The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-08-13
CONNOR.
TO the Memory of Patrick Conner,
This simple stone was erected by his Fellow
90 nrIyYr


read them hundred times without guess
ing at the little tragedy which they indi-
cate, without knowing the humble ro-
nance which ended with the placing of
that stone above the dust of one poor and
humble man. ai#
In his shabby freize jacket and mud-la-
den brogans he was scarcely an attractive
object as he walked into Mr.. Bawn's great
tin and hardware shop, one day, and pre-
scented himself at the counter with an
"Pve been teuld ye advertised for hands,
yer honor" z ~
Gully supplied, my man." said Mr..
Bawn, not lifting his mead from his ac-
count book. +-t " 'l'l.a --I
"Pd work faithful, sir, and take low
wages, till I could do better, and I'd learn
stady-I would that"
1t was an Irish brogue, and Mr.. Bawn
always declared that he never would en-
ploy an incompetent hand Yet the tone
attracted him He turned briskly, and
with his pen behind his ear, addressed the
man, who was only one of the fifty who
had answered his advertisement for four
workmen that morning.
"What makes you expect to learn faster
than other folks-are you any smarter"
"Pll not say that" said the old man,
" but I'd be wishing to; that 'ud make it
asier."
care you used to work."
GIVE done bit of it."
"Much?"
"No, yer honor I'll tell no lie. Tim
O'Toole hadn't the like of this place but
l know a bit about tins"
"You are too old for an apprentice, and
you'd be in the way. calculate, said Mr.
Bawn, looking at the brawny arms and
bright eyes that promised strength ard
intelligence. Besides, l know your
complementary, good-for-nothing fell
lows who never do their best No, I've
been taking Irish hands before, and
won't have another"
1.-The Virgin will have to be after
bringin 'em over in her two arms thin,' %
said the man, despairingly, for I've
tramped all day for the last fortnight, and
niver job can l get, and that's the last
penny l have, yer homer, and it's but a
half one"
AS he spoke he spread his palm open
with an English half penny upon it.
Bring who over?" asked Mr..
Dawn, arrested by the odd speech, as he
turned upon his heel, and turned back
again.
"Jist Nora and Jamesey"
"Who are they?"
"The vans me wife, the other ne
child" said the man. go, masther, iist
thry me. How'll l bring 'em over to
me if no one will give me a job? 1
want to be aiming, and the whole big
city seems against it, and me with arms
like thin"
He barred his arms to the shoulder as he
spoke, and Mr.. Bawn looked at them and
then at his face.
"Pll hire you for week" he said land
now as it's noon, 90 down into the kitchen
and tell the girl to get you your dinner-a
hungry man can't work"
And with an Irish blessing, the new
hand obeyed, while Mr. Bawn, unity
ing his apron, went up stairs to his own
meal
Suspicious as he was of the new hands
integrity and ability, he was agreeably
disappointed. Conner worked hard and
actually learned fast. At the end of
the week he was engaged permanently,
and soon was the best workman in the
shop.
He was great talkcr, but not fond of
drink or wasting money. As his wages
grew he boarded every penny, and wore
the same shabby clothes in which he made
his first appearance. Beer costs money"
he said one day, and livery clint spind
puts me off the bringing Nora and Jamesey
over and as for clothes, them l have must
do me-betther no coat to me back than
no wife and boy by me fireside, and any
how its slow work saving"
1t was slow work, but he kept at it all
the same. Other men, thoughtless and
full of fun, tried to make him drink-made
Jest of his saving habits, coaxed him to
accompany them to places of amusements,
or to share in their Sunday frolics. All in
vain. Gonnor liked beer, liked fun, liked
companionship but he would not delay
that long looked for bringing of Nora
nd
cept favors of others. He kept his way, a
martyr to his great wish-living on little
working at night on an extra job he could
earn few shillings by; running errands
in his noontide hours of rest, and TALKING
to any one who would listen, of his one
great hope, and of Nora and little
Jamesey.
At first the men, who prided themselves
on being all Americans, and on turning
out the best work IN the city, made a sorl
of butt of Conner, whose "wild Irish
laughable. But he won their hearts al
last, and when, one day, mounting work
bench, he shook his little bundle, wrapped
in red handkerchief, before their eyes
and shouted" look, boys, I've got the
whole at last; I'm going to bring Nors
and Jamesey over at last! Whorool I've
got itI'-all felt a sympathy in his Joy
and each grasped his great hand in cordia
congratulations, and one proposed to trea
all around and drink a good voyage t
Nora.
They parted in a merry mood, most o
the men going to comfortable homes
But poor Connor's resting place was poo
lodging house, where he shared crazy
garrett with four other men, and in the Joy
of his heart the poor fellow exhibited hi
handkerchief, with his hard earned saving
tied up in hard wad in the middle, be
fore he put it under his pillow and fel
asleep. When he awakened in the morn
ing he found his treasure gone Some
villain, more contemplate than most bat
men are, had robbed him.
At first Connor could not believe it lost
He searched every corner of the room
shook his quilt and blanket, and begged
those about him to "quit joking and give
it back"
But at last he realized the truth
Is any man that bad that it's thave6
from me ?" he asked in a breathless way
Boys, is any man that bad ?"
And some one answered
Nc doubt of it, Common It's stole.
linen Connor put his head down on hi
hands and lifted up his voice and went
II was one OF those signs which mer