The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-03-01
saornIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
NEW ORLEANS. SUNDAY, MARCH j. 1874.

"Iet us show her tho marble likeness" sug
vested Panlus, in an eager whisper, with the
air of a child devisng mischief
While they were discussing this topic, q
gentle knock was heard at the door, and then
q very pretty girl of about fifteen, with an
-opon countenance, and remarkably modest
cheerful bearing presented herself with sort
of tray with various articles for supper ar
ranged thereon.
"May come in' am Benigna," sad the
girl, courtesying.
"Come in, Benigna," said the lady.
"Come in" added Agatha in Latin, but by
no means with so good an accent as her mo-
theirs "You seem like your name; You seem
to be Bepigna."
The girl looked at the beautiful child with
q sweet, grateful smile, and Immediately pro-
ceeded to prepare table and three covers for
. supper.
ado You know Greek 7" ask ed Aglais.
Greek, we may observe, was to the Romans of
that age about as familiar as, and far more
necessary than, French is to 1t was the
vehicle of all philosophy, and the condition of
all higher education. The fashionable Romans
used Greek phrases in conversation through
vanity.
mo- lady, replied the daughter of the
house. "My father is quite scholar; he was
one of the secretary slaves in the great house
before he got his freedom, and my brother has
learnt much from him; but havo been brought
mp to help mother in the inn, and never had
tine to learn high things"
Agatha clappcd her hands, and exclaimed:
"Then III talk my bad Latin to Benigna,
and she shall make it good"
The girl paused in her operations ut the
table, and said
al thought Latin came naturally to one'
like the rain, and that it was Greek which had
to be worked ont, and made, just AS vino is
The landlady, carrying various articles en-
tered rs her daughter uttered this valuable
observation, aud she joined heartily in the
laugh with which it was greeted. Benigna
Razed round for moment in amazement, and
then resumed her work, laughing through
sympathy, but very red from the forehead to
tho dimples round her pretty mouth.
The suppcr-tnble was soon ready.
Paulus, at whom the hostess had frequently
looked wistfully, now remarked that they all
felt much gratitude for the kindness they
were receiving, and never could forget it.
Crspina who as going out at the moment,
did not reply, but fingered with her hand
upon tho door, tho other hand che passed
onco across her eyes.
Then tho Greek lady observed:
Good hostess, these are the apartments
you intended for some barbarian queen, l
believer"
Yes, my lady; for Queen Borenice, daught
er-in-aw of King Ilcrod the ldumDan, called
Herod the Great, with her son IIerod Agrppa,
wild youth, j understand, about eighteen
years old and her daughter IIerodas."
al heard the tribune quirstor, who COM
mands the pr;rtoriaus plead for with your
husband" continued Aglais; and suppose
that the quirstor's generous eloquence is the
cause of our being received into your house ut
all. But this does not account for your extra
ordinary kindness to US. We expected to be
barely tolerated as announcement and unwel-
come guests, who kept better customers
away"
announcement and unwelcome!" said Girls
PIMA who seemed ready to cry, as, looking
around the lttlo group, her glance rested
again upon Paulus.
Whereas" resumed Aglais, "you treat my
dear children rs if you their mother.
Why are we so fortunate as to find these feel
ings in strangeri"
The hostess paused u moment. "Honored
the nurse of youth whom loved as if he
were my own child and it seemed to me as if
saw the brave, beautiful. attcctioaate nursing
again when saw your son; but so long u time
had passed, nearly fell with fright and aston
ishmeut."
Agatha went to the bust of Tibcrus, lifted
it, and, pointing to the marble image, said in a
low, tender voice:
"Eou nuIscd him -
little cry Of dismay escaped the lips of our
hostess.
ono one ever thought of looking beneath,
said She. "My daughter and arrange and
dust the room. l must remove my poor boys
image. lie is indeed forgotten by most people
now but it might harm us, and alas alas
could not help him, if this silent face that
never smiles at me, mover talks to me any
more, were to be discovered. DO not speak O
this to anybody, beg of you, good lady, ant
my pretty You will not 7" added she
smiling, but with tears in her eyes as sh,
looked at Paulus. a. feel rs though l hat