The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-11-07

cnlAofen naiT naked, and huGCle6 together
ike animals, all on the filthy floor; none ocea-
pied in aught bat what was ErOpg; the little
ones initiating perfectly the horr1d looks of
bate and greed 10 be seen on the elder faces ::
words: this is but faint outline of the scene.
He stood moment looking at L. Then said
be: My good people. is il true that none of
yon can Lay claim to this child p
Good people. Ha! ha! ha!7 The chorus
was almost diAbolieal in its tone; ''ef shes
worth Anythiug, NC all claim herr
Tbe child trembled from head to foot bill,
that's Bill, che whispered family.
" Has she any father or mother. or other re-
!ation amongst you r be asked then, mildly,
bat in that selfeontained and frn tone which
always eorqueEs ruff aaism.
:, Nary one" ahrieked one of the women,
"an' q good bargain Nv trouble yosH have, old
gent; eff yoo take Mole With ys.'
Come, child" he said gently.
tWhere ?" she asked, EistfuIly
all this,'
faced the unknown. because all she knew Of
Kindness or OF pity led her towards its hidden
shores
l. Was on q pretty street, fairy street.
geumed with wotl-teaded gardens, aud sh AIDED
With graceful trees, ard outlined By broad,
handsomely laid sidewalks . street, where
da'ptiiy built homes stood smiling on the pas
ser-by street, where modest competence
brightly adorned its chosen resting places for
TIC HAPPY recipients OF THESE 0WeINDEs II
was here that this unknown awaited the little
street Arab Here, darlings of cheerful honse-
holds played in bright family groups, whereof
the anne fair cast of counteuauce was stamped
on all, from the manly boy, or Seet hAlfdevel-
oped maiden, TO the dAxsD-ba.red baby todlipg
in eager emulation of firmer footsteps
larger crowds Of laughing children softly dit
ted about the place, intent on merri neuc that
knew 10 shadow. Here in the morning,
fathers bade farewell TO rosy little bands
striving nosily for the last clasp of hands at
the pretty gates, while mothers stood in the
back ground on the threshold of the door, with
growing babies essaying their farewell! and
here, in the soft shadow of the evening, the
happy voy ayers on the sea of business returned
| to be greeted by boisterous welcome OF the
| same tongues and hearts. Here innocence
| found shelter in mothers care and fathers
protection here the taste of the bitter fruit
OF the accursed tree was ayerted from baby
| lips; here home wove its angelic circle of
charm from the worlds dread spell, and Gods
image in the children's souls was the faireat
| gem of all that circle held undimmed.
Through this little paradise on earth, the
portly old figure limped its way, leading the
! waif by the hand, with as gentle q touch. and
as cons!deEate an air, as if he were leading
| child of royalty. And out of upper windo VS.
! aud open doors women's eyes, eyes of mothers
and wives, looked on the pair some in mock
cry, some in pity, all in wonder. Said Mrs
Rose to Mrs. Lily across her garden hedge Of
"Just look! What can old Mr.. vinton be
doing with that terrible looking child
ana bbiU 1lES Lily IN reply TAQOpLlUg QGI,
I guess! more Of his oddities. Ugh" This
was pretty, dainty feminine shudder.
More likely taking her TO the House Of Re
| fuge" croaked old Miss Garlic, from her upper
| window. This neighborhood is no place for
| such! Keep the children in to-day, my dear,
| the air is tainted slreadyw aud she closed her
window, smiling sardonically, while the two
blooming mothers glanced towards the white
curtained ones of their respective nurseries
with looks of defiance. Whereat, Mrs. Tulip,
seeing from across the street that something
was going on" glided over and Joined the
What can Mr.. Vinton mean, my dears 7" she
asked. all out of breath, land how do you
think Miss Susanna and Miss Eva will like
"That's not the question" pouted Mrs. Rose,
'it's how will zee, his neighbors. like it, with
our crowds of innocent darlings!"
True, my DEAR" chimed in Mrs. Lily che
ought to remember we're almost like one fami-
ly on this street, and can't be interferred with
| by his W hims ~
Tulip; EXACTLY my idea of little jail-bird =,
MISS Garlic appeared at her door, arrayed in
| street costume.
Forming protective union, ladies 7" she
sneered, as she proceeded to open her gate and
pass ont. What anxious lives mothers do
lead.'
Aud little farther on her way, she added
How / hate them, with their 'darlings,' and
how detest the dainty darlings too! hope
Yinton will let the jail bird loose among the
sickeDing doves!'
little Mrs. Miguonotte, with her baby her
arm. and said she,
oh! did yon see that forlorD looking little
thing old Mr.. Vlpton was briu cling home with
him My heart ached for her,"
Better ache for yourself and youT neigh
bors." cried one Of the indignant trio.
Yes, with Infection of soul and body
brought amongst MS . piped another.
And Heaven knows what evil to our limo.
cent Children wound up the third.
Dear me-" timidly answered soft-voic-d
little Mrs. Mignonette her hazel eyes dewy,
:. 1 thought we might all offer to do somechi ng
for the poor little creature, especially as the
VIntons are not used to children. And we
came over to see if any one would go there
with Us. didn't us, baby ~ This last, to cover
her confusion at the indignant looks cast upon
her. Baby crowed joyous reply, and caught
its mother by a golden lock straying over her
temple, whereby be conveniently screened her
from view of noses shifting the air for her
benefit, and glarces of defiance and contempt
careering botty all around her, and falling
short of their mark, by the simple obstacle OF
that blessed chubby hand. But now the group
was joined by nearly all the blooming matrons,
whose business and whose beautiful pride it