The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-04-23
JUVENILE COLUMN.
EVA, THE uUNcHBAck.

strains .,,u fading. the last beam is shining,
Ave Maria Gay is declining
e.a5;ro IN her tip toe, Eva scanned the
eaid Where could it be coming
Wiae g AN there it is " she exclaimed
i, IN un,ipg a bevy of girls, IN 0ioau hats
and blue ribbons, padding A''''o oo''
y along the stream below. ,
aVn snnnose the Blessed Mother fingers
near that boat in all her holy radiance
listening to their appeal IT'S one OF sue, !,
sweetness she cannot but DC pleaeeo,
thoueht Eva. At length all became silent
again only the splash OF the waves was &c
be heard as now and then M eh a;ri nass u,pgea
It was light boat, anu 'no gins seenneo u
n. 100 we are at last at our destina-
zion Eva heard one of the girls say
~ nn,,a let us moor the boat. That oak
Wonder, think, would be capital security
4 for it." A., ;.,o
and Immediately on securing the boat, they
i proceeded up the hill.
Eva saw them coming towards her and
q ,emaiped as still as frightened mouse.
y The girls, chattering and laughing, brushed
/ near her, and throwing their shawls and
satchels on rock near by, reached up to
the oak trees, that grew abundantly
around, and plucking the dark green leaves
until their arms were loaded, assembled the
rocks, and commenced braidiDg them into
wreaths. Suddenly they heard a crack
ling sound near them. 1t was Eva, who
had accidently stepped on dried stick.
"Oh my !" cried Kate Farnbam, the old
est the group, "what is that 7"
"a man, I'll vouch ~ said Lottie Burke
mischievously. At this, the youngest of
the girls scrambled up the opposite rock for
their satchels, and prepared for immediate
fight.
her hiding place. I" am 30 sorry fright
ened you"
The expression Of alarm faded from the
girls faces, and an amused smile took it's
place. The dress she wore was nothing
more or less than a complete patchwork of
many colors, nevertheless it was scrupu-
lousy clean, and free from rents.
Why it is Evat- said Kate Graham.
$50 it isl" whispered the other girls,
" Eva the hunchback."
81 hope 1 haven't disturbed yon," said
Eva, preparing to pass on. 81 didn't mean
to-"
ooh, not at all :" said Kate; "don't MUD
as, Eva. What is that you carry under
your arm,-a portfolio 2"
Yes" she replied hesitating: then i'm
pulsively stepped towards the group and
seated herself at their feet.
HShe opened the portfolio, and looking
up at them with her pitifui blue eyes, point
ed to what it contained.
An Involuntary - Oh - OF ueiSht escaped
from the girls and cTowdipg still closer
around her, some knelt at her side,
while others leaned over her shoulder aud
examined, with beaming faces, the gem
that lay before them.
1t was landscape of mellow beauty.
The sun was just sinking behind the hills,
like great ball of Ere, but the lambs on
shepherd, with his genial face and loose
garb, reclined on the green sward, watch
ing the sun 60 down in it's gorgeous
glory and the branches that overhung
him one could almost fancy they could
hear them rustic, or see them wave. SO true
was the subject treated. And up over the
mountain a farmer, with wagon full of
grain, drove poor tired horse, that as you
look ed at it seemed really to pant up into
your face, and tell the tale of his hard days
work. The girls at last raised their heads,
and drew long breath.
"Was there ever any thing half so beau
tiful !" said Kate where on earth did
you get it, Eva 2"
land yon really think it beautiful :"
exclaimed Eva, rising to her feet, and i'm
mediately pressing her hand to her mouth |
as if she had said something extravaganza, |
"Perfeetly beautiful" chorused the girls, |
seating themselves again on the rock, and |
braidiDg away at the leaves. They be- |
ieved Eva had found the landscape, and !
deemed her fortunate, for they knew she |
could not afford to buy such luxury.
strange llght-the light of hopeful, |
buoyant glad, almost satisfied heart-came |
into the little hunchback's eyes; and with
an impulse that took the girls by complete |
she ran 10 each and showered |
them with kisses.
DWELL, upon my world" said Kate. es
Gaping from her share of the caresses. and |
out the hat that Eva had. |
in her hug OF delight, well nigh crushed be |
yond remedy, elf that isn't complI- |
lnentary bur of something; whether
y is affection CT Mysteries remains to be
proved"
Eva looked aghast at what she had done.
The girls could not refrain from bursting
into hearty fit of laughter at herfrighten-
ed face.
"Do not be dispIeased with me-" said
Eva, could not help kissing you, you
made me so happy! ~
Wei" said the girls wonderingly,
= do tell us how we made you happy. Come,
Eva, sit down" Eva Immediately sat at
their feet, and in her own impulsive way
vent on:
"'Well, girls, you know must commence
md tell you everything, or you will not I'M