The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-02-04
lasrnIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
INV orIEANs sUESAT, FrpRUARY = ISL

Mxw ORLEANS SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 1877
ete, from which they glared out with CLASSY
bFightness; his omplexion had assumed that
Ehastly hue that could not even be called
pAleuess, buS rather the absence of all color
shade that ba0 no name, and by contrast with
which the blueness of his lips exhibited itself
as high-toned color.
The whole appearance of the chamber spoke
Of utter deSertion; no human heart but must
have sunk and saddened at the sight. The high
oyerarehing walls, untouched by cleansing
hand since the ruin of the convent, were hid
den from the eye under the thick coat of dust
and dirt which had accumulated upon them.
The western wall was inherently damp; the
water which eweated from it trickled down
upon the half-roEten floor and filtered down
through that toward the lower regions of the
building; while foullOoking fungi bordered
the mclean stream, and crystallizations OF
seltpeter formed sparkling patterns upon the
plaster.
A single lofty window with broken panes and
thiekly barred with iron, admitted so dubious q
light that the eye had to grow accustomed to it
before 1t could readily distinguish objects in
the deep gloom which confused them while.
though out of doors the ground was scorched
with the summers heat, the atmosphere of the
chamber struck chilly damp npon the chest.
Beside the bed stood a chair and atable; upon
the latter o pot of water and half-gnawed
crust of rye-bread. u very truth, the aspect
Of the whole was that of prisoner condemned
BY cruel doom to the lingering death of
hunger
The poor old man seemed to be asleep; yet
quite asleep he could not we'll be, for, as Thys
eame in, with hasty snatch he hid something
under the Notwithstanding which
cianked and jingled like bunch of Keys. Thys
saw the movement, and heard the sound too,
for an ill.omened smile crossed his countenance,
ard he seemed to be pricking up his ears the
better to Assure himself of it's character. Then
no drew near to his bed, set down the steaming
poEringer upon the table, and, in harsh
voice: =.
"Come, Uncle Jan, here's your breakfast" he
said.
The sick man did all he could to torn upon
his side, but after painfnl effort was obliged
20 give mp the attempt, and fell heavily back
IFs all over with me-" he groaned ont.
Oh, my dear Thys, 1 have been so i'll all
aCome, let me help you," replied Tbys, at
che same time extending bis hands toward him.
"Oh, 10, nop exclaimed the old man, in
tone of nervous entreaty, evidently terrified at
che offered help.
nnder the patients body, lifted him roughly,
as he might have done a log of wood, and set
him mp in q sitting posture against the pillow.
"Obl oh! how You do hurt me" groaned
what did hurt you ," asked Thys, in
hypocritical tone of sorrow and compassion.
AZ really couldn't help-it! You so easily
hurt. Twas obliged TO lift you. as you couldn't
got mp yourself. But come, it's over now; eat
something; but take care and don't burn your
SELF it's hot, can tell you.
The old man took the spoon with o tremblng
hand, dipped it Into the pot, and brought up
spoonful Of the greens which it contained, say
Ing the while:
me some good am so weak,-so weak and illP
To this complaint Tbys made DO reply, but
pnly fixed his eyes on the sick man more in
Gently. Hard as the traitor tried to dissemble
what was passing in his heart, he could not
quite suppress the smile of glad surprise which
rose on bis ccuntenance. He reioiced in the
evident sinking of the old mans strength, and
the hope that all would soon be over giistened
In his eyes.
Meanwhile, Uncle Jan had eaten a spoonful
or two OF the green's; but soon he shook his
head, let the spoon fall, and looked hxedly at
Thys. as in inqnry or reproach.
"Well, what Is it ." asked the latter.
20, Tbys," answered the sick man, in q tone
of disgust, what vile stuff it is 1t burns in
my mouth like FIRE and makes my stomach
heave aRaiui'
al suppose now you're going to take it into
your head that you're poisoned" replied Thys
jeeringly. "Of course water-cress is hot only
you're iii now, and can't bear it."
The old man stripped up his sleeve, and
showing his bare arm, said, in pleintive
voice:
"What, Thys, have you no feeling for me :
See, Pm mere skeletonw
"Come, como, cover up your arn," was the
answer; Why what's all this about Who is
shan do 7 But sickness makes you silly why,
one would think you were dying"
what! am not i'll enough, tbenT
"uli yes; but not so ill as you fancy.
There's q deal of strength left in you yet.
Uncle Jan. It's your spare people that live
the longest. II you get no worse, there's no
harm done yet"
at hope It may turn out so, Thys"
Then, after n moments pause:
tOh, am so hunGry" moaped tho sick m an
''Well, eat, then |" answered Thys, thrusting
the crust of Eye-bread into his hand.
Bat in vain he essayed the dry, distasteful
food. Soon he began again:
"Thys, should like to have something else ;
the bread goes against me; it's like so much
sand"
"Well, what will you haveR There are many
more kinds of herbs set down in the book that
you've not tried yet"
"No no more of them some meat want =
some meat soup. o, that must be good it sets
my mouth watering to think of i'll"
An expression of annoyance aud irritation
flashed mp for moment upon Thy's counte-
nance; he contained himself, however, and
only replied:
''MeatI meat soupl that would be enough
30 infame your blood and kill you out of hand
You that haven't touched anything of the
nOrk aO MANY Vear6!"