The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-02-15

Dare be smply 'sworkingmanP
4 ~s~
Il How n Convlct WON Pardon.
"Wil you never give up those trips, Ter
rences Il 10 30 lonely staying here ct night
and besides am fssglul that some one will
break in and rob t21 house and murder N
all. never say my prayers and 60 to bed
without trembling for my own life and
that Of the children" and the little woman
hung upon the arm Of the c.rong man and
begged him with fearful eye to give mp his
wandering life lthat Of pecdler) and settle
down.
GAS soon as ] have gathered enough TO-
gether to buy me piece of ground, or what
would be better still. TO emigrate to Amer
lea, that blessed land of freedom, where, as
the song says, there's bread and work
enough for all aud the bright sun Is always
shining, Pll gladly give up carrying the
pack, for indeed it is no easy work at the
best"
"Oniy think Of the money you have in the
house, husband, dear! Surely there is
enough to take us across the sea-you and
and the children, and Bridget, too, If she
likes to GO"
Bridget was the servant girl who helped
the peddier's wife, and was her sole compan-
ion when be was away. and her eyes snapped
with apparent delight when she heard the
proposition. But she said nothing, and the
master continued:
1t is true for You, Kathalsen, that have
matter Of hundred pounds or 50, which
shall leave for yeu TO take care Of, aud il
| should have good luck this trip l promise
you either to remain ct home or 60 to Amer
ica, bless her. It's the good friend she's
been to Ireland, cud many's the poor soul
she's kept from Starving. So take good
care of the children, Kathaleen-y0u and
Bridget-until l come back, and ne kissed
his wife aud bright-eyed, curley-headed
babies, gave Bridget the goodbye, shoulder
ed his pack and strobe stoutly away, whist
Ing merrily.
His heart was light, his form was strong,
he had none of the fears of his wife, and
was looking forward joyfuily to the time
when he would have little home, "a pig
and COW, and a patch of potatoes" that
would belong TO himself exclusvely, and
over which no hard hearted steward or non
resident landlord could claim control, al
though be would willingly pay his tithes to
the church.
Terrence O'Brien was a peddler by pro-
fession, and what was called 3 "fore-handed
man" His family consisted of the good
wife, two children, boy OF scarcely
th-ee years of age, babe, and the girl OF
all ycrk-Bridget. At the start Of his
married life, he had rented little cottage
that stood in a lonely, out-of-the- way place;
though he bad increased his stores, he had
retained possession Of it, on the score OF
economy.
A brave, athletic man, and one who fear
ed nothing huGsan, he could not understand
the terrora OF his wife. Kathaleen, in fact,
gave them little thought. Besides, robbery
was a thing almost unknown among the
peasantry, and VINO would ever dream OF
his having a large amount of money In bis
diiapldassd cghhini But II was not bis
custom to do 80. Usually be dsPosited y
in some secure place. So he gava himself
ncafurther thought than to promfse nin-
self that this would be his last Iourney,
(l he did as well as he anticipatedlo ana ne
tugged around, fattering the rosy Scneeseu
girls into purchasing finery with wlacn 70
dazzle the eyes Of their beaux at the next
fair. n
With Kathaleen, however, it vas lar dii-
ferent. AS the night began to draw near,
and the wind began to creep around the
corners of the cabin, and whistle down The
chimney with q sad and mournful sound,
she bethought herself Of the sovereiens
which her husband had left, and taking
the bag in which they were kept, from
| the little cupboard over the Fireplace. she
very carefully tucked it between the beds,
remarking, at the same time, 10 Bridget,
I that "no one would ever think of looking
for it there"
"No.n was the reply. at would be .
smart man, TO be shure, that would be
after lookin' under the children TO hnd the
gould.'
The tea over--for they were early sleep
ers as well as early risers-tbe girl request
ed that she might be permit ed TO pass
the night with her sister, who lived about
a mile distant, and the ANXIOUS wife and
mother. although sorely 10th to do %, ai
length consented, insisting o. al early re-
turn.
"Bus you will be back early, won't you
Bridget" M t
"0f eoorse, l. will the same. But you
must not be after frettin," and the giri do
parted.
might, until ste hour, but the girl did mol
return. In Iever Of anxiety. sbs wseChs!
until another sixty minqtes had passed al
though il appeared e her like BALI day
! and then considering 1t useless 70 remain u
longer, sought her own pillow, after com
mending herself to Him who 10 the protect
or of the widow and thss fafher Of ID
fatheriess, But she bad not closed be
eyes before there wss Z loud rsp uPon %
els that ysa, Rridssssp shs asked, hope