The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-03-21

Erethe tempestuouE winter come.
fsal -Wiilisn Hsoingfsn
NORA AND yAMEsY.
"ro the memory of Patrick Con
nor this simple stone was erected by
his fellow workmen.n
These words yon might read any
day upon white slab 10 q cemetery
not many miles from New York
you might read them q hundred times
without guessing at the little tragedy >
they indicste-without knowing the
humble romance which ended with
the placing of that stone above one
poor, humble man.
In shabby frieze jacket and mud.
laden brogsns, he was scarcely su
attractive object as be walked into
Mr.. Bawn's great tin and bardware
shop, one day, and presented himself
at the counter with an
I've been told ye advertised for
hands, yer honor"
Fully supplied, my man." said
Mr.. Bawn, not lifting his head from
bis account book.
"l'd work faithful. sir, and take
low wages till / could do better ;
and I'D learn-I would thst.n
1t was an Irish brogue, and Mr..
Bawn declared that be never could
employ an incompetent hand. Yet
the tone attracted him. He turned
briskly. and with bis pen behind his
ear, addressed the mao, who was only
one of fifty who had answered bis
for four workmen that
morning.
What makes you expect to learn
faster than other folks-are you any
smarter % -
"I'll,not say thst,n said the man,
'but Fd be wishing to; that 'ud
make 1t easier"
Are you used to the work?n
"l'v done Q bit of it."
"Mueh !n
mo, yer hohor; tell no lie. Tim
0'Toole hadn't the like of this place !;
but l know bit about tins.n
You are old for an apprentice. and
you'd be in the way, l calculate, y
said Mr.. Bswn, looking at the Draw.
ny arms and bright eyes that prom
ised strength and intelligence. "Be.
sides, | 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 another"
The Virgin viii have TO be after
bringing 'em over in her two arms,
thin," said the man despairingly /;
"for I've tramped all day, for the last
fortnight, and niver q job can get /;
and that's the last penny I have, yer
honor, and it's but half one"
As be spoke be spread bis palm
open with an English half penny
upon it. 'Tr
Bring whom over1" asked Mr..
Bawn, arrested by the odd speech,
as be turned upon his heel and looked
back again.
"Jist Nora aud Jsmesy."
"Who are they ?n
"Tbe vans me wife, the Others
me child" said the man. "Ob, mas
ter thry me. How'll they ever come
to me if no one will give me q job ?
want to be sirning, and the whole
big city seems against it-and me
with arms like them!" .lsH
He barred his arms to the shoulders
ss be spoke, and Mr.. Bawn looked at
them and then at bis face. 4r
an hire you for q week." be said !;
land now, as it's noon, 60 down into
the kitchen and tell the girl to get
you your dinner-a hungry man can't
work.
And with an Irish blessing the
new b and obeyed, while Mr.. Bawn
untying his apron, went up stairs TO
bis own meal.
Suspicious as be was of the new
hands integrity and ability, be was
disappointed Conner
worked bard, and actually, at the end
OF the week, he was the best work
man in the shop.
He was great talker. but not fond
of drink or wasting money. As bis
wages grew he boarded every penny.
and wore the same shabby clothes in
" hich be made his FIRST appearances.
Beer costs money" be said one day.
land livery cint l spind puts OF the
bringing of Nora and Jamesy over ;
and as for clothes, them have must
do me-better no clothes to my back
than no wife and no boy to nv hre-
side; anyhow, it's mighty slow work
saving"
1t was slow work, but be kept at
it all the same. Other men, thought
less and full of fun, tried to make
him drink, made Q jest of his saving
habits, coaxed him to accompany
them to places Of amusement. and
share their Sunday frolics. All in
vain. Connor liked beer, liked fan,
liked companionsbip, but be would
not delay the long looked for bring
ing of Nora over, and was not "nans
enoughn TO accept fsvors from others
He kept his wsy-s martyr to bio
own great wish-living on little.
working at night, and on an extra
Job by which be could earn . few
shillings, by running errands in bis
hours of rest, and talking 70
any one who would listen Of his one
great hope, and Nora and little JAM
esy-
That seemed , sort of charity to
him. Still be vas helped along. A
present from Mr.. Bswn as pay day
set Nora, - he said - week nearer, =
and this and that sad The Other odd
ed to the little hoard. II grew fastsr
than At 6rst, and Connoris burden
was not 90 heavy. Al lass. bstore
be hoped it. be was oncs moro abe
to say, I'm going 70 bring thsa
over,D and to show his handkerchisf.
in which, as before. be tied up his
earnings; this time. however, only
TO his friendA Cantious snoas
Il = = n