Smyrna times., 1877-05-16
Nora and Jamesy.

"To the memory of Patrick Connor this
simple stone was erected by his fellow
workmen."
These words you may read any day upon
a white slab in cemetery not many miles
from New York but you might read them
hundred times without guessing at the
little tragedy they indicate, without know
ing the humble romance which ended with
the placing of that little stone above one
poor and humble man.
In the shabby frieze jacket and mud
laden brogans, he was scarcely an attractive
object as he walked into Mr.. Bawns great
tin and hardware shop, and presented
himself at the counter with an
1--we been tould ye advertised for hands,
yer honor"
"Fully supplied, my man." said Mr..
Bawn, not lifting his head from his account
book.
"Id work faithful, sir, and take low
wages till could do better; and I'd learn,
i would that"
1t was an Irish brogue, and Mr.. Bawn
declared that lie never would employ an
incompetent hand. Yet the tones at
tracted him. He turned briskly, and,
with his pen behind his ear, addres sed the
man, who was one of the fifty who had
answered his advertisement for four work,
men that morning.
"What makes you expect to learn faster
than other folks-are you any smarter?
"rll not say that" said the man, but
I'd be wishing to; that ud make it aisier'
Are you used to the work 2
give done bit of it,
"Much?'
"No, yer honor; I'll tell no lie. Tin
O'Tools hadn't the like of this place; but
know a bit about tins"
You are too old for an apprentice, and
you'd be in the way, l calculate" said Mr.
Bawn, looking at the brawny arms anC
bright eyes that promised strength anC
intelligence. Besides, know your coun
trymen-lazy, good-for-nothing fellows, VIII
never do their best. No, I've been takel
in by Irish hands before, and l won't hav
another"
"The Virgin will have to be after bring
ing 'em over in her arms, thin," said tn
man despairingly; "for I've tramped a
day for the last fortnight, and niver a jo
can get; and that's the last penny have
yer honor, and it's but half one."
As he spoke, he spread his palm ope
with an English halfpenny upon it.
bring whom over?" asked Mr.. Bawr
arrested by the odd speech, as he turne
upon his heel and looked back again.
"Jist Nora and Jamesy."
"Who are they?"
"The vans me wife, the other me child,
said the man. "Oh, masther, thry me
How'll they ever come to me if no one wi
give me a job e? l want to be airnin, an
the whole big city seems against mean
me with arms like them"
He barred his arms to the shoulders as /
spoke, and Mr.. Bawn looked at them, al
then at his face.
am hire you for the week." he sal,
"and now, as it's noon, go down into I'll
kitchen and tell the girl to get you yo
dinner-a hungry man can't work"
And with an Irish blessing the new han
obeyed, while Mr.. Bawn, united his apro
and went up stairs to his own meal.
Suspicious as he was of the new hanC
integrity and ability, he was agreeably d
appointed. Connor worked hard, al
actually, at the end of the week, he v
the best workman in the shop.
de was a great talker, but not fond
drink and wasting money. AS his wal
grew, he boarded every penny, and VIZ
The same shabby clothes in which he Fl
made his appearance.
Beer costs money! he said one d.
"and livery cint l spind puts off the bring
OF Nora and Jamesy over; and as for t
clothes, them have must do me-bet
no clothes to me back than no wife and
boy to me freside; anyhow, it's slow W.
saving"
1t was slow work, but he kept at it
tne same. Other men, thoughtless and
OF fun, tried to make him drink, mad
jest OF his saving habits, coaxed him to
company them to places of amusement
share their Sunday frolics. All in v
Connor loved beer, liked fun, liked c.
panlonship; but he would not delay
long looked for bringing of Nora over,
was not "mane enough" to accept fa
OF others. He kept his way-a marty
ms own great wish-living on little, W
Ing at night on an extra job by whicl