North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-01-01
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY l. 1868

garret with four men, and in the joy of his
heart he exhibited his handkerchief, with
his hard earned savings tied up in n hard
wad in the middle before he put it under
his pillow and fell asleep. When he awak
ened in the morning he found his treasure
gone. Some william more contemplate
than most bad men are, had robbed him.
At first Connor could not even believe it
lost. He searched every corner of the
room, shook his quilt and blankets, and
begged those around him to quit joking
and give it back.
But at last he realized the truth,
g Is any man that bad that's it's thaved
from me p he asked in breathless way.
''Boys, is any man that bad ~
And some one answered.
" mo doubt of it, CoHnor. It's STOLE"
Then Connor put his head down on his
hands and lifted up his voice and wcpt.--
1t was one of those sights which men new
er forget. 1t seemed more than he could
bear, to have Nora and his child "put' as
he expressed it, "months away from him
again.
But when he went to work that day, it
seemed to all who saw him that he had
picked up new determination. His hands
were never idle. His face seemed to say,
I'm have Nora with me YETI At noon
he scratched out letter, blotted and very
strangely scrawled, telling Nora what had
happened and those who observed him,
noticed he had no meat with his dinner
Indeed, from that moment he lived on
bread, potatoes and cold water, and work
ed 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 his way, kind words and friendly wish
es 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 nearef," 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,
I'm going to bring them over" and to
show his handkerchief, in which, as here
tofore, 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, woman and child, capa-
BILE of hearing or understanding, knew
that Nora and little Jamesy were coming.
There was John Jones who had more
of the brute in his composition than usu-
ally fails to the lot of man-even he, who
had cody hurled his hammer at the Of
tenders head, missing him by hair
breadth. would spend half an hour at the
noon time in reading the Irish news to
Conner. 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 Il pair of gilt vases which ped
lar brought in his basket to the shop, and
presented them to Connor for his Morals
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 dav. Connor
felt this kindness, and returned it whencv-
er it was in his power, and the days flew
by and brought at last letter from his
wife.
"She would start as he desired, and she
was we'll and so was the boy, and might
arms, and bless those who had been so
kind to him." That was the substance of
the epistle which Connor proudly assured
his fellow-workmen Nora wrote herself
She bad lived at service, as a girl, with a
certain good lady, who had given her an
education, the items Of which Connor told
upon his fingers. The radin', that's one,
and the writin'. that's three, an moreover,
she knows all that woman can." Then
he looked up at his fellow-workmen with
tears in his eyes, and asked,-
"Do We wonther the time seems long
between me an her, boys p
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 shouted.
1t happened on holiday afternoon, and
half dozen men were ready to go with
Connor to the steamer and give his wife a
greeting. Her little home was ready; Mrs.
Bawn's own servants had put it in order,
and Connor took one peep at it before he
started.
'She hadn't the like of that in the ould
country" he said. "But she'll know how
to kape it tidy"
Then he led the way towards the dock
where the steamer lay, at a pace which
made it hard for the rest to follow him.
The spot was reached at last !; crowd of
vehicles blockaded the streets a troupe of
emigrants came thronging up fine cabin
passengers were stepping into cabs, and
drivers, porters, and all manner of employ
es 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, pa
tiently at first, eagerly but patiently /; but
by-and-bye growing anxious and excited.
She would niver 60 alone," said he."
" She be lost inthirely bade her waite,
but don't see her, boys l think she's
not in it,
"Why don't you see the captain p ask
ed one, and Connor jumped at the sugges. !
ton. In few moments he stood before |
porty rubicund man, who nodded to him
kindly.
"I'm lookin' for me wife, yer HONOR
said Connor. an | can't find her."
Perhaps she's gone ashore, said the
captain.
~ babe her wait" said Connor.
"Women don't always do as they are
bid, you know" said the captain.
81 Nora would" said Connor, "but may
be she was left behind. May be she did
not come. Isomehow think she didn't"
AT the name of Nora the captain start
ed. In moment he asked,-
"What is your name ~
"Pat Connor," said the man.
And your wife was Nora?''
"That's her name, an the boy wild her
is Jamesy, yer honor" said Connor.
The captain looked at Connor's friends,
thew ,ooked At the cantain Then he said