* * * * * _Dear Little Master_: Wherever you be, do stop for a moment and listen to me, while here on this paper I try to relate how sad we dogs are; not knowing your fate. "Mamma Fan" says you're dead, that she ought to know, for all her three puppies told her so. They miss the big giant who came every day to love them and squeeze them while she was away. Tot went to your room and snuffed all around, then he cried very loud, for all that he found was just an old shoe, torn inside and out. Oh! said he, now I know Bolax's whereabout, those "Goblins" have caught him, cause he wouldn't "watch out." Your lovingest dog, DON. * * * * * _My Honey Boy_: You' old Hetty miss you night and day. Law! de howse done got so still, even de dogs notis it. Ef I say you' name dey looks all round, and den dey whynes when they kant find you. I'se hopen you is goin' to get relijon enuff to last you de rest of you' life. Pat sends love, he kant rite, so he axed me to rite dat for him. You is prayen for me, I no, bekose dat pane I had in my bak and my nee, is done gone. God bless you, dis is from you' own old HETTY. * * * * * AUGUST 8TH. _Soul of My Heart_: Your conduct yesterday showed wonderful improvement. I noticed your patience on two occasions, then your willingness to go without the candy although I could see you wanted it. All this shows you are learning the Catholic spirit of mortification, or, as you will better understand it; giving up what is most pleasing to us, and bearing with little privations. You are now I hope doing all this with good will, as a preparation for your First Holy Communion. Our Lord will notice each act of self-abnegation made for His sake. How like Heaven that Convent is. Often in dreams I am in my old Convent singing the hymns, walking in the May procession, but most glorious of all were the First Communion days. The hymn for that day comes back to me now and thrills my heart. O saint Autel qu'environent les Anges! Qu' avec transport, aujourd 'hui je te vois, Ici mon Dieu l'objet de mes louanges, Vient dans mon coeur, pour la première fois. O darling; how I would love to shield you from all the trials of the world. O offer myself to our Lord as a victim; to do with me what He will, send me any cross or trial, no matter how hard to bear, if only He receives my children among His chosen ones and secures their eternal salvation. Be very attentive to all the instructions you receive, and do all in your power to make a perfect preparation for the great grace you will receive. O my beloved! in after years, when troubled with worldly cares, it will be a consolation to look back on these days of holiness and peace. Thoughts of them will come upon you, long after the heart that dictates these words of love shall have ceased to throb, and the hand that pens them shall be--dust. MAMMA.