The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-05-14
JUVENILE COLUMN.
WHAT A NovENA ACCOMPLISHED.
ny FANNIE more.

the name of Allen, CONSUMING "a iaLhei
mother, ard two daughters one OF taese
TonS Surrounded by wealth and every
1 es MEry was happy In her adopted
for she was Indeed made TO feel
~ ZONE nv all, especially Kate Allen, to
Ebom she was warmly attached. they
n attended school together, aIu the long
r..rsnce. Kate would often find Mary
apaaminoIv despondent, and during their
%eiLa silent and sad. She would Away 8
recaive The same answer on making inquiry
90 70 the csuee of her sadness 81 was only
& thinking Of brother;
an aarIy sge, and Joseph, thrown on the
norId. cast bic lot in the city Of his father,
I'D being thrown in company with Pro
tastsnts altogether, had become an apps
tate. while Mary, taken kindly by good Mr..
q Allen, was tenderly cared for and lived in
the practice of her faith. Mary had always
loved her brother tenderly, and now ste
4 only thought of him with sadness and even
his letters though full of bright hopes and
his prosperous and happy life, were only "a
source of fresh grief to her, as all her in
ouiries in regard to his religious duties
were uunoticed. Each letter told only Of
Protestant companions.
On ore occasion she was unusually
gloomy, and wien Kate found her weeping,
she devined the cause, and ponderipg seIi
ously moment, said Oh, Mary, let us
get mother and fathsr to join us in move
IA for him."
"Katie," abe replied sadly, al pray for
him every day, but when think of him, 60
far away, no friends, no religion to restrain,
no influence to win him back to the old
path we were won't to walk 10 our child
hood, feel SO hopeless but ] am glad you
have made me think of o novena. / thank
you very much. We will say this novena
and l will be patient to abide Code own
good time perhaps have been wicked in
expecting HIM to answer my unworthy
prayers SO soon.
"And Mamie, you know when two or
three are gathered together. what An es-
pecial blessing they receive"
Yes, let US go and ask mamma and father
at once to join us."
Mr.. and Mrs. Allen had only to be asked,
as they had Mary's happiness SO much at
heart, and SO it was arranged that they
should all meet in the sittiDg room at sun
rise for nine successive days and engage in
prayer for the loved brother. Mary seemed
more cheerful es the days of the novepa
wore on, and when the last Gay came che
was unusually happy. Her faith was
strong in our Lords promise, but she did
not anticipate quick conSum nation OF her
hopes.
One evening she and Kate were slowly
vending their way home from school,
when they saw Mr.. Allen coming to me ct
them.
"Here is a letter from that scape grace
brother of you're, Mary" he eaid "see
what he has to say"
Thank you, papa" she said, her face
Frightening. She broke the seal and read
as follows:
"DEAR s1sTER-Prepsre yourself at once
such to you, and l hasten to tell you, first
Of all, my happiness. went to Holy Conn
munion on Sunday morning last, the frat
time in ten years. l do not know how it
came about. Iii my stery to me yet, when
think of how Indifferent was, and how
often said to you and others L would never
entangle myself with religion again but
somehow all at onceI became alarmed at my
careleseness, and resolved at least to try to
change my life. l am . Catholic, and will
be az long as 1 live, though l have often
said never would be again. Dear little
sister, wish could be with you now, but
will come up soop, and then we can en-
joy ourselves as we used in our childhood,
for since then it seemed always there was a
barrier between u.s."
She could read no more tears of joy fell
thick and fast. "Oh, papa, Katie, I am so
happy. Gloria 10 excelsis Deo!" she ex
claimed and fell on her knees and blessed
ana praised God again and again.
Why, Mary, darling" said Mr.. Allen,
good hnmoredIy, "when did you turn
Methodist 1 did not know you could
shout so. What is the matter Let me see "
he said, taking the letter, and while he
read the two girls lovingly embraced each
other.
When he had finished reading the letter
he said, Well, pet, do not blame you,
feel like shouting with yoH."
oh, Iapa, God is 30 good. just think,
only Sunday our novena was finished
and on Sunday, the same day, it was an
swered."
"Write to him to come to us as soon as
convenient, Mary" he said, and before
many weeks bad passed, Joseph Leslie was
ushered into the sitting room of Mr.. Allen,
to the great joy of all. And before the
close of his visit he had seen so much
kindness and goodness of heart in Katie
Allen, that he bad said to Mr.. Allen that
h, would not visit them again until her
Schooldays were over.
laughiDgly, 4" will give you the refusal"
Years have passed, and now Mr.. and
Mrs. Joseph Leslie, formerly Kate Allen,
are living in a cnkEaOe clOoo hu tho old