The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-04-21


kiss, he said, in q tone a little more sober than
he meant it should be-:
We'll, dear, you shall have your party;
once: Here are twenty pounds for your own
requirements will pay Smith and the music
That was all. John Stirling had a sunny,
unselfsh temper; and when he had made up
| his mind to grant his wife the indulgence she
crayed, 1t would not have been like him to
spoil her pleasure by any indications of dissat-
isfaction.
Still, her intuitions were strong, and her na-
ture sensitive and impressble; and she had
somewhat against his own wishes, that rather
disinclined her to commence her preparations;
1t was nearly eleven o'clock before she dressed
just tying the strings of her hat when she
heard ring at the door and presently ser
want came in with the information that little
wanted to see her.
Mrs. Stirling was motherly by instinct, and
her heart warmed at once to the shy little
creature who came timidly in. It was o girl
not more than seven years old-quite too
young, Mrs. Stirling thought, to be trusted
alone in the streets; but, then. she herself had
been brought up under the rule of nursery
maid and governess.
She took the bundle from the child's hand,
and said, with bright and kind smile
find the way alone lone You You poor little thing
Sister Anne sent me, ma'am. She had done
your embroidery, and che thought if she could
|
be he would let US stay in the room till she got
y little better"
"She is sick, then 2"
eyes, ma'am. She didn't feel we'll enough to
come. It's been hard getting along all the
summer, for the ladies she works for were
most all out of town, and some of them owing
| her and s'pose tho worry and the not having
much to eat did it, ma'am."
Mrs. Stirling leaned towards the little crea-
ture, and looked at her more closely. Gould
it be hunger, she thought, that made those
n trans
parent Was this little thing actually suffering
for bread, and she going to spend seventy
felt ~snt 81 shs
now what thoughts had been in her husbands
mind when he spoke Of the suffering among
's ohs %ass haVs some luncheon,
and then I will 60 with you to see your sister
had better speak to her about the work"
OF snn pnS seole rss
the premature womanliness and the natural
apprehension Of misfortune which are among
the saddest fruits of poverty.
Mrs. Stirling relieved her with ready sympa-
!. Yes, indeed, the work is all right. It's
done beautifully but want to see your sister
about some more, and perhaps l can do her
good"
1t would have made the kind ladys heart
ache could she have seen the eagerness with I1s
food which was set before her in the Kitchen
In q few moments they were ready to start
Mrs. Stirling had replaced her mantle ny a
q shawl, her hat by simple straw bonnet, and,
: with basket in her hand containing few
dantics with which she hoped to tempt the
sick grs palate she a followed the ,c enit9
hitherto unknown to her.
In o half-dilapida.ed wooden house, in a mar
row court, she found the object of Ier search.
, She went up two lights of stairs, and entered
a back room lighted by one window. The at
8 mosphere struck her, in spite of her warm at
tire, with o sudden chill. Evidently the sun
r never came there. The dampness of the walls,
0 the general aspect of gloom and cheerlessness
were only relieved by an air Of scrupulousness
which pervaded everything. Mrs. Stirling had
, already noticed this quality in the clothing of
3 the child, which, though cheap, and poor. and
patched, was as immaculate in its cleanliness
: as her own.
sister sat, but she was evidently very i'll. Every
D now and then a spasm of coughing seized her,
:, which compelled her to lay down her work.
4 and clasp both hands on her side. Mrs Stir
ling had not seen her since spring, the work
n returned that morning having been sent to her
4 by a servant. She went up to her, and sat
Your sister said you were sick, go came to
: see if could be of use to YOU" she said, in
3 gentle tones, which of themselves carried q
:, certain comfort with them: II have brought
you some jelly and cold chicken you must eat
. them now, they will do you good"
y The poor girl blushed deeply, and said in a
: 81 very grateful, madam but, if you
: please, will wait till you leave me. Allow
me at present to attend to you"
a "No, indeed am not going yet. 1 want to
talk to you, and shall not do so until you
have taken something to strengthen you.
, Little Jane has luncbed already"
! When the poor suffering girl had flushed
her meal, and taken up her work again, Mrs.
Stirling began to talk to her.
" Ii this consumption, -Aune" she asked,
gently, your conGh alarms me"
Ono, maam, am very sure it is nothing of
the kind yet. There is no consumption in our
t family. My father was country Doctor and
I, had strong and healthy constitution. He
5 died young. but it was from violent fever
caught in attendance on sick person, n
r stI anger. 1 think it was grief which made my
mother follow him in three months She had
always been delicate, though not sickly; and
she lacked the strength it requires to live and
suffer. 1t is seven ears since she died, on the
very day little Jane was born"
How old were You then 7"
"Ffteen and there were no living children
between two"
"And have you supported yourself and her
ever since ~
"Oh, no! My fathers books aud furniture
sold for enough to keep US some time; and my
aunt took care of Jane, and worked in q
| cbo, opd aornod apouuh tn hny our clothes