Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-23

baby were coming.
/ At first the men who prided them
selves on turning out the best work in
the city made a sort of butt of Connor,
whose "wild Irish" ways and verdancy
were indeed often laughable. But it won
their hearts at last, and when, one
day, mounting work bench, he shook
his little bundle, wrapped in a red hand
kerchief, before their eyes and shouted :
"Look, boys, I've got the whole at last
Pm going to bring Nora and Jamesy
over at last! Whoroo! I've got it!''
and all felt sort of sympathy in his
joy.
There was John Jones, who had more
of the brute In his composition than
usually. falls to the lot of man-even he,
who had coldly hurled his hammer at
an offenders head, missing him by a
hairs breath, would spend his ten min
utes in the noon hour in reading the
Irish news to Connor. There was Tom
Baker, the meanest man among the
number, who had never been known to
give anything to any one before, alb
solutely battered an old jacket for pair
of gilt vases which peddler brought in
his basket to the shop, and presented
them to Oonnor for Morals mantlepiece.
And there was idle Dick, the apprentice,
who actually worked two hours on Con-
nor's work when illness kept the Irish
man at home one day. Connor felt this
kindness, and returned it whenever it
was in hfK power.
And the days flew by and brought
a letter at last from his wife. 'She
would stArt as he desired, and she
was well, and might the Lord bring
them safely to each others arms and
bless those who had been SO kind to
him. This was the substance of the
epistle which Connor proudly assured
his fellow workmen Nora wrote herself
She had lived at service as girl with 3
certain good old lady, who had given her
an education, the items Of which ConnoI
told upon his fingers. 1.-THE radin'
that's one. and the writin', that's three,
and moreover she knows all woman
can.n Then he looked up at his fellow
workmen, with the tears in his eyes,
and asked:
"Do you wonder 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 Petrep
had came to port, and Connor, breath
less and pale with excitement, flung his
cap in the air and shouted.
It happened on holiday afternoon.
and half dozen of men were ready to
90 with Connor to the steamer and give
his wife greeting. Her little home was
ready Mr.. Bawn's own servant had
put it in order, and Connor took one
peep at it before he started.
ssShe hadn't the like o. that in the
ould lcountry,n he said. "But she'll
know how to kape them tidy"
Then he led the way toward the deck
where the steamer lay, at pace which
made it hard for the rest to follow him.
The spot was reached at last; a crowd of
vehicles blockaded the street; troup 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, amidst those
who sat watching for coming friends,
Connor searched for the two SO dear to
him patiently at first, eagerly, but pa
| tientiy but bye. sDd-bye growing anx.
ious and excited.
"She would niver go alone" he said.
"She'd be lost enthirely. bade her
wait; but don't see her boy. | think
she's not in it,"
"Why don't you see the captain ?"
asked one and Connor jumped at the
suggestion. In moment he stood be-
fore portly rubicund man, who nod
ded to him kindly.
II am looking for my wife, yer hon
orr said Connor, "and I can't find
her.
.sPerhaps she's gone aashore," said
the captain.
II babe her watt" said Connor.
"Women don't always do as they are
bid, you know" said the captain.
'sNora would" said Connor 'sBut
maybe she didn't come. I somehow
think she didn't.
| At the name of Nora the captain start
ed. In q moment he said:
"What is your name?"
"Pat Connor," said the man.
"And your wife's was Nora?"
'That's her name, and the boy with
her, is Jamesy, your honor" said Con-
nor.
The captain looked at Connor's friends
they looked at the captain. Then he
said, huskily:
"Sit down, my man; I've got some
thing to tell your
"She's left behind? ?' said Connor.
"She sailed with us" said the captain.
"Where is she?" said Connor.
The Captain made no answer.
my man." he said, 1--WE all have our
trials. God sends them. Yes, Nora
started with u.s."
Connor said nothing. He was look
ing at the captain now, white to the
lips.
"It's been sickly season." said the
captain. 1--WE had sickness on board
the cholera. You know that?"
II didn't" said Connor; II can't read
they kept it from me.n
1--WE didn't want to frighten him.
said one man, in half whisper.
"You know how long we laid at quar-
antine?"
"The ship I came in did that" said
Connor. did you say Nora went
captain" "Many died" went on the
captain-'many children. When we
lsfck"-
"Jamesy," gasped Connor.
His mother watched him night and
day. said the captain, "and we did all
we could; but at last he died-only one
of many. There were five buried that
Lday. But it broke my heart to see the
mother looking upon the water. It's
his father think of said she; hes
longing to see poor Jamesy."
/ Connor groaned.
Keep up if you can, my man." said
the captain. II wish any one else had
it to tell you rather than I. That night
Nora was taken ill. very suddenly. She
grew worse fast. In the morning she
called me to her. Tell Connor 1 died
thinking of him. she said; and tell
him to meet me- And, my good man
God help you. She never said anything