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

Something beautiful is vanished,
And we sigh for it in vain;
We behold it everywhere,
On the earth and in the air,
But 1t never comes again.
ALLIES RAG BAG
Mamma" said Allie, coming into he,
mothers room one morning, " what shall
do with my rag money this timef have
just sold the rags, and the two broken
frying pans, and the cracked furnace, ia
old Mr.. Isaacs. There he is, bowling to you
from the wagon"
So he was q little, thin, yellow looking
man, bent nearly double, but with pleas
ant, kindly, patriarchal face, not common
torag- men generally. Mrs. Morgan smiled,
and bowed pleasantly from the window,
after which he whipped up his lean old
horse, and rode contentedly away.
How much did Mr.. Isaacs give you,
Allie Z" asked her mother.
Seventy. five CENTS" she answered tri-
umphantly. "Just think of it !! had ever
SO many rags, You know. The time before
the. last asst; gave it to blind Mary, and the
Orphans Entertainment for Freddie and
myself. would like to do something new
with it now, mamma"
Mrs. Morgan reflected for a moment.
".Suppose you invest it in tobacco this
time," she said, meeting Allies astonished
gaze.
"In tobacco, mamma !" exclaimed the
little girl, "why, what funny thing to
do"
"Not at ell, when you understand, my
dear, I am going tomorrow to visit The
Little Sisters of the Poor and, if you wish,
whom they have charge will be delighted
to receive present Of tobacco for their
pipes, and, as the poor old women might
be jealous if forgotten, We will take them
half bushel OF those fine apples grand
mother sent us last fall. What do you
say . o. ,,,,,,,. .,.. u,, ;. z.,,-,.,,,, -,
answered Allie, her yes aglow with antici
patton. "May Freddie 60 with rs, and
shall tell him 2"
eyes, dear; and then you may come
back and help me sew buttons on these old
clothes, for have some writing to do be-
fore dark, and wish to have the bundles
packed this evening"
"Are they for the old men and women,
mamma"
eyes. Call Freddie here, and will tell
you something about the Little Sisters,
and the coed work they are doing"
Away few Allie to find her brother, and
the TIVE children soon returned together.
Then Allie seated herself to her task, and
their mother told them how a poor simple
country girl had first undertaken this great
good work of caring for the aged and
infirm, how she had been joined by other
jealous souls, how the wonderful charity
had grown and increased, until in nearly
all the large European cities, and several in
the United States, The Little Sisters of the
Poor had established houses how they
lived entirely on charity, and yet seemed
to thrive and prosper everywhere. -,
said Freddie.
= 'About six years." said his mother.
When they first came they had not even
beds to lie upon but were obliged to sleep
on the floor; but they have succeeded 80
we'll that they have been enabled to pur
chase house on the Eaton road, about q
mile and half from here. They have
between sixty and seventy old persons
under their charge, and nearly all these
people are very infirm."
The work was soon finished, and the
children assisted in tying mp the bundles,
till all was completed. Then, laughing
they started off to buy the tobacco, telling
the storekeeper, as he weighed it for them,
that it was for the poor, and they hoped he
would give good measure. This somewhat
strange request ELECTED several inquiries
from the man, and resulted in his adding
half a pound to the purchase.
The following day, after an early dinner,
the carriage was brought round, the pack
ages slowed away under the seats, aud in a
short time they bad left the heart of the
city, and were upon dusty road, lined on
either side for the most part by lumber
yards, with here and there a stretch of
Inside, untenanted, and bleak beyond
description. At length the carriage stopped
before o painted wooden wall, enclosing a |
wicket gate, with "HOme for the Aged
painted in black letters above it. Mrs.
Morgan and the children aligbted, and, in
answer to ring Of the bell, q Sister APP
peared (s'a little Sister, indeed" whispered |
Allie), and smilingly Invited them into the
Lodge parlor, which was unexpected, and
as poorly furnished az could be, but very
clean and neat.
"I will call the good Mother" she said,
another listle bell.
"swho is. the good Mother, mamma 2"
asked Allie, when the Sister left the room.
"The Superioress," answered her mo
Their; " the other Sisters and the old people
all cali her So"
&C. How nice that is !" said the little girl
90 it sounds as if they loved her"
Apleasant- faced, bright eyed Sister now
appeared, and extended her hand to Mrs.
Morgan.