Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1890-06-21

VI IL h'NAAtN = q 'tN'N'
Then Rooney put his head down on
his hands and wept 1t seemed more
than he could beae-tc have Nora and
the child pat months away from him
again
But when he went to work that day it
seemed to all who saw him thSt he had
picked up a new determination; his
hands were never idle. At moor he
scratched out a letter, blotted and very
strangely scrawlcd, 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 the talk Of the shop and
every one wanted TO helm Rooney. jobs
we're thrown in his way; kind words
and friendly wishes helped him might
lily; but no power could make him share
the food or drink Of any other workman;
that seemed a sort Of charity to him.
Still, he was helped along. \ present
from Mr.. Camp at payday set Nora, as
he said, "a week nearer The little
hoard grew faster than the first Al
last, before he hoped il he was able 10
say: I'm going 10 bring them over"
ard to show his handkerchief, in which,
as before, he tied up his cacnings-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 hear
ing 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 we'll
and so was the boy, ard 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
men that Nora wrote herself. She had
lived at service as a girl with a certain
good old lady who had given her IN ed
AttLlOi kLt lbttAN VI @AAAA INNNllt. VIVA
upon his fingers: THE radin', that's
one: and the writin', that's three; and
moreover she knows all a womsn 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 a holiday
afternoon, and half a dozen men we're
ready to 90 with Rooney to the steamer
and give his wife a welcome. lferlittle
home was ready; Mr.. Camps own sery-
ant had put it in order.
she hadn't the loike Of that in the
ould counthry,' said Rooney, when all
was arranged; "bnt she'll know how to
kape it tidy
AT last the dock was reached; a crowd
of vehicles blockaded the street; a 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 50 dear to him, patiently at first.
but by and by growing anxious and ex'
cited.
why don't you ask the captain?'
suggested one, and Rooney jumped a
the thought. In a few moments he
stood before a portly, rubicund man,
who nodded to him kindly.
I'm looking for me wife, yer honor,
said Rooney, "and l can't find her; ! badt
her wait for me-
Women don't always do as they arr
bid, you know" said the captain.
Mora would" said Rooney, but ma,
be she didn't come,"
At the name Of Nora the captain
started. In a moment he asked: "Wha
is your name?'
Mike Rooney, sir
And your wife's was Nora?'
That's her name, and the boy wit
her is Jsmesy, yer honor
The captain looked at Rooney an.
then said: 'Sit down, my man; I've 60
something 70 tell you"
She's left behind?" asked Rooney.
"She sailed with US" said the captain
MY man, we all have our trials; Go
sends them. Yes, Nora started with US.
Rooney said nothing. lie was lookin
at the captain, now white TO the lips.
"It's been a sickly season; We had il
ness on board-the cholera said tn
captain. Many died-many children
When we were halfway here your bo
was taken sick"
"Jamesy!.7 gasped Rooney.
His mother watched him night an
day" the captain went on, "and we di
all we could; but at last he died, onl
one Of many. There were five burit
that day"
Rooney groaned.
+; Keep up If you can, my man." sa.
the captain. That night Nora vi
| taken i'll also, very suddenly; she gre
worse fast. In the morning she Gale
me to her and said: Tell Rooney | die
thinking of him, and tell him to me
me- And, my man, she never said al
thing more; in an hour she was gone
Rooney had risen; he stood up tryir
to steady himself, looking at the ca
G tain with dry eyes; then, turning to h
friends, he said: Boys, I've got L
S death" and dropped TO the deck like
G log.
d They raised him and bore him ava
They carried him to the little bed viii,
had been made ready for Nora, weari
y with her long journey. There at la
n he opened his eyes. Mr.. Camp be
oyer him, and the room was full
Rooney's fellow-workmen,
t Better, Rooney?' asked Mr.. Camp.
l., "A dale BOTHER" said Rooney; ii
easy now. I'll be with her soon. A
look yc, Masther, I've learnt one thi
II Gods good. He wouldn't let me bri
n Nora over, but He's taking me over
at her-and Jamesy-oyer the river Dol
you see it, and her ~a-standin' on t
other side?'
Id And with these words Room
r. stretched out his arms. Perhaps he
t. see Nora Heaven only k%nows-and
he ice .-Evalena j. Fryer, in N.
nd Independent.
A Young Mans Rings.
Have you noticed the hands Of
young man who is only swagger,
quite well-bred? He wears rings a
- r%ings-not one, or two. or oven thr
;;s but six and seven, and he wears tn,