The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-09


sba became more aud more attentive to her
ST. occnnatiop, In vain her favorite bird
en,n,enced to chirp his most beautiful
notas in vain her favorite kitten rubbed
itself against her, and begged for its accus-
toned position in her lap Marie could
not be distracted. To stick the needle in
to the stuff without pricking her delicate
finger; to draw out the thread without
breaking it; to make perfectly even and
tiny stitches all this was SO difficult, so
amusing, too, when done for the first time.
She felt herself quite a little lady-exactly
like mamma
Little by little the task grew An easy
one, and Marie breathed contented!y,
while the work seemed to progress by it's
self. A fnger-length was just accomplish
ed, when tiny voice attracted her atten-
ton, and said, Marie, listen, dear child,
to the advice of your needle. For you l
am q new friend but our friendship is des-
tined to be q long one, and for many, many
years we will not be separated. l am the
mistress of serious thought, so it is 1 who
for from the moment you have commenced
to make use of me, in that moment your
life's usefulness has also commenced.
"For you, ] am the emblem of work,
and work, you know, is life, activity, and
happiness: Everything around you works,
and even to place nae in your little hand,
hundreds of men have dug deep in the
earth, and extracted the rough metal
which they have cast and purified and rein
ed, and have at last produced me, as you
see me--light, brilliant and fine. To make
the material into which you stick me
thousands of laborers have toiled in the
hottest climates while others, putting In
to movement machinery that science has
invented, have threaded and woven the fine
white down that numerous ships have
transported from cline to cline. To give
you the thread that you so carefully draw
thr0n nh m ms 1o haUa
ploughed the earth and sowed the grain
that God has made to bud and grow, and
then from the withered plant other hands
have taken the dead stalk and extracted
the beautiful thread, 60 united, so soft,
and 80 white. All have worked for you,
and according to your strength, work in
your turn for all. Be the brightness of the
house, the angel of the Preside give JOY
to your frther when, tired at evening, he
returns from his daily labor give joy to
your mother to render her household tasks
easy and light. Ny child, you who profit
laborers, and render yourself worthy to
take your place among them"
The little Marie has grown a young
lady +; her mother smiles, and says, "She is
quite as tall as - Marie ia seated by the
window, leaning quietly over her work F.;
the thick bands of her black hair encase
her pure forehead, and her feet rest on her
infant chair. The faithful needle passes
and repasses between her fingers, and
speaks to her ia low voice
:" Fifteen years, Marie, fifteen years gone
out of your life This evening your fret
soiree, with 9owers end all good wishes
You will be congratulated upon
your entrance into life, and, if you believe
what is said, this world will be a perpetual
paradise. But you have already experienced
tears, and even mourning. Others will
foil hot he Ahot hoa Aod
was the most beautiful part of your exist
ence. Do not believe either my child
Each age has its duties, and to each duty
God has attached some peculiar joy
"Always go forward and in the simplici
ty and sincerity of year heart do no,
life what it is able to give. Be faithful to
me: idleness is ever a bad adviser, and
busy hands never And time for mischief
Yours, thanks to me, are swift and skillful
and know we'll how to use me, too, for your
own embellishnent. This is well. Be the
grace and charm of your house now, and
later, the grace and charm, perhaps, OF
another but employ me also more useful.
ly. See the poor children around you
miserably clad and, as you have under
stood me, aud, by the aid of your scissors
have ornamented the richest material with
lace and ribbon, 80 impart to the poor
child what you know yourself. Instructed
by you, she will be able to take charge OF
her own clothing and that of her family,
The needle of a woman is her fairy wand
and, thanks to it, the poorest person can
add much to her store. What you know
only belongs to you that yeu may imparl
1t; no matter how trihing, NO light shoald
be placed under bushel."
Years have passed, and the little Marie
has become a wife and mother. The
faithful needle is still in her hand she
sews on little slips, on aanuels, soft and
warm, and tiny shirts of finest linen. She
smiles at her work, and seems once more
20 % dressing her favorite doll. The faith
aul needle, skipping lightly over her work,
SpeaRs thus to the young mother:
f.t;. dear Marie, You are weary, you are
ta9gued, yet your soul is filled with joy
Sno yoo are happy to tire yourself for this
gear child that God has given you. In this
SSn a centres all your wishes, all your
Tapes, and all your dreams, and you would
IKE IKE 10 have lived in fairy days, when gene.
OGs godmothers came with wands of gold
; %TS Dressed the cradles of the favoured