Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-04-14

May the Lord be good to We an send
We duke for husband! Good day to
We, MISS" said he, then stepped out
into the street with his hand deep in
.his pocket and the letter in his hand,
and went off in search of Nan.
Its from Padecn," he kept thinking
to himself, and he walked joyfully
along, his feet Gathering loosely on the
pavement, his old face turning here
and there, watching for his wife; Its
from Padeen, sure lis ever was!" Anvil
but he was glad. Anvil but Nan would
be glad. So long it was, ages and ages
ago, since they heard from him.
'Twasn't Padeen's hand-write - nawl
hut sure it might have altered; every
thing altered in the big country. Ay!
twas only poor ould ireland that kept
the same-never any worse. never any
better. But where was Nan? Sure,
she ought to be in the shops. He was
dying to find her. Up and down he
went; at last he found her, still bobbing
heads at the top of Bridge street with
her friend Mrs. Brady.
cav, it's here we are, Nan?" he said,
coming up. "An' me huntin' the town
for yc. It's yourself is well, Mrs.
brady, I'm hopin'? That's right, that's
right"
His voice came strangely broken and
shrill; his eyes danced like child's;
still his hand gripped the letter in his
pocket.
Whats the matter, Tim?" wills
pered Nan. "Ha' We heard news?"
Gay, ay," he said. Come away till
I tell ye; come away
lie turned, and, with Nan at his heels,
set off almost at run down-hill to-.
wards the river. Aw, but his heart was
tlumpin'! "Aisy, Tim," cried Nan be.
hind him; "aisy, man, or me breath
me breath"
Without answering or slackening his
pace, Tim went on, turning through the
butter-market gate, crossed the empty
yard, came to the furthermost corner
of one of the long, low sheds. and there
halted, with his face to the wall. Avn
but his heart was thumpin'. Presently,
Nan came to him, painting and fur.
ried.
what is it, TIM" she asked; what
is it?"
Slowly Tim brought out his letter,
and, holding it by both hands, let his
wife look at it.
"It's-it's from Padeen!" cried she;
cts from Padeen!"
1is," said Tim. TITS not his hand
write, but it must he from him"
"Ah, Tim, open it quick" she painted;
"open it quick!"
"Mebbe," said Tim, wed better wait
tillwe get home. The lights bad. an"
mo, no, Tim; no, no; it'd kill me to
watt
Ayr said Tim, then slowly drew his
knife from his pocket and tenderly cut
open the top Of the envelope. His fin
gers trembled greatly as he fumbled
with the Enclosure. Mans hand went
quick to her heart
Jaw, quick, Tim!" she cried. "Quick,
quick!"
"Don't-dont fooster me, woman"
said Tim. II can't can't" The next
moment his shaking old fingers held a
sheet OF notepapcr, and black-edged
card on which glared ONT long siivern
cross, and beneath it, in large letters,
the words Patrick KERN.
Nan lell back step; her fingers
clutched at her dress over her heart.
Tins knife clattered upon the stones,
and the envelope tiuttered down. For
awhile they stood there silent, dread
stricken. At last Nan spoke.
"Read, Tlm," she said. "Read!"
Il can't
Eye must. Tim; it's better. Let us
know the worst. for God. sake!"
Ill Tim began; then quickly
opened the sheet. "It's-it's too dark
here he mumbled. "I-l want me
Specs"
Read what We can, Tim, an quick.
for Gods sake:"
So Tim, still with his face to the wall.
raised the letter to catch the light, and
began to read:
Chicago City. U. s. A.
"DEAR-DEAR MISTER KERN: 1t ismy-
my sad duty to inform you that your son
Patrick died Jaw. Padeen, Padeen!l of
ty-typhus here on the I'd of this month at
IL O'Clock A. m. foods mercy! cried
Mani. AS his Oldest friend. was with him
at the end. He died in peace. He was
buried. at his request, In - Cemetery,
IL send you something toto keep.
Jaw, 1 can read no lnore," said Tim,
with grcan; "its too dark. can read
no more. Me poor ould Padeenl"
Nan turned and looked yacantly
across at the busy street, dry-eyed and
gray-faced. All! her poor Padeen, dead
and buried away among she strangers,
dead and b.lried, and never, never would
she see him again. never hear his voice.
never grip his hand! Dead, dead! her
big, handsome, noble son.
She turned TO Tim and caught him Nv
the sleeve.
Come away, Tim," she said. Come
AWAY WI me-
Jaw! Nan. Man, ne said. as the big
tears sprang to his eyes. Nan, me
girl, but It's hard!'
Nan plucked at his sleeve.
"Come away home, Tim" she said.
come away" And at the word lin
raised his head, dried his eyes, and set
off slowly after Nan up the long. dusty
road that YEARLY led towards none.-
The Sketch
Liternry Fecundity.
Some one with taste for figures has
noticed the fact that Miss Braddon.
n