The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-01-16


the substance Of the epistle which Con-
nor proudly assured his fellow-work-
men Nora wrote herself. She had lived
at service as o girl, with q certain good
old lady, who had given her the items
of an education, which Common told
upon his fingers: "The radin', that's
one, the writin', that's three, and, more
over. she knows all that woman can"
Then he looked up with tears in his
eyes, and asked: "Do you wonder the
time seems long between me an her,
boys?"
So il was. Nora at the dawn OF day
Mora 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 up
his cap in the air and shouted.
1t happened on holiday afternoon,
and half dozen men. were ready to go
with Conner to the steamer and give
his wife greeting. Her little home
was ready; MIR. Bavne's own servant
had put it in order, and Conner took
one peep at it before he started.
~She hadn't the like of that in the
ould country" he said; "but she'll
know how to keep them tidy
Then he led the way toward the dock
where the steamer lay, and at pace
that made it hard for the rest to follow
him. The spot was reached at last; q
crowd of vehicles blockaded the street !;
troop of emigrants came thronging
mp; fine cabin passengers were stepping
into cabs, and drivers, potters, 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, amid those
who sat watching for coming friends,
Conner searched for the two so dear TO
him; patiently at first eagerly but
patiently-but by-and-by growing anx-
ious and excited. l ea
"She would never go alone" he said,
"she'd be lost entirely; / babe her wait,
but don't see her, boys; think she's
not in it."
"Why don't you see the Captain
asked one, and Conner jumped at the
suggestion. In few minutes he stood
before a portly, rubicund man, who
nodded to him kindly.
"I am looking for my wife, yer
Honor" said Conner, "and can't find
her."
Perhaps she's gone ashore" said the
Captain.
Il babe her wait" 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' come. l somehow think she
didn't"
At the name of Nora the Captain
started. In moment he asked, "What
is your name?"
"Pat Connor," said the man.
"And your wife's name was Nora?
"That's her name, and the boy with
her is Jamesy, yer 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 something to tell you
"She's left behind?" said Conner.
@She sailed with u.s." said the Gap
tain.
Where is she?" asked Connor.
The Captain made no answer.
"My man." he said, I'VE all have GU,
trials; God sends them. Yes-Nora
started with u.s."
Conner said nothing. He was look
ing at the Captain now, white to hi
lips.
ats been sickly season" said the
4 Captain; I'VE have had illness on board
the cholera. You know that?"
Il didn't; can't read; they kept il
from me-" said Conner.
"We didn't want to brighten him,
said one, in a half whisper.
"You know how long we lay at quar-
antine?"
"The Dip I came in did that" sale
Conner. did ye say Nora wen
ashore? Ought 1 to belooking for her
Captain?"
Many died-many children" wen
on the Captain. When we were hal
way here your boy was taken sick"
"Jamesy?" gasped Connor.
Ills IuObueT WdtCuSO ulh uAShb tSl'
day." said the Captain, and we did al
we could, but at last he died; only on'
of many. There were five buried tina
day. But it broke my heart to see thu
mother looking out upon the water
Its his father / think off, said she
hes longing to see poor Jamesy."
Conner groaned.
Keep up if you can, my man" sale
the Captain. az wish any one else ha'
to tell it rather than 1. That nigh
Nora was taken ill also, very suddenly
, she grew worse fast. In the morning
she called me to her. Tell Conner
died thinking OF him, she said. 'an'
tell him to meet me- And, my man
God help you, she never said anythinI
mcre-in an hour she was gone"
Conner had risen. He stood up, try
ing 70 steady himself, looking at tn
Captain with his eyes dry as two stones
Then he turned to his friends.
"Ive got my death, boys" he SAID