The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-16

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| you another"
on the ground. Armelle picked it up, kissed it,
| fastened it to her mothers rosary and then
said slowly and sorrowfully: GOOD bye,
father"
The mans heart smote him.
"Stop here" he said, "a and promise never
to beat you again"
But La Gervaise rose, and facing him, said
resolutely: She or choose between u.s."
Then Armelle repeated, " Goodbye, father :"
opened the door, knelt down, kissed the door
step, and went away.
1t was lovely night the stars looked down
from cloudles sky. Armelle did not feel
lonely; it seemed as if some one was beside
her, taking care of her; her mother or her
angel guardian-perhaps both. She walked
straight to the churchyard. What a pretty
carpet the turf made, starred over with daisies
and how sweetly the nightingale was singing !!
She lay down on the grave, and slept quietly
till morning; then she awoke with the sun,
the swallows in the tower, and the church
bell. She slipped into a confessional, for she
was ashamed of her rags; and when Mass was
over, she slipped out again.
What was she to dof Chan teleur had left
the neighborhood for day or two. But, to be
sure, it was harvest time; see should soon
CLEAN little bundle; the miller was a kind
man, and would give her in exchange for it q
loaf of bread. Providence guided her to the
field of Jean Patriarche; she cleaned all day,
ate the corn, which she rubbed out in her
hands, drank from the stream which ran at the
bottom of the field, made dessert of black
berries, and then, quite tired out she laid her
bunch of ears beside her, and fell asleep in the
shadow of the harvest-home sheaf, with the
names of God and her mother on her lips.
She awoke with a start as Pierrot's cry
brought the reapers to the spot. She looked
round her with scared expression, pushed
her tangle of fair hair back from her little pale
face, and said ~ may keep my bundle, mayn't
II"
"Poor little mito" said Pierrot, chow hard
she must nave worked to get all that PHI tell
you what, you fellows, I've got an idea: sup
pose the straw-cutter's daughter gives the
sheaf to the master"
"Well said a capital notion ~
A wreath of wheat-ears and corn flowers had
been made, ready for the ceremony and this
was placed on Armelle's head The men undid
the wisp of straw which bound the sheaf, and
placed the child in the middle of it, only her
head was visible.
Poor little maidv SAID Pierrot; 81 wish
she had peoples on her cheeks, as we'll as corn
flowers in her eyes," .>,
Cup with the sheaf the bonny harvest home
sheaf!"
Pere Patriarche was sitting quietly on the
wagon-pole, waiting for the sheaf; his sons
were beside him Yves was looking unusually
pleasant, and the father felt almost bappy.
1.-The sheaf seems tolerably heavy" he said,
smiling.
The men laid it with n laugh at their mas
ter's feet
1T is good grain" said old Plerrot (Which
the good God has lpcned. See what He has
hidden in the ehcaf-a bird without nest. a
daisy plucked up by the roots. Seo master,
we have made her bed of fresh straw, inst as
our Lady did for her little Jesus"
Patriarche could not understand q word of
oil this, till pretty little pale face met his
wondering eyes, Pierrot's sickle cut the
straw band and the golden ears fell in a
shower at Armelle's feet. The good farmers
eyes were wet Poor little lark" he said,
" did you make nest in the corn 7"
was cleaning" answered the little one:
and fell asleep; and it was Prerrot-"
Pierrot is clever fellow" returned Jean
with kind smile. "You shall have the
haryest-home sheaf, my child. When God
gives abundantly, our hands must be open like
His. But your fatherf"
lie ia married again, to La Gervase."
Good heavens! And you are turned out of
doors ="
" 1 am sure father would have kept me
but"
I" But he is afraid of La Gervaiso, sea
woman Ike that What a shame. what
sin"
Patriarche broke off abruptly; then, at a
sign from him, Armello was lifted into the
high wagon; the two lads led the horses, and
he himself followed slowly and thoughtfully.
1t was pretty, yet sad sight: the little
thing, with her bare feet crossed, sitting smi-
ling on her golden throne crowned with flow
ers aud innocence.
As soon as they reached the farm, Jean Pa
triarcho took his wife's hand, and saying, 81
want to speak to YOU" led her into the family |