the widow, when Aunt Po11y's genial
face presented itself at the door, giving the
welcome announcement that dinner was
served and was waiting for them.
When Ellen found herself seated at tho lit
tie, cosy table ornamented with rich, old
china, and plain, solid silver-ware, she deter
vote herself, while she remained with Mrs.
Brown, to enlivening and entertaining her.
There was no turkey on the table to-day, as
that had been reserved for the joyful morrow's
some effort in honor of her mistress guest, had
prepared a chicken pie and apple roll,
which fully realized all that could be desired
in the way of q delightful, appetizing little
That night, Ellen retired early to bed as
to be up betimes the following morning; for
she wished to attend the first Mass offered on
Christmas, and which is ordinarily said at three
or four o'clock in the morning.
She paid q visit to Aunt Polly before going
up to her own room, and witnessed all the
careful preparations for the Christmas dinner.
The round, fat, golden turkey, with its dilapi-
dated legs raised up in,ploringly, was ready
for stuffng, while the raisins and currants
were all stoned and picked for the usual and
almost proverbial plum-pudding. ;.
Ellen needed an iron to press out the little
collar she had that day completed for her
aunt, and, while waiting for it to warm she
stood by the kitchen table watching Polly's
nimble fingers. y
81 have Christmas gift for you," said the
young girl, "and one for Jim, but will keep
them now until morning, as they are in my
room up stairs"
"Thank you, honey. Jim and me is much
obliged to your Then, suddenly stopping in
the act of chopping up an onion, Aunt Polly
said, I" does wish you would jes come and
live with old mis-, case she is never 80 happy
as when you are here"
80, you forget that must take care of my
aunt. I could not leave her alone, you know"
",Pears to me she dent make you very hap
Ply, honey. Leastways You have q mighty sad
face at times; but never mind, there's good
II f.. u. "