Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-02-27
CONNOR.
A Pathetic Irish Story.


without knowing the humble romano,
which ended with the placing of tina
stone above the dust of one poor. [humbl.
man.
In bis shabby, frieze-jackst and mud
laden brogans, he was scarcely On attrac.
tive object as he walked iato Mr.. Bawne't
great tin and hardware shop one day and
presented himself at the counter with
IN:
give been tould ye advertised TO,
hands, yer honor"
"Fully supplied, my man." said Mr.
Bawne. not lifting his eyes from his &C.
eeunt-beok.
"I'd work faithfully, sir, and take low
wages, till could do better, and I'd
learn would that w.
It was an Irish brogue, and Mr.. Bawne
always declared that he would never EN-.
ploy an incompetent hand.
Yet the tone attracted him. He turn,
cd briskly, and with his pen behind his
ear, addressed the man, who was only
enc of fifty who had answered his adj
vertisement for four workmen that morn.
"What makes you expect to learn fast
Or than other folks-are you any smart
er9'
'I'll not say that, but I'd be wishin' to-
and that would make it aisier."
"Are you used to the work2''
"I've done bit OF it,
"Much9''
mo, yer honor. I'll tell no lie; Tim
O'Toole hadn't the like o this place, but
7 know a hit aho,1t tina',
"You are too old for an apprentice, and
you'd be in the way, I calculate said
nr. Bawne, looking at the brawny arms
and bright eyes that promised strer 9Th
and intelligence. "Besides, know your
eouutrymen-lazy; good-for- nothing fel.
lows, who never do their best. No, I've
been taken In by Irish hands before, and
won't have another"
1.-THE Virgin will have to be afthe1
bringing them over for me in her two
arms, thin," said the man, despairingly,
"for I've tramped ali the day for the last
fortnight, and niver job can get, and
that's the last penny have, yer honor
aud It's but half one."
AS he spoke, he spread his palm open,
with an English half penny IN it.
"Bring whom over2"
Mr.. Bawne, arrested by the odd speech
had turned upon his heel, but he turned
back again.
"Jist Nora and Jamesy."
'Who arc they9'
-"Tho vans me wife, the other me
ehlld," said the man. 10, masthcr, Just
thry me. How'll I bring EN- over to me
# no one will give me iob2 want to be
aiming, and the whole big city seems
against 1t, and me with arms like them
lie barred his arms to the shoulder as ht
spoke, and Mr.. Bawne looked at them
and then at his face.
"1'u hire you for week." he said, "ant
now, as it il noon, 60 down to the kitch
en- and tell the girl to get you some din
uer-a hungry man can't work"
With An Irish blessing the new hant
obeyed, while Mr.. Bawne, untying hi
apron, went upstairs to his own meal
SUSPICIOUS as liz was of the new hand
integrity and ability, he was agreeabl,
disappointed. Conner worked hard, anc
actually learned fast. At the end OF tn,
week he was engaged permanently, ane
soon was the best workman in the shop
He was q great talker, but not fond o
drink or wasting money. AS his wages
grew, he boarded every penny, and wor'
the same shabby clothes IN which b
made his first appearance.
Beer costs money" he said one day
''and every clint I splnd puts off the bring
Ing Of Nora and Jamesy over; and as fo
clothes, them I have must do me. Bet
ter no coat to my back than no wife ane
k0v hv n, mi ho1r, $40 o1o1,
work saving.'
It was slow work, but he kept at it al
tho same. Other men, thoughtless anG
full OF fun, tried to make him drink
made jest of his saving habits, coaxei
him 10 accompany them to places O.
amusements, or to share in their Sunday
frolics.
All in vain. Conner liked beer, Liked
fun, liked companionship; but he would
not delay thai long-looked-for bringing
of Nora over, and was not ''mane enough
to accept favors of Others. He kept hi
way, and martyr to his ono great wish
living on little, working at night on any
extra Job that he could earn a few shill
ings by, running brands in his noontide
hours of rest, and talking to any one who
would listen to him Of his one great hope
and of Nora and Jamsey.
At first the men, who prided themselv
90 ON being all Americans, and on turn
ing out the best work Of the city, made 6
sort of butt of Conner, whose wild IRISH
ways and verdancy were indeed laugh
able. But he won their hearts at last
and one day, mounting work bench, HI
shook his little bundle, wrapped in rec
handkerchief, before their eyes, an6
shouted: "Look, boys; I've got the whole
at last! I'm going to bring Nora anc
Jamsey over at last! Whoroor' I've go
it at lastl |! !" All felt sympathy in hi
and each grasped his great hand in cor
dial congratulations; and one proposed
to treat all round, and drink good voy
age to Nora. - s-.~.
They parted in merry mood, most o
he men going to comfortable homes
But poor Corners resting-place was
lodging house, where he shared a Graz
garrett with four other men, and in tn
Joy of his heart the poor fellow exhibite,
his handkerchief, with his hard earne
savings tied up IN wad in the middle
before he put it under his pillow and fel
asleep.
When he woke il the morning, b
found his treasure gone; some villiar
more contemplate than most bad mel
had robbed him. "a / '.=tsfs~ 80
At first Conner could not believe
lost. He searched every corner of til
room, shook his quilt and blankets, an
begged those about him to ..quit toxins
and give it back - a-n' ~
At last he realized the truth. "a
.Is any man. that bad that it
thaved from met" he asked, in breath
less way. "Boys, Is any man that ibadl
and some one answered: mo doubt ,
It, Conner, it's shtole. '-.----'.c' vs. B.
- Then Conner put his head down on h
hands and lifted up his voice and wep
It was one of those sights which me
never forget. It seemed more than
could bear to have Nora and his chill
ssput, as he expressed it, months ava
from him again.
But when he went to work that day.
seemed to all who saw him, that he ha
picked up new determination. b
hands were never idle. His face SCENE
to ray, 81 II have Mona with mo yet.
At noon he scratched out lette
blottsd md very strangely scrawle'