The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-04-09
DO GOOD FOR EVIL.


EMPLOYERS; but he had his trials and temp
tations, for he was surrounded by boys of
a different faith, and of no faith at all
boys who spent their evenings and sun
days in dissipation, and who took home but
a email part of their earnings to parents
who needed all the help they could give
them.
Yet in spite of the evil example of his
companions be continued firm in his good
habits, and was great consolation to his
widowed mother, and the pride of the par
ish priest, who had watched over him with
a fatheriy interest for many years.
The work at the factory was not hard,
but it had to be done in a neat and careful
manner at the end of the day it was all
inspected by the foreman, and if any of it
was not up to the required standard, it was
rejected, and for that o pay was allowed.
George was q very careful, though slow
worker, and for a long time he had
enjoyed the reputation of being one of the
best hands in the factory. Imagine his
surprise when, one day, the inspector
pointed out to him work that would not
answer, at the same time giving him
slight reprimand for spelling so much ma
terial.
George was astonished he was sure he
had never siighted his work in that man
ner; he could not understand it; he felt
keenly the reproof, but was unable to offer
any explanation to the foreman.
prise, he received another and more Sc
we're reprimand. What could be the mean
! ing of its Was somebody trying to in
jure him in the esteem of his employers,
by chan ging his carefully executed work for
some of their own, that they had slighted 7
more attentive to his duties than ever
before. He knew that he had. done moth
| ing to merit such treatment from any one.
Who could it be- The only one he had
any reason to suspect was Thomas McFar-
| land the ringieader of all mischief, and the
than George one with whom he had never
associated, and who had always made his
religion Jest, and held his good habits up
to ridicule.
| George made up his mind to watch
| Thomas, or rather to find out, If possible,
who, among the factory boys, was playing
| this trick upon him he concluded not
to leave the factory, as had been his habit,
during the dinner hour, but, instead, place
himself at a distance, and see il any one
meddled with his work.
For several days he waited, but did not
discover anything; and, in the meantime,
all that he did gave entire satisfaction.
George concluded that he could not find
the guilty person by this means, and, after
a while gave it up.
One evening, a short time after this,
more of his work was rejected aud he was
told that on account of his carelessness, he
would not be required any more at the fac
tory.
George stood aghast trembling and
speechlees he leaned against the bench
He, the best of all the bands to be discharg
ed for turning off careless work How
could he go home and tell his mother o
his disgrace Would she believe, as b!
did, that he was the victim of conspirac!
that his discharge was caused by tht
plotting of his enemies Z Then there aros
{ in his heart thoughts that had never fount
place there before !; bitter thoughts O
anger, despair, and above all wish TO
revenge.
Sadly George left the factory, where h
had passed many pleasant hours, and turne'
towards what had been up to that mornin
his happy home.
Alae! what a change a few hours ba'
wrought; his usual elastic step had lef
him, Lis smiling face had darkened by
frown, the nervous twitching of his hands
his pale face and compressed lips, b1
feebiy indicated the violent feelings tina
had taken possession of his soul.
And yet the hands that were 80 tight.
clenched had but short time before bee
raised in prayer; and the lips that coult
now form but the one word rerense, ha,
that morning reverently said, Forgiv
us our trespasses, as we forgive them tina
trespass against u.s." T.
His mother seeing his unusual excite
ment, IorDOre questlonlDg MIN, ana urget
him to eat his supper but George could
not force anything down his parchet
throat ; and, without waiting to be asked
told his mother the whole of the sad story
/ not emitting his intention to be revepgec
q on the author of his misfortunes.
His mother said little, but assured hin
| of her belief in his innocence. She saw b,
D his manner that it was better for him to b
{ left to himself, and she hoped that tim
D would drive those bitter thoughts form hi
, mind. But day followed day, and althoug
e George gave less expression to his feelings
= revenge was still uppermost in hi
D thoughts. If he could convince his ferne
9 employers that some of the other hands ha
imposed their work upon him, he was sur
0 they would take him back but it was dif
Q fcult matter to prove, for he was awar
Q that they knew but little of the habits o
3 the hands, and would as readily believ
D Thomas as they would him. So he had n
hope of returning to the factory.