The record-union., 1896-08-30
A FRIEND IN NEED.
Especial Correspondence of Record-Union,


PORTLAND (Or), Aug. 21,-The fol-
lowing story was told me by an eye
witness of the affair: Several years ago
the gentleman in question and his wife
were travelling through the old world
and the last place they visited was Ire
land. One day. after they had been there
several weeks, they found themselves
in vessel which in a short time would
set sail for America, The gentleman
and his wife, seated on deck. amused
themselves watching the crowds com
ing and going; there was the usual mot
ley gathering of rich and poor, high and
low; all was excitement, hustle and con-
fusion. Presently a party of three at
tracted the attention of the watchers.
They consisted of a stout florid-faced
man, bristling with importance; thin,
nervous little woman. evidently his wife,
and very pretty girl, apparently the
daughter They were plainly peasants
Of the better class, who by dint OF hard
labor and much frugality. had saved
enough to take them to America They
were better dressed than the crowd OF
people about them. and for that reason
commanded a certain amount of re-
spect.
1t was noticed that the girl gave
many longing, anxious looks behind
them, While the mother tried in vain 70
hurry her forward. At last in the crowd
the family became separated, at any
rate the daughter had in some manner
mysteriously disappeared, but upon
closer search was discovered behind a
certain big smoke-stack, but not alone,
BY her side stood a stalwart young fel-
low without hat or coat He had some
how gained possession of her hand.
while his arm had in some mysterious
manner stolen about her waist, and all
the time he looked into her eyes with 4
glance that was unmistakable.
For a time they billed and cooed in
undisturbed solitude, when they were
suddenly discovered by the girls eagle
eyed mother who sWooped down upon
them, and in spite of their protests
ruthlessly tore them asunder. Then the
pretty girl was led weeping softly, into
the cabin. while the disconnected lover
stood on the wharf staring helplessly al
the big ship which was SO soon to bear
his sweetheart so many thousands OF
miles away from him.
He knew he was not looked upon with
favor by the girls people, because he
had nothing to offer her but an honest
love from the depths of pure heart
and pair of willing hands; but so far
his pleadings had been all in vain:
though they knew that she loved him
they would not hear to an engagement,
and now they We're taking her away
over the ocean. Somehow he felt as
though he would never see her again.
and at the thought a mist swan before
his eyes.
Just here a hand was laid upon his
shoulder He looked up quickly and
saw standing before him the gentleman
he had noticed sitting upon the upper
deck
Would you like to go to America on
this ship" was the abrupt question
asked him.
The poor fellow stared in open
mouthed amazement. Quick, man;
speak quickly" impOrtuned the gentle
man, Eve have no time to lose"
Sure, sir, an it's not the loikes of
yez as would thrifle wid poor fellow,
is it, sor?" asked the Irishman anx-
iously.
'Trifing? No. was never more ear
nest in my life" he was assured. IF
YOU wish to sail on this ship follow me
on board" and the gentleman suited
the action to the words by quickly as
cending the gangplank, followed by the
bewildered Pat To the official at the
entrance he announced that he was re
sp0nsible for the Irishman's presence.
and led the way TO the upper deck.
Here he left Pat in charge of his wife.
and going TO the Captain, explained the
situation The Captain good natured
OLD fellow, readily lent his assistance.
Between them they fitted their protege
with suit of clothes, and going out
among the passengers soon collected
enough to pay for his fare.
Pat was profuse in his expressions Of
gratitude when told of his good fortune.
and called down the blessing OF every
saint in the calendar upon his henefac-
tors.
From that time on the tide OF fortune
was turned in Pats favor. The parents
of the girl We're horribly sick all the
way over, which gave the lovers ali the
opportunity they wanted OF being to-
gether All day ana far into the night
they could be seen ensconsed behind
the big smokestack as happy and con-
tent as a pair Of turtle doves When
the ship reached New York the gentle
man and his wife. who had been inter
ested spectators of the little romance.
lost sight of them in the rush of land
ing
Five years later the gentleman again
visited Gotham. and without any par
ticular hope, but more to crafty his
curiosity he looked through the direct
ory, and was rewarded by seeing the
Irishman's name. Having thus found
his address he went one evening to call
upon him.
The house was a pretty little cottage
just on the outskirts OF the great me
tropolis; trim servant maid opened
the door, and taking his card, ushered
him into a dainty parlor bearing every
evidence of woman's refining infu-
ence.
In few minutes the door was opened
and in walked a tall, bearded man. and
what a hearty welcome he gave his Wis
itor. Then he called down his wife
who was none other than his old-tinoe
sweetheart, only grown plumper and
prettier than ever, With years of pros
perity and eontentment
OF course they insisted upon their
guest staying to dinner, and being in
troduced afterward to their youthful
son and heir During the meal which
followed, the Irishman told his story
which sounded almost like fairy tale
He told of weeks Of waiting Without
work and OF times when he grew al
most desperate, but he comforted him
self with the thought that his sweet
heart was in the same city anyway.
Then he secured n Dosition and fror,