The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-02-28

evening, and III get back long before they
come.' He slipped out of the back door,
went across the fields, and reached the
road. After walking short distance he
saw Willie Martin, one of his little COM
panions, with his books under his arm, re
tRrning to school after the noon recess.
Halo: Willie' he cried,' where are
You goingf'
"'To school, of course, why didn't you
come to day = answered Willie.
"'Because mother wanted me to stay
home this morning, and I'll tell you what
mean to do this afternoon. Bill Wilson
has made boat; l know where he keeps
it,-righr down in some bushes near the
river. I'm going to try bow she'll sail !;
come along with me, won't you, and we'll
"'Oh, cane ans wered Willie; father
forbade me to go to the river; he says it's
dangerous'
Your father amt home, is he p asked
Johnnie.
"'No,' said Willie.
"'Well, he won't know you went; you
needn't tell him besides I'll take care of
you. Come along; We'll go through the
woods, SO nobody'il see us:'
"'But,' said Willie, Bill won't like any one
to touch bis boat; he is going to try her him
self after school, and he'll be angry if he
finds out We took her,
"Bill was one of the largest boys in the
village, aud the others stood somewhat in
awe of him.
".Oh, is he p asked Johnnie well, let us
ge down there and play till he comes.
Come, your late for school now, anyhow !;
put your books under that big stone
they'll be all safe when we come back
"Willie wanted very much to go and
play on the river-bsnk, as he and his little
brothers were seldom allowed to do 30.
After little more coaxing he hid his
books under the stone, and hurried off
with Johnnie, not, however, without feel
ing he was doing wrong.
"Ten minutes walk through the woods
brought the boys to the river. They sat
down on the messy banks a few moments,
watching the distant sail boats then roll
ing up their pants, waded to some large
rocks near the shore, tried to catch the lit
tie minnows as they darted into some nook,
which they saw glistening under the
water. Soon firing of this, they looked for
other Amusement.
CON- cried Johnnie, there is an old raft !;
let us play we are sailors jump on, Willie,
we won't sail very far
"Willie jumped on. Each one of the
children taking long pole, pushed the
raft from the shore to the rocks, and back
again /; by degrees they became holder, and
ventured beyond the rocks. Suddenly
they were startled by hearing Bill and his
friends coming shouting through the woods,
down to the river, to try his boat.
"Tbey tried to return, but they had
gone farther than they intended. The tide
had taken the old raft, and was carrying it
out; all their efforts to row back were
vain; they had not sufficient strength.
Seeing their danger, they thought only of
regaining the shore. Johnnie, taking
Willie by the hand, cried: 'Jump!' and
sprang. into tie water, dragging Willie
after him.
"He was good swimmer, and tried to
swim, but the tide was too strong besides,
he was burdened with Willie, who could
not swim. They sank down, down into the
gurgling water, and rose again. Poor
reach land, but finding he could not,
clasped Willie in his arms, and Bill and bis
party just reached the shore just in time to
see them sinking to rise no MORE"
ooh, grandma, how sad that was !" cried
the children with tears in their eyes.
eyes, it was very sad indeed, dear child
rem, and it shows US what dreadful conse-
quences sometimes follow the sin of
disOhedience."
'What did the parents of those boys
say, grandmaf"
sit would be impossible to describe their
grief" answered Mrs. Wilbert "the bodies
were recovered, and there was funeral in
the little cb urch. The children seemed to
be very much impressed by this sad occur
renee, and think it had good and last
ing effect on many Of them.
"Six weeks after dawned the happy day
of First Communion. The sun shone
brightly, the fields were clothed in the
richest green, the soft summer air waited
delicious fragrance from blossoming trees,
and the birds seemed to MARBLE the joyous
ness of the children, as they assembled in
the little church, now fully ompleted, and
beautifully decorated with flowers. The
little girls were in white. and the boys
wore rosette of white ribbon on the left
shoulder. After the beautiful ceremony
was over, the good Father Ray ad-
dressed the children. He showed them
how happiness eomes from the endeavor
to do right; aud as he feelingy alluded to
the two missing boys; who were to have
shared their happiness on that morning,
they all felt what a burden Of sorrow a
single act of disobedience may bring
Young CRUSADER.
NECESSITY OF SLEEP.-There are many
thousands of busy people who die for want
of sleep every year. Sleeplessnees becomes
q disease, and is the precursor of insanity.
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