Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-12-21


wept. It was one of those sights which
men never forget. 1t seemed more than
he could bear, to have Nora and his
child "put," as he expressed it, "months
away from him again."
q But when he went to work that day
it seemed to all who saw him that he had
picked up a new determination. His
hands were never idle. His face seemed
to say, I'll have Nora with me YETI
AT noon he scratched out a letter,
blotted and very strangely scrawled,
telling Nora what had happened; and
those who observed him, noticed that
he had no meat with his dinner. In
deed, from that moment he lived on
bread, potatoes and cold water, and
worked as few men ever worked be-
fore. 1t grew to be the talk of the shop.
and now that sympathy was excited,
every one wanted to help Connor. Jobs
We're thrown in his way, kind words and
friendly wishes helped him nightly; but
no power could make him share the food
and drink of any other workman.
II at seemed sort of charity to him.
Still he was helped along. A present
from Mr.. Bawn, at pay day, set Nora, as
he said, a week nearer" and this and
that and the other added to the little
hoard. 1t grew faster than the first, and
Connor's burden was not so heavy. At
last, before he hoped it, he was once more
able to say, II am going to bring them
. over" and to show his handkerchief, in
which, as before, he tied up his earnings;
this time, however, only to his friends
Cautious. among strangers, he hid the
treasure, and kept his vest buttoned over
it night and day until the tickets were
bought and sent. Then every man, wo-
man and child capable of hearing or un-
derstanding, knew that Nora and her
baby were coming. 1
There was John Jones, who had more
of the brute in his composition than
usually falls to the lot of man-even he,
who had cody hurled his hammer at an
offenders head, missing him by hair
breadth, would spend ten minutes in the
noon hour in reading the Irish news to
Connor. There was Tom Barker. the
meanest man among the number, who had
never been known to give anything to
any one before, absolutely bartered an
old jacket for pair of gilt vases which a
pedlar brought in his basket to the shop,
and presented them to Connor for his
Nora's mantle-piece. And there was
idle Dick, the apprentice, who actually
worked two hours on Connor's work,
when illness kept the Irishman at home
one day. Connor felt this kindness, and
returned it Wiener it was in his power,
and the daysf flew by and brought at last
letter from his wife.
? "She would start as he desired, and
she was well and so was the boy, and
might the Lord bring them safely to
each others arms, and bless those who
had been so kind to him." That was
the substance of the epistle which Con-
nor proudly assured his fellow-workmen
Nora wrote herself. She had lived at
services, as girl, with certain good
old lady, who had given her an educa-
tion, the item of which Connor told upon
his fingers. "The radin', that's one,
and the writin,' that's three, and more
over, she knows all that woman can"
Then he looked up at his fellow-work-
men with tears in his eyes, and asked,-
'Do ye wondher the time seems long
between me an her, boys?"
So it was, Nora at the dawn of day,
Nora at noon, Nora at night, until the
news came that the Stormy Petrol had
come to port. and Conner, breathless and
pale with excitement, flung his cap in
the air and shouted. -..sza. :
1t happened on holiday afternoon,
and half dozen men were ready to go
with Connor to the steamer and give his
wife greeting. Her little home was
ready; Mr.. Bawn's own servant had put
it in order, and Connor took one peep at
it before he started.
''She hadn't the like of that in the old
country" he said. "But she II know how
to kape it tidy"
' Then he led the way toward the dock
where the steamer lay, at pace which
made it hard for the rest to follow him.
The spot was reached at last; crowd
of vehicles blockaded the streets; troop
of emigrants came thronging up; fine
cabin passengers Were stepping into cabs,
and drivers, porters, and all manner of
employees were yelling and shouting in
the usual manner. Nora would wait on
board for her husband-he knew that.
The little group made their way into
they vessel at last, and there, amidst those
who sat watching for coming friends,
Connor searched for the two so dear to
him; patiently at first, eagerly but pa
tiently; but by-and-by' growing anxious
and excited
"She would niver go alone," he said.
" Shed be lost inthirely; bade her
wait, but l do mt See her, boys; think
she's not in it"
Why do MT you see the captain 2"
asked one, and Connor jumped at the
suggestion. In a few moments he stood
before portly, rubicund man, who nod
ded to him kindly.
al am lookin' for my wife, yer honor"
said Connor, sand can't find her"
"Perhaps she's gone ashore" said the
captain.
"I bade her watt" said Connor.
Women do MT always do as they
are bid, you know" said the captain.
"Nora would" said Connor, "but may
did MT come. somehow think she
did n't.'
At the name Nora th e captain started.
In moment he asked,-
"What is your name %
"Pat Connor," said the man.
"And your wife was Nora ?'
"That's her name, and the boy with
her is Jamesy, yer hcnor," said Connor.
The captain looked at Connor's
friends, they looked at the captain.