Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-06-17
COLUMBUS, O., WEDNESDAY, MORNING

he had picked up new determination
His hands were never idle. His fac.
seemed to say, "Ill have Nora with me
yet" At noon he scratched out letter
blotted and very strangely scrawled
telling Nora what had happened; and
those who had observed him noticed
that he had no meat with his dinner
Indeed, from that moment he 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 Conner. Jobs were
thrown in his way; 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. 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. It 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, .1'm 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 strang-
ers, he hid the treasure, and kept his
vest buttoned over it night and day un-
til the tickets were bought and sent.
Then every man, woman and child, ca
pable of hearing or 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 fman-even he,
who had coolly hurled his hammer at an
offenders head, missing him by hairs
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
peddler brought in his basket to the
shop, and presented them to Connor for
his Nora's mantle piece. And here 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 whenever it was in his power,
and the days flew by and brought at last
a letter from his wife. p tar..4o
"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-
ner proudly assured his fellow-workmen
Nora wrote herself. She had lived at
service as girl, with certain good
lady, who had given her an education,
the items of which Conner told upon
his fingers .The radin', that's one,
the writin', that's three, and moreover,
she knows all woman can" Then
he looked up at his fellow-workmen
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 Stormy Petral had come to port, and
Connor breathless and pale with excite
ment, flung his cap in the air and shout
ed. -e.sa7r ..f ;o=..
1t happened on holiday afternoon,
and half dozen men were ready to 60
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. <rr.
.sClo H. Al, 1,Io or fhof &1,o
ould counthry," he said; "but she'll
know how to kape them 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 street; troop of |
emigrants came thronging up; fine cabin
were stepping into cabs, and
drivers, porters, and all manner of en-
ployees 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
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. rsaa1
"Why don't you see the captain ?"
asked one, and Connor jumped at the
suggestion. In few moments he stood
before a portly, rubicund man, who nod
ped to him kindly.
II am lookin' for my wife, yer honor,
said Connor, "and can't find her."
"Perhaps she's gone ashore" said the
captain. aos
II bade her watt" said Connor.
"Women don't always do as they are
bid, you know" said the captain.
"Nora would" said Connor "bnt
may be she was left behind. May be
she didn't come; I somehow think she
didn't"
At the name Nora the captain started.
In a moment he asked Il
p "What is your name?'' ,ss
"Pat Connor," said the man. Il
"And your wife's was Nora?"
"That's her name, and the boy with
ner is Jamesy, yer honor" said Connor.
The captain looked at Connor's
friends; they looked at the captain.
Then he said, huskily- stint
"Sit down, my man; I've got some
hing to tell you" /
"She's left behind2" said Connor.
"She sailed with u.s." said the cap
ain. s-ss. aa-
"Where is she?" asked Connor. 8
The captain made no answer.
"My man." he said, eve all have our
rials; God sends them. Yes, Nora
started with us"
OL ;J ,otb;pr He xyoS Jool,