The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-12-31
aaernlng Star and Catholic Messenger.
HKw ORLEANS. SUNDAY. DECEMBER 81. 1870

high mp in the wall and closely barred will
iron, which, in default of glass, gave freest in
Rress to wind and rain. An excessive want o.
cleanliness reigned throughout. The floor wa,
covered with layer OF earth oo6webs huns
down from the ceiling and thickly festooneC
the walls; in the dark corners lay cast-away
objects of the most Heterogeneous description
without use, and almost without q form
amoDR which worn-out shoes prominently
Agured while the few articles of household use
which here and there hung against the walls
or stood ranged upon the chimney. piece, were
all SO thickly covered with dust that it wal
plain enough they had not for years aud years
been moved from their places.
Both the men, closely nufl cd up rs they
were in garments miserably patched indeed
bnt of the thickest and heaviest materials
seemed pierced with cold to the very marrow
and q strange spectacle it was to see them
stretching ont their feet to the solitary peat.
sod which lay Bmouldering on the hearth, al
the same time bending over it, 80 that ray
OF caloric should escape them on its way NJ
the chimney, and even interceptng with ont
spread hands the scsnty steam which issued
from an eartbern pipkin placed 10 the ashes
beside this apology for fire.
The old man sat motionless, his eyes fixed
upon the hearth; his com paniop, though he
too bnt rarely changed his position. yet sufIi
ciontly indicated by the frequent blinking OF
his cunning eyes that he was deeply &C ~ pied
In Thought upon matters of the utmost interest
90 him. II was Is though be was impatieutly
awaiting the old mans rousiDg up, mean W lille
anxiouely spying ont the slightest indication OF
emotion upon the hsshless and lifeless counte-
nance. At last he took up the iron blo~pipe
and directed vigorous blast upon the peat sod,
% that blue flame rose up from the hearth.
With feverish haste the old man caught bis
hand. "What are you about, Thys Matthias :
he exclaimed, in tremulous voice "taKe
carei isn't the peat soon enough gone, that
then ~
"Not at ALL" answered Tbys; "but it's
striking eight by the church clock, 50 its time
for rs TO get our breakfast"
well, what then - -
swell, 1 thought good sup Of something
warm would do you good, Uncle Jan"
q. Warm food weakeDs the stomach mar
1anred the old man " and the pea, too, Is so
terribly dear'
Meanw Thys had set.the pipkin on the
table, and put spoon into mis- companions
hand, who kept stirring aud blowing as though
oogely afraid of burning his mouth. To judge
by the eager smile of appetite with which he
bis mind; yet, in good truth. the appearance
ct 1t was anything bat inviting, it being, in
xaot, neither more nor less than o mess of warm
water with great bits of black bread swimming
Bat at the FIRST spoonful which the old man
p1t TO his lips be cast . look of reproach on his
"Thys, Thys,7 he exclaimed, 81 cannot think
how it 10 You are so desperately fond of salt
only five grains, Uncle Jan"
And what's that seef-greesei You've
mined to bring me to the workhouse in my old
dAyef Thys, Thys! that was not we'll done of
youP
"You're blaming me quite without cause,n
answered Thys; Cecilia used the pipkin yes
terday to warm up her potatoes in, and put a
great piece of butter to them"
great piece of butter!'
81 could have washed and wiped out the pot
tcbe-sure"
'No. mol that would never have DONE"
"And took good care not to do so now we
have some good of it too, instead of its being
thrown away"
I" I was wrong, Thys; you're an excellent
fellow, and, If leave o tribe behind me when
come TO die, be sure you shall see that Pve
not forgotten you for your care and attac hment
10 me-"
AT this moment q gentle knocking was heard
Mt the door, followed by a Paterncster dis
tinotly repeats d, though in q faint end tremuz
Ions voice.
"There's Jan the masous widow again.
muttered Thys, with gesture of annoyauce;
"she's never got any thing yet. aud every day
she keeps on coming. l wonder what she
means by 1t. It's j1st as though she was hired
to worry u.s."
"Whatl agani' exclaimed the old man;
. give. give, always the same story Just get
mp. Tbys, and pack the idle hussy away"
Now the door was gently opened and poor
woman; thin and faded, leading by the baud
little shivering girl, stood upon the threshold.
She went on with Ser prayer; else che spoke
not.
Thys mean while had risen from his seat, aud,
roughly and rudely addressing himself to the
"Of with you" he cried; "there's nothing
given away here. should like TO know what
you're always sneakiDg about this house for
to see if thsre's anything to steal, suppose. as
you're too idle to work. on! Of! and be quick
about itm
The beggar-woman at once turned away to
leave the inhOspitable yelling; but, as she
went, whether out Of impatience to have her gone
or out of pure brutality, ThyB gave her little
girl so violent push behind THAI the poor child
fell forward into the snow aud Immediately
began 70 cry aloud. With flashing eyes and
uPlifted threatening finger, the mother ex-
claimed
" God will repay you this, you wretch!"
But with soAnt heed to her mAlediction, and
With an ugly smile upon his countenauce, he
violently slammed the door behind her aud re-
turned to his place at the table.
After a vigorous litany of impreoations up
on all thieves, beggars and idlers, the worthy
pair proceeded quietly with their breakfast.
At last the old man inquired
. fastf"
at is excellent, Uncle Jan. And yet there
10 poor misguided Cecilia says it's only fit for
. dog"