The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-06-03
JUVENILE COLUMN.
GRANDMA's STORY.
lGuardian Angel.)


children's hearts with joy.
Grandma Vincent had three grandsoDe
and this was the month that they gener
ally paid q long visit to her cosy cottag
in the country.
Willie, Charlie and James, were almos
wild with delight when the long looked fo
morning at last arrived that brought Grand
I. pops country wagon, to bring the boys ou
to the farm.
Willie was the eldest and 30 his mothe,
made him promise that he would take care
Of his two little brothers.
The boys kissed their mother and baby
sister goodbye; then they climbed nimbly
into the big wagon. Grandpop cracked
his whip and the horses started, and the
merry party were soon on their journey.
1t was very pleasant ride, for it was
yet very early in the morning.
After they left the warm and crowded
streets of the city and had entered on the
country roads, with the broad green fields
stretching far and wide, along each side of
the road, the ride was indeed beautiful
The birds singing gayly in every tree and
bush, the blue sky shining clear and bril-
liant overhead, the sofe cool air blowing
through the wagon, making our little city
friends feel very hungry.
"Willie, didn't mamma put anything for
us' to eat, in the basket ~ asked Charley,
eyeing the basket which his mother had
given in care of Willie, when they started
in the morning.
'.Yes Charlie; do you want something to
eat7"
81 would like piece of cake if there's
any in the basket" replied the little fel-
low, with his blue eyes sparkling.
The basket was opened and the cake
produced together with some cold ham al d
sweet bread and butter.
The boys soon finished their repast with
o keen relish. Grandpop had to share
their feast and right merrily did the fine old
n lam lorY, l;&k
in the wagon.
1t was just dinner hour when our party
reached the farm, where dear Grandma had
an elegant dinner prepared for them.
She was delighted to see her dear little
men, as she called the boys, and she had
planned many pleasant surprise for them.
After dinner they went out into the or
chard with Grandpop, and worked like
bees, helping the men to pick straw berries.
The sun had sunk to rest behind the west
ern horizon, wien the boys, with Grand
pop, returned to the farmhouse.
They had a fine dish of fresh straw berries
and delicious cream, together with fresh
buns.
They went out rowing, fishing, rabbit |
hunting and even to the country fairs with |
Grandpop.
One day, near the close of their visit, |
Grandma was sitting on her favorite seat |
beneath the spreading branches of large |
oak tree.
She was busy knitting, and very happy |
and contented looked the sweet cid face,
framed in wealth of silver hair, that gave
to the face look of gentle peace that was
besutiful to behold.
The old lady was sitting for short time,
quietly with her knitting, when she was
suddenly aroused from her pleasant day
dream by the sudden approach of Willie
and his youngest brother.
Grandma smiled and invited them to be
seated.
"Dear Grandma why do you always love
this shady nook7" asked Willie.
"You would scarcely even dream why
love this spot; but if you care to listen 1
will tell you the true story that is attached
to this place. 1t happened long time ago,
more than eixty years ago. "Would You
like to hear it boys7" +,
They both exclaimed. ,
"Well," commenced the good old lady. Z
You have heard that your great Grand 6
Father was one of the first settlers in this
part of the country. He was quite a =
Toung man when he removed from Phila- 8
ielphia with his young wife and took up :
ais residence in the log cabin which his
brave, strong hands had built. 9
Every day while he was W. rking in p
he forest, cutting down the huge trees, of {
which the rude cabin was fashioned, my d
mother would offsr up prayers tn the r
Blessed Virgin to watch over him and pro- !
ect him from the dangers of the wilderness, U
md give him strength to complete his a
work. I
At last the cabin was finished and we q
lad all of our worldly possessions packed t
nto one large wagon, and with mother +
and myself, then child of three years old, n
limbed into the front seat, and my father n
ook the reins and away we started.
Mothers heart fell, when she saw the Il
ude cabin, but the downcast feeling fed tl
instantly when she remembered how bard e.
md faithfully my father had labored to b
'rocure home for his little family. Il
When the goods were unloaded, Mother Al
ct to work in real good earnest, and soon ri
he cabin presented a cosy appearance. 1t b
vas divided off into TIVE small apartments, !,
md l often heard mother remark that K
within those two little rooms she spent she IL
most pleasant days of her life.
We had been living in our new home "
bout three months when father found it g
necessary to go into the village for come Il
hings that they needed, and as my mother o.
lid not feel vary we'll. he decidad to laaye n