The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-04-23

True" said the girls, suspending Their
work.
But" said Eva, "it seems she thinks
she ought to wake mp some morning and
find a purse of gold"
The girls laughed.
| Oh" she exclaimed looking shock ed,
of her"
"Not at ALL" said Kate, eve know you
would not make fun of any one, Eva but
We cannot help laughing at the absurd
notions of the old lady. 1t is reported
around here, that she is a miser / am
terribly afraid of misers, they are 30
| heathenlsh; they seem to think of
Eva?
~ don't think so," said Eva, "she
| is simply very poor"
son, is that all p said the girls, with an
approving nod of the head.
That is all" said Eva "and what
was going to say is, that have always
| been troubled with desire ia repay her
in some way, for the care she has taken of
me-. have done great many little things
complish something which would be cred
table to myself, and of great benefit to her.
would love to climb"
So would l." said Kate.
And J" manifested the rest of the
girls, laughipgly.
DuU L hul Nd poor, the chances seems
narrow" said Eva.
The chance is with the poor" said
Kate; men and women of luxury are
generally too lukewaJm to make a rare
effort; the poor have n any reasons to slim
ulate them"
"WelI," said Eva, pointing to the land
scape, " this is my first and best effort"
"Yours a. exclaimed Kate, sis this
your work, Evaq"
at il" said Eva, with the least shade of
triumph in her voice "you called it beau
tiful, and that is how you made me happy;
for thought perhaps I might sell it, and
help Mother Fern"
Ills it possible " cried the rest of the
girls, holding their breath, and examining
the painting with renewed interest. "Well,
wonders will never cease " Chow ex-
quisite :"
Oh my.:you do think it will be a sue
Decidedly" said Kate; what do Won
intend doing with it, or how on earth did
you ever accomplish such gem 7"
"Well, I. will tell you," said Eva
" there was poor old man, an Italian, i
only knew his first name-it was Joseph
he had gray hair, and long gray beard
he was almost helpless with palsy and one
afternoon, as he was passing our house, he
sat on the front steps, and seemed to grow
very pale and Unlocking. 1 called Mrs.
Fern to the window to look at him, and
asked her if might speak to him. She
gave her consent, and ] asked him in. He
came into the house, and instantly became
so i'll that thought ke was dying. Mrs.
Fern doctored him with herbs, and
nursed him three days and three nights
then he seemed to be getting better. On
the fourth morning rap came to the door,
and young man inquired if an old gen
tlemau was stopping there and on my in
forming him that there was such person with
no hear QTpnJ n nd fhor oil
to be his father. He had journeyed on ahead
of him, and they intended to meet at the
nearest hotel ; when the son, on reaching
the hotel, found his father had not been
there. He searched for him, and at last
succeeded in tracing him to our house. The
son proved to be an artist and was so
grateful to me for attending to his father,
that he undertook to teach NE drawing
and painting. Every day for O week he
came and Instructed me and then, his
father being entirely recovered, they both |
went back to Europe again. For some
time after their departure 1 tried to &C
something. 1 thought if 1 should |
succeed, perhaps I might earn enough to
repay old lady Fern, and make her feel |
my gratitude; but my tuition was but that
of short week, and all my efforts seemed |
in vain. until thought of something. l
thoughtful broughtmy work, and executed |
it in sight of that little church opposite,
erected in homer of the Madonna, aud appeal
for her help, might succeed. So one morn
ing at sunrise, when everything WAS very
quiet, and no one seemed stirring, l took a
rhmble up here. and stopped to pray at the
little church / went up to the pictureSof
our Blessed Lady, which, you know, hangs
there, and l told her all my feelings, and
how joyful it would make me if she would
lend her aid to that which, next to reach
ing heaven, was the pet wIsh of my heart.
offered my work TO God and her and
said l knew my power must come from
them, for of myself was helpless. On aris-
ing from my knees. was SO light. hearted |
ana hopeful, and consoled, that while com
ing down the aisle felt if was borne |
along. The sun never seemed to shine so |
bright 10 me, as when l emerged into the !
open air; the world never before looked |
40 fair, so inviting. 1 climbed up the !
hill here, and, selecting the best view |
entwined some bushes together and formed |
1 cosy little alcove. Come and see it,
girls J."
The girls arose from their seats and fol.
owed Eva.
To the astonishment of the whole party, |
= rnapbiDry ba ato hopL.