The Shasta courier., 1868-09-12

Is any man that bad that it's thaved
from meY' he asked in breathle.s way
Boys, is any man that bad ?''
And some one answered.
No doubt of it Connor. It's stole.''
Then Connor put his head down on his
hands and lifted up his voice and went. It
was one of those sighs which men never for.
get. 1t seemed more than be could bear. to
have Nora and his child put" as he ex.
pressed it, months away from him again.
| But when he went to work that day il
seemed to all who knew him that he had
| picked up a new determination His hands
were never idle. His face seemed to say,
| "Pll have Nora with me YETI At noon he
scratched out letter. blotted and very
strangely serawled, telling Nora what had
happened; and those who observed him had
noticed that he had no meat with disclaimer
Indeed, from that moment be lived on bread,
potatoes and cold water, and worked as few
men ever worked before. 1t grew to be the
talk of the shop, and now that sympathy was
excited, every one wanted to help Connor.-
Jobs were thrown in mis- wav, kind words
and friendly wishes helped him nightly: but
no power could make him share the food or
drink of any other workman.
That seemed sort of charity to him.
Still he was helped along. present from
Mr.. Bawn, at pay day, set Nora, as he said,
" n week nearer" and this and that and the
otter 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. "Tm go
ing to bring them over," and to show his
handkerchief. in which as before, he tied up
his earnngs-this time, however, only to his
friends. Cautious among strangers. he hid
his treasure. and kept his vest buttoned over
it night and day until the ticket was bought
and sent. Then every man, woman and child,
capable of hearing and understanding. knew
that Nora and her baby were coming.
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 coolly
hurled his hammer at an offenders head.
missing him by a hairs breadth, would
spend ten minutes in the noon hour in read
ing the Irish news to Connor. There was
Tom Barker. the meanest man among the
number, who had never been know to give
anything to any one before, actually barter
ed an old jacket for a pair of gilt vases
which peddler brought in his basket to the
shon, and presented it to Connor for his
Nora's nantc-piece. And here was idle
Dick, the apprentice, who actually worked
two hours on Connor's work, when illness
kept the Irishman home one day. Connor
felt his kindness, and returned it whenever
it was in his power, and the days flew by
and brought at last n letter from his wife.
Z" She would start as he desired, and she
was we'll and so was the boy, and might the
Lord bring them safe to each others arms
and bless those which had been so kind to
them"
Th.k !,
which Connor proudly assured his fellow
workmen, that Nora wrote herself She had
lived at service, as a girl, with certain good
old lady, who had given her an education,
the items of which Connor told upon his
fingers. The radin' that's one, and tn.
writin that's two. and moreover she knows
all q woman can." Then he looked a. his
fellow workmen with tears in his ewes, and
asked,
"Do We wondher the time seems long be-
tween 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 Connor, breathless and pale with
excitement, flung his cap in the air and
shouted
1t happened on holiday afternoon, and
half dozen men were ready to 90 with Con-
nor to the steamer and give his wife a greet
ing. 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
9 She hadn't the like of that in the ould
country" he said; but she'll know how to
kape thin tidy"
Then he led the way towards the dock
where the steamer lay, at pace which made
it hard for the rest to follow him. The spot
was reached at last a crowd of vehicles
blockaded the street; 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 their usual manner. Nora
would wait on board for her husband-he
knew that
The little group made their way into the
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 patiently but by-and-by
growing anxious and excited.
''She would niver go alone" he said.-
She'd be lost entirely; bade her wait,
but don't see her boys, think she's not in
it.n
"Wby don't you see the captain ~ asked
one, and Connor jumped at tie suggestion
In few moments he stood before portly, |
rubicund man, who nodded to him kindly.
81 am lookin' for my wife, yer honor"
said Connor, and | can't find her,"
- Perhaps she's gone ashore" said the cap
tain.
81 bade her watt" said Connor.
I" Women don't always do as they are bid
YOU know" said the captain.
mora would" said Connor; but may be
she was left behind May be she didn't
come | somehow think she didn't"
At the name Of Nora the captain started.
In moment he asked
What is your name?'
Pat Connor," says the man.
"And your wife's was Nora ?"
That's her name, and the boy with her is
Jamesy, yer honor" said Connor.
The captain looked at Connor's friends.
they looked at the captain. Then he said
huskily:
sit down, my man; I've got something
to tell you"
8. She's left behind" said Connor.
'' She sailed with us" said the captain.
Where is she 2" asked Connor.
The captain made no answer.
my man." he said, we all have our
trials God sends them. Yes-Nora start
ed with u.s."
Connor said nothing. He was looking at