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

To the Memory of Michael Rooney, this simple
stone was erected by his Fellow Workmen.
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 without guessing at the
little tragedy they indicate, without know
| ing the humble romance which ended
with the placing of that stone above the
dust of one poor and humble man.
In his shabby jacket and mud laden bro
! gans 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:
"Tve been tould We advertised for hands,
yer honor"
Fully supplied, my man." said Mr..
Camp, not lifting his head from his &C
count book.
"pd work faithful, sir, and take low
wages till / could do better, and I'd learn
i would that"
1t was an Irish brogue, and Mr.. Camp
had declared that he never would employ
an incompetent hand. Yet the tone at
tracted him. He turned briskly, and with
his pen behind his ear he addressed the
man who was only one of fifty who had
answered his advertisement that morning
for four workmen.
what makes you expect TO learn faster
than other folks? Are you any smarter?'
"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"
1--WE done bit Of it"
"Muchf"
"No, yer honor; I'll tell no lie; but 1
know 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. Be
sides, / know your ceuntrymen-lazy fell
lows who never do their best. No; I've
been taken in by Irish hands before, and l
won't have another"
1.-The Virgin will have to be afther bring
ing 'em over in her two arms, thin" said
the man despairingly, 'for I've tramped
all day for the last fortnight, 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 halfpeDny.
Bring whom over?" asked Mr. Camp,
arrested by the odd speech as he turned
away.
"Jist Nora and Jamesy."
"Who are they?"
1.-THE vans me wife, the other me child, {"
said the man. 'Oh, sir, jist thry me-
How'll l bring 'em over to me if no one
will give me job? Iwant to be aiming.
and the whole big city seems aginst it. and
me with arms like thin" He barred his
arms to the elbow as he spoke, and Mr.
1rNlyaA a+ han, nd fhnn Of 20
"Pll hire you for week." he said; land
now as it's noon go down into the kitchen
and ask the girl to give you your dinner
hungry man can't work"
And with an Irish blessing the new hand
obeyed, whilo Mr. Camp went upstairs to
his own meal.
Rooney worked hard and actually learned
fast. At the end of the week he was en-
gagged permanently, and soon was the best
workman in the shop. He was a great
talker, but not fond of drink nor of vast
ing money. As his wages grew he boarded
every penny, and wore the same shabby
clothes in which he had made his first ap-
pearance.
livery cent / spend" he said one dav,
puts off the bringing Nora and Jamesy
over. Better no coat to me back than no
wife and boy by me fireside, and anyhow,
it slow work saving"
II was slow work, but he kept at il.
Other men, thoughtless and full of fun,
tried to make him drink, coaxed him to
accompany them to places of amusement
or to share in their Sunday frolics. All in
vain. Rooney liked fun, liked companion
ship, but he would not delay that long
looked for bringing of Nora over, and he
was not "mane enough" TO accept favors
of others which he would not repay He
kept on his way, martyr to his one great
WISH living on little, working at night on
any extra Job by which he could earn a
trine, and talking to any one who would
listen Of his one great hope and of Nora
and little Jamesy.
At first the men, who prided themselves
on being all Americans, and on turning out
the best work in the city, made a sort Of
butt Of Rooney and his Irish ways But
he won their hearts at last, and when one
day. mounting on a workbench. he shook
his little bundle, wrapped in a red handller-
chief. before their eyes and shouted:
Look. boys, I've got the whole at last; I'm
goin' 10 bring Nora and Jamesy over at
last.' all felt a sympathy in his Joy, and
each grasped his brawny hand in cordial
congratulations.
They parted in a merry mood, most Of
the men going 70 comfortable homes. But
Rooney's resting place was poor lodging
house, where be shared a garnet with four
other men, and in the Joy Of his heart the
poor fellow exhibited his handkerchief
with his hard earned savings tied up in a
hard wad in the middle. before he put it
under his pillow and fell asleep When
he awakened in the corning be found his
treasure some. Some villain had robbed
him.
At first Rooney would not believe it lost
He seSrcsed every corner o. the room,
shook his quilt and blanket. and begged
those about him 70 quit joking and give
il back But at last he realized the truth.
as any man that bai that's Jhsved from
me-" he asked. Boys, is any man that
badN'
And some one answered. ''No doubt Of It,
Rooney; it's stole"
IhrD NOn~s- u-- hfs hna1 down o- his