The Irish standard., 1890-03-01
MIOHAEL's GIFT TO HIS MOTHER.
Though Many Hundred Miles Away He
Did Not Forget Home and
Fatherland.

Fatherland.
In l849. at the time of the famine in
Ireland, there lived III the county of
Ktrry a wealthy farmer, Terence
o Brien by name. His family consisted
of a kind hearted wife, one daughter
and a son.
At the same time of this famine, in
which Terence lost all, the gold fever
was raging in California Rumors
were circulated that if only one emf
grated to California they would speedily
become rich.
Terence thought this first rate time
to emigrate, and, as he had notions be-
fore this of going, he fully made up his
mind to start.
He had, as have said before, much
wealth, but On account of the famine
suffered the loss of cattle, title and
wealth. 49,.
His daughter Kate was spared one
lamb, which had been her mate since
childhood. She patted him and caressed
him over and over again, saying. with
a sobbing in her voice: Farewell,
Skip; we shall have no more rambles
together
Skip looked up in her face, as much
as to say, "Why not, Kate?"
II am going to a far-off country,
where there will be no pleasant fields.
but I shall take you with me nv little
pet'
''Well. I must go now to SUPPER
said Kate. as she heard her mother
calling,
'hNhy, where have you been?"
"Only to see my lamb" said Kate.
ION the morrow we shall bid our
friends Good bYe," said the mother.
"Now. Kate, go to bed and rest your
self, so as to be up bright and early"
The Dext morning Kate rose with the
sun. She was busy preparing herself
for the journey.
After bidding old ireland and friends
a sorrow FAREWELL they departed for
the good ship Embargo. Many tears
they shed, for they knew not whether
they would again see their dear old
home.
need not describe their voyage, for
it was indeed full of grief.
% the 18th of July, l849. you might
have seen O. strongly built man with his
wife, son and daughter vending their
way across the plains. Toward even
ing the boy (who was no other than
Michael) was seen gathering twigs for
fire. A tent was soon put up, and
after repast of wild fowl the family
within laid down to sleep.
Weeks rolf by. and Terence and his
family are comfortably sitting beside
warm fire, in little log hut, though, If
small. they can call it their own.
Terence and his son Michael have
work in the mines, Mrs. O'Brien and
Ka are at home.
Kate and Ter mother are the only
females in Checo, for that is the name
Of the wild mining camp.
''lt is now the Oath Of November"
said Kate to her mother winter is
very fast. think we
have accomplished much since we came
here. Thank God that there are no
more famines. l feel safe now that
there is large quantity of grain in and
there's plenty of hay for Skip"
''Oh, look" said Mrs. O'Brien. ''the
snow is beginning to fall, There is
Michael IN the distant field hurrying
home. Goquick, and carry his coat to
him.
Kate did as she was hidden. and in a
few minutes they both came in, Michael
carrying large yellow stone in his arms.
His mother was luckily busy making .
mat, and Terence succeeded In bursing
the yellow stone in the snow. He did
not touch the place where it lay until
his father came home Terence and his
son consulted each other after Mrs.
o, Brien and Kate had retired.
They found it to be as large q piece
as:conld % found ID that region.
85s, ~, how lucky you were to1 ind