The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-01-25
THE LITTLE NEwsBoY.

les, motner, yes )" but turning around,
the tired child was soon fast asleep again.
"Poor fellow" said the mother, signing
that she must grudge her little one the
pleasure of q few hours rest ssFrank the
church clock is striking four.
"Four ~ and as if the word were o magic
spell, the boy sprang up and looked
around "four already -
eyes, dear, and it is raining fast; but
there is nothing in the house, and nv
cough is SO bad am afraid cannot 90 to
work to-day. Yesterday heard the lady
say that made her nervous with my in
cessant barking.
"Did she dare say that of you my own
mother Z" and the child clenched his little
fists.
"Never mind, my darling" said the
mother, gently stroking his curly hair.
CHOW kneel down, and oh ask our Father
in Heaven to help us do His holy will"
he knelt at her knee, and folding his
er to Him who cares for the orphans and
widows.
"Ol, how it rains Aud you have no
shoes, and your cap is SO worn"
"Oh, don't care, mother, the sun will
soon be- a o5taI - Inc hope" pse'' he added, as the
ed his cheering words. "Don't worry !;
I'll come home before dark, with my poe
kets stuffed, and we'll make up for not
having any breakfast"
"Good-by, my brave boy" and she kiss
"Good-by," and with a bright smile on
his pale face, he rap bravely on, munchipg
3 dry crust and wrapping his thin jacket
closely about him. 1i:o mothers linger-
ing look followed him till he was out of
sight, and as she saw his bare feet splash
ing the cold mud, her eyes filed with tears /;
when she had stood at her cottage door
smiling good-by to the young husband who
walked so brskly to his work, and to the
two little boys who could scarcely leave
off kissing baby before they ran away to
school-that baby, the same Frankie who
must now earn his bread by selling papers.
Hers was sad though common story a
fever had carried off the kind, hard-work-
ing husband of the boys, one was sleep
inc beneath the blue waters of the ocean
the other, a gallant soldier, had fallen
while fighting for his county: Now poor.
widowed, and almost dying, she lived with
her last and only one.
"Buy paper. sir ~
"Get along Why in the world are you
forever getting in the way!' and the hur
ried business man pushed him aside.
"Buy paper, please sir. No one seems
Times, World, Republican ~
"Give me Times. Who could have the
heart to send such a concern as you out
Today 2" And without waiting for an
answer the man passed on.
"One already J" and Frank clapped his
hands. He was only ak years old, and
not used to tie work.
"Say, little chap, give us the World"
said a scboolboy, putting on airs.
"Two! :" and he ran on merrily.
"Rerald, boy Z"
isYes, SIR" handing it with beaming
eyes. ''Three jolly 1t is growing late;
had better go home" And he smiled as
he thought Of his mothers welcome.
A crowded car came by he jumped on
the platform, and called out in a shrill
voice, "Hera1a, Times, World Repu1lieam."
"Give me the ISmes," said kind-look
ing old woman. A workman bought the
..Five! Won't mother be glad !" And
he jumped off the car to try another, but
the step was muddy, his foot slipped, he
fell, and the horses passed oyer him
"He's gone !" cried gruff voice.
HNo he amt he's making out" said an
"AIove op, will ye!" cried policeman,
gently lifting the senseless child. Make
room, say he amt dead-only stunned,
sure" 49,
He carried him to the nearest drug store,
and they laid him on a sofa. Poor boy
he was fearfully mangled, and one of his
arms was broken.
'I'm afraid he won't last long," said the
druggist, with look of pity how did it
happen :" ,. om,, c. ~,
air Stand aside !"
"Mother-call MOTHER" family murmurS
the dying child.
"The puir bairnie, he wants his mither,"
cried the old Scotch woman who had
bought his fourth paper, and who had fol.
lowed him into the store. "Puir thing
she'll be sore grieved to lose thee, laddie /"
and the tears trickled down her wrinkled
cheeks she had buried her own two
lassies long ago, in Scotland.
"Go for his mother who is she :"
"I knows, mister I'll go" and the
urchin ran out of the store.
"Mother, mother, why don't you come to
me Z" groaned the suffering child.
"She is coming, ladie, soon" and the old
woman stroked his pale brow.
"Holy Mary, pray for me Mother,
come I" ..
She has come che kneels by his side :;
she leans over him in an agony of grief.
s'Frankie my little child, my darling, my
bady, speak to me! Oh, don't leave me !
My boy oh, my boy ~
He opened his large blue eyes and faint
lv amilod and with an effort murmured.