The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-11-19

laShes and beautiful eyebrows, were bright and
expressive; his broad, white forehead pure as
that Of o young girl, for no evil thought had
ever invaded the sanctuary OF his heart; his
black hair was rich and abundant. and his
oval countenance indicative Of simplicity, Sc
renity, and certain degree of confidence. A
faint mnstache partially concealed lips some
What thick. and slight beard was on this
chin Of twenty years. His figure was slender
tie careless; his counteaance natural and nm
embarrassed. Encouraged by the baron's affa-
bility, he continued the conversation in Eng
lish, seeing the great pleasure it afforded his
new patron to converse in that tongue, which
is considered, in Europe, the universal Ian
guage of business as French is Of literature and
eioGuence.
my name is George, and am twenty-five
years old. belong TO family of artists. My
father succumbing to life OF excessive toll,
my mother. who lives in the province, was left
q widow with several children. With no other
resource than her own brave heart, she provi-
ded for our education. She dissuaded me- and
with reason, from entering upon the difficult
career of the fne arts, and long for the mo.
ment when j, in turn, can be useful to my
family. Having finished my course of studies,
I applied myself to foreign languages and
afterwards commerce, under one of our rela,
tions in Germany. On returning to France,
vainly sought employment, for, being without
recommendation, every gate was shut against
me, and bad it not been for this little pin,
which shall always keep as precious tails
man, Il
The banker lad listened with the greatest
attention, observlng. meantime, the pleasing
expression of Georges countenance with pen
etration that would have embarrassed a less
candid nature. And how beautiful is such
nature, just as it issued from the hand of God,
the q anne of life neither dimmed extin-
guished by evil passions! Having rapidly
glanced over the work submitted to him, Mr..
Wolff fixed his eyes upon George, and began,
! as the Americans say, to calculate what prom
Use of sincerity his countenance indicated.
Every we'll l ask no other bondsman than
yourself. You shall be at the head of our
Canadian service, and attend to that CORES
pondance. Your writing pleeses me; am
particular about that. Strangers are apt to
measure our attention to business by the clear
ness and precision of our reports. lost one of
our best customers because your predecessors
writing was too full of hourishes, and he turn
ed back his DIS like weeping Willows. Listen
much, but speak little; be careful in express
ing Your opinion, even on any subject; don't
prevsricate; guard against bad company form
no friendships without consulting me; think
often of your mother, this thought will sustain
you amidst the lsbors of your toilsome situa-
ton, for life here is a purgatory, and we are
indefatigable. As you have no relations near,
you shall have q room in the building and two
hundred francs. 1 will see you sgain. Go,
All this was said in nglish, and in the brief
tone habitual to Mr.. Wolf. But he had not
expressed all that he thought of the satisfac-
tory manner in which George had performed
the heavy task imposed upon him.
He is the very man need" said he to him
self-"education and modesty, simplicity and
confidence, ACTIVITY ana Clearn6sS or Judgment,
how seldom we find such oharacIer! That
boy will make his way"
VI.
His Progress.
Monsieur Wolf had spoken truly the house
was q purgatory for work. This agreeable
man, who received much company, mingled a
great deal with the world, gave considerable
attention to the fine arts, was Jealous in pu bic
aft Airs and charitable dates, by a problem
which cannot be solved, was always at his
post. Yes, always. Long before day, he had
already written several letters, ard inspected
every desk, glancing at each department of
the house, judging the absent by the state of
| their paper and pens, never allow wing the least
| irregulsrity much less a minutes hardness.
In one of these early visits, he Suddenly came
| upou George bnsy at his desk, which was
lighted mp by the feeble rays of an almost ex-
| pring lamp. and so absorbed in the work be-
! fore him that he did not even hear NJ. Wolf
| enter.
This is q well-guarded house." said the
banker; chow did you get in here, for l have
just opened the safety lock y
| beg Monsieur to excuse me-" auswered
| George; "a very important affair with Mont
! real had to be settled by dsybreak this morn
plishing it. Thank Heaven, that work is
| finished, and l believe that, by writing this
morning to Havre, your interests are secured ,
George ought to scold you," said NJ. Wolf
"what you have done gives bad example, and
compromises your responsibility. Are you
master heref You should have consulted me
no" ihb'S uei SOul eye btHsJ be ID rest q
few hours, aud do not be guilty of the same
j fault again"
Then kindly recalling him, after having rap
idly examined tho parcel, he SAID:
George you are n brave follow, and yonr
mother Is blessed in having such child. Take
care of Yourself for her sake. l have been
anxious about this Montreal business, for these
debtors are vexatious, and TIE affair is grave.
| have just seen how far you had advanced,
and perceive that the least delay had proved
fatal. You have done very good thing for
me. and perhaps for Yourself"
Notwithstanding these expressions of es-
teen, it sometimes happened that George YVES
scolded in reality for working at easou able
hours, and overtaxing his strength but he al
ways apologized SO frankly, alleging the ur-
gency of the occasion, that 81. Wolf was more
and more pleased with his young assistants
| modesty aud abilities.
| The Great JJ0rld
NoTsieur Wolff remarked that George was
always very plainly and sometimes even negll-
Ia,