The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-11-14
JUVENILE COLUMN.
Annals LEGACY.


What q weary day that had been and
the evening was still more dreary, for
Keen wind and heavy rain had made the
sire ts lonesome and cheerless. the lamp
lighter ran about on his rounds, first on one
side of the way and then on the other,
lighting lamp after lamp, until the dark
ness was relieved here and there by
speck of light, contrasting strangely
enough with the gloom that reigned
around.
Bart sat at the window, watching for some
sight or sound that would help to relieve
the WEAKNESS which oppressed her. She bad
been confined to her bed for many months
with disease of the spine, and even now
she could not support herself on her feet
Her case had been treated by the best
physicians in the city, but without any
benefit, and her friends were now painfully
aware of the utter hopeiessness of ier re-
covery. She tried to be patient, though 1t
was hard work sometimes, particularly at
night, when she was alone, with no one TO
witness her pain but God. But she loved
Him, and was glad to know He was ever
near, watching over her and sympathizing
with her suferings.
she was always wheeled in a cushioned
chair to the window, and there she would
amuse herself gazing at the passers- by, or
chatting with the neighbors, who never
failed to stop for a word OF two.
been very dull, and the few who were out
had hurried along as though impatient to
reach home and shelter. To render it more
trying still, Anna had felt unusually de
pressed and melancholy, and this feeling
had made her prolong her stay at the win
dow until it grew 30 dark that she had al
most concluded to go to bed.
Her guardian angel must have had pity
: on the poor child, for just then she heard
the sound of music, and, as it drew nearer,
.ba cd he q he &
Stella" hymn that she loved and had
often sung in company with her dear
classmates, with whom, alas she knew
she could never, never sing again. The
associations connected with the familiar
strain made her conceive a lively pleasure
in listening, though the way in which it
was played by the cracked old organ made
her smile break, now and then, into a
merry laugh.
She peered out as far as she could through
the darkness aud saw that the musician
was lad about thirteen years of age. He
was poorly clad, and seemed to be tired
and hungry, judging from the sad and for
lorn appearance Of his face and fgnre.
">Poor little fellow !" exclaimed Anna
r.'just look at him; do, please, dear mother.
come and hear the music" So they sat in
the twilight and listened to the F." Ave Marie
Stella" as it came, again and again, from
the old cracked organ.
When the boy had finished playing, he
came and stood under the window, and, in
broken English, begged for charity.
"Oh, dear mother, mayn't he have some
supper and little help 2" urged Anna.
Certainly, my child shall hall cal call hin, him
reply.
Indeed, Mrs. Bart would scarcely have
refused her gentle daughter anything but
now that her own heart was touched, 1t
was with gladness that she granted the re-
quest. So the poor musician was brought
into the house, and, to his great surprise,
treated to substantial meal, such as he
bad not seen or tasted since he left his
native land.
After he had satisfied his hunger, he told
his kind friends that his name was Carlo
and that he had a sick mother at home
and that it was to procure her some food
that he had gone ont in the cold and rain
She did not wish him to go, he said but he
could not bear to see her without the food
she needed, though she never complained
1t was his dear fathers organ that he car
ried, and every day, at first, he earned 9
few cents but as people got used to him.
their hearts grew harder, until at length
they refused to help him in any way.
All that long, dreary day he had trudged
about, playing and singing by turns, unit
his heart grew sick within him at his want
of success. And as he thought of the
many things needed at home, and of the
rent, which had to be paid weekly, he fell
that he could not afford to buy any supper
for all that he was so tired and cold ant
hungry for even a penny was more than h
could spare. So it was fortunate for hin
that little Anna in her cushioned chat
had listened to his organ, and his organ
played cave Maris Stella"
For days after, Anna talked of Carlo, ant
was never tired of plying him, and wish
ing that he would come again.
And he did come again and at last it be
came part of the evenings Amusement TO
Carlo to come with his organ and play be
fore the window. The sick child watched
and listened, and though the music was no
SO good as it might have been, she forgot tina
in her pity and interest for the boy. Mucl
substantial help was now sent to the poo
mother, and many kind message che re
ceived from the beautiful signorina, "who,
Carlo said, "looked 80 white and ill, ant
as though she were going to die"
One evening Carlo went to play as usua
hofo h. kT