The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-08-03

|
hell. For, said he, sadly, I've got
some news that I'd kind O like t
send
Il could not help him.
Tin tired he complained, with q
quick-drawn sigh. I'm all wore out
| an | wisht | could tell Tom Galloway.
Il, too, sighed.
But | low was my uncle's Woe
begone conclusion. that that there
poor Of Tom Galloway II just have t
wait till | sees I'M
My uncle looked up. 'Dannie, said
he. you don't mind my sittin' here for
a spell on your little bed, do you?
Honest, now?'
Twas woeful supPiication: the
voice a childs voice; the eyes-dimly
seeching eyes.
Jus for little spell?' he pleaded.
Il said that | was glad to have him.
An you isn't so wonderful sleepy,
is you?'
No. sir l yawned
HE sighed. I'm glad said he. AN
I'm grateful t YOU lad, for bein' kind
t Of Nick Top. He amt worth it.
DanRie-he's no good; he's JUS a Of
fool. But I'm lonely the night-most
was sort o maxim a mess O things.
You is happy. isn't you. Dannie?' he
he asked, in flash of anxious mis-
trust. An comfOrta ble-an' good?
All. we'll, maybe; I'm glad you're
thinkin' 50. But low | isn't much on
fetchin' you up. I'm a, wonderful poor
hand at that. | low you're gettin a
bit beyond me. | been feelin' sort O.
helpless an scared; an | was wishin'
they was somebody t lend hand with
the job. | overhauled Of Chesterfield.
Dannie. for comfort; but somehow
wasn't able t put my finger on Won
derful lot O. passages t tie to. He'ye
wonderful good ideas on the subjeck O
manners, an a raft Of I'm, too: but the
IDEAS he've got on souls, Dannie, is
poor an sort O. damned scarce. So
when | sot down there with the bottle.
| lowed that if | come up an you
give me leave t sit on the side O your
little bed for a SPELL maybe you
wouldn't mind recitin' that there little
piece you've fell into the habit o. usin'
afore you goes t bed That wee thing
about the Shepherd You wouldn't
mind, would you, just sort O givin' it
a light oyerhaulin' for me? I'd thank
you, Dannie, an You would be so kind:
an I'll be as quiet as a mouse while
you does it,
1.-The tender Shepherd?'
cay said he; the Shepherd O. the
lambs
Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me;
Bless thy little lamb tonight;
Through the darkness be Thou near
me;
Keep me safe till morning light.
All this day Thy hand has led me,
AMI | thank Thee for Thy care;
Thou has warmed me, clothed and fed
me:
Listen to my evening prayer.
:" Let my sins be all forgiven;
Bless the friends I love so we'll;
Take us all at last to heaven,
Happy there with thee to DWELL
"And now the lower stars were pal
ing on a far-off fshu Of light. | had
been GisqEicted, but was by this wax
ing glow made glad that the sea and
rock OF the world were to lie uncover
ed of their shadows while yet | was
awake. Twas childish prayer-.oo
simple in terms and petition las some
may think for the lad that was |
to utter, grown tall and broad and
lusty for my years: but how sufficient
Il recalD to still the fears of night, |
sat up in my bed, peering through |
the window, to catch the first CLINT of |
he moon and to watch her rise drip
ping. as | used to fancy, from the |
lepths of the sea.
but they stray my uncle CON-
blamed.
TWAS an utterance most strange.
Uncle Nick l asked, what is it that
'trays?'
1.-The feet O. Children he answered.
by this | was troubled.
"'They stray he repeated 'Ay; it's
S though the Shepherd minded not
t ALL
will my feet stray?'
He would not answer; and then all
t once l was appalled-who had not
cared before
Tell NET | demanded.
He reached out and touched my
and-a ileeting, diffident touch-and
emily answered, 'Ay, lad; your feet
ill stray