The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-01-07
@sEalng Star and Catholic Messenger.
WXw ORLEANS SUNDAY. JANUARY ls7.
&c chat your only child,n she asked.

"No indeed, niss," answered the widow 'sI
have two more; this here is the eldest And
homo without FIRE; and for the last weak
tAsy,vs had nothing to eat but 6 nOrSel of rye
" But what was it that brought the tears
into your eyee 30 suddenly :" aaked Wanna
The poor woman bowed her head, and an
sweEod, without looking up:
nother-but you won't quite understApd
IL. Wanna. 1t makes me sad when see my
Mieken (diMiaHtire Of Nary eating there, and
then think OF the poor little things that are
sitting hungry ~ bome.'
Bot, even while she was speaking, Bart rose
from table, and, a. be wiped his mouth:
81 understand it WE'LL" he s+ii.
1hep, turning to bis mother, he vent on:
another. I'll work two hours more every
day, and I'll give mp my Sundays beer money,
IL yon1l give poor Widow Kate and one of her
children their dinner every day, as long az 1
can pay for it by my overwork aud saving
The mother looked on her son for while
with sparkling eyes; then, in q los voice, and
Bart, my boy" she said. 1--WE al ways loved
ever."
As for the poor widow, her emotion was in.
tense. With . countensncs beAmiug with
gratitude, she grAsped Bsrt's band and ex-
claimed. in . tone of solemn bensdic,ion:
God 10 just You give to yonr neighbor not
only the sweat of Your brow, but the kindly
feelings of your heart. You door for the poor
widow all that you could do for q sister. God
70 just, and he will repay it you with happiness
hore upon earth"
And ~ she spoke she glanced at Cecilia, as
though indicating to her young bensfactor the
source whence the happiness should flow.
CeCilia'seyes mean While had met Bart's with
m expression of tender gratitude. which, along
with the widows words had well nigh turned
Ais head. For moment be looked proudly
ups but almost in the same instant, as though
anxious TO throw of An emotion that was too
much for him, with hssty gesture aud light
laugh he cried:
Hold, therel let me alone or you'll saud
ma clean out of my seven senses! What's that
you're saying about happiness' AS it Is,
down by the FIRE a bit Kate, and give yourself
. good warm. Here, Wanna, bring Us bundle
Of brush wood aud let's have blsze; get tie
bellows and blow till it crackles again
Cecilia meanwhile Bad taken her seat By the
fireplace, with the child on her lap. Waat it
was that she was so quietly whispering 10 tbe
happy little lamb none of the others could hear;
but Something sweetly pleasant it must surely
have been that passed bet ween them, for the
little thing threw her arms round her kind pa
troness's neck and gave her right hearty
kiae. The poor widow contemplated the scene
with Q smile of heavenly satisfaction.
Bot presently Cecilia set the child down,
went up to the mother, and said something to
her In An undertone. She evidently pro-
posing to her that they should leave the house
together. Wanna, who well as all the rest
noticed this, approached her brother, aud softly
"What can Cecilia want with poor Widow
Kate She can never be thinking of taking her
to her uncles 7"
"why, can't you sect She's going to give her
something, to-be sure"
"Ah, yes! the seven stivers SHE'S iost got
from the lRpdlAdy ut the White Hart for
making the chiIdreu's clothes. But Cecilia
gives away every penny she earns Her uncle
must know of it, wonder what he says to it"
swell, why should you trouble Your head
about il, Wanna It's 10 business of ours"
swell, Bart, was only making the remark"
While this little discussion going on
aside, the widow had been Offering her hearty
thanks to Mother Ann; Cecilia now expressed
hers to y art in another sweet smile, aud babe
them all farewell until the afternoon; and
then, taking little Mieken by the hand, left tbs
cottage, closely followed by poor Kate.
For the distance of d hundred yards or more
they walked on together in silence. At last
they reached the end of the footpath which led
mp from the road To the cottage, and here Ce-
ella led her companion aside, uuder the cover
of hedge. and, frat looking carefully round
on every side, 10 make sure that they were not
observed, began, ia n suppressed voice:
"Yaur name Is Kate Melsens l tbiukT
Eyes, miss" was the auSwer. My husband
thAts gone lived with your father in his young
THAT know, Kste And has he never told
you of what happened in our house when he
was living with usf
left hand were all stiff and crooked from it,"
Cecilia stood for while with her ey es 3 lead.
lastly bent upon the ground; she seemed OPP
pressed with a feeling of extreme eaduess
Little hieken looked up to her with an air OF
concern, aud pulled vehemently at her hand
as though to rouse her up from her depression
The widow looked on IL silence; and no5 with.
ont SmszemeDt.
Presently Cecilia took the poor woman by
the hand.
Do you know, Kate" sbe said, that your
husband at that time saved my life a. great
risk of his oWnf Yes, indeed bot for him
brave man, l should have been burned to
ashes"
"But, miles, any one else would have done "a
much that needn't affect you grievously
new"
"ThAts not what was sad about K ate. Bot
/ would 30 gladly stand your childreRs friend
in their need, and. alas alas! have not the
moane"
"A kind heart 10 the best slmsgivipR"
Listen to me, now, Kate; bat mind, you
mustn't cay word about it. Look you, here
are seven stivers, and perhaps tomorrow
when yen come to the Chapel farm with your
other child, shall be able 10 give yol 4 trifls
more; Apd will make some ciotles for your
children out of some that have of my poor
motheTs-good warm things. And perhaps |
may be able TO find something that will do
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