The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-22
NUMBER %.

| swan "oo uaNehnB-oA&, VINO passes rapidly
away from the narrow doorway Of house, and
| steps out boldly on the broad highway. Hs
breathes freely, and an earnest satisfaotiou
speaks from his eyes. Joyfully starting out to
meet life. he takes notice neither of the noble
matron who would hold him back, nor of the
affectionate maiden who longingiy extends her
hands to him, nor of the faithful dog that,
although fastened by the chain, nevertheless
raises himself entreatingly. From tho windows
Of an inn may be seen q waiter, standing at q
counting table and swinging his hat: o Jew
stands in the way and holds out a paper, which
the Wanderer refuses: at the well in the fore
ground thoughtless maid mods saucily and
piquantly to the youth and so fur the picture
represents gay scene, little saddened by the
quiet grief in the background; but, before the
wanderer, who looks carelessly around, gapes
an abyss, in which is suspended n friRhtfnl
dead body, with q severe but honest counte-
nance. Its eyes are shut, but it raises the
right hand warningly toward the approaching
youth, while the left rests on the breast in.
quiet consciousness.
"And so." continued the narrator, "the
picture is finished"
short silence reigned in the company. Tha
king rested gloomiIy in his chair; while the
queen, on whom the affectionate daughters
were leaning, at length replied:
"The picture lie finished, and we have an
obscure aifegory, to find the key to which will
not be difficult. Man and woman going from
the narrow home circle to enter upon life,
leaving behind them the sheltering paternal
roof and the innocent joys of childhood; the
youthful desire to toss upon tempestuous
waters, or to journey on the parehed highway;
these are-or my feeling must be very much ss
fault-the subjects which the poetical painter
wishes to represent"
Your msjesty's penetration 10 equal to the
solution of the most obscure enigma" replied
the count; "but in the attractive double
picture lies still more, if one leave not ont of
notice that it is surrounded by wreath Of
forget-me-nots; that the mariner wears these
flowers in her hair, and the wanderer on his
bosom. The artist thought 20 give tho signif-
cation of the harmless little flower, and how
well he has succeeded in painting its character
istics The departing is for those remaining
behind forget-me-not; but even these who
remain on the spot which the loved one leaves,
desire to impress their remembrance on the
bird Of passage just as firmly. Forget mo
not call after her the silver. haired father, the
youthful friend, and the play companions Of
the maiden. Forget me notF whispers the
gorified mother out Of the clouds, and the pro-
tecting spirit lowering over the waters. Well
for the youth, if the forget-me-nos Of the
mother, the bride, and the creditor, cling long
% his heart he will return true and noble,
corning the temptations on the way Of life,
md remembering the paternsl honor, which.
he A.
alls to him Forget me notp"
The queen rose hastily, nodded, as it seemed,
by tears, to the narrator, leaned
pom the arm of her daughter, and apparently
truggling to hide her emotion, left the rooms
he king threw disappearing glance after
Ter, which finally met that of the count, who
TODD transfxed in the middle OF the hall,
Without knowing how or why 80 peculiar .
had transpired.
The courtiers had fallen back aud were whs-
ering among themselves.
will your majesty oondescend to point out
D me whether any indiscretion of minO has
aused the present event, or whether It may
Q attributed TO an unfortunate cOiucideneoF
Aid the count timidly. Instead Of answerinRs
ne ruler gave those standing around the signaK
{ departure. and commanded the count TO re-
ain. Being called nearer, and permitted to
{ opposite the king, he waited impatiently
r the discourse which his commander shonld
rect to him.
"Your ignorance is excused, !" commenced the
tier, in HE usual short manner of speaking
tut the qleen is unpleasantly affected By the
.me Forget-me-nOt. 1t Is an old woand that
70 to day been opened sfresh, aud hence the
range scene 1t is perhaps nineteen yeSrD
nee undertook the rule OF this State. The
re of It called me into the field ageinst this
emy formed By the exilea royal family.