Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-03-15

er," she said. I'm skeptical myself now.
But if you desire the shamrock as a me-
mento. it is yours"
Mrs. Costello had considerably left
them alone. Oh. how the good mother
had argued vainly against herself, trying
to break down the barriers her peculiar
ideas had placed in the way OF her daugh-
ter's happiness, but the years mad so thor
oughly i~mpregnated them into a sensi-
tive. impressiOnable organization that
they could not be e~radicated. and Gerald
had TO sail some days later unacccmT =
MED Dy Una.
On landing in New York. Gerald went
10 the immigrants mission at the Bat
terry with a few blackthOrns he had
promised to bring 20 the manager, an Old
and valued friend. The manager wa
talking 10 one of those careworn uufOrtu-
mates whom reverses send 70 the mission
for advice and assistance. Gerald paid
no attention 10 the visitor. but rushing
in exclaimed as he laid the blackthorus
on the managers desk:
Here / am again, and I've kept my
promise, You see"
We'll Gerald. how are your" was the
cordial greeting that followed the ex-
tended hand. But what is that for
getting to return thanks when he saw
the box of shamrocks Gerald carried, the
keepsake being too precious TO commit TO
other hands.
a shadow of pain crossed Gerald's fea-
lures as he allowed his friend to examine
the treasure. The thought Of his love,
DOW more distant than ever, with all the
bitterness of parting, came TO mind. For
getting the presence of another, Gerald
told in open words the story of the sham
rock and Of his disappointed love for
Una Costello 10 this man. who had long
been his confidential friend.
Pardon me, said a voice behind him,
that of the Careworn visitor who had sat
unnoticed and heard the story, will
you let me kiss that shamrock for the
sake of the old land and its memories"
There was a tremor, an earnestness in
his voice that awakened Gerald's SYM
pathy. The mans frame trembled with
feeling as he stopped TO kiss the sod.
Tears fell upor the green leaves. and
longingly and lovingly were the lips
pressed to the shamrock. When his
head again uplifted, the man said:
I've drowned that shamrock in tears
today. Too often have | drowned it in
something else, too often stepped it and
my senses in the flowing bowl"
Then, raising his right hand and look
ing upward a S if calling on God to bear
witness to his oath, he added:
II swear by this shamrock never more
to dishonor it and the land it grew in"
His passionate outburst impressed
Gerald, who turned to the manager in
quirlngly. inviting explanation in his
look. His friend seemedt to read his query
in his gaze and said:
This man has come today for advice
and aid. His appearance gives evidence
that he has had the usual experience. |
hate TO recommend him to any one fer
employment, unless there is virtue in
your shamrock that can redeem him"
Virtue in that shamrock! Who would
dare deny it? Gerald himself might in
Una's presence, but it had become sacred
in his eyes afar from her, and he would
resent any doubt as TO the power resting
In that cherished emblem of his love and
land.
IL have faith in you," he said to the
stranger as he took out his cardcase and
hurriedly scrawled the address on the re-
verse side of his own card. Then, hand.
ing the same with a crisp bill to the man,
he added: go to the man whose name
you see there, and he'll fI you in y place
according to your ability. Brush up a
little before you CO."
The nan looked at the name and open
ed wide his eyes in doubt and bewilder-
II was that of the greatest polit-
ical light in the city Of New York.
Brighter days We're ahead. The poor
grasped Gerald's hand and said:
I'll repay you for this"
He bowed himself out. The
laughed. He had heard many such
promises and saw nearly all of them
broken. Ii was merely an incident of
his days business. He turned the con-
v~ersation into other channels, and before
Gerald took his leave the promise over
the shamrock and the man who made il
had passed out of mind for the time be-
ing.
Gerald took up the thread of his bust
ness where he had dropped it, and the
to catch up with the run kept him
busy, but not too occupied TO prevent
him from giving due care to the sham