The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-07-05

offenders head, missing him by hairs
breadth, would spend his ten minutes in
the noon hour in reading the Irish news
to Conner. There was Tom Baker, the
meanest man among the number, who
had never been known to give anything
to any one before, absolutely bartered
an old jacket for apair of gilt vases
which peddler brought in his basket to
the shop, and presented them TO Connor
for his Nora's mantel-piece. And there
was idle Dick, the apprentice, who act
ually worked two hours on Connor's
work when sickness kept the Irishman
at home one day. Connor felt this kind
ness, and returned it whenever it was in
his:power. $50
And the days few by and brought a
! letter OF last from his wife. s'She would
start as he desired, and she was well,
and SO was the boy, 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
episte, which Connor proudly assured
his fellow workmen Nora wrote herself
She had lived at service as girl, with a
certain good old lady, who had given
her an education, the items of which
Connor told upon his fingers. "The
radin', that's one, and the writin', that's
three, and moreover she knows all that
a woman can" Then he looked up at
his fellow-workmen with tears in his
eyes and added:
"Do ye wondther the time seems long
between me an her, boysf'
So it was-Nora at the dawn of day
Mora at noon-Nora at night-until
the news came that the "Stormy Petrer'
had come to port, and Connor, breath
less and pale with excitement, flung his
hat in the air and shouted.
| 1t happened ON holiday afternoon,
and half dozen OF the men were ready
to 20 with Connor to the steamer and
give his wife a greeting. Her little
home was ready. Mr. Bawn's own SER
want had put it in order, and Connor
took one peep at it before he had STAR
ted.
"She hadn't the like O. that in the ould
counthry," he said, "but she'll know
how to kape them tidy
Then he led the way towards the dock
where the steamer lay, at pace which
made it bard for the rest to follow him
The spot was reached at last; a crowd
of vehicles blockaded the street troop
of emigrants came thronging up; fine
cabin passengers were getting into cabs,
and drivers, porters and all manner ol
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 8,
dear to him patiently at first, patiently,
but eagerly, but bve-and-bye growing
anxious and excited.
| "She would niver go Alone" he said.
'She'd be lost enthirely. / babe her
wait; but l don't see her boy. I think
she's not in it,"
"Why don't YOU see the captain ?"
asked one, and Conner jumped at the
suggestion. In moment he stood be.
fore portlv, rubicund man, who nodded
to him kindly.
81 aim looking for nv wife, yer hon
or" said Connor; sand can't find her. >
"Perhaps she's gone ashore" said the
captain.
81 hade her watt" said Connor.
"Women don't always do as they are
bid, YOU know" said the captain.
! "Nora would" said Connor. "Bu'
maybe she was left behind. Maybe sh,
didn't come; I somehow think sht
4 didn't"
At the name Of Nora the captain star
ted. In moment he asked
"What's your nameP"
"Pat Connor," said the man.
Sand your wite's was Nora2"
4 "That's her name, and the boy that
with her is Jamesy, your honor"
I The captain looked at Connor'.
J friends; they looked at the captain
Then he said, huskily:
! ''Sit down, my man; I've got some
: thing to tell you."
, s'She's left behind" said Connor.
.She sailed with u.s." said the captain
"Where is she ~ asked Connor.
}, The captain made no answer
"My man." said he, "we all have ou
: trials; God sends them. Yes, Nor'
started with u.s."
t Connor said nothing. He was look
J Ing at the captain now, white to the lips
!. "It's been sickly season." said th
captain. "We had illness on board
the cholera. You know that2"
81 didn't," said Connor; 81 can't rea,
they kept it from me-"
: ave didn't want to frighten him,
: said one man, in o half whisper.
"Yoa know how long we laid at quar-
f antine."
J, "The ship came in did that" sai'
j. Connor. Ibid you say Nora wen
! ashore2 Ought to be lookin' for hel
captain"
G "Many died." went on the captain
e "Many children. When we were hal
/. way here, your boy was taken sick"
"Jamesy," gasped Connor.
His mother watched him night an
e day." said the captain, 'and we did q
we could but at last he died-only on
' of manv. There were five buried tina
t day. But it broke my heart TO see til
e mother looking upon the water. 1T
K his father 1 think Of said she; She
longing to see poor Jamesy.'"
| Connor groaned.
"Keep up, if you can, my man," sait
, the captain. 81 wish any one else hat
it to tell rather than I. That night Nor
/, was taken i'll; very Suddenly. She gre'
t worse fast. In the morning she calle
s me to her. Tell Connor l died think
d ing of him. she said; 'and tell him t.
e meet me- And, my man, God bel
YOU. She never said anything more
: in hour she was gone"
C Conner had risen. He stood up, try
g ing to steady himself, looking at th
8 captain With eyes as dry as two stone
e Then he turned to his friends
r, "I'ye got my death, boys" he salt
g and dropped to the floor like a log.
u They raised him and bore him ava
!, In an hour he was at home on the lit
t. he'd which had been made ready 4
\ Nora, weary with her long voyage.
| l..