The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-06-07

chapel, simply decorated, but holding our
Lord within it's tabernacle, the only
Jewel it needed to make it beautiful and
holy. All knelt moment; then they
crossed the hall, and the good Mother
opened door, disclosing a large room
"just filed with old ladies'" as Freddie
afterwards expressed it. Surely there
were more old women there assembled
than either of the children had ever before
seen in one apartment: some in houuets
and shawls, as though just ready for a walk;
some In close black hoods, from which they
peeped ont at the visitors, curious and
kindly; some in spotsess caps, with broad
white ruffles set round their faces like a
frame some bright and cheerful, and
merry looking even some grave and sad
many straits before reaching this peaceful
anchorage of their old age some trembling
and infrm, come erect aud healthy, but all
neat and clean and comfortable, all looking
eontented and happy. The apples were
| brought, and the children distributed them,
God bless you, darling ~ and The Lord
spare you, dear !" from aged lips. One
| old woman, ninety years of age, and
childish, wanted them to stay all night,
and looked wistfully after them as they
left the room. They next visited the dormi-
| tories. The beds were clean aud comforta-
BILE, with ample covering; and while moth
ing could be more poor or simple than the
furniture, an air of warmth and rest per-
vaded all the place. Crossing the yard
once more, but in a different. direction, the
Mother opened the door of a small two
of perhaps twenty old men, seated on
| chairs and benches, scattered round the
room. They seemed of all ages, from sixty
to ninety, and of all nations.
"Good day, Henri" said the Mother, to
an old man with woollen cap on his
head. W he
window.
Good day, good Mother" said Henri,
nodding and smiling more profusely than
before. He stretched out his hands to the
a soldier, sir!" at which all the old men |
laughed, to Freddie's great confusion,
while Henri answered, in broken English,
BEEN"
They all gathered around the good
Mother as the women had done, and
seemed, indeed, like 30 many little children,
seeking her pleasant word and smile.
Have you q song, my little man ~ said
a fino-looking old fellow. with snow-white
hair and long, silky beard.
sing, but have some tobacco for you and
your friends pm sure you would rather
have that than song"
"Three cheers for the little fellow I"
cried the old man "three cheers, and many
GnaEkS lot the GODaccy."
Three cheers went round, and Freddie
blushed at finding himself for the second
time hero. The tobacco was produced
and deposited with the jolly Irishman, who
promised to distribute it fairly and speedily
among his companions.
In the adjoining room, the ~dormitory,
were two helpless old men, whom the Sis
ters were obliged to carry to and from the
chapel. One of them was also childish,
and paralytic. The dining-ro was
then visited, and the good Mother showed
them the large basket of bread consumed
at every meal. E
!" But who supports you, good Mother 2"
asked Allie in astonishment.
"God and ST. Joseph," she answered,
confidently. "When we are in need of
Joseph we want so and SO: Tell our
Lord; ask Him for it > and, behold, we
have it,-yes, we have it Once we had no
straw for the mattresses. We begged for
some, bnt they did not give it to US so we
put, piece Of straw around st, Josepht''s
neck-that little statue there-and we said,
st. Joseph, stay SO till you bring us some |
straw The poor old people begged that
we would not put st. Joseph in disgrace,
but we said, Pray hard, then, for the
STRAW, that he may be soon released
Behold, the next morning came wagon
load of straw to our door! 1 could tell you
many such wonderful things. Love st.
Joseph, dear children he will give you all
you ask"
1t was now growing late, aud Mrs. Morgan
prepared to take her leave. The good
Mother thanked the children for their gift
of apples and tobacco, and Freddie, ANXIOUS
that Allie should have credit for the whole,
told where the money had come from
to purchase the latter
81 intend to save rage, after this, good
he said in conclusion, land bring
the poor old men tobacco all the time"
"You could not please them more," said
the good Mother, for many people do not
think to bring it, and we are too poor to
buy luxuries. God will bless you for that,
az we'll as if il were food or m6ney, for the
poor old men have nearly all been used to
it, and it is a comfort to them"
She accompanied them to the door of the
Lodge, where she made the children warm
Then, with invitations and
promises to come again, they parted, and
the children rode thoughtfully home in the
evening twilight, well pleased with their
visit to the Home of the Aged, and filed
with admiration for the lowly and self