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

"TO the memory OF Patrick ConnOr
this simple stone was erected by his fel'
low workmen."
These words you may lead any day
upon white slab in cemetery not
many miles from New York; but you
might read them hundred times with,
out guessing at the little tragedy they
indicate, without knowing the humble
romance which ended with the placing OF
that stone above one poor and humble
man. .>.r..-. . ... -...-.-
In the shabby fiieze jacket and mud
laden brogans, he was scarcely an attrac
tive object as he walked into Mr.. Bawn's
great tin and hardware shop, one day.
and presented himself at the counter
with au-
Give been tould ye advertised for
hands, yer honor.
Fully supplied, my man." said Mr.
Bawn, not hft,pg his head from his &C
count book. -.-..
ed work faithful, sir, and take low
wages till 1 could do better; and I'd
learn-I woald that"
It was an irish brogue, and MIR. Bawn
declared that he never would employ an
jncompetent hand. Yet the tone attract
ed him. He turned brisk]y, and, with
MS pen behind his ear, addressed the
rnan, who was Only ole OF the fifty who
lad answered his advertisement for four
workmen that morning.
"What makes you expect to learn
faster than other folks-are you any
smarter2"
"I'n not say that" said the man;
''but I'd be wishing to; that nd make
it aisier."
care you used to the work?'
"I've done bit of it"
"Much2"
"No, yer honor; I'll tell no lie. Tim
OToole hadn't the like Of this place;
but know bit about tins"
"You are too Ole 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 and intelligence. Besides, l
know your countrymen lazy, good for
nothing fellows, who never do their
best. No, I've been taken In by Irish
hands before, and I won't have an
other"
"The Virgin will have to be after
bringing 'em over in her two arms,
thin" said the man, despalr7ngly;
"for I've tramped all day for the last
fortnight, and niyer job can l get; and
that's the last penny / have, yer honor,
and it's but half one."
As he spoke he spread his palm open
with AN ENGLISH halfpenny upon it.
"Bring whom over?" asked MIR.
Bawn, arrested by the odd speech, as ne
turned upon his heel and looked back
again.
"Jist Nora and Jamesy."
"Who are theya"
"The vans me wife, the other me
child" said the man. "Oh, masther,
thry me. Howl they ever come to me-
if no one will give me a jo62 want to
be ajrning, and the whole big city seems
against it-and me with arms Ike
themi'
He barred his arms to the shoulders as
he spoke, and Mr.. $50 looked at
them, and then at his facE
"I'll hire you for the week, ne SAID; !;
"and now, as it's noon, go down into
the kitchen and tell the girl to get you
your DIM era hungry man cantwork. "
And with an Irish blessing the new
hand obeyed, while Mr.. Bown, untylng
his apron, went upstairs to his own
meal.
Suspicious as he was of the new
hands integrity and ability, he was
agreeably disappointed. Connor worked
hard, and actually, at the end OF the
week, he was the best workman IN the
shop.
He was great talker, but not fond OF
drink or wasting money. As his wages
grew, he boarded every penny, and wore
the same shabby clothes in which ne
made his first appearance. "Beer costs
money!" lie said one day, "and livery
cint spind puts off the bringing Nora
and Jamesy over; and as fer the clothes,
them [ have must do me-better 10
clothes to me back than no wife and nc
boy to me freside; anyhow, it's slow
work saving." :,
It was slow work, but he kept at 1t all
the same. Other men, thoughtless and
full of fun, tried to make him drink.
made a jest of his saving habits, coa1eo
him to accompany them to places OF
amusement and share their Sunday
frol1cs. Ali in vain. CoDnor liked beer
liked fun, liked companionsbip; but hC
would not delay the long looked fol
bringing Of Nora over, and was DO
"1uane enough" to accept faTor5 O
otbars He kent his way-a martyr tx