Lincoln County advocate. (Canton, Dakota Territory, [S.D.]) 1876-1877, 1876-11-29

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ness kept the Irishman at home on,
day. sConnor felt this kindness AM
returned it whenever it was in hi,
power. -'-
And the days flew by and brought .
letter at last from his wife. She Woulf
start as he desired, and she was vel
and 80 was the boy, and might the Lore
bring them safely to each others arms
and bless those who had been 60 kint
to him. This was the substance of thu
epistle, which Conner proudly assured
his fellow wcrkmen Nora wrote her.
self. She had lived at service as q cir
with q certain good old lady who had
given her an education, the items OF
which he counted upon his fingers,
"The radin', that's one, and the writin',
that's three, and, moreover, she knows
all q woman can" Then he 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.
1t happened on a holiday afternoon
and half a dozen men were ready to 20
with Conner to the steamer and give
his wife a greeting. Her little home
was ready; Mr.. Bawn's own servant had
pat it in order and Conner took one
peep at it before he started.
She hadn't the like O. that in the
ould country" 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 fol-
low him. The spot was reached at last;
a crowd of vehicles blockaded the
street; a troop of immigrants came
thronging up; fine cabin passengers
were stepping into cabs, and drivers,
porters and all manner 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 Conner searched for the two so
dear to him; patiently at first, eagerly
but patiently; but bye-and-bye growing
anxious and excited.
"she would nivir go alone" he said.
She'd be lost entirely. I babe her
wait; but don't see her boy. I think
she's not in it."
"Why don't you see the captain ?"
asked one, and Conner jumped at the
In a moment he stood be-
fore q portly man, who nodded to him
Kindly.
II am looking for my wife, yer
nonor," said Connor, land can't find
her."
perhaps she's gone ashore" said
the captain.
II babe her wait" said Conner.
Women don't always do as they are
Did, you know" said the captain.
"Nora would" said Connor. "But
nay be she was left behind. May be
inc didn't come. I somehow think she
lidn't."
At the name of Nora the captain
'tarted. In q moment he asked:
"What is your name"
"Pat Connor."
"And your wife's was NoraY'
"That's her name, and the boy with
Ter is Jamesy, your honor" said Con-
The captain looked at Connor's
friends, they looked at the captain.
Then he said, huskily:
"Sit down my man; I've got some
hing to tell you"
"She's left behind?" said Conner.
~ She sailed with us?" said the cap
Where Is shel" said Connor.
The captain made no answer.
"My man." he said, "we all have
,ur trials. God sends them. Yes.
Nora started with u.s.
Conner said nothing. He was look
ng at the captain now, white to the
fps.
Its been a sickly sea-" said the cap
ain. 1--WE had illness on board-the
cholera. You know that?"
II didn't" said Conner; II can't
'ead-they keptit from me-"
"We didn't want to brighten him."
aid one man, in a half whisper
"You know how long we laid at
luarantine?"
"The ship I came in did that" said
Jonnor. "Did you say Nora went
'shore? I ought to be lookin' for her,
captain"
MANY died." went on the captain
n any children. When we were half
way here your boy was taken sick"
Jamesy," gasped Connor.
ellis mother watched him nj GIT aud
lay" said the captain, "and we did
Ill We could; but at last he died-only
,ne Of many. There was five buried
hat day. But it broke my heart to see
he mother looking upon the water.
It's his father think OIL said she;
he's longing to see poer Jamesey."
Conner groaned.
keep up if you can, my man."
laid the captain. II wish any one
Else had it to tell rather than I. That
aight Nora was taken i'll, very sudden
y. She grew worse fast. In TIE morn
ng she called me to her. Tell Connor
died thinking of him. she said; and
ell him to meet me. And, my good
nan, God help you.' She never said
anything more-in an hour she was
yone." - ~. @au.t..
Conner had risen. He stood up try.
ing to steady himself, looking at the
captain with his eyes as dry as two
stones. Then he turned to his friends:
eve got my death, boys" he said,
and then he dropped to the floor like a
log. e
They raised him and bore him away.
In an hour he was at home in the little
bed which had been made ready fo,