The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-03-12

saw, Tim, open it quick" she painted; ;
"open it quick J"
''Mebbe," said Tim, "we'd better wait till
we get home The lights bad, an'n--
"No, no, Tim; no, no; it'd kill me to
wait"
"Ay?" said Tim, then slowly drew his
knife from his pocket and tenderly cut
open the top of the envelope. His fingers
trembled greatly as he fumbled with the
inclosure. Mans hand went quick to her
heart.
"Aw, quick, Tim!" she cried. "Quick,
quick !"
Don't-don't flooster me, woman" said
Tim. II can't--can't"-- The next mo-
ment his shaking old fingers held sheet of
notepaper, and black-edged card on which
glared out long silvern cross, and beneath
it, in large letters, the words: Patrick
KERN.
Nan fell back step; her fingers clutched
at her dress over her heart Tins knife
clattered upon the stones, and the envelope
futtered down. For while they stood
there silent, dread-stricken. AT last Nan
spoke.
"Read, Tim,Ashe said. "Rsad!"
I'll can't"
"Ye must, Tim; it's better. Let us know
the worst, for Gods sakeI"
"I-In- Tim began; then quickly
opened the sheet "Its-it's too dark here" "
he mumbled. "I-I want me specs"
"Read what ye can, Tim, an quick, for
Gods sake!"
So Tim, still with his face to the wall,
raised the letter to catch the light, and be-
gan to read:
Chicago City, u. s. A.-Dear, dear Mister
KERN 1t is my-my sad duty to inform
you that your son Patrick died Aw, Pa
deen!") Of ty-typhus here on the I'd of this
month at IL o'clock a. m. GOODS mercy"
cried Man, AS his oldest friend, was
with him at the end. He died in peace. He
was buried, at his request, in - Gene
terry. II send you something to-to
keep.
saw, can read no MORE" said Tim, with
a groan "It's too dark. l can read no
more. Me poor old Padeen!"
Nan turned and looked vacantly across
at The busy street. dry-eyed and gray faced.
All! her poor Padeen, dead and buried
away among the strangers, dead and buried,
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 by the
sleeve
Come away, Tim," she said. "Come
away VII me-"
"Awl Nan, Man," he said, as the big
tears sprang to his eyes. "Nan, me girl, but
it's hard!"
"Aw, yis," said she, and lifted her basket;
"but come away, Tim, come away. Homes
the best place Tor u.s."
"Yis," said Tim, wiping his eyes with
his hand. "Yis, Mar" y; then, Nan leading
the way, and Tim shuffling after, the two
old people (mouTners now in real earnest)
crossed the yard; and at the gate Nan
halted.
" l think" said she, as Tim came up,
think we can manage this week wi'out the
bits O. groceries. Sure, they're only luxu-
can find me bit o. Grape for me bonnet"
"Do," said Tim. ''Do, Nan; an when
you're about it, he said taking his six
pence from his pocket and handing it to
her. "ye may as we'll get me a bit for me
hat. Ay sure, | can do wi'Out me tabaccy
for one week. Aw, yis! Away quick, Nan;
an hurry back, me girl"
So Nan turned up towards the market
house; but Tim went downhill toward the
bridge; and when, presently, Nan came to
him, carrying her little packet of Grape in
her big basket, Tins head was bowed over
the parapet, and he was mumbling tearfuily,
"Aw, me poor Padeen!"
Nan plucked at his sleeve.
Come away home, Tim" she said, come
away" And at the word Tim raised his
head, dried his eyes, and set off slowly after
Nan up the long, dusty road that wearily
led toward home.-London Sketch.