The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-07-26

true he heard words that shocked him and
which he knew to be very wrong, and
drunken state; in fact, hardly anything
looked as he thought in wonld. Bill, or
"Bad Bill" as Johnny found they called
him, worked the hardest, and used about
the worst language of them all. He kept
Johnny busy, gave him his supper, and
then dressed him and painted his face
and when Johnny looked into the little
looking glass, he was quite surprised to
see himself real circus rider.
Very proud Johnny felt when he rode
the little pony around the ring. After
that, as Bill was busy, Johnny was rather
neglected. He was surprised to fLd how
different everything looked behind the
cruelty treated, and he felt very sorry
when he saw man kick the learned dog.
The riders drank 80 much that Johnny was
afraid they would fall from their horses,
and it seemed that the men could not speak
without swearing. And now he began to
think Of his mother and wish be was home
again, Ha tried to find his clothes; but
Bill had put them away. Tired and sleepy
and sorrowtul he laid down to rest. Then
he thought of his quiet little room, of his
dear mother and the prayers she had
taught him. Very sorry was he now that
he had played truant and disobeyed his
mother. Then he made up his mind to
say his prayers and go to sleep, and go
home the first thing in the morning. Full
of this idea, he arose Immediately and
knelt down in one corner of the tent, dress
ed as he was in his clowns suit, with his
face painted in the usual hideous manner,
and made worse by the marks of tears.
Unconscious that quite number were
looking at him, Johnny crossed himself,
and began his prayers. The next moment
there was a shout of loud laughter, "Here.
boys! come look at the pious clown ~
D-H Co.
| said another; and one Of the clowns ran
to get paper hoop, that had been used
during the evening, and was ON the point
of putting it over Johnny's head, VIXEN Bill
came to his rescue.
"Ill knock the first man down that
touches that boy !" said Bill, pushing his
way through the crowd and he and the
others stood in silence until Joh1ny had
finished. Then Bill took him by the hands
| and led him outside. "This Is no place
for sucha boy as you," said he, land it will
be no place for me any longer. l once
was good, and prayed as my mother taught
me. 1t is many years since; but have
never forgotten her teachings. Lately, L
have never dared to pray but you have
| led me back to what once was. Late as
it is, will take you back to your mother
tonight" JohHny did not feel at all tired
as he walked by Bills side; but then he
was going home, and to his mother. They
had not gone far, when they met Johnny'f
mother, coming in a wagon. She had
traced him thus far, and, although deeply
grieved at his thoughtlessness and dis
obedience, che was overjoy ed to have hel
boy once more ; convinced of his sorrow
she thought he had learned useful lesson
She listened with soy to Bilps story o
Johnny's prayer, and offered to assist hin
if he wished to leave the circus.
1t was the turning point in Bills life
and he lived up to the resolution he hat
made. When he became good and pros
porous man, he used to say he owed it al
to Johnny's prayer at the circus !-Youns
| Catholic.