St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-08-09

lodging-houSe, where he shared . garre
with four other men; and in the Joy o.
his heart the poor fellow exhibited hi!
handkerchief with his hard-earned saw
ings tied up in . hard wad in the mid
die. before he put it under his pillow
and fell asleep. When he awakened il
the morning he found his treasure gone
Some villain had robbed him.
At first Rooney would not believe
1t lost; he searched every corner OF the
room. shook his quilt and blanket and
begged those about him to ''quit joking
and give it back" But at last he real.
lied the truth.
rs any man that bad that's thaved
from me?" he asked. ''Boys. is any mar
that bad?'
OF ii. Rooney, it's STOLE"
Then Rooney put his head down on
his hands and wept. 1t seemed mort
than he could bear-tO have Nora and
the child put months away from him
again.
But when he went to work that day II
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;
1t grow to be the talk Of the shop, and
every one wanted to help Rooney. Jobs
were 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 . sort of charity to him.
Still, he was helped along. A present
from Mr.. Camp at payday set Nora, IS
he said, "a week nearer" The little
hoard grew faster than the first At
last before he hoped It, he WAS able to
say: I'm going to bring them over. T"
ard to show his handkerchief. in which,
as before, he tied up his carnings-this
time, however. only to his friends
Cautious among strangers, he hid his
treasure and kept his vest buttoncd
over it night and day until the tickets
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, 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
men that Nora wrote herself She had
lived At service IS girl with certain
gool old lady who had given her an ed
ucation the items of which Rooney told
upon bis 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 asked:
DO 70 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. It happened on holiday
afternoon, and half dozen men wero
ready to so with Rooney to the steamer
and give his wife q welcome. Her little
home was ready; Mr. Camps own serv-
ant had put 1t in order.
''She hadn't the loike of that in the
ould country" said Rooney. when all
was arranged; "but she'll know how 70
kape it tidy"
of vehicles blockaded the street; q 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 int
the vessel, and Rooney searched for the
two 50 dear to him. patiently 40 first,
but BY and by growing anxious and ex-
cited.
"Why don't you ask tho captain?"
one. and Rooney jumped at
the thenght In . few moments he
stood before portlY, rubicund man,
who nodded to him kindly.
I'm looking for me wife. yer honor"
aid Rooney, land Ican't find her; 1 babe
her wait for me" -
"women don't always do - they sre |
bid, you know" said the captain.
Mora would, Isail Rooney, ''but may
be she didn't come"
At the name OF Nora the captain
started In moment he asked: "Wha'
b your name?'
''Alike Rooney. sir"
And your wife's was Nora?'
that's her name, and the boy with
aer is Jamesy, yer honor"
The captain looked at Rooney and
hen said: .'Sit down, my man; I've got
to tell you"
5 ''She's left behind?" asked Rooney.
She sailed with VI" said the captain.
Ny man, We all have our trials; God
ends them. Yes, Nora started with US"
Rooney said nothing. He WAS looking
t the captain, now white 70 the lips.
) Its been sickly season; We had ILL
less on board-thc cholera, said tho
aptain. ..Many died--many children.
Whom We were halfway here your boy
vas taken sick-"
"Jamesyr gasped Rooney. |
His mother watched him night and
ay," the captain went on, land we did
II we could; but 1t last he died. only
ne Of many. There were 1--WE buried
hat day."
Rooney groaned l.
Keep MP If you can, my man. said
be captain. THAT night Nora was
lken ill also. very suddenly; she grew
L. /