The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-08-03
Morning Star and Catholic Messenger.
JUVENILE COLUMN.
BENNIE's Lesson.

own sweet will. He had q book in his
pocket, very Interesting book, but he
couldn't read it because he was "takiue
care of Jennie" His mother had gone to
Boston. Itseemed to Bonnie that she was
always going to Boston, and upon this
Wednesday afternoon, when the boys were
having their game of ball, it was particu-
larly trying. .He might be with them
having such good time if it wasn't for the
baby
looking at the pictures, at any rate. So he
took the book from his pocket, and very
soon had entirely forgotten his small
charge. She was @ happy little lady, and
enjoyed herself in her own baby way, pull
ling the flowers, choice and common alike
-toddling upon all fours, just as suited
her fancy. Once she found herself at the
gate, which was wide open.-Should she
60 ont into the great world and get lost 2
No, Jennie Thought che wouldn't, though
she received numerous Invitations from the
passers- by.
At last the bright eyes spied hole in
the hedge separating her garden from the
very carefully, losing her white sun- bon
net, however, by the way, and found her
self on the edge of q large strawberry. bed.
All here was something for her small fipg-
ers and sharp little teeth to do. Jennie
knew very we'll what strawberries were,
SO SuO CNA"lC0 lutO tu6 LU!UO1o Ql tu0
patch and sat down there very busy and
very happy for half an hour. At the end
of that time she came forth from her hiding
place lookisg almost like mammoth
strawberry herself.
But Bonnie was far off in fairy land, aud
had almost forgotten. that he ever had a
sister. He hardly took his eyes from the
book until the story was flushed, then he
closed sorrowfuliy and put 1t in his pocket.
81 wish there were fairies now,n he said
to himself. Chow pretty they would look
popping mp from these lilies! Little bits
Of things: not half as big as-Wby, where
He came off from the fence with Jump.
He searched in every part of the garden
without success. At last he spied the little
bonnet lyingjust where the baby had drop
ped 1t.
saba, Mrs. Jennie !" cried he.-"You've
been visiting, have you z" but there was
no reply.
just at that moment he heard a fearful
barking 1t was Ponto, the neighbours saw
age watch: dog, and his poor little heart
almost stopped beating as he thought that
his baby sister might be at the mercy of
the fierce animal.
What if Ponto should get loose }" he
said to himself.
His face was very white as be crept
through the hedge just as the baby had
done. He looked at the place were the
dog usually stood chatting and fretting at
his cruel chain, but he was not there.
ssI:m not afraid of him." thought brave
little Bonnie. HE knows me, but Mr..
jackson says he shakes cats all to pieces.
he don't know Jennie. She creeps some
times. She's SO little, p'r'aps he might
think she was cat, and"
He couldn't think it Quit was too
dreadful but he glanced furtively about,
almost expecting to see the ground strewn
with bits of tue little cambria dresa OF
apron.
Suddedly the.dog, spying his small friend,
came joyfully towards him rejoicing in his
stolen freedom. Bonnie tried to sneak.
but be couldn't he could only look, his
eyes large with terror as he saw that Pom
to had something white in his mouth which
he was shaking gieefnily. He came nearer
his feet. He stopped to pick it up. 1t
was the baby's apron.
Poor little fellow! There was moment
of dizziness, of horrible, deathly sickness,
then he forgot every thing for time.
When he awoke, he found himself upon
was bathing his aching head with camphor
Gradually everything came back to him,
and he tried to'whisper an inquiry about
the baby, longing for and yet dreading the
answer.
eyes, know" replied mamma. II
wouldn't try to talk now"
She looked very sober and anxious, and
Bonnie felt the terrible numbness creeping
over him again. He looked at her APP
pealingly, and at last foupd strength to
gasp:
"Is-she-killed 7"
"Killed Our baby Z" exclaimed his
mother, in establishment "No, indeed !;
she's sound asleep in her crib, covered with
strawberry stains from her head to her
feet"
Bonnie shut his eyes, but the tears came
softly through the closed lids.
81 thought Ponto had shaken her." said
ne after moment. "He had her apron in
his mouth, and"
He sbuddered. s
"Ah " thought the mother, much reliev-
ed, $50 that was the cause of my boys
sudden illness, was it Poor little fer-
low !" and she kissed him tenderly.
"He did have her apron; mother" re-
peated Bonnie, anxiously.
$50 he did, and shook it all to pieces,
but Jennie wasn't in it. Little witch !
she must have taken it of herself, though
how she did it can't imagine. At any
rate, she walked into Mrs. Jackson's kit
oI1av, ,Skl, 81