The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-11-05
Warming Star and Catholic ~esseu GER
80 oTIFANs' sUNDAY. NovEMBER 1876
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE WOOD CATERERS.

comfortable tnelr Iaoor m&oe Cne snug NIVio
nome 10 which they lived. Their mother
often said che did not know how she could
yet along without them, and their father,
AZ he d0zed by the cheerful fire they had
Droyided, nodded bis head in approval, and
muttered, " Yes, they are very good chill
dren."
,onger,n said Hans, one day, stretchiDg
himself to his full height; 60! am getslng
too big for that kind of work. want TO
Il earn money, and get to be mercnanC' anu
4 take you all to the city to live; where mo
Their will not have to work 30 nara, ana
where you, Gretchen, can to school, and
"Oh. how nice it will be-" interrupted
Gretchen. clapping her hands; Sand then
father will do nothing but look about the
store when you are out attending to bust
carriage, and have parties, and OBJ, such
nice times"
al declare" said her mother, as she drop
ped her spectacles from her ey es, and looked
MP from the stocking she was industriouely
Knitting, "what are You children talking
aboutf"
"Only about what Hans is going to do
when he gets to be man," replied Gretchen.
HWell, 1 hope" said his mother,
"he will always be good, and do what
he can to make his father and mother
happy, and be comfort to them when
they grow old.o
"Never fear, MOTHER" answered Hans,
proudly 81 shall not forget my duty to
you and father, nor how hard you have
worked for as children"
What Hans weuld do when he became a
man was the topic of many conversation,
while Gretchen and he were wandering
about the forest, searching for faggots. It
was q subject of which they never tired
the bright future they pictured cheered
them during their many trials, and relieved
their present poverty of all it's hardships,
and they never doubted they would see the
fulfllment of all their hopes.
Far into the forest they had built little
hut with branches of trees, and had cover
ed the ground with leaves, and in it, during
the heat of the day, they rested and ate
their lunch here they sometimes took re-
fuge from q sudden shower, and here, more
than in other places, they discussed their
plans for the future.
Hans and Gretchen had been unusually
busy one morning, and had collected quite
apple of faggots they had eaten their little
meal, and seated themselves in the hut for
rest and a talk on their favorite subject.
come, when he could go out into the world
to seek his fortune; Gretchen was quite
tired, and while Hans was telling her of the
wonderful things he intended to do, she fell
asleep.
Hans stopped in the midst of his de-
awaken her, then, as she was sleeping 30
peacefully, he concluded not to disturb her,
80 he stretched himself Oh the bed of leaves
to rest, while Gretchen was sleeping.
For long time ali was quiet, nothing
was heard but the chirping of birds and the
humming of insects after q while, Hsns
thought he heard footsteps, and then the
boughs were suddenly parted, and to his
surprise he saw little man, who looked
inquiringly about, and then said he had
lost his way, and would be much pleased if
Hans would direct him back to the road,
Hans thought it strange that the man
should know his name. bat he jumped up
at once, and, leaving his sister still asleep,
went out to give the required directions.
Hans was quite surprised to find that the
little man had with him a large wagon, and
he wondered how he could possibly have
reached that lonely place in the forest, with
such load of goods as the vehicle con-
tanned. The little man told him he was a
peddler, and that he drove everywhere
about the country selling his goods.
As Hans walked ahead and pointed ont
the way, the peddler was loud in the praises
of his horses, and they certainly did pull
the immense load very easily, yet it was
quite a distance to the road, and rather late
when they reached it.
How would you like to go with me-
said the peddler 81 have long been in
want of a young man like you, for I am
getting rather old, and have made nearly
money enough. 1 shall want some one to
take care of the business in few years
what do you say to going with me 2"
Hans was delighted He had been called
young man, which fattered him, and
then the prospect of making money pleased
him; it was the very chance he wanted, and
he gladly accepted the offer.
The peddier would not listen to his going
back to tell his sister and mother, or ask
their consent; he must go at once, or not al
faA for lint = h
chance was too tempting; he accepted, took
his seat by the peddler and they started of
at a quick pace.
1t was long journey, varied only by
stopping at houses to dispose of goods, and
sleeping at night in the wagon they were
always on hand for business, and it was
Just the life for which Hans had loDged-
Occasionally he thought of his mother and
sister, and wished they could know of his
good fortune, but he Satisfied himself with
the thought that he would soon return 6
hsh man, and of how pleased they would