The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-12-24

| M8tur1n had ealO, " we must be warm to
night, if we are cold all the rest of the win
ter" He kept his eyes open for some time
but fell asleep at last, and started awak
again in sudden fright, lest the magi
hour had slipped away from him in hi
sleep, and he would have q whole year t.
wait before he could try his chance. again
The clouds had all cleared away, aud tn.
moon was SHINING brightly in through the
diamond shaped paDesiu the little window
Leon slipped out of the bed and into hi,
clothes, and then softly crept down tn.
stairs. He could just see the face of the
old clock in the corner, and he was in tin e
1t wanted five minutes of twelve. H.
crossed the kitchen 80 softly that he did MOI
disturb bis grandmother aud sister, and
nufastening the door, stood alone out il
the night. Leon, was u brave boy, 30 nc
| thought of fear came to him, but he shiv
cred in the nipping winter air, and pulled
his cap further down over his ears He
| could easily see by the moonlight where the
| path to the stable ought to be, although i,
was covered by several inches of snow aud
in few minutes he was at tho door.
Very softly now, Leon or Blanchette
| will lift her head and look at you out oi
| her large, gentle brown eyes, and old Jean
cite will move her long cars aad snuff dan
ger near, and yoh will spoil it all.
So gently he undid the door, so quietly
| he stole in and stood in the shadow, tina
neither COW Dor ass could be disturbed, yet
surely something has aroused and affrighted
| them both. Lsou listened breathlessly
Suddenly both the animals beside him
moved uneasily. Presently, from outside
the stable, came clearly and distinctly on
the night air the bray of au ass. IJ made
Leon start more than when Jeanette an
swered it from within the stable with az
other bray.
He was only frightened for moment,
however, and then he turned aud went ont
of the door to sea who this midnght visi tor
could be. There was nothing in the yard ;
but be crept aloug by tho fence, and whom
he reached the gate, there, standing in the
moonlight, was an ass, her head pushed Far
over the gate, md her long ears bent for
ward, listening 70" some answer to her sum =
mons. There was saddle on her back, but
no one on it.
For moment, Loon paused. He knew
she had not come there all alone. but tn at
probably somewhere along that lonely c0un-
try road she had parted from her burden.
The nearest house was four miles off, and
in different direction from that by which
the ass had come, for Leon saw her foot
prints in the snow He might have to walk
far ere he should find those whom she had
carried, but if he did not go-if he waited
till day light-lt might be too late for help
to reach those whom cold and snow had
perhaps overcome. He opened the gate,
then fastened it securely behind him, and
gently turned the ass around. To his sur
prise she made no objection, but somewhat
YEARLY retraced her footsteps in the snow.
They did not have to go far, however.
A few yards from the house the road turned,
and crossed little stream where was a
bridge; beyond this was hollow, and then
came woods. AT the entrance, to these
woods was one of those way. side shrines
which you often see in France, where was
an image of the Blessed Vlrgi with the
I'M inf ouiN in hnr NiS
on the white snow, lay someting dark, and
when she reached it, the ass stood perfectly
still. Leon came up TO her, and stoopipg
down by this dark mass upon the snow,
saw lying there young woman, uncon-
scious, with baby in her arms.
What was the boy to do9 His stout
arms could not lift the inanimate form.
There was no one but his grandmother and
Annette within call, and they would be but
little bctp to him. Yet something must be
done. Leon felt her. She was not quite
cold, aud the baby, wrapped in the mothers
cloak and clasped to her breast, was still
warm. Leon tried to make the ass kueel
down. She did it readily enough, as if she
were accustomed to it, and upderstood the
need now. Then he laid bis warm cheek
against the girls and breathed into her lips
and called to her, and strove in every way
to rouse her.
She stirred, bat did not open her eyes.
- :
cry did more 10 fully arouse the mo aher' 8
consciousness than anything else, and TO
Icons joy she murmured, "Hush, my dar-
ling" Then he called aloud to her, and at
last tried to take the baby from her arm s..
She opened her eyes then, but halt under
standiugly, and with great di f1culty obeyed
Icons words when be- told her to rise. She
could not stand, but Leon got her upon the
saddle, and putting one arm around her to
hold Der firmly there, he guided the ass
down the road aud over the bridge to the
gate. They arrived there safely, though
many times on the way Leon thought they
would not.
He ran into the he Sc and woke Annette
and his grandmother. 1t was some time
before he could make them understand, but
at last they did, Fortunately there we're
still hot embers on the hearth, and Annette
heated little milk, which they ponrcd
down the poor wUman's throat. This
brought her to herself enough for them TO
lead her into the house, where the warmth
soon revived her. Leon pat more wood on
the fire, which soon gave ouN "a coed heat.
T,l, Cf,H \ -. Il