Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-07-13

the inhabitants OF
Hobart Town. At the period OF my
story all were exiies. Natives, save the
dark race, which is fast disappearing
before the white man, there were none.
All, l repeat, were exiles, but all were
not penal exiles
The eXiles to whom I aliude were
those whom Stepdame Fortune had
driven from their Fatherland, or whom
the hope of winning her favor had al
lured from it.
All these had left their loves and
dearest interests behind them, and all
their dreams and wishes We're directed
to the fair fields and bright fresides OF
their childhood.
1t is now far otherwise. Van Die
mans Land like ether lands, has
grown national, with the usual exclus-
i've prejudices and partialities.
Beautiful girls and gallant youths,
in its sweet valleys, have ripened into
womanhood and manhood, have be-
come surrounded by young progeny,
and they love the land of their birth.
If the approaching bark was antici
pated by many a beating heart in Ho-
bart Town and it's vicinity, what were
the feelings OF those on board the Dart.
the gallant ship that had now been
nearly five months from England?
1t carried miscellaneous assem-
blage OF passengers. and had touched
at Cork to take in some women and
children. who were going 70 join their
husbands and fathers in the colony.
In all this freight of humanity there
were two women singularly remarka-
ble-the one. Dora Callan, for beauty;
the other, Bridget Ryan, for extreme
ugliness, which would have been re-
pulsive had it not been redeemed by
honesty, simplicity and good nature.
She had an infant few weeks old.
to which she was tender, watchful
mother; but it did not engross her
genial heart.
She had kind word for every one
and helping hand for all who needed
her aid. The sick found her ready to
forego her rest to soothe their suffer-
ings, and the sorrowing never called
upon her sympathy in vain, and it was
soon the feeling of all on board to seek
Bridget Ryan under any emergency or
annoyance or distress.
But, above ALL she became to Dora
Callan the very stay and prop of her
existence. The young creature had
come on board in bad health, and with
the prospect of becoming a mother, a
prospect realized before they were
many weeks at sea.
In her hour of trial who was beside
her? Bridget Ryan.
When the newborn made it's feeble
appeal to its feeble mother, who took
it to cherishing breast? Bridget
Ryan.
Amid all her own and her infants
wants she found means to administer
to the wants of the young mother and
her nursing; amid all the claims upon
her time and toll, she found hours to
devote to them.
''Briget Ryan" said Dora, II shall
never see the far land we are seeking
and one is waiting me there to whom
it will be sore sorrow. Here is his
last letter, which l have read every
night after my prayers. and every
morning as soon as it was light. He
will be on the watch for our ship and
among the first on board"
Heaven speed him. my woman"
exclaimed the cheerful Bridget.
And won't he be proud of the gift
you have for him?" she added, looking
at the sleeping child "Oh, sure. and
it is / must be at the merry meeting. :"
"Who has such right, Bridget {?
But it will never be-"
flush, woman. dear. Tush! Don't
talk such nonsense, child. Ii is the
wakeness that has come over you. Wait
awhile. and a blithe christening we'll
have when we are once on shore
The young mother bowed her beauti-
full face upon her pillow. and the heav-
ing of her breast revealed the emotion
that convulsed her.
After an effort of composure. she
raised herself In her bed and flung her
arms around the neck of her friend.
"Oh, on this wide, wide sea, where
! thought to find only danger and sor-
row, | have found a friend like unto
the mother have left. You will have
her blessing, Bridget, and his. Oh, that
/ might live to tell him all owe you"
"Now, Dora dear. If you go on in this
manner" said Bridget, struggling with
emotion, and gently trying to olsen
gage herself. what will l do? Sure,
/ shall be fit for nothing this blessed
day-and the babies, too-why, we are
changing places with them and crying
as if they could not do it much better
that we. Take heart, woman, dear,
the boy will need all your care"
"All yours, Bridget. all yours. Oh,
tell me that you will never forsake
him. know 1t, | feel it. he will soon be
alone with you-have only you. Oh, let
him creep to your heart when the salt
seas cover his mother. Nay, Bridget,
you shall not unclasp my hands until
/ have your promise; say that in dan
ger, in distress, in sickness, he shall be
TO you as your own"
"Holy Mother, lie my Witness" faint
~ ajaculated Brjdpet "ITa shall have