The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-07-05
NORA AND JAMESY.
BY b. L.


many miles from New York; but you
might read them hundred times with
out guessing at the little tragedy they
indicate, without knowing the humble
romance which ended with the placing
Of that stone above one poor and hum
BILE man.
In the frieze jacket and mud-lader
brogans, he was scarcely an attractive
object as he walked into Mr.. Bawn'.
great tin and hardware shop, one day
and presented himself at the counter
with an
"Pve been tould ye advertised fo
hands, yer honor"
"Fully supplied, my man." said Mr.
Bawn, not lifting his head from his &C
count book.
I'D work faithful, sir, and take low
wages, till I could do better; and II
learn would that"
1t was an Irish brogue, and Mr.. Bawl
always declared that be never would
employ an incompetent hand. Yet tn
tone attracted him. He turned briskly
and with his pen behind his ear, address
ed the man who was only one of the lift,
who had answered his advertisement TO
four workmen that morning.
"What makes you expect to learn fas
ter than other folks-are you any snar
tere"
"I'll not say that" said the man, ssbu
I'd be wishing to; that 'ud make i
aisier."
''Are you used to the work ?"
"I've done bit Of it,
"Much p
"No, yer honor; I'll tell no lie Tin
O'Toole hadn't the like Of this place
but ! know a bit about tins"
"You are too old for an apprentice
and you'd be in the way, calculate,
said Mr. Bawn, looking at the brawny
arms and bright eye that promised
strength and intelligence. "Besides,
know your complementary, good-for
nothing fellows, who never do thei
best. No, I've been taken in by IrisI
hands before, and I won't have anoth
err"
"The Virgin will have to be aftel
bringing them over in her two arm
thin," said the man, desparinglY, "fo
I've tramped all day for the last fort
night and niver job can I get; ant
that's The last penny I have yer honor
aud it's but half one."
As he spoke he spread his palm opeI
with an English half-penny in it.
s.Bring whom over p asked Mr.
Bawn.- arrested by the odd speech, as h
turned upon his heel, and turned bact
agsin
"Jist Nora and Jamesy."
"Who are they ?"
"The vans me wife, the others M
child" said the man. 80, masther, tr,
me. How'll l bring 'em over to me i
no one will give me job2 l want tt
be airnin', and the whole big city seem'
against it-and me, with arms lik'
them!'
He barred his arms to the shoulders a
he spoke, and Mr.. Bawn looked at them
and then at his face.
"Tll hire you for the week." he said
"and now, as its noon, go down into th
kitchen and tell the girl to get you you
dinner-a hungry man can't work."
And with an Irish blessing the ne,
hsnd obeyed, while Mr.. Bawn, untyin
bis apron, went up stairs to his ow
meal.
Suspicious as he was Of the ne'
bands integrity and ability, he wa
greatly disappointed. Connor worke
hard, and al the end OF a week he wa
actually the best workman in the shoT
He was great talker, but not fond c
drink or of wasting money. AS hi
wages grew, he boarded every penny
and wore the same shabby clothes
which he made bis first appearance. :
"Beer cost money" he said one da,
sand livery cint spind puts off tn
coming over of Nora and Jamesy an
as for the clothes, them have must d
me-better no clothes to me back tha
no wife and no boy 10 me 6reside; any
how, it's slow work saving"
1t was slow work, but he kept at
all the same. Other men, thoughtles
and full of fun, tried to make him drinl
made jest of his saving habits, coaxe
him to accompany them to places {
amusement and share their Sunday fro
les. All in vain. Connor liked beel
liked fun, liked companionship; but
would not delay the long looked-fo
bringing of Nora over, and was nc
"mane enough" to accept fsvors
others. He kept his way-a martyr
his own great wish-living on littl
working at night on an entra Job b
which be could earn few extra shil
|ings, running errands in his noon-tid
hours. OF rest, and talking to any or
who would listen to his one great hop
and of Nora and little Jamesy.
| At first, the men who prided then
selves on being the best workmen in tt
CITY, made q sort of butt of Como
whose "wild Irish" ways and verdanc
were indeed often laughahle. But
won their hearts at last, and when, or
day, he mounted workbench and shoe
his little bundle, wrapped in a red Ike
chief, before their eyes and shoute
Look, boys, I've got the whole at last
But that night it was stolen from hi
while he slept, and he was in despair.
HIS mates were all very kind to hin
and he was helped along. A presel
from Mr.. Bawn at pay day set Nora,
he said, ga week nearer" and this, an
that, and the other, added to the lit
hoard. 1t grew faster than at first, al
Connor's burden was not so heavy
At last, almost before he knew it,
was able to say once more, 81 am goir
to bring them over," and to show .
|, handkerchief, in which, as before,
tied up his earnings; this time, howeve
only to his friends. Cautious amor
strangers he hid the treasure, and ke
: his vest buttoned over it night and da
until the tickets were bought and sci
Then every man, woman and child, c
pable OF hearing and understandin
. knew that Nora and her baby were col
ing.
: There was John Jones, who had me
r of the brute in his composition th
usually falls to the lot OF man--even