The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-12-03


always be prepared for the trials of life; moi
beautiful, bat just sufficiently agreeable to
compare favorably with others; not very learn
even rich, for riches might spoil her; bus with
some one talent that might be q recreation in
prosperity and resource in adversity."
my dear mother" replied George, with con-
siderable emotion. "every word you have just
uttered sounds like an echo of my own heart.
Why is it that the wife you have pictured for
me corresponds exactly with the image of my
own imsgin ationf Is it because have tried
| to walk in your footsteps, have been nourished
upon your holy words, have learned from you
| to love the good, the beautiful, the truef l
value riches far as they subservient to
the comforts and happiness of life bat be-
lieve it my duty to seek such deeting goods in
honest, manly toll, and not in the woman
| whose stay and guardian angel / should be.
You have rsad my soul as clearly as, when a
| child, you understood my most secret thoughts
and knew 30 well what to say. YOu have in
| deed spoken truly. To-day your life is peace
fol and q 'iet ; you no longer need my help.
| My very nature urges me TO devote myself TO
| the care and welfare of others in some measure
dependent on me. often ask, OF what use
are my tolls. if no other being expects to reap
| the benefit of them, or even my life, if living
| for and devoted only to selff
"Dear SOD, when one takes pleasure in snch
reflections which are often dangerous, he is
| not far from finding her whom Providence has
| reserved for him, and perhaps he has even met
her"
IAN indeed your little child, good mother,
that you have read in my countenance the
secret which shall be entrusted to other
ears than your ownf"
George. replied his mother, after listening
attentiyely to an account of his accidental
meeting with Jeanne and his trip to st. Ger
maine, "my SOD, in many things You have the
reason and experience of q N an but your good
heart, your spirit of sacrifice and devotion, SO
easily worked upon in one of your nature,
m ght lead you into some deplorable, irrepar.
able mistakes. From what you tell me of these
two young persons, they are certainly in terest-
ing and honorable. Tney were recommended
to you by some one indirectly acquainted with
them; but you really know nothing about
them, either their family, their relations, or
the cause of their suaerlngs. Be assured, dear
child, am not opposing you in this grave mat
and benediction, both for yourself and the |
woman of your choice-for her whose image |
was engraven in your heart even before you |
had ever seen her. 1 wish only to guard you |
against the fatal mirage of Imagination. One |
+. quest make of you be somewhat reserved |
and watchful over yourself for q little while, |
serve much, be usefol to her whom you hope to |
make your own, but, in doing 30, be very pru.
dent and digni6ed; then. at the end of year,
if your feelings are the same. ask her to be
your wife, and l will say no more: you will |
have complied with all my wishes. Here, dear
son, is the expression of your mothers appIo-
baton; it was all prepared, for did not wish
either accident or sickness to interfere with
your plans for the future"
And from q secretary she drew forth an en-
velope containing signed paper and also some
"They are yours, dear child, really your own,
the savings that from time to time you sent me
when were in such straitened circumstances
Fortune, smiling once more, has permitted me
to return them"
"Oh! spare me-" cried George; "it was q
pleasure for me to consecrate TO you my first
earnings - feeble compensation for all the
means and care bestowed on us, dear mother;
do not deprive me of that sweet memory"
Well, then" said his mother, " will keep
this your memento for your dear Jeanne when
ltn m L1I
treasurer. Now, remember what / have said
I give sEe1 no other marriage portion than o
motheFss ADVICE. Moreover, wish to tell you
that, if circumstances require it, poverty or
you can marry her tomorrow, and
your wife will always meet with the welcome
would give my own child"
Gsorge promised his mother to abide by her
prudent counsels. He remained several days
longer, enjoying the society of his sisters, who
came to join him; then, bidding them all an
atfectionate farewell, he returned to Paris,
plated with hope.
already!
The eight days holiday had not yet expired.
George had employed it In satisfying the dear
est loDgings of his heart. He had found au
aim in life, and not one day had he wished to
conceal this new thought from the heart of his
mother. Would he now return to his benefac.
tor, and resume with ardor before the appoint
ed time, work which would henceforth have
a new stimulusf 1t is more than probable.
wandering at random towards the forests of
st, German, along the outskirts of those beau
tifol trees and hawthorns, " hence one perceives
the little white honse with it's luxuriaut vines
aud its roses in full bloom scattering their
petals on the very rooff Wbyf Does he him
self knowf
AS the atom of gold silently, surely affiliates
itself to the vein of metal; as the dew drop,
by an inevitable descent, joins the limpid
stream; as the magnet, by an Interchangeable
will, turns towards the pole, so the heart seeks
friendship. The strong, in the sight of God,
seeks the weak the pure man seeks the true;
signs his counterpart, his COM
panion. Like attracts like, and man, who be-
lieyes himself acting purely from the dictates
of bis own will, is insensibly but surely
Quoted towards good, if he heeds the voice of
conscience and duty towards evil, if he listens
to egotism and passion.
This explains why George, whose heart was
the purest gold, found himself here in this
most beautiful spot of earth, reposing in his
strength beneath the protecting shade of its
mighty trees, inhaling the fresh morning air,