The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-08-24
FINDING A BABY
HY MAURICE II. RGAN.


AL died ON the voyage, and now Carlo and
&npeta were in the midst of a great city
&nong strangers who spoke an unknown
4 Carlo was little taller than Anneta (;
bat they both looked very much alike
having large black eyes, pretty white teeth,
hid cheeks as round and red as the sunny |
fde of peach. They were dressed In a |
uaint Italian fashion that made people |
<tare and smile.
a Carlo carried a small harp, and Anneta
Had violin.
az am tired, brother, / can play no more"
laid Anneta, sitting on a doorstep.
"And 1 am hungry" said Carlo, looking
&sistfully at the passing throng of people.
The two had been playing all the morning,
but thus far, not even cent had been
dropped into Carlos hat. It was bust.
hess street, and the hurrying men and
vomen seemed to have no time to notice
HE little musicians.
Il "There are kind faces among the peo-
BE-" said ApDeta, 'if they knew we are
hungry, perhaps they would give us bread"
"Bnt they do not know it," said Carlo,
HDisconselately, "and they cannot under
hand me when I tell them"
care they Christians-these Americans?"
tsked Anneta, struck by a new idea.
81 think not" said Carlo, ''they are
eathen, for see no images of our Lord,
r the holy Madonna in the streets as in
bur dear Naples"
y Anneta sighed, "But there may be some
christians among them, and will make
he blessed sign of the cross. They will
Understand that, and help u.s."
Il She did so in vain. Nobody noticed her:
"They are not christiansmPoor people J.
their walk until they reached a railroad de-
pot. Following the crowd that was enter
ing, Anneta and Carlo went in, too.
They began to play q sweet Neapolltan
lair, and the people waiting for the cars,
had leisure to listen, SO the musicians were
Rewarded by a shower of pennies and some
Coin of higher value.
Il At last the train started, and the wait
ing-rcom was deserted.
aCome, Anneta," said Carlo; 'flet us CO."
But Anneta had heard little cry near
her. On the nearest seat was baby-a
: with coral necklace, and one dimpled
4 fist in its mouth. hnneta looked around
\ for its mother. Nobody was visible.
"See, Carlo" she cried, flushing with ig-
dignation, "They are heathens, to leave
4 this pretty little one alone" The baby
crowed and pulled at Anneta's hair as she
lifted him. Carlo tinkled the strings of
4 his harp, and the baby laughed outright.
ssShall we take the pretty little one to
Il the man at the window Z" Carlo meant
4 the ticket clerk.
i "No," said Anneta in solemn whisper,
~ like not bis looks. He has big black
I whiskers, and teeth so very white, he looks
like wolf, and"-Anneta's tone became
i even mere solemn and mysterious" and
heathens eat little babies. Do you remem'
Der the story Uncle used to tell US about
those who did so-the Cannibals,
Z Carlo opened his eyes to their full
! extent, and shook his fist in the direc
ton of the ticket office.
CHE shall not eat this one !" And broth
q or and sister, carrying the baby, ran as fas
as they could into the street.
A short time afterwards, the little must
clans might be seen quietly pursuing thei
I wsy-the baby, in a state of calm content
with huge stick of candy in one fat han'
and cake in the other, seated in Anneta'
arms, while Carlo carried both the harl
and violin.
AS the train left the depot, a lady sudden
q ly exclaimed in tone of alarm.
"Where's Charlie Where's the baby Z
81 thought you had him, ma'am," sal,
the nurse, who was entirely surrounde
attending to all these bundles"
81 left him with you, while ! procure
the tickets. Where can he be Z" cried tn
! baby's mother, turning pale.
"Left at the depot, Perhaps" suggeste
aneighboripg passenger, for the nurse wa
too greatly frightened to say anything
"We have just stopped~at the first station
you'd better get out, and take the dow
train to the city"
Trembling with fear and anxiety, til
mother obeyed. Hours seemed to pas
before she reached the city. though it too
3 only fifteen minutes The depot was reacl
ed but she found no baby.
"Was your baby dressed in white, wit
a coral necklace z" asked the clerk.
"Yes-yes !"
"Saw two Italian children carrying a bah
like that. Didn't notice 'em PARTICULAR.
Went NJ Sea street."
The mother fastened in that direction
while policemen and porters searched
every other.
On shady doorstep, in Sea street, IL
mother found her lost baby.
Carlo was playing his harp, while AL
meta was teaching the baby how to dane
much to the delight of ali parties. I'll
mother was so oveIjoyed to recover tt
baby that che forgot to scold the childre
Happily, she could speak little Italia
and she made the children understand tn
she was really the baby's mother. Wbl
Anneta explained why they had taken tt
child, the mother in spite of her rece
fear, was compelled to laugh.
Carlo and Anneta were not wholly Sc
arated from their friend, the babv for til