Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-11-02

which 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 Jamesy.
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, ga week nearer" and this and
that and the other added to the little
hoard. II grew faster than at 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 handker-
chief, in which, as before, 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 day and night,
until the tickets were bought and sent.
Then every man, woman and child,
capable OF hearing and understanding,
knew that Nora and her baby were COM
ing.
At first the men who prided them
selves on turning out the best work Ill
the city made sort of butt of Connor,
whose "wild Irish" ways and verdancy
we're indeed often laughable. But 1t
won their hearts at last, and when, one
day, mounting work bench. he shook
his little bundle, wrapped in red 'ker-
chief, before their eyes and ahouted
"Look, boys, I've got the whole at last !
I'm Going TO bring Nora and Jamesy
over at last Whoroo! I've got 1T !!
all felt a sort of sympathy IN his Joy.
There was John Jones, who had more
of the brute in his composition than
usually falls to the lot of man-even he,
who had coldly hurled his hammer at
an offenders head, missing him by a
hairs breadth, would spend his ten
minutes in the noon hour in reading the
Irish news to Connor. There was Tom
Baker, the meanest man among the
number, who had never been known to
give ANYTHING to any one before, abso-
lutely bartered an old jacket for pair
of gilt vases which peddler brought IN
his basket to the shop, and presented
them to Connor for Nora's mantleplece.
And there was idle Dick, the appren-
tice, who actually worked two hours on
Connor's work when illness kept the
Irishman at home one day. Connor felt
this kindness, and returned it whenever
it was in his power.
And the days few by and brought
O letter at last from his wife. "She
would start as he desired, and she was
we'll, and so was the boy, and might the
Lord bring them safely to each other s
arms and bless those who had been so
kind to him." This was the substance
of the epistle, which Connor prondly
assured his fellow workmen Nora wrote
herself. She had lived at service as a
girl with a certain good old Lady. who
had given her an education, the items
of which Connor told upon his
fingers. "The radin, that's one, anu
the writin', that's three, and moreover
she knows all woman can" Then ne
looked up at his fellow workmen, with
the tears in his eyes, and asked:
"Do you wondher the time seems
long between me an her, boys"
So it was-Nora at the dawn OF day
Nora at noon-Nora at night-until the
news came that the "Stormy Petrel
had come to port, and Connor, breath
less and pale with excitement, flung his
cap in the air and shouted.
It happened. on holiday afternoon,
and half dozen of men were ready to
90 with Connor to the steamer and give
his wife a greeting. Her little home
was 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 O. that in the
ould counthry," he said. "But she'll
know how to kape them tidy"
Then he led the way toward the dock
where the steamer lay, at pace which
made it hard for the rest to follow him.
The spot was reached at last; crowd OF
vehicles blockaded the street; troop OF
Immigrants came thronging up; hne
cabin passengers were stepping into
cabs, and drivers, porters, and all man
ner of employees 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; patiently at first, eagerly, but pa
tiently; but by-and-bye growing anxious
and excited. >,
"She would niver 60 alone" he said.
"She d be lost enthirely. 1 bade her
wait, but don't see her boy. 1 think
she's not in it.
"Why don't you see the captain !"
asked one, and Connor jumped at the
suggestion. In moment he stood be-
fore portly, rubicund man, whonodded
to him kindly.
II am looking for my wife, yer
HONOR" said Connor, "and / can't find
her."
"Perhaps she's gone ashore" said
the captain.
II bade her watt" said Conuor.
"Women don't always do as they are
bid, YOU know" said the captain.
"Nora would" said Connor. "But
maybe she was left behind. Maybe she
didn't come. I somehow think she
didn't"
At the name of Nora the captain
started. In moment he asked:
"What is your name2
"Pat Connor," said the man.
"And your wife's was Nora 2"
"That's her name, and the boy with
her is Jamesy, your honor, said Con-
nor.
Thecaptain lookedat Connor's friends,
they looked at the captain. Then ne
said, huskily:
"Sit down, my man I've got some
&bsnr 70 foIl unu