Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1885-05-23
CcNNoR.
A PATHETIC IRISH STORY -


sTo the memory Of Patrick Connor. This simple
stoas was erected by his feliow-workmen."
THOSE words you may read any day upon
Q white slab In cemetery not many miles
from New York but you might read them
Q hundred times without guessing at the
little tragedy they indicate, without know.
ing the little romance which ended with
the placing Of that stone above the dust OF
one poor, humble man.
In his shabby frieze-j jacket and mud.
laden brogans, he was scarcely an attract.
i've object as he walked into Mr.. Bawne's
great tin and hardware shop one day and
presented himself at the counter with an
"Tve been tould ye advertised for
hands. yer honor"
Fully supplied, my man." said Mr..
Bawne not lifting his eyes from his 40
COUNT book.
IA work faithfully, sir, and take low
wages, till could do better, aud I'D learn
II would that"
IL was an Irish brogue, and Mr., Bawno
always declared that he never would em.
ploy an incompetent hand.
Yet the tone attracted him. He turned
briskly, and, with his pen behind his ear,
addressed the man. who was only one Of
fifty who had answered his advertisement
for four workmen that morning.
"What makes you expect to learn faster
than other folks, ARE you any smarter Y"
"Pll not say that, said the man, bua
I'd be wishing to; and shat would make u
sisier."
"Are you used to the work."
"I've done bit of it."
"Muchf"
"No, yer honor, I'll tell no lie; Tim
O'Toole hadn't the like of this place; but
know . bit about TINS"
"You are too old for an apprentice, and
you'd DO in the way, l calculate" said Mr..
Bawne, looking at the brawny arms aud
bright eyes that promised strength and in
tslligenos. - Besides, / know your coun.
tsymen-laxy, good. nothing fellows.
Sho never do their besA kA I've bess
taken In by Irish hands bef.rs, and won't
have another"
"The Virg n will have to be after bring
Ing them over to me- ia her two arms,
thin" said the man, despairingly, for
I've tramped all the day for the last fort
night, aud nivcr - job can get, and that's
the last penny l have, yer nonor, and it's
but half onc."
As no spoke he spread his palm open,
with an English half-penny in it,
Bring whom overg ?" asked Mr.. Bawns,
arrested by the odd speech, rs he turned
xpon his heel aud turned back again.
"Jist Nora and Jamesy."
"Who are theyf"
"The vans me wife, the other mo
child" said the man. 80, masther, Just
no one will give me Job? / want TO bo
aiming. and the whole big city seems
against it, and me with arms like theml"
He barred his arms to the shoulder as he
spoke; and Mr. Bawne looked at them,
and then at his face
"Pn hire you for . week." he said,
"and now, a. it's noon, go down to the
kitchen and tell the girl to get you some
dinner--a hungry man can't work"
With an Irish blessing the new hand
obsyed, while Mr.. Bawne. untying his
apron, went upstairs to his own meal.
Suspicious as he was of the new hands
integrity aud ability, he vas agreeably
disappointed. Connor worked hard, and
learned fast. Atsthe end of the week he
was engaged permanently, and soon was
tho best workman in the shop.
He was . great talker, but not fond of
drink or wasting money. As his wages
grew he hoarled every penny, and wore
his frat appearance.
Oo0S COSuo uoncys no baiu ono u"ys
"and livery cint spend puts off the bring
ing Nora and Jamesy over and as for
clothes, them have must do me. Better
no coat to my buck than no wife and boy
by my hreside; and anyhow it's allow work
saving"
Il was allow work, but he kept at it all
the sama Other men. thoughtless and
| full Of FUN. tried to make him drink !;
| made Q Jest Of his saving habits, coaxed
him 10 accompany them 10 places Of
amussmsat q T. share In their Sunday
! frnliaa