The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-06-05
THE LEGEND or TIE LILIES.
READ BEFORE THE MISSISSIPPI PRESS AssoCIA-
TIoN, MERIDIAN. MISS. \ 20. 1870
BY JENNIE NooNAN WIRELESS,
or YAzOO CITY.


1t was the eve OF Pentecost. The sweet spring
feast was late,
But over all the land the chill of winter lin
gered long.
A trace Of desolation lay about each fair
estate,
And timidly from each lcaiiess hedge the
bluc-bird plped his song,
stul were the meadows bare and brown, the
tiny mountain stream
Which later. lcaping down its path, laughed
like Il spritc at play.
Now slowly waking from II long and dreary
winters dream
Under the frown OF sullcn skies In utter
silence lay.
Watched over by the rugged hills that as
grim guardians stood
An humble converts spires reached up
thro' sunshine and ;hro' storm.
And sheltered in this safe retreat II faithful
sistcrhood
Shielded Il little orphan brood from sin,
and want, and harm,
Tonight the fcstnl candles cleaned adown
the wcll-Gllcd board.
For twas an ancient custom 'mong the vii
lage people there
To give always at Whltsuntidc, from out
their richer board.
Unto the patient poor less blest some OF
their goodly share.
And so into the orphans home had come II
bounteous store.
And childish laughter gaily rang, and child
ish eyes grew bright.
Even the shadows seemed to dance upon the
w%cll-worn floor
And every youthful heart beat high with
innocent delight.
The gentle Sister raised her hand to quell the
noisy glee,
Quickly the restless feet was stilled, bowed
was each little head.
out of the sudden silence rose their voices
full and free,
As in their reverent, lisping tones the sim
pie grace was said:
l." Do Thou. o Lord, our helpless band, and ali
our portion bless
Rack from the somber oaken walls echoed
the evening prayer
"Teach us to share our daily bread with love
and kindliness
Lest we pcrchance should entertain Thy
angels unaware"
Then as the glad repast began, again thu
mirth prevailed.
What mattcred to their happy hearts TIT
old worlds woe and paint
Outside the gloom of night increased thu
winds in anger rallied,
Tossing against the easement bars the lit
full gusts of rain,
But our dear child, with earnest eyes, mort
thoughtful thhn the rest,
A little lad upon whose curls the dancin!
lights did play.
In silence sat, with touched brow, by sobe
mood oppressed,
While all uniasted on his plate the tempt
ing yiands lay.
lie hearkcned to the tempest rage, and wit
u leeting sigh.
III the dear Lord should send Tonight a
angel guest" he said,
alt is so dark without | fear he'd surely pas
us by,
Nor know how gladly We would share wit
: him the feast we've spread.
&" perhaps il we might only throw the case
| ment open wide
Over the narrow hillside path where all
y bleak and lone,
Our lights would shine out through the storl
y and be II welcome guide"
The Sister smiled her swift consent, an
stgaightway it was done.
4 Even us they turned and sat them down. OF
b of the wtathful night
Borne on the echoes of the gale there can
"a pitcous call.
y The startled children huddlc close, Ia
curious, half in fright,
The door swung open. and behold. the
stood within the hall
Not as their childish fancies hoped-no r
diunt heavenly guest,
Clad in celestial raiment pure, with pinto
bright Us gold.
sc But Il wan group of wayfarcts in latter
)r garments drest,
IN A band of lowly mendicants, weary, Il
- weak, and cold,
1t Who gazed upon the festive scene with VIC
N d'ring. wistful eyes,
out of the darkness and the storm tn
Is had been strangely led;
s. The little ones bewildered, too, were dumb
n. their surprise,
!, And for a moment no one spoke. Then
good Sister said:
WHO knows but these may be the guests
g.. whom we lately prayed"
70 And on the dear child's sunny hair she |
tender hand,
at And il they be but heay'n-sent why sho'
i'm we feel dismayed
NJ Whether they come in royal guisc, or a
beggar band;
Whether rs angels, or, alas. as broth
sore distressed,
Surely it is In answer to the prayer
daily say,
tie OF our true love and charity haply this is
nr test,
va Though they be humble in our sight 81
/. we not bid them stayf" Y
Then every eager child sprang up u greet
to extend,
Hc Unto the timid waiting throng with kin
Gu grace they hied,
he With rare unseltishness and zeal such suf
an ing to befriend
In loving deeds OF courtesy each with
loo other WED.
Their tiny chairs. their heaped up plates,
nc choicest and the best
to They urged with hospitable hearts Il
on the bcggars there;
IIcedful OF every hungry glance, of G
wish unexpressed,
'ho Gladly they gave, ignoring quite their
Inc diminished Shnrp