The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-09
UNITED BY A TATTOO MARK.
Two Long Lost Brothers Find Each
Other in a Swimming Bath.


From the ST. Louis Republic.
One of the prettiest and most remarkable
romances outside of the story book ended its
last chapter, or the last one so far acted out,
last Sunday morning in Prof. Clark's nata-
forum, one Nineteenth and Pine streets.
Two brothers were reunited after twelve
long years of separation through tattoo
mark on the arm
A little over twelve years ago there lived
in Smithfield, portion of Belfast, Ireland,
family of two sons, two daughters and
husband and wife. The husbands name
was John j. O'Brien, and he earned lveli-
hood for himself and family with a ham
mer and chise in the capacity of stonecut-
ter His two sons, John and James, were
taught the trade by their father, and at the
ages of IA and IL years we're handy with
the maSon'S tools.
John, the oldest son. named after his
father thought he would seek his fortune in
the land of liberty, and q correspondence
was begun by the father with some friends on
this side of the water regarding a position
for his son. 1t eliminated in John leaving
his home and native soil and landing in
America as an apprentice to a New York
employing stonemason. John was about IA
wears old then, and for two or three years
after his emigration kept up a rigid cor
FeSpOHuei1C0 WIFI us pdIoHUo, OTOILOl anu
sisters. His letters gradually lost their
length, grew crisp and sharp, few and
far between, until finally they stopped alto
gether That was nine years ago, and
he has never received q letter from home
since.
After serving his term as an apprentice
he became journeymen mason and worked
in number of places in New York. He
married, and a few years ago came to st.
x.rikb u 10 70 nd
cured employment with r. L. Rosebrough
81 Sons, on Twentieth and Olive streets.
Five months ago James, the younger
brother, determined to Salty his desire to
find his brother, and he came to America.
He landed in New York and commenced the
search. After four months investigation
he found the place where his brother
last worked, and was informed that he had
gone west to Missouri. He then came
to st. Louis, and arrived here about two
weeks ago.
He visited many stone yards and quar-
ries here, but no one he met knew John j.
O'Brien. Last Sunday morning he left his
boarding house for a stroll, and without
having any particular destination in view,
soon found himself standing in front OF
the natatorium, on Nineteenth and Pine
streets, and, after reading the signs,
thought he would go in and see what was
inside.
A quarter was demanded at the door, a
pair of trunks and a towel we're placed in
his hand and a state room assigned 20
him. He was soon in the big tank, but not
knowing how to swim, he remained in the
shallow water and splashed around with the
small boys to his hearts content.
John O'Brien, whose scene of daily toll
lies but two blocks from the swimming
school, seldom visits the natatorium, but
last Sunday morning he felt desire to
take plunge in the inviting basin. He
left his home on Cozzens avenue, near Grand
avenue, and entered the. natatorium about
10 o'clock Like his brother, he does not
know how to swim, and he consequently
sought the shallow end of the tank. While
plunging about he jostled against big,
brawny, muscular man like himself, and
the excuse that he made for his rudeness
led TO a conversation. The stranger was
waist deep in water, and while speaking
folded his arms across his chest Ga the left
arm between the elbow and shoulder aud
across a huge muscle John noticed the let
ters 81 OBJ :" tattooed in India ink of red
and blue.
"Those are my initials, toe" said John.
"And mine too, said the other.
"What might your name beP asked
John.
flames O'Brien."
"Your fathers nameP
"John J. O'Brien."
"Uf whereof
'-Smithfield, Belfast"
Have two sisters, Kate and Mary"
"Yesn
"And brother, joint"
Yes"
Jim, Pm your brother"
With this John sprang, grasped his
| brothers hands, and the two embraced.
They jumped out Of the tank, surveyed each
| other from head to foot, saw their Likeness
! in each others faces, and actually cried. but
they were tears of joy they wept. Prof
| Clark, who witnessed the affair from
beginning to END, saw lit was getting seri-
GUS as he puts it, and asked what was the
cause.
They told him In a few words, and then
rushed to their state rooms. John took his
wearing apparel into his brothers room, not
! wishing 10 lose his company for n moment,
| and in few minutes they emerged, clad In
n manner that betokened hurry, aud on in
yitation from Prof. Clark, entered the ladies
parlor. The professor was born in Belfast
| lived in Smithfeld, and knew the father OF
the two happy sons before him.
The three sat for several hours talking,
ana every now and then the brothers would
clnsp hands and try to realize the strange
manner OF their coming together, but do
| cided at last that it was the guiding hand OF
| Proyi ience which so,bent their inciinations
to battle that Sunday morning. John said IN
speaking of it:
~ never had a desire so strong--ons
that | felt so much that could not over
come-as the desire TO swim this morn
James said: II didn't know the city
and don't remember how got here al
| ALL
James spent the day at his brother
house, on Cozzens avenue, whore there
was great rejoicing all the afternoon ane
evening.
HoRsFORD'5 ACID PHOSPHATE
,..tt..z., +l,a Raoitrer ~ "a aastuda