Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1890-06-21
A MODERN HERO.
Pathetic Story of an Irishman Who
Went to His Loved Ones.

Pathetic Story of an Irishman Who
Went to His Loved Ones.
ITO the Memory Of Michael Rooney, this
s,mple stone was erected by his Fellow.Work
men"
Those words you may read any day
upon a plain white slab in a cemetery
in one of our large cities. But you
might read them a hundred times with
outguessing at the little tragedy they in
dictate, without knowing the humble ro-
nance which ended with the placing OF
that stone above the dust of one poor
and humble man.
In his shabby jacket and mud-laden
brogans, he was scarcely an attractive
object as he walked into Mr.. Camps
great tin and hardware shop one day
and presented himself at the counter
with:
"I've been tould We advertised for
hands, yer honor"
Fully supplied, my man. said Mr..
Camp, not lifting his head from his ac-
count book.
I'D work faithful, sir, and take low
wages till | could do betther, and I'd
Learnt would that"
1t was an Irish brogue, and Mr., Camp
had declared that he never would en-
ploy an incompetent hand. Yet the
tone attracted him, He turned brisklv
and with his pen behind his ear he ad-
dressed the man who was only one Of
fifty who had answered his advertise
ment that morning for four workmen;
"What makes you expect to learn
faster than other folks? Are you any
smarter?n
''I'll not say that" said the man,
''but I'd be wishing to; that 'ud make it
easier
"Are you used to the work?'
''I've done a bit of it."
"Much?"
mo, yer honor; I'll tell no lie; but l
know a bit about tins"
"You are too old for an apprentice,
and you'd be in the way, | calculate"
said Mr.. Camp, looking at the brawny
arms. Besides, l know your country
men-lazy fellows who never do their
best. No, I've been taken in by Irish
hands before, and ! won't have an
other"
"The Virgin Will have TO be af.her
bringing EN- over in her two arms.
thin" said the man, despairingly, 'for
I've trampcd all day for the last fort
night and niver a job can | get, and
that's the last penny have, yer honor,
and it's but a half one
AS he spoke, he spread his palm open
and displayed an English hali-penny.
Bring whom oyer?' asked Mr.. Camp.
arrested by the odd speech as he turned
away.
'Jist Nora and Jamesy."
"Who are they?1
'The vans NE wife, the other M
child said the nan. "0h, sir, jis, thrl
me. How'll ! bring 'em over to me II NJ
one will give me a Job? | want to b.
aiming, and the whole big city seem.
aginst it, and me with arms like thin.
He barred his arms 10 the elbow as h,
spoke, and Mr.. Camp looked at then
and then at his face.
'Tll hire you for a week" he said
''and now, as it's noon, go down into tn
kitchen and ask the girl to give 20
your dinner--a hungry man can't work.
And with an Irish blessing the ne,
hand obeyed, while Mr.. Camp went W
stairs TO his own meal.
Rooney worked hard and actual
learned fast At the end Of the wee
he was engaged permanently, and 500
was the best workman in the shop. II
was a great talker, but not fond of drin
nor OF wasting money. AS his wage
grew he boarded every penny, and wor
the same shabby clothes in which he ha
made his first appearance.
livery cent ! spend" he said one da,
puts off the bringing Nora and James
over. Better no coat to me back tina
no wife and boy by me Preside; and an
how, it's slow work saving"
1t was slow work, but be kept at |
Other men, thoughtless and full Of ful
tried TO make him drink, coaxed him
accompany them TO places Of ainusemei
or TO share in their Sunday frolics. A
in vain. Rooney liked fun, liked col
panionship; but he would not delay tn
long looked-for bringing of Nora ovt
ami he was not "mane enough" to {
cept fayors OF others which he won
not repay. He kept on his way, a m;
tyr 10 his one great wish, living On |
tie, working at night on any extra
by which he could earn a trifie, a
talking to any one who would listen
his one great hope, and Of Nora and |
tie Ja1esy.
At first the men, who prided the
selves on being all Americans and
turning out the best work in the CT
MADE a sort Of butt Of Rooney and
Irish ways. But he won their hearts
last, and when, n day, mounting or
workbench, he shook his little bund
wrapped in a red handkerchief, bef,
their eyes, and shouted: Look, DO
I've got the whole at last, Pm goin'
bring Nora and Jamesy over at last!'
felt q sympathy in his joy, and ca
grasped his brawny hand in core ial c.
gratulati ons.
They parted in a merry mood, most
the men going TO comfortable HON
But Rooney's resting place was a p
clearinghouse, where he shared a gar
with four other men; and In the Joy
his heart the poor fellow exhibited
handkerchief with his hard-eHrned S
tngs tied up in a hard wad In the n
die, before he put II under his pill
and fell asleep. When he awakened
The morning he found bis treasure 70
eome villain had robbed him.
~ nrst Rooney would not bell
~. = searched every corner Of
soons shook his quilt and blanket,
eeogse thoss about him v rQsit tk