The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-07-18
An Americo-Iri.hman Revealing HIS Old Home.

COUNTY WEXFORD, IRELAND, June -, 1875.
Dear -: I arrived here last week, and
received your letters, but no STAR as yet. The
trip has wonderfully beheftted my health, and
feel really like q new man. 1 cannot describe
my feelings as knelt down again on the stone
tagged floor in the corner of my old parish
chapel, on the very spot where used to 'kneel
and say the Litany of the Blessed Virgin
thirty ysars ago! After an act of thanksgiving,
got up and went to examine if there was any
change in the Virgins Altar, which 1 had
helped to build about thirty-four years ago.
was delighted to recognize the same taber-
nacle on which had worked. 1t looks rather
dipgy now; but if the parish priest permits, it
shall seon be frightened up with fresh coat
of paint and gliding.
The old house in which I was born, on Main
street, has disappeared, and given place to
new one. How odd the houses, the streets and
the river look to me. Once they all seemed 30
large and roomy, but now all seem 80 little /:
the streets like lanes and the river only q
creek-but for ALL they are dearer to me than
your grand ones in America.
On the streets see women wearing the same
old-fashioned, hooded cloak my poor IN other
always wore when she went out of doors. But
she tssteless Vagabonds have torn down one of
my most cherished landmarks, the old town.
wall gates. For this town was once walled all
around, and at four points had massive, cut
stone arched gateways, richly carved.
l met yesterday one who, years ago, was
talked of as my intended, when l should finish
learning my trade. All, they little knew how
care and sorrow had already (although but
fourteen years old) entered my heart, at seeing
the poverty already creeping upon my dear
father and mother, who were getting old, and
day by day the world seemed going against
them. Well, was glad to see the girl had
got good husband, while remain the same
care-worn being as before.
Please see to the mailing of my MORNING
STAR must have it; for like to hear from
the great country where lived SO long, where
had 80 many ups and downs, and where my
comrades and a few good friends are at rect
truly like tie South, but love my native
country and was always proud of her.
nave just received yours of June Sd, and
am Truly sorry to hear of the continued dis
Iress IN New Orleans. 1 feel very anxious to
Ano" II there has been much of an overflow
IN Aensas parish, or lower down; also about
Inc health of your city, whether there is any
yellow fever etc.
Inc other day 1 went three miles from town
70 the old -four mill that my poor father held
many years forty years ago. Imagine my feel
lpes on crossing its threshold after an absence
Vi 'n'rty-tour yearsl There arose before my
~e"ofys eye the exact likeness of my dear
size, shape, movements and all. In
iOOAing around the mill, found remembered
'o,S'Ding-the garden, the well, the same old
ILLS ene road-corners, and every other land
x..t once knew 80 well. 1t was here my
h" rea saw his best days, and 1T was this place
ie,t In l0l6, completely broken.
Il'nough things go better in other parts of
-ti',' l am sorry to say there seems more
drinking in this place than there was
STARS. 80" 80 10'se' my