The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-20

stHe lies and swears, aud goes with bad
boys all the time. His mother, dear soul,
died and left him running wild, and he's
not good at ALL"
I looked at the boy Andy as Mrs. Malone
was speaking, and thought saw something
good in him, notwithstanding the character
that had been given him. candy" said,
ssI will take you, and teach You what ID
right; viii you try to be a better boy 7,
ssShail tryf"
eyes ma'am."
ssDo you know your prayers !"
81 did once"
His brown eyes were cast down and his
lips tightly closed, as much as to say, "I'm
nobody nor nothing"
I" Do you ever try to have q clean face,
Andy 2"
see my face, and don't know whether it's
clean or not.n
~ am pretty sure if you had less dirt
upon you, you would feel more like de-
cent boy let US try, Andy and see what
soap and water will do for you frat 2"
With Ellen's help, I managed to discov-
er that my lad was really fine looking boy,
and the smile that was upon his face show
s.Come," said ], land / will make q SOL
der of YOU" With that, took him to Ned's
room, and found an old suit of school uni
form, which just fitted him.
''There, Andy" said I, "you are all
right now as to your appearance. Next we
better boy. Don't You want your soul to
look as we'll to your guardian angel as you
now do to met"
"Guess So"
al win tell you how to begin. Do not
tell me any lies If you do wrong, tell me
the truth, and will forgive YOU"
"Is it wicked to lie, ma'am Z"
tTo be sure it is; you break one of the
Commandments of God and any one who
lies, the devil can easily tempt to do worse
things"
81 didn't know it 1 suppose it's bad to
swear, too. 1 heard all the men swear, and
il came SO easy to say bad words"
candy, will help you to learn your
prayers and catechism, and then you will
see for yourself what is bad"
Looking at the buttons on his coat, and
rubbing them bright, he said softly 81
pouM ike to be goud but how can fell
low be SO when he don't know how 7"
"My poor boy, with Gods help will
show you how it will come hard at first,
but we will be patient"
Time went on. Often Andy was sorely
tempted to tell a lie or swear sometimes
he resisted, sometimes he yielded. Still
he kept on trying. Many tear it cost
him to learn his lessons, and many an hour
was spent in mastering his cathechism.
How earnest and thoughtful he was when
at last he understood the Ten Command
ments ! After long time, prepared him
for his Confession and his First Commun-
lou. What happy boy was he then
"Oh, MISTRESS" said he, sif our Lord
will come to such boy as ann how can
ever be good enough Z"
she sees your desire, Andy, and knows
your penitent heart, and will give you His
grace to help you."
One day he came rushing in quite breath
less, and exclaimed, mistress! mistress!
I've had sucha fight ~
"You Andy, been in fight ~
"Yee, ma'am but not with my fists, but
a fight in my heart with the devil. As l
was hurryipg home, some boys used to
know came along and cried out, 'Whew
but Andy is fine gentlemen now y and
began to laugh at me for being proud.
"Look here, boys ! said, 4 amt proud,
amt O gentleman, but l aint't loafer
any MORE"
sIf you amt proud. come with us to
the park said they; its splendid skating
now."'
AL can't CO., answered Sim on an
errand for my mistress
"sCome on, they said, .aud don't be
Molly. We are on lark, and got lots OF
money.~
as If you will wait until ask mistress,
I'll CO., said.
"scome on You needn't tell her where
"I had such fight then, ma'am /; for
when said no the devil put it into the
boys head to coax me, and did want to
go SO much. One minute something
said, Run away from those bad boys y
another minute, Go and have your
funr I said the 'Memorare,' as you told
me to, and then ran all the way here to
you"
elbow happy you have made me, dear
boy God will bless you and help you every
time you ask for aid. You have gained a
great victory, and this is the true prepar-
ton for receiving our dear Lord in your
heart. Thank God for having given you
grace to resist the temptation to lie and
deceive"
soon grew fond of my poor boy and
when he left me to be a carpenter, felt
that he could be trusted and would be true
to his religion.
One day, werd came to me that he was
ill and going to die. fastened to his