The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-06-24

under charm that the smaller ones |
submitted to hair-brushing at her
hands as at no others; and the baby |
was always crying to be taken into her
arms. She was 'as oliver as a rale
fairy the elder Tim asserted, and all
the O'Rooney family bore him out in
the opinion.
A "rale fairy was needed for the
job on hand this May-day morning
Breakfast to prepare; beds to uncord
and pack; clothes to sort and tie In
bundles; tins, kitchen utensils, what
not to collect and fasten up; stove to
take down-all amidst the dances and
whoops of nine excited children, is no
easy task Mrs. O'Rooney's ordinary
method of procedure was as irregular
as an Ojibbeway's. Things lnstinc-
lively came out of her hands h1ndslde
before-wrong end foremost; but under
Mary's influence something like order
was infused into the chaos. The boys
were collected, loaded with articles
suited to their strength, and sent off at
full trot toward the new lodgings, with
Teddy at the head. It was while mar
shaling this rnruly host down the stairs
that Mary became aware of a counter
procession on their way up.
First came youngish man, carrying
big bundle, and springlng lightly
along, two steps at time, notwith-
standing the apparent weight of his
burden. A frank looking fellow he
was, with wavy hair and kind brown
eyes-a little sad-such eyes as women
like After him toiled two children,
each laden with something-tiny chill
dren, boys, the older not more than
six. The brown eyes met Mary's as
the young man came up. She blushed,
and, confused, she knew not why, re-
treated to her eyrie. To her surprise,
the party followed.
els it here we're to go?" inquired
the man, in unmistakable brogue.
81 don't know" replied Mary, open
ing her eyes wider We're leaving,
ourselves. It's the O'Rooneys we are
"That's it., said the stranger, pull
ling a bit of paper from his pocket and
consulting it" that's the name We've
rinted the room you're having, Miss,
and were bringing up our things, being
turned out of our own bit of q place.
But perhaps it's in your way we'll be 2"
ooh, we haven't any way" said
Mary, laughing
"Then, If it's no Inconvenience, we'll
fetch them up, for it's at the street.
dure they are; and perhaps we can lind
you hand at the same time"
" It's very polite you are, I'm sure, ="
said Miss O'Rourke, and she gave a
pretty blush.
"Such pair of cheeks haven't nit
my eyes before since I left Ireland 7"
thought the young man; but he said
ooh, niver spake of it, miss James
Connell's my name, and I'd be proud to
assist you, being my countryman."
So Mary made room for him to pass
and in half an hour the O'Rooneys and
the Connells were on the footing of old
acquaintance, and the children were
clinging about Mary as if they had
known her always. They were pretty
rogues, with clean, well-scrubbel faces :;
but their clothes were shabby and di-
lapidated, and there were singular at
tempts at patching. which told of clum-
sy male fingers cts bad work man
makes trying to be father and mother
both, James said. His young wife
had died two years before, on their
passage over from Ireland, he told
them; and Mrs. O'Rooney's motherly
heart warmed at once to little ones and
| their father
Most hearts would have warmed to
Council. he was SO wonderfully helpful
and handy, and SO full of goodwill.
His time and strength were applied to
the portage of Mrs. O'Rooney's valu-
ables as cheerfully as to his own He
and Tim shouldered each others stove
pipes and beadsteads indifferently, and
the meeting resolved itself into "been
of mutual aid and service. SO it came
{ to pass that when, at noon, Tim and the
boys departed from the premises, bear
ing the last bundles, Mrs O'Rooney
and Mary fingered. To their womanly
apprehensiOns, ga lone man." who
couldn't know how to set himself to
rights, was a sorry spectacle; and after
whispered consultation, they frankly
offered to stay an hour or two and elk
up" "Ye'l be the better for it all
summer" Mrs. O'Rooney told him.
GA mans little worth for getting things
Strengthened, but my Mary there's
rale fairy for the like of that"
Council had excellent wages, and his
| furniture was gooi and substantial
far better than the scanty plenishings
it replaced. But the stove was dull,
the chsrry table stained and blackened,
everything lacked it's shine. This
Mary proceeded to give. James and
Mrs. O'Rooney sat by, and watched her
busy hands as she scrubbed and busted
and polished; now FASTING a bit of pa
per over soiled spot, now applying
drop of glue to a fracture; Frightening
whatever she touched, and humming
scraps of merry rhyme to the children,
who chased her as flies do a sunbeam.
At last:
Whatever is she, thin," asked
James-.'your daughter2''
No, but as good;'' whispered back
Mrs. O'Rooney.
''But she called you mother"
so she did, the darlint. She was a
poor girl from the other side, you see,
who we took in sick, but she's grown to
be the light of our eyes. She talks of
going to sarvice but Tim he'll not
hear of it, nor me either No-not
while there's morsel left in the cup
board, anyhow" Mrs. OiRooney con
cluded with sigh.
James asked no more, but his ewes
followed Mary with a steadfast gaze.
She became conscious of this at last.
and 1t embarrassed her.
Mother" she said, from the win
dow which she was washing, ''this is
done. I'll just polish the kettle bit.
and set 1T on, and then we Will be