The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-01
TAppEo THE CRIPPLE.

"The boy should have some tools," said
rather Pietro "sOme small toOle not too
|heayy for his weak hands, but with which
he can amuse himself as he sits here by the
hour, in his low chair"
The boys eyes frightened 40 ne neard
this. eyes, yes, mother ;,I ie. me me nav. nave
BONE S1 small san no sOo, ayn a1a little altar"
1 MYou shall have them, child; your ia
mar will be glad to do anything to keep
he time from lying heavily on your
hands,"
inter, came from his work on the great
q Siena, his wife, Catherine, told him what
Sather Pietro had said. Julius listened
sitb tears in his eyes. Eyes, my poor
addeo, you shall have any and all the
5ols that your weak hands can use."
"Indeed, father, my hands are not so
&ery weak. If my feet and legs were only
IS strong as my hands and arms, could
limb with you to the top of the scaffoid-
hem"
"That may do" said Julius, shut the
Scols you shall have"
The next evSn:Dg he brought Taddeo q
IA of delicate tools for carving wood, soft
bod that could be easily worked; aud
here was not happier child in all Siena
han poor little Taddeo, thescripple, who
had never taken o step in bis life. From
#bis time there was no lapguor in the
arge bright ey &c, no qulvering of the pale
: ips, as he saw the boys Of his own age ut
heir sports. His prayers were said with
bore Grvor, aud q ray of divine joy lighted
10 his face and his whole life. With the
Aarly morning his tools were placed by
lis chair and he was at work. His mother
lid not ask him what he was doing, for che
law that it was to be supriee to her. The
dvent days had come and gone. Christmas
do, and even the Epiphany and Purifica-
lon but still Taddeo kept his secret. But
5n the morning of the 25th of March, Dame
Katherine saw something wrapped care
+ nlly in white paper on her little altar.
Taddeo was dressed and in his little chair,
Ready to be taken to early Mass, for it was
$he Feast of the AnnunciatiOD, and he must
IS OF fail TO receive Holy Communion on that
2day. There waspienty of time, however, for
Katherine was q stirring, busting woman
! who was never known to be late for Mass.
Besides, she was quite cure that Taddeo
had finished his carving, and that 1t lay in
8the white paper on the altar, for she saw
&him looking nervously at her and then at
Nthe package as if he feared she had not
been it.
\ "Ah what is this 2" she said, coming up
to the altar, and pulling one corner OF the
paper. Oh! Julius, come quick !" and as
Julius hurried at her call, she unwrapped
\ the white paper, and beheld in her hand a
small figure of the Blessed Virgin and be-
4 fore her the Angel Gabriel, with q lily in
his hand. "Oh, julius! real Annuncia.
ton, and by our own little Taddeo |" And
Catherine Rugged the poor little cripple in
&her arms, while tears of joy ran over hel
own cheeks upon his. Julius, too, though
y grave man, embraced his son, kissed him
enderly on his forehead, and said;
"Indeed, my Taddeo, you have worked
VII anunafhino haaidaa ehnan tnnln n
Fours."
eyes, father" said the boy, "I worked
with my prayers. have longed to do some
hing for the Blessed Virgin; something
for our own little sltar! And now it is time
: for Mass" Aud he put his arms around
bic fathers neck. The strong man, Julius
felt the boy to be mere feather in bis arms
that morning, so buoyant was the heart o.
Taddeo the cripple and when he carried
him to the communion rail, and saw the
Joy that lighted mp his pale face az be re-
ceived his Lord, an awe crept through and
through the strong man, Julius, ct the
thought Of carrying Taddeo again in biz
"Our Taddeo is more like an angel than q
child l sometimes think that he is not loDe
for this world"
"a year ago." replied Catherine, "you
might have said this, Julius, and I cOult
have rejoiced for his sake. But now hS
seems 90 nappys long 20 nave MIN HV0.'
The thin fingers Of the cripple were NO
idle because bic AnDuuciation was finished
His head teemed with holy fancies, ana
the soft wood was laid by for soft marble
One evening when Julius returned from th'
& cathedral, he told how every workman
would carve one piller all by himself, aS ar
Offering to the church. The next morning
Taddeo said:
"Father will you not take me with yoI
this morning to the Duomof wantto SEX
the pillars, and to see which one you have
chosen"
For Tadde0 to wish loud was enough
for Julius. The boy was taken up in BIZ
strong arms jast as he had been all bis life
and taken to the cathedral, and seat wal
made for him by the workmen. His ia
Their had chosen q piller near the altar o
she Blessed Virgin, the second one in front
The first one had been left for some
great artist, some workman who would b.
Ioand superior tn all the others for it wa
Oh the most beautiful white marble. Tad
oeo sat below, looking at the columns
ana at the stOne- cutters seated high on ths
scafoldings around them and q wish, &