The record-union., 1897-08-12
A LONG, LONG PATIENCE.

There had been quite little crowd to
zee the old woman off. The train pulled
up in the middle of the fields, as it
seemed, for there was no station and but
a narrow bit of platform Tidy women
with little shawls about their shoulders,
little girls carrying babies, with a
string of elder children at their heels.
had congregated for the send-off. For
the minute or two we stayed they loaded
her with many injunctions.
Don't be later than ,, Mrs. Magee,
and the gossoons'n mate you beyond
Haley's corner"
Don't be frettin' woman jewel. Keep
up your heart Sure if there's not good
news to-day the Lord knows It's on its
way"
Keep the few eggs from shakin'
ma am, in that jingly ould train
And so on.
The little old woman settled back in
her corner, holding the basket glngerfy
on her lap. As the train started and
the kind faces vanished she caught my
eye. She answered something she read
there with a smile which had something
timid and appealing about it.
They're not used to railway travel
in, the crathures. Sure, 'tis so long
since this elegant contrivance come in
stead o. the long cars, weary on thin.
Twas a days journey to go anywhere
by them an if you were the wan pas
senger an empty mailbags tother side
they ratified the life. out Of your poor
bones"
You find this more comfortable?" l
said, looking round the wretched horse
box that did duty for a carriage.
Sure I do. Rale elegant I call it, /
do be tellin' thin how the fields passes
by no bigger than a handkerchief an
the houses are sliderin' by before you
rightly know where you are"
20 you often make the Journey"
Every month, regular. 'Tis now a
matter of twenty years since I began. I
was a fine strong woman then an used
to thramp it both ways. But I'm gettin'
rather a-past that, ma'am an the
neighbors, God bless them! they do put
the few pennies together that pays me
fare one way. I'm fine an fresh
thrampin' home in the evenin' and the
weight of the empty basket light on my
arm"
Your basket seems full Of good
things" 1 said noticing that fine
griddlecake pushed open the lid.
The old woman beamed with salts
faction.
There's a few eggs in it an there's
the griddlecake an a bit O tay an
sugar an a weeny drop O goats milk
do be thinkin' they don't get enough to
ate in them places an my heart does be
often heavy between whiles."
ssTy7 ,,lanac
The 'sylums, ma'am. Pathrick
that's my husband, ma'am, went out o
his mind a matter o. twenty years age
an he's ever since in c. 'sylum. 'TiS
him 1 do be goin to see"
"Oh, indeed" I said, lamely. Il an
very sorry"
DO you think, ma'am," said the lit
tie old woman, anxiously, that they dc
be givin' thin enough to ate in thin
places?"
Il should think they are we'll fed
answered. Doesn't your husband seen
we'll cared for?'
An extraordinary shadow came over
the little old pale face. The cheery
smile vanished and in its stead there
came a dropping of the mouth and g
closing of the eyes which seemed tc
speak intense suffering.
The shadow vanished almost as
quickly as it had come.
It's a quare thing, ma am. But
Pathrick-though he thought the sun
shine wasn't to be named in the same
day with me-he won't look at me now
Sure, God help US, they don't think il
safe to lave US together I don't ask
for it now. for I've seen at last twas
only a thrial for both Of us. Isn't it q
quare contrary thing, ma'am, that
it's thin they loved the best they dc
be most set again?"
1T is" 1 murmured, feeling the fulfil
ity of offering consolation ''Of course
he doesn't know you"
That's it, ma'am. His soul is be-
hind prison bars an it hasn't the
stren'th TO look through an discover
them it used to love. I used to think
I'd get a glimpse of it sometimes f1ut-
term behind his eyes. as frightened as
a bird in a cage"
I tried to turn the conversation, fol
the little old woman had began to trem-
BILE and to lift one corner of her coarse
apron to her eyes.