The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-01-27
THE CATHOLIC BULLETIN, JANUARY II, 1917

Didn't get her to help me with
the work." she objected when her
husband said it was shame that
Lucy was deprived of an education.
Don't imagine l would have gone
after the child if it wasn't that
wanted to make things a little
easier. Now since she's been here,
l can go to my club afternoons and
do lots of things I had to give up |
formerly. No, indeed, she can't go |
to school, 1 won't hear OF such
thing"
So Mrs. Read spent great deal
of time making calls and attending
her. whist club, we'll satisfied with
the knowledge that Lucy was taking
care of the baby and would do the
work assigned her.
Lucy herself often wished that she
hadn't so much to do. She would
have been very happy to go to
school, for she was naturally
bright, studious child, and whenever
she had the chance she would eager
ly pore over Mildred's school books,
although that rude young lady
would snatch them from her hands
if she found Lucy thus engaged.
But there was one member of the
family who loved the orphan girl,
and that was the baby, three-year-
old Jamie. And Lucy was very fond
of the little fellow. Indeed, life at
the Read home would have been
| doubly hard, and the GOODNESS meted
out to her more keenly felt, had it
not been for this small lads affection
| for "Lu," as he called her.
He loved to have Lucy tell stories,
| and would sit on her lap for hours
at a time when the little girls duties
for the day were ended. She had
the faculty of telling story we'll.
Sometimes they were tales she had
read, and then again she would make
them up as she went along, while
Jamie, wide-eyed and open-mouthed,
| drank in every word.
| Once jamie was very sick. He
| tossed and cried, and all night long
the nurse failed to quiet him. At
last Lucy came stealing out, looking
like little ghost in her white night
dress.
maybe he wants me-" she whis'
pered, and then the little fellow
caught sight of her.
''Lu, Lu," he called, come, tell
me a tory" So Lucy sat down be,
side his bed, and before she had got
ten very far with the story, Jamie
was peacefully sleeping, his hand
clasped in hers. The following
morning his fever was entirely gone
and Jamie was pronounced out OF
danger.
Indeed, the little boy seemed tC
love Lucy more than he did his owl
sister and brother, for Mildred ant
Bert often were anything but kline
to him, and slapped and leased hin
and imposed upon him generally
; Then they never told him delightful
; stories as Lucy did, nor played will
him willingly whenever he asked
them to.
Although Lucy was kindness itsel
to Mildred that young lady failed tt
appreciate the many little services
of the other girl. Lucy mended he
stockings and tidied up her room
which, however, did not long con
tinue in presentable condition, ow
ing to Mildred's careless ways. Sh'
could always depend Oh Lucy's un
selfishness, and when it happened
that she wanted to shirk any dut.
imposed upon her she would invari
ably say to herself, Lucy will do it
, She doesn't mind"
So it happened that Lucy's worl
and responsibilities were well-nigl
endless. Small wonder indeed tina
the Read family found her willing
cheerful services quite indispensable
although they never in any wa.
showed their appreciation of tn,
little orphans unvarying devotion.
One day letter came from ;
great-aunt of Mr.. Reads, whom
neither Mrs. Read nor the children
; had ever seen. The message an
nounced that the old lady was goin.
to pay her relatives visit, but thu
, news was not hailed with joy by an.
of the family.
She'll be a troublesome, rheu
matte, ,fussy old creature, I've M
doubt" declared Mrs. Read, cane
she'll be in the way continually AM
won't know when it's time to ent
her visit"
> Mr.. Read had not seen Aun
Phoebe for very long time, and 81
retained but faint recollection Q
her looks or ways.
On the day on which she was ex
: pected to arrive, Mildred and Luc,
had gone down town together on al
errand for Mrs. Read. AS they Wer'
on their way, they net an oddl.
dressed old lady &C ling up thu
street. She carried 4 umbrella.
hat box, and an antiquated yalise
Her bonnet was of an ancient design
. and as the two children passed her
Mildred giggled and remarked, Say
doesn't she look like she might have
come out of Noah's ark?'
Lucy felt amused as we'll, but he
kindly consideration of OF h e r.
prompted her to suppress smile a