The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-01-28
his child "put," as he expressed it


But when be went to work that day it
did seem to all who saw him that he
had picked up new determination. His.
Ishsnds were never idle His face seem
ed to say, "I'll have Nora with me yet"
At Noon he scratched oat Letter, blot
ted and very STRANGELY scrawled, telling
Nora what had happened; and those
who observed him, noticed that he had
no meat with his dinner Indeed, from.
that moment he liveG on bread, potatoes
and cold water; and worked as few men
lever worked before. 1t grew to be the
| talk of the shop and now that sympa-
thy was excited, every one wanted to
help Connor. Jobs were thrown in his
gay, kind words and fiiendly wishes
, iaeipea him ra;ght;ljt; gsstspo power
cenld make him share the food or drink
s'of any other workman.
That seemed sort of charity to him.
Still, he was helped along. A present
from Mr.. Bawn, at pay day, got Nora,
he said, ga week nearer" 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, 81 am going to bring
them over" and to sh Nv his handker-
chief, in which. as before, he tied UP his
earnings; this time, however, only to
bis friends. Cautious among strangers,
be 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, capable
Of hearing or understanding, knew that
Nora and her baby were coming.
There was John Jones, who had more
! Of the brnte in his composition than
usually falls to the lot Of man--even
he, who had coolly hurled his hammer
at Oh offenders head, missing him by &
hairs breadth, would spend ten minutes
! in the noon hour in reading the Irish
news to Counor. There was Tom Bar
ker, the meanest man among the num-
ber, who had never been known to give
ianything to any one before, absolutely
5artered an old jacket for pair of gilt
vases, which a peddler brought in his
basket to the shop. and presented them
10 Connor for his Morals mantelpece.
4 Aud here was idle Gick. the apprentice,
who actually worked two hours on Con-
Inor's work, when illness kept the Irish
man a. home one day. Connor felt this
kindness, and returned it whenever it
was in his power, and the days few by
and brought at last letter from his
:. wife.
! She would start as he desired. and
she was well, and so was the hoy, and
! might the Lord bling them safely to
! each others 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
N9ra wrote herself She had lived at
FTsereiee, as q girl, with q certain good
Told lady, whfialad given her an educa-
. ton, tire items OF which Connor told
upon his fingers. 'The radin', that's
one. and the writin', that's three, and
moreover, she knows ali that woman
can" Then he looked up at his fellow
workman with tears in his eyes, and
asked
: "Do We wonder the time seems long
between me an her, boys 7"
SO it was-Nora at dawn of day-No-
ra at noon-Nora at night-until the
news came that the Stormy Petrol had
come to port, and Connor, breathless
ard pale with excitement, flung bis cap
in the air and shouted
1t happened on a holiday afternoon,
and half dozen men were ready to 90
with Connor 10 the steamer and give
his wife greeting. Her little home
wos ready; Mr.. Bawn's own servant 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 counthry," lie said. "But shell
know how to kape thin tidy
Then he led the way toward the dock
where the steamer lay, at a pace which
: made it hard for the rest 10 follow him.
+ The spot was reached at last; a crowd
: f vehicles blockaded the street; troop
!, OF emigrsnts came throneins up; fine
? cabin pas sengers were stepping into
r cabs, and drivers, porters, and all man.
ner of employees were yelling and
: shouting in the usual manner. Nors
5 would wait on board for her husband.
: he knew that
| The little group made their way into
/ the vessel at last, and there, amid those
: who sat watching for coming friends
2 Connor searched for the two so dear tc
. him patiently at first, eagerly, but pa
tiently; but by and by growing anxious
and excited.
"She would niver 90 alone he said
j '.she'd be lost inthirely. ! bade hel
wait, but / don't see her; boys, think
she's not in it"
"Why don't You see the captain ?
) asked one, and Connor jumped at the
suggestion In few minutes be stood
I, before a portly, rubiehnd man, who
) nodded to him kindly
Il am lookin for my wife,yer honor,
said Conner, land can't find her.
! "Perhaps she's gone ashore said thc
captain.
II bade her wait," said Connor.
Women don't always do as they arr
, bid, you know" said the captain.
Mora would" said Conner; "bu
t maybe she was left behind Mavbe sh,
. didn't come; I somehow think sht
a didn't"
AT tie name Of Nora the captain
n started. In moment he asked:
"What is your name 7"
/ Pat Comor," said the man.
Sand your wife's was Nora?''
"That's her name, and the hoy will
her is Jamesysser honor said Conner
The captain looked at Connor'.
: friends; they looked at the captain.--
| Then he said, husklIy:
"Sit down, my man; I've got some
e thing to tell YOU"
f 'Shes left behind p said Connor.
5 .'She sailed with u.s. said the captain
t "Whcre is she 2 asked Connor.
Tie captain made no answer.
"Ny man." he said, "we al have on
1 trials; God sends them Yes, Nor
S started with us"
Connor said nothing. He was look
ing at the captain now, white 10 his
lips.