The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-12-29
Merning Star and Catholic Messenger
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE TWO JACKS.

THE TWO JACKS.
An old man, one Christmas eve, Sat rub
bing his chilly hands over a fire. He was q
cross-lookiDg old body, with one shoulder
higher than the other, scanty gray hair,
and q hard face. People called him "Cranky
Jack" and cranky enough he looked that
night, as he poked the logs fercely to make
them burn, then he rubbed his blue hands
again, then picked at his neat clothes to
get of the specks of dust, for tLis old man
was as tidy as be was ill-tempered. Poor
Jack within that shrivelled body there
smoldered heart that had once been warm
and tender. He had been cruelty treated
by the world, and in turning from men
who had been harsh to him, he had turned
also from our dear pitifui God, who would
have gladly made him happy. So on this
bright evening, when little folks were
hanging up their stockings, Cranky Jack
sat all alone, muttering to HIMSELF Cold!
cold kittle won't bile; fire won't burn.
Christmas eve, they say; all ewes are one
to me-"
You see that he was even moro unhappy
than usual that evening, for there was
ssre spot in his conscience. He had re-
fused help to poor young woman that
day, who had said she was starving. "Be
of with You for . bcggar," he had said,
ami now her face haunted him, and be kept
wondering if her story had been really
true.
There came a little knock, low down on
the door, and then faint rafting of the
latch.
Who's there Z" he cried.
rs little Jack rs welly cold.
Cranky Jack remembered the poor wo-
man, SO instead Of crying "Go away" as
he wanted to do, he got up slowly and
opened the door few inches. On the step
four years old, rolled up in a blanket shawl
which covered his head and tralled to the
ground.
CPS little Jack; 'et me come in" said
the little bundle, and when he was within
the door he marched up to the fire and be-
gan to warm his pits Of hands, as if he had
lived there all his life. The cid man cat
down and looked uneasily at his tiny guest.
care you God Z" asked the boy.
Mercy no, child" said Cranky Jack !;
"don't say that-it's wicked"
"Where's God Z"
Glands sake, child, He's every where's"
and Jack eyed the little stranger more un-
easily than ever.
Mamma says God will take care of lit
tie Jack. 1 want to find Him."
Where is your mother ."
"Over there" said the child, pointing to
the door. "Mamna's welly cold mamma
can't peak to little jack"
I'll go and see her." and to save time
the old man took the roll of shawl in his
arms and left the house. 1t was a piercing
cold night, and the moon looked sharply
out from the sky, as if she felt very wide
awake. Not far of was an old dollhouse,
standing on deserted road that had once
been o turnpike. To this hut the boy
pointed, and Cranky Jack hurried towards
it with beating heart.
Through the half door streamed the
moonlight, showing to Jacks eager eyes q
woman lying ON the bare planks, without
bedding of any sort. He went in and bent
over the pale face. "Lord Cod" he ex.
claimed, she's dead, and killed her !"
Then he set the child dows, and kneeling
on the cold floor, which sent chill through
his old knees, he felt Of her hands, listened
Mt her heart, held his ear close to the blue
lips, hoping that the breath might not have
passed away. Mean while the child walked
round and rouAd his mother, called into
her ears, and finally, for want of better
seat, sat down upon her. Cranky Jack
was much shocked at his conduct. "Little
boys mustn't cit On their aothers," he said,
severely.
"Mamma told me to DO it it keeps little
Jack warm" and the old man said 10 more
He cav that the WON ans clothes were poor
and thin, and that round the cEild's body,
beneath the shawl, was wrapped flannel
petticOnt. So she had given him her clothes
and then laid down to die, telling him
that God would take care of him. Aud
this WAS the woman whom he had called
: Oc&Sai u 10" Ucloics
'J.cky," Le said, run home to my
. house; I'm going to carry yonr mother
there" Aud taking Off his coat, he wrap
ped it round the woman, and lifted her III
his arms. 1t wns light weight, the poo,
wasted form, but Cranky Jack was not
strong, and tie was giad 10 lay her down
on the bed IN his little chilly bedroom.
How eagerly he tended the poor creature,
rubbing her with snow, and stopping now
and then tu feel her heart and listen to the
futteriug breath. A few minutes he stop
ped in the midst OF his wO:k t" get the Int
tie boy some bread and milk, to unroll bis
heavy wrapper, aud set him costly before
the fire. The logS snapped aud h'azed
merliiy now, for Jack threw on his dr1est
wood, without thought of expense. "Now
you keep real VAIN, Jackey," he said,
and III just heat some fl inuel for yoor
ma. Seems as though it would he safe to
try earn. things now. Presently III uD-
dress you and put you into he'd alongside
Of her, and 1 shouid'J wonder If she come
right to-"
How CHEEKY the work grew now, for he
felt aure that abe would live. Sluggish
and faint were her heart aud pulse still,