Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-12-19

| charity to him. Still he was helped along
A present from Mr.. Camp at pay day set
| Nora, as he said, "a week nearer" The
little hoard grew faster than the first At
last, before he hoped it, he was able to say,
| ''Im going to bring them over" and to
! show his handkerchief, in which, as be-
| FORE he tied up his earnings-this time,
however, only to his friends. Cautious
| among strangers, he hid his treasure, and
| kept his vest buttoned over it night and
| day until the tickets were bought and
sent. Then every man, woman and child
| capable of hearing or understanding knew
that Nora and the baby were coming
The days flew by and brought at last
| letter from his WIFE sShe would start as
he desired, and she was well and so was
the boy, and might the Lord bring them
| safe to each others arms and bless those
| who had been SO kind to him." That was
| the substance of the epistle that Rooney
| proudly assured the naen that Nora wrote
herself. She had lived at service as girl
with certain good old lady who had given
her an education, the items of which
Rooney told upon his fingers, "The radin,
that's one; and the writin'. that's three;
| and moreover she knows all woman
can" Then he looked at the men and
aSkou, OO yo WOuutuef CIlo U1IQe seems
| long between me an her, boys?"
| So it was Nora at the dawn of day, Nora
at noon and Nora at night, until the news
came that the Kathleen had come to port
It happened on holiday afternoon, and
half dozen men were ready to go with
Rooney to the steamer and give his wife
| welcome. Her little home was ready. Mr..
Camps own servant had put it in order
"She hadn't the loike of that in the ould
counthry," said Rooney when all was ar
ranged, "but she'll know how to kape it
tidy"
At last the dock was reached. A crowd
of vehicles blockaded the street; troop
of emigrants came thronging up; fine cabin
passengers were stepping into cabs drivers
and porters were 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, and Rooney searched for the two so
dear to him, patiently at first, but by and
by growing anxious and excited.
"Why don't you ask the captain?" sug-
gested one, and Rooney jumped at the
thought. In few moments he stood be-
fore portly, rubicund man, who nodded
to him kindly.
"I'm looking for me wife, yer honor"
said Rooney, "and can't find her. babe
her wait for me-"
"Women don't always do as they are
bid, you know" said the captain.
mora would" said Rooney; "but maybe
she didn't come"
At the name of Nora the captain started
In a moment he asked. "What is your
name?"
mike Rooney, sir"
"And your wife was Nora?"
"That's her name, and the boy with her
is Jamesy, your honor"
The captain looked at Rooney and then
said, "Sit down, my man; Pve got some
thing to tell you"
"She's left behind?" asked Rooney
''She sailed with u.s." said the captain.
"My man, we all have our trials; God
sends them. Yes, Nora started with US. -
Rooney said nothing. He was looking
at the captain, now white to the lips.
"It had been a sickly season; we had i'll
ness on board-the cholera" said the cap
tain "Many died-many children. When
we were half way here your boy was taken
sick''-
"Jamesyl'' gasped Rooney.
ellis mother watched him night and
day." the captain went on, land we did all
we could; but at last he died, only one of
MANY. There were five buried that day."
Rooney groaned
''Keep up if you can, my man." said the
captain. "That night Nora was taken ill
also, very suddenly; she grew worse fast.
In the morning she called me to her and
said, Tell Rooney died thinking of him;
tell him to meet me- And, my man, she
never said anything more; in an hour she
was gone"
Rooney had risen; he stood up trying to
steady himself, looking at the captain with
dry eyes; then, turning to his friends, he
said:
"Boys, I've got me DEATH" and dropped
to the deck like a log.
They raised him and bore him away.
They carried him to the little bed which
had been made ready for Nora, wearied
with her long journey. There at last he
opened his eyes. Mr.. Camp bent over him,
and the room was full of Rooneys fellow
workmen.
Better, Rooney" asked Mr.. Camp.
ga dale betther," said Rooney; "it's easy
now I'll be with her soon. And look We,
masther, I've learnt one thing-God's
good. He wouldn't let me bring Nora
over, but he's taking me over to her-and
Jamesy-over the river. Don't you see it,
and her a-standin' on the other side?"
And with these words Rooney stretched
out his arms. Perhaps he did see Nora
heaven only knows-and so he died.-Eve-
lena j. Fryer in Independent.