Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-11-08
Connor.

HoI many mueS from new I Ork; but
you might read them an hundred times
without guessing at the little tragedy
they indicate, without knowing the
humble romance which ended with the
placing OF that stone above the dust
of one poor and humble man.
In his shabby frieze jacket and mud
laden brogans he was scarcely an at
tractive object as he walked into Mr..
Bawn's great tin and hardware shop,
one day, and presented himself at the
counter with an,-
"I've been tould ye advertised for
hands, yer honor"
"Fully supplied, my man." said Mr..
Bawn, not lifting his head from his ac-
count book.
"I'd work faithful, sir, and take low
wages, till | could do bether, and I'd
learn stady. | would that"
1t was an Irish brogue, and Mr..
Bawn always declared that he would
never employ an incompetent hand.
Yet the tone attracted him. He
turned briskly. and with his pen be-
hind his ear, addressed the man, who
was only one Of the fifty who had an
swered his advertisement for four
workmen that morning.
"What makes you expect to learn
faster than other folks-are you any
smarter ?"
"1'll not say that" said the man,
"but I'd be wishing to; that ud make
it asier."
care you used to work ?"
Dive done a bit of it."
"Much ?"
"No, yer honor. I'd tell no lie.
Tim O'Toole hadn't the like of this
place; but | know bit about tins"
"You are too old for an apprentice
and you'd be in the way, l calculate,
said Mr.. Bawn, looking at the brawny
arms and bright eyes that promised
strength and intelligence. Besides
| know your countrymen-lazy, good
for nothing fellows who never do theiI
best. No, I've been taken in by Irist
hands before, and | won't have an
other"
"The Virgin will be afther bringing
EN- over in her two arms, thin" sale
the man, despairingly, "for I've tramp
ed all day for the last fortnight, anC
niver job can get, and that's the
last penny l have yer honor, and itt
but half one"
As he Spoke he spread his pain
open with an English half penny upor
it.
Bring whom over?" asked Mr.
Bawn, arrested by the odd speech a;
he turned upon his heel, and turned
back again.
"Jist Nora and Jamesy."
"Who are they ?"
The vans me wife, the other mC
child" said the man. 80, masther
jist thry me. How'll | bring 'em owe
to me if no one will give me job?
want to be airning, and the whole bis
city seems against it, and me witt
arms like Thin"
He barred his arms to the shoulde
as he spoke, and Mr.. Bawn looked a
them, and then at his face.
I'll hire you for a week." he said
land now as it's noon, 60 down int,
the kitchen and tell the girl to ge
you your dinner-a hungry man can
work"
And with an Irish blessing, the nev
hand obeyed, while Mr.. Bawn, unity
ing his apron, went up stairs to hi
own meal.
Suspicious as he was of the ney
hands integrity and ability, he wa
agreeably disappointed. Como
worked hard and actually learne'
fast. At the end Of the week he wa
engaged permanently, and soon wa
the best workman in the shop.
He was a great talker, but not fon'
of drink or wasting money. AS hi
wages grew he boarded every penny
and wore the same shabby clothes il
which he had made his first appear
ance. "Beer costs money" he sal
one day, land livery cint | spind put
off the bringing Nora and James
over; and as for clothes, them | hav
must do me-better no coat to m
back than no wife and boy by me fire
side; and anyhow, it's slow work say
ing"
1t was slow work, but he kept a
it all the same. Other men, thought
less and full of fun, tried to make hir
drink-made a jest of his saving hal
it's, coaxed him to accompany them t
places of amusement or to share
their Sunday frolics. All in vail
Connor liked beer, liked companion
ship; but he would not delay tha
long looked for bringing of Nora owe
and was not "mane enough" to acceE
favors of others. He kept his way
martyr to his one great wiSh-livin
on little, working at night on any extr
| lob he could earn few shillings by
running errands in his noontide houl
of rest, and talking to any one wh
would listen, of his one great hop
and of Nora and little Jamesy.
| At first the men who prlded then
selves on being all Americans, and o
turning out the best work in the cit.
made sort of butt of Connor, who's
wild Irish ways and verdancy wei
indeed often laughable. But he VIC
their hearts at last, and when OF
day, mounting workbench, he shoe
his little bundle, wrapped In a re
kerchief, before their eyes, shoute
Look boys, I've got the whole at las
I'm uo;rc. 20 hrino Nora and James