The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-02-18

ana 1901 shas snes happy. tneT PUG 49, +
wbar nobody can't exile her, I don't think TX.
could stan tt. 40 t1sN
His head went down upon the kitchen table
and hfs sobs became audible.
Aunt Pollys eyes. too, required wiping as
."Dats SO. Jim. She's in de true land Of
freedom. hopes we'll all git thar, too, some
"sbe cried for me one day, You know,
nanny" said Jim. as his head came up with
q cslmer look, q more patient smile, so =
can't help cryin' for her now" o,
'What did she tell you, Jim, afore she dieo
"very little. nanny; very little. She said
felt sure I'd always be de same. She a1ed me
ised her would dat, shore"
"Dat's right, Jim Stan by dem wnass
stood by yon, and shan't be one bit Uneasy
about you while you're gnne. But 'l%' aGas
heard say dem Alabama darkies was dreadful
lazy"
In Amt Polly's estimation laziness was tho
objectionable fault and she had instlnctlveiy
"Hush mamnyf Guess I've got other
things to tend to besides thinking of marrying
any body jes' now. Time enough for sich tings
when dis cruel war is over.'"
"Pm glad you're gittin' sense, Jim, mighty
glad" And the sigh that accompanied Aunt
Poliy's words was suggestive Of burden Tn re-
"Pears to me-" continued Jim, without
much vanity in his tone, considering how very
flattering his mammy's remarks had been q.
"'pears to me- love and courtln ana al d aas
days. There's Miss Hatcher hearts done
broke shout Mas Clifford, because he's In de
Yankee service then there's something mighty
boss, and he's in the Confederate army: shore
while there's Miss Ellen pining away for love
of somebody, they say, who is way off in South
America, and goodness knows he amt IN nary
army"
Poor Miss Ellen" sighed Aunt Polly. her
faithful heart entirely wrapped up in old mis-
tress' darling. o..
nanny. SIGH 8 sweet. gentle, pious young
lady, more like Miss Blanche then l ever
Thought anybody could be:
High praise, this, from Jim's legal lips!
"She does q heap o good in this city among
the poor soldiers. But nobody hears of it; it's
all done SO quiet and humble like. I've herd
of many an Irish soldier coming over to our
side, cause she showed 'em how there was no
cause of Freedom"
And SO they chatted for several hours, Aunt
Polly bringing out, at last, nice supper of
self therein before going home in the dark.
When finally the parting came, Aunt Polly
had much to say in the way Of advice and at
lection, and: although she did not again di,
her delight at the knowledge that Jim was
really learning sense.
eth all end well, nanny; see if it don't:
And I'll come back all right yet. Good bye!
good bye! NANNY Twont be many days
fore can hurrah for jeff Davis, jes as much
as want to! Now, won't that be worth going
to Dixie for, even if we has got to go on
He shook her hand, kissed her cheek, and
tried to tear himself away but the mothers
heart still craved o little longer delay.
Ged bless you Jim! Don't forget your old
nanny; and remember all Miss Blanche said
to yOu."
'Of course, nanny. Don't you 60 to wor-
ryin' about me nor anybody else. Jes' you take
near any o. them military matters again as
longs you i've"
They parted. The mother looking after him
from the garden gate as long as she could hear
turning towards the kitchon, she looked in on
O'Neil, who was in the sitting-room with an
open book before him He was not reading,
however; perhaps he was thinking on what
he had read. His arms rested upon the little
table, while he appeared to be absorbed in
one Of the pictures on the lamp shade. Aunt
Polly looked over his shoulder, and, seeing the
fine looking soldier kDesIing on ,h the held said
minds me of you. 1 mean to say. he's most as
handsome as you. Not quite, though"
Pshaw" was the sudden answer, as he
want with one of his most mischievous smiles.
!" Your old heart must be getting light again,
if you can blarney fellow like that. You
don't know what That WORD means now, do you,
Aunt Polly !"
~ shan't tell yon, Mas Neil, eff do or not.
But do feel real glad to think mis- is coming
home soon"
"And so do 1, Polly. I am getting very
tired of Bachelors Hall, and shall be SO glad
to have her motherly eyes on me again."
Miss Ellen's coming, too said Aunt Polly,
briefly and sharply.
need any lamplight, moonlight, nor even sun
light when her bright smile shines through
the old place once more" !,
He threw himself back in his armchair as
if the mere thought of her return gave him
infinite relief and plearure even at the present
moment.
\ Auut Polly turned away abruptly but,
having reached the door, she said:
"Yet her heart is sot upon that other Teller ~
He answered quietly, do you really think
so, Aunt Polly I"
"Of course do Don't her face get whittier
every day sense he went away. He is nice,
surreptitious young gentleman. sure enough |;
but think you's jest as good, Mas Neil, and a
great sight better"
She was really excited in her wholesale ad-
miration for O'Neil; but he only smiled at her
outspoken partiality.
We'll, Aunt Polly, you know can't help it
only wish could"
Al - 90 4~-o 0c