The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-10-17
1arnIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
NV ORLEANS. SUNDAY. OCTOBER IT. 1871
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE LOST CHILD.

- 90 outside of the house unless ac-
compained by some one older than herself.
Her home was very beautiful she nad
large playroom, q large variety OF toys,
nnd a nurse, whose only duty was to watch
over and care for her.
Nellie had often looked from her play
room window at the ragged and barefooted
little boys and girls in the street, and had |
enyied them their liberty. She was too |
voupg to appreciate all the comforts and
Injuries she enjoyed, or to know that the
little children, who appeared to have much |
mere freedom than herself returned at
night, to cheerless homes, and were often |
times hungry and shivering with the cold:
world around her. It is true she often
went out driving with her mother, but she
thought this little better than being smut
up in the house for what Nellie wished
for most was to wander out at her pleas
ure, go where she pleased, and, above all,
to 60 alone.
One pleasant afternoon, Nellie espied the
door leading to the street standing open
the nurse had left for moment, so, taxing
Dolly in her arms, abe noiselessly descended
the stairs, and ran up the street as fast as
she could, fearing that che might be over
taken, as she had been many times before.
On. on she went. How wonderful, how
beautiful every thing seemed as she walked
from street to street, looking in store,
windows, where tempting candies and
toys were displayed, looking shyly at the
merry children playing, and wishing they
would only ask her to join them, and run
ming away, crying, from two boys that
were fighting!
Nellie had never seen so many people
hurrying to and fro, or so many horses
and wagons. There was SO much confusion
that she quite bewildered, and at last con-
cluded to return home so OF che started,
and walked as fast as she could what SEEM
cd to her very long distance. But where
Viz oh0
could not tell. She looked at the doll she
was holding in her arms, and, beginning to
cry sobbed out "Dolly, we are lost"
Still, she walked on. Night was ap-
preaching, and she felt very tired. Oh,
how she wished for her mother or her nurse
How she thought of her little white bed,
and longed to be in it'll Then she began
to get hungry, and think of the nice sup
pec sbe would have If she were home
the tears fell fast from her eyes, and she
deeply regretted having disobeyed her
mother.
Had Nellie been missed at home Yes
and search bad been made in every place
where it was likely che would bei at LAS
the nurse was obliged to go to Nellie!
mother, and tell her that her child couic
not be found: The frightened mother I'm
mediately ordered more e xtended search
but with no better success. They wrote
out q description of Nellie, and had thu
criers 90 about everywhere in the neigh
boFhOod, Offering reward for the missing
child.
Whist words can describe the feelings o
the almost frantic mother fog the loss o
her darling. Night was coming on, ant
still no tidipgs Of the beloved one. Hou
after hour passed tediously away, tn
evening meal was untasted, the little crll
was vacant, and no sleep closed the eye
of any of the inmates of the household.
Poor Nellie had not thought that he
disobedience would cause 80 much trouble
or bring so severe punishment upon her
self deep were her regrets, but now it wa
too late. Little children gathered aroun!
her, asking her why she cried, but TIL
only frightened Nellie more, and she ran
sobbipg, away. Once she stood, holdln
her Dolly in her arms, almost within hear
ing distance of the man who was ringing
bell, and informing the few passers-o
who cared to listen, that child was lost.
But Nellie was not so soon to return
her mother, for just then poorly dreese
woman came towards her, and offered
take her home.
Nellie little knew that the wicked VIC
man had Just the description of the erie
and was determined to keep her until
larger reward was offered. She instinct
lively shrank from the woman, yet innt
Gently went with her, thinking that ST
would soon see her mother.
They passed through many mario
stTeets, and at last stopped before a dill
pidated house then the woman asked her
come in for moment, and said that aft
that she would take her home.
Nellie was ushered into q dimly -lighte
room the woman locked the door, put Il
key in her pocket, and told the frightent
child that her mother lived so far awi
she could not take her home until the NOR
ing.
Poor Nellie sobbed herself to sleep, on
to start up amidst frightened dreams, al
to call for her mother. At last, bell
very tired, she fell into a deep slumbt
and did not awake until late the fOllowi
morning.
Here Nellie remained for several day
She was not badly treated, yet she sad
missed the luxuries to which she had be-
accustomed. When che begged to be taxi
home, she was answered by the woman
las soon as can find your mother, W
take you home"
The truth was the woman knew VI
where to take her, but was waiting for t
larger reward she thought would be {