The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-01-11
FELIX LAZARUS TO THE CHILDREN.

almost wishing herself out with her father.
And then-because when little people got
downhearted, they always have some pet
trouble whicE they think wants nursing
she began to lament her ugliness. She
thought what Sarah had said, and how
Mary had laughed, and 90 on until she re-
membered all the naughty things that had
ever been done against her, and, though in
the way of crying she had done them full
justice dozen times before, she COM
menced to weep again.
Just az she was getting out fine sized
tear, there came the sweetest little voice
at the door saying:
Take me out of the wind and rain
And whatever profit. you shall gain.
When she heard that, she never gave a
thought to tears or storm, but went to the
door and listened at the latch and the
little voice said again {:
The rain is wet and the wind lie cold
And am little aud weak and old.
1t seemed SO funny to little Alice for any
pitiful for anyone weak and old to be out
on such a night, that she forgot every
thing else and opened the door.
Whit came the wind and spray. The
flame of the little coal oil lamp gave one
gasp and went out, and but that the wind
suddenly scampered down towards the gate
abe could not have shut the door. But
who came in 7 just no person. So she
went to light the lamp again, when she
was astonished to hear the little voice
right by the fire place saying:
Who is the uGliest let me see:
Who is the uglest. You or me
She turned sharply round, but there was
no living thing there but O large black
spider.
Now, there was ono thing that little
Alice knew, which all children ought to
remember, that great many things that
are ugly to look at are harmless go even
the spider did not frighten her, though the
mysterious voice reminded her that she
was quite alone.
She stopped down to look at the spider,
when he said: 1t was that spoke; was
about to thank you for letting me in but you
are SO ugly l could not hel p noticing it. In
spite of her wonder, think Alice would
have been angry had he not added-''but
you're not so ugly as y SO she said, "poor
creature"
"Tut Tut You mustn't think of such
thing" said he, "if you pity me, you
make me feel bad"
"But don't you hate to be so ugly 2"
asked Alice. don't hate anything" he
said, "besides, whenever l feel uncomfort-
able have charm which use and which
keeps me always contented. In short /
practice magic"
Alice was thunderstruck. "You don't
mean real, true magic, do you
eyes, the only real and true magic that
exists, If know ything about It,"
Then you may be sure that little girl
begged to be told that magic. But the
spider fell to rhyming again.
All the money earth can't buy it
And If you had is you wouldn't tryit.
But Alice said, "indeed she would if he
said truly that it would make her happy"
But he answered:
But many that have it, never use it.
Then little Alice stamped on the hearth
for very impatience as she went on beg
glng, but he said
going to tell you when got warm
But impatlence, believe me, will spoil the charm.
So with that Alice pretended to give up
in disgust, add thumped down in her little
chair with pout on her lip as if the spider
had stung it; whereat the spider said:
This magic works not for the doubling,
Nor for the peevish for the pouting."
Nevertheless, there she sat, a sight for
her dear good father to be ashamed of,
if he could have seen it. So Mr.. Spider
walks softly along to the mantle piece, up
to the shelf, out to the edge of it, ties his |
little silken rope to the wood ard let's him |
self over dowH, down, down he goes by |
little jerks until he hangs spinning round |
and ronnd right in front of Alice's face ;
but she was gazing 30 straight into the |
fire, and thinking so hard about her I'M
happiness, and beginning to wonder whe-
Their it wasn't great deal her own fault, |
that she did not see him until be said:
1t seems great pity for you to be sad
And spoil so much good by so little bad.
Well, when she saw the ugly fellow right
before her, what do you suppose che did
You think she screamed and ran. No such
foolishness, she thrust the chair back and
laughed right out and cried:
If rhyming lie go good for you
And Keeps your temper, Ill rhyme too
and this SO pleased her that she repeated
it, singing it to an old tune. "Ha ha"
said the spider, "what need have l to tell
you the first rules of my magic since you
have guessed it.
OF outward beauty the chieiest part
Is keeping melody in the heart
How many more rules are there 7"
eagerly asked the delighted child.
"There are only three in all" he said