The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-07

4
| months away from him again
But when he went to work that day it
seemed to all who saw him that he had
| picked up new determination; his hands
| were never idle. At noon he scratched
out letter, blotted and very strangely
scrawled, telling Nora what had happened,
and the men noticed that he had no meat
with his dinner.
| Indeed from that moment he lived on
bread, potatoes and cold water, and worked
as few men ever worked before. It grew to
be tie talk of the shop, and every one
wanted to help Rooney. Jobs were thrown
| in his way. kind words and friendly wishes
helped him nightly, but no power could
make him share the food or drink Of any
other workman. That seemed sort of
| 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 hethoped it, he was able to say,
Pm 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
sent. Then every man, woman and child
capable of hearing or understanding knew
that Nora and the baby were coming.
The days few By and brought at last
letter from his wife. "She 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
. ba hcto Of he hot
proudly assured the men that Nora wrote
herself. She had lived at service as a 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 a woman
can" Then he looked at the men and
asked, "Do ye wondther the time 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
1t happened on holiday afternoon, and
half dozen men were ready to go with
Rooney to the steamer and give his wife a
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
-
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.
80 Il, L.
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?" su0-
gested one, and Rooney jumped at the
thought. In a few moments he stood be-
fore portly, rubicund man, who nodded
to him kindly.
Pm 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
name2"
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; Fve got some
thing to tell you"
''She's left behind?" asked Rooney.
'She sailed with us" said the captain
"My man, we all have our trials; God
sends them. Yes, Nora started with u.s."
Rooney said nothing. He was looking
at the captain, now white to the lips
1T 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'-
"Jamesyr' gasped Rooney.
"His 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 i'll
also, very suddenly; she grew worse fast.
In the morning she called me to her and
said, Tell Rooney l 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 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 Rooney's fellow
workmen.
Better, Rooney" asked Mr.. Camp.
"A dale betther," said Rooney; Its easy
now. III 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-snd )
Jamesy-Over the river. Don't you see it,
and her a-standin OF the other sides"
And with these words Rooney stretched
ont his arms. Perhaps he did see Nora
heaven only knows-and so he died.-Eve-
lena j. Fryer in Independent.
In the north of England a splinter from
a gibbet which held body swinging in
chains was q remedy for tOothache-
Ton1Cpar aoc-1sas Waltz Peasant Of