The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-03-08


vious, contemplated the scene for mo.
ment or two with a mournful, desolate
feeling at his heart, and then strolled
away, wandering listlessly over the or
| chard, where he tried to interest himself
with rehearsing the names of all the diff
ferent apples and pears which grew there.
But gradually faintness and dizziness in
the head came over him, followed by a
cold, clammy sweat, which caused him to
remember bis hunger and stagger to tree,
which he leaned heavily against for sup
port. Apples lay st'ewn about him in
plentitude. He would like to sustain his
strength by eating of them, but sad
thought of the forbidden fruit" which
brought such evil upon man, caused him to
resist and suffer rather than break Gods
commandment. He was, however, tempt
ed SO strongly that, in order to rid himself
of the tempter, he took courage, and ac-
cOsted the overseer, who was fastening
across the orchard, asked him if he might
| have couple of apples.
GAS many asyou please" smillingly re-
piled the old man, who already admired
the boy for his industry, aud now esteem
ed him for his honesty: "Carry your
pocketful home with you, too, my lad" he
added, as he patted him approvingly on
the shoulders and hurried away.
| Ambrose gratefully sat down and eat
three great rosy apples with the relish of
hunger. Then, according to permission,
he filled his pockets and ran home as fast
as his faint limbs could carry him, and
emptyiug the fruit into his mothers lap,
painted out to her, in glowing colors, the
good news of his success, adding:
"Now, mother, try and eat them; they
will nourish you. Perhaps I will have
money to- night so cheer up-good bye"
And then he fastened back to his task
again, hopeful, grateful, and willing heart
ed; while his poor sick parent stood in
the doorway, her fearful eyes watching
him until the distant trees and dwellings
hid him from view.
- He labored all that afternoon with the
same honest assiduity until The sun began
to set, when the Overseer coming around,
paid each boy for his days work, and after
reminding them to return early the fol-
lowing morning, dismissed them for the
night.
On one part of Mr.. Bondell's grounds
beautiful pond cleaned like molten silver,
and mirrored the lovely trees, Towering
shrubs, and fragrant lilies surrounding it,
with charming effect.
and watch the snowwhite swans disturb
the reflections in the water by their grace
full curves, when the sound of familiar
voice fell on his ear. He turned and dis
covered that on one side of the lake, where
luxuriant trees spread their shining green
leaves benevolenty over thick growth
of shrubs, there nestled little miniature
house, to which a mastiff was chained.
Evidently intent on unloosing the chain
was his neighbor Benny, and tho boy he
had brought to work with him in the morn
ing. The dog seemed to know what they
were intent on doing, and evidently was
wild with delight at the idea of being set
free.
"What are you about boys 2" said Am
brose, parting the shrubbery, and stepping
in upon the scene.
81 should like to know what you're
about" said Benny, his sulky face flushed
with anger "who said you might share
our fun 2"
"That is our employers dog" said AM
brose, "and 1 was only puzzled to know
whether he told you to unfasten the chain.
If he did not" he added mildly, sit is
wrong, Benny. -; and quite dangerous in
you to do 3d."
AS he said this, Benny sprang towards
him, and inflicted cruel blow upon his
head.
"Now meddler," he cried, "see if you
can let your betters alone. That's the
second time you've undertaken to lecture
me-"
The next moment, they had set the dog
on the swans.
Ambrose determined that his employers
property should not be injured. With
spirited resolve, he laid one hand on the
chain, and occasionally warding off the
blows of the boys with the other, held the
dog back. His position was difficult one;
his strength not being equal to the emer-
gency, he staggered back, and just as the
boys were on the eve of having their own
way, Mr.. Blondell paralyzed them with ter
ror by appearing on the scene, which he
had witnessed unobserved:
We are happy to state that Mr.. Blondell
appreciated the boy who had chosen the
path of honor. He provided handsomely
for his neither, and sent Ambrose to dis
tant school, from which he emerged in
time, we'll prepared to make an eminent
mark in the world.
Because he chose goodness, he received
it's full bown harvest of merit. Every one
spoke of him with that respect which true
virtue alone can command; and many a
little struggling boy looked up to Lis kind
eye, and received holy encouragement
there.
He never forgot the needy when wealth
at length crowned him with its golden
privileges, and often held plentiful hand
towards poor unhappy characters, among
them one who seemed to be drifting
through life, like useless weed tossed up: