The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-02
I. ernlng Star and Catholic Messenger.
.sw ORLEANS, SUNDAY, MAY 1875.
JUVENILE COLUMN.
A STORY OF BUFFER GULCH.
(From the Young Catholio.)

sachools. from laws and Civilizations little
community, gathered from all parts OF the
world-a restless body of men, VINO, as soon
a mining in one section ceased to pay or
zke place became too thickly settled, would
love on in search of new adventures and
more profitable locations.
ia As the place contained but few inhabi-
kants, each mans character was we'll known
by his comrades and every one agreed
( Shat Sandy MCGUIRE was desperate man,
one not to be triaed with.
81 A singular attachment existed between
the great, brawny, rough Sandy and the
& delicate. almost chiidiike Mich ael-"Saint
Michael" he was called, for he was the only
one that was free from bad habits or that
tried to lead a good life in Buffer Gulch.
Michael had started with his parents to
scross the plains, but his father aud mother
had died on the way, and he had been left
IAN orphan while yet far from his destination.
Sandy Mcclure had taken pity on his
forlorn condition, left as he was without
money or friends, and had been his protector
ever since.
4 Michael was not strong, and could do but
little hard work yet he able to cook, and
mend clothing, and do what Sandy sppre-
ciated more than all else-read to him the
news when tho occasional paper reached
3athem. He was also the nurse of all the sick;
Sindeed, he was more than nurse for in
church and priest. he had baptised some,
and by his prayers and the reading of good
! books, had made happier the death of men,
who during long, reckless lives, had scarce
ly thought of God or eternity.
So Saint Michael he was called by the
rough miners, and he was loved and respect
a ed by all, except that portion of the COM
munity that lived in idleness on the hard
earnings of the others. They disliked him
i as heartily as the others loved him yet
q they hardly dared to chow their hatred, or
4 to make openly the threats tbey freely ex-
i pressed among themselves.
They were particularly provoked be-
i cause Michael always accompanied Sandy,
and, by coaxing and scolding, generally in
duced him to leave their company when
they were sure that he was about to be their
victim. Many dollars Michael had saved
Sandy in this way, and hearty thanks he
had afterwards received for doing it.
They had just 6iniehed an unusually
lucky week, and were congratulating them
selves on their success, when they saw
their way to the store. Sandy at once cons
Guided to accompany them and he aud
Michael started with the others.
On this evening, perhaps on account of
his recent good luck, Sandy was unusually
reckless, and quite early Michael began
coaxisg him to return home. But Sandy's
companions had made up their minds not
to let him go, and laughed at him for al
lowing Michael to take him away. Then
they contrived to separate Michael from
SANDY, VINO every moment was becoming
still more reckless.
On many occasions before Michael had
succeeded in getting Sandy away but this
time he not only did not succeed, but paid
dearly for interfering for Michael was
severely wounded, and Sandy, made des
parate in aveDging Michael, was also badly
injured.
The men that caused the disturbance, in
the confusion and excitement, escaped,
knowing well that the miners would
wreak terrible vengeance ON any one
who dared to ipjure Michael.
Very gently Michael was carried to his
home, while Sandy walked sorrowfully by
his side. The next day Michael was thought
to be In dangerous condition. Sandy
did not leave his side but once, and then it
was to dispatch "a trusty messenger, to DO
absent several days, on "a ride of many miles;
and his instructions were, no matter at
what cost, to bring back doctor and a
priest.
'Not that think that one so good as he
needs priest" said Sandy; &" but know
he would like to have one; and he shall, if
q we can find one that will come"
Sandy forgetful of his own wound, was
faithful nurse to Michael, who, after linger
ing short time, apparently between life
and death, began to improve, and all re-
) Joiced to see signs of returning health and
! strength.
Then Sandy told Michael about sending
for the priest. "But he will have nothing
to do when he gets here" said Sandy, "for
we shall soon be at our work once more"
But poor Sandy was never again To go
back to his old life, for the wound he had
received rapidly grew worse, and very soon
he was lying helpless on his bed. He grew
worse and worse, and one morning he call
ed Michael to his side, and told him that he
knew that he was going to die.
81 had a dream last night" he said 81
saw little boy playing with his compan-
ions, and 1 heard his merry shout as he
ran with them through the woods. 1 saw
him go to the pasture lot and slowly drive
nome the cows; and his mother, standing
IN the doorway, welcomed him with cheer
19l smiles, and then spread the table for
their evening meal. And then I saw his
mother on her knees, and her little boy
childish voice in prayer. Then the little
cnlld was gone, and my mother prayed
alone-fOr was the little hoy that nraYed.