The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-11-15

tice, who actually worked two hours on
Connor's work when illness kept the
Irishman at home one day. Oonnor felt
this kindness, and returned it whenever
it was in his power. 4
And the days flew by and brought
a letter at last from his wife. "She
would start as he desired, and the was
well, and so Was the boy, and might the
Lord bring them safely to each others
arms and bless those who had been 80
kiud to him." This was the substance
Of the epistle, which Conner proudly
assured bis fellow workmen Nora wrote
herself. She had lived at service as a
girl with q certain good old lady, who
had given her an education, the items
of which Conner told upon his
fingers. "The radin,' that's one, and
the writin', that's three, and moreover
she knows all a 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, boys9"
So it was-Nora at the dawn OF day
Nora at noon-Nora at night-until the
news came that the "Stormy Petrol
had come to port, and Conner, breath
less and pale with excitement, flung his
cap in the air and shouted.
It happened on a holiday afternoon,
and half dozen of men we're ready to
90 with Conner to the steamer and give
bis wife a greeting. Her little home
was ready; Mr.. Bawn's W servant had
put it in order, and Conner took one
peep at it before he started.
"She hadn't the like O. that in the
ould oounthry," he said: "But she'll
know how to kape them tidy" =.
Then he led the way toward the dock
where the steamer lay, at a pace which
made it hard for the rest to follow 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 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, amidstthose
who sat watching for coming friends,
Conner searched for the two 80 dear to
him; patiently at first, eagerly, but pa
tiently; but by-and-bye growing anxious
and excited.
"She would niver go alone" he said.
"She'd be lost ENTIRELY. I babe her
wait; but I don't see her boy. I think
she's not in it"
"Why don't you SEQ the captain ?"
asked one, and Conner jumped at the
suggestion. In a moment he stood be-
fore a portly, rubicund man, whonodded
to him kindly.
II am looking for my wife, yer
honor" said Conner, "and I can't find
her."
perhaps she's gone ashore" said
the captain.
CT babe her watt" said Conner.
"Women don't always do as they are
bid, you know" said the captain.
"Nora would" said Conner. "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 a moment he asked:
What is your name9"
"Pat Connor," said the man.
Sand your wife's was Nora2D
"That's her name, aud the boy with
her is Jamesy, your HONOR" said Con-
nor.
The captain lookeda at Connor's friends,
thew looked at the captain: Then he
said, huskily:
est down, my man !; I've got some
thing to tell you"
"She's left behind 2" said Connor.
"She sailed with u.s." said the cap
tain.
"Where is she?" said Conner.
The captain made no answer.
"My man," he said, "we all have
our trials. God sends them. Yes, Nora
started with u.s."
Conner said nothing. he was look
ing at the captain now, white to the lips.
"It's been O sickly season." said the
captain. "We had illness on board
the cholera. You know that2
81 didn't" said Conner ; 81 can't
read-they kept it from me-"
"We didn't want to brighten him."
said one man, in a half whisper.
"You know how long we laid at
quarantine
"The ship I came in did that" said
Conner. "Did you say Nora went
ashorea 1 ought to be lookin for her,
captain"
"Many died." went on the captain
"many children. When we were half
way here your boy was taken sick
"Jamesy," gasped Conner.
ellis mother watched him night and
day." said the captain, "and We did oil
we could ; but at last he died-only one
of many. Th; re we're five buried that
day. But it broke NY heart to see the
mother looking upon the water. Its
his father T think Of said she 'he's
longing to see poor Jamesy.'"
Conner groaned.
"Keep up if you can, my man." said
the captain. 81 wish any n else had
it to tell rather than I. That night Nora
was taken ill, very suddenly. She grew
worse fast. In the morning she called
me to her. Tell Conner I died think
ing of him. she said; 'and tell him to
meet me- And, my good man, God
help you. She said anything
more-in an hour she was gone"
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 I:
"I've got my death, boys" he said
and then dropped to the floor like a log
They raised him and bore him away,
In au hour he was at home in the little
bed which had been made ready for
Nora, weary with her long voyage.
There, at last, he opened his eyes. Old
Mr.. Bawn bent wei him; he had been
summoned by the news, and the room
was full of Oonnor's fellow workmen.
"Better, Connor7" asked the old
man.
"a dale" said Conner. "It's aisy
now; III be with her soon. And look
ye, masther, I've larnt one thing-God
is good. He would not bring Nora over
to me, but He's taking me over to her
and Jamesy-over the river-don't you
see it-and her-standing on the other
side-to welcome me2"
And with these words Conner stretch
ed out his arms. Perhaps he did see
Nora-God only knows. And so he
died.
The English Corn Trade.
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