The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-15

thick-set house tops OF the city. The
road at that point being secluded, girt
by soft green banks, and sheltered from
spot at which hundreds upon hundreds
have paused to view the city beneath,
in peaceful JOY or fierce discomfort. as
the case might be. before passing on
their way 10 battle for an existence. To-
wards the point have described. three
footsore travellers were approaching
from the south one calm. clear evening
in September, when pal,i sunshine, ,strik-
ing In level rays across the shorn fields.
Indicated that sunset was close at hand.
The three travellers were ragged, and
somewhat dirty. but bright. hopeful
and animated withal. There was a
mother, Mrs. O'Donnel; there was a Gu
rious bundle Of rags, with towsy head
nearly ten, and son of Mrs. O'Donnel;
and there was a delicate slip of a girl
about six, called Aileen, sister OF Phe-
linn, and the special concern Of both him
and his mothep.
over Mrs. ODonnel's back were slung
a reaping hook sheafhed i'm straw. and
a bundle tied tightly up i'm coored
cotton handkerchief. Phelim had no
reaping hook over his shoulder, being
too small and young TO use one, but he
also had bundle hung over his shoul-
der; and II is between there two bum
dies that lies the mystery OF this
sketch.
They were very tired with walking
miles upon miles on stony roads, and
now draggled on in Indian file in order
OF their strength--the mother foremost.
Phelim a little behind her. and Aileen
some distance further back. AS they
began to ascend the last point before
ff1, t..
his sister limping painfully along; and
I'm spite OF having the bundle to carry,
waited till she reached his side. lifted
her I'm his arms. and manfully attempt
ed to bear her up the slope.
yard or two OF the double toll was
enough for him: for he breathlessly L..
her down with the words
"Och. sure. it's willin' I am. Aileen.
dear; but the stringth won't let me
So they moved along. hand in hand.
Phelim showing her how 10 keep on the
soft. cool grass skirting the road. and
so save her feet. already cut and bleed
ing. The mother already stood at the
highest point, her rough figure stand
ing cut clear on the background OF mild
blue sky and when Phelim reached her
side and beheld the city beneath. with
it's thousand windows and sharp spires
fiaring redly in the declining sun he
suddenly clapped his hands in delight,
"Oh. mother, dear. is that Oirland?"
mo. darlin,' it's only Edinburgh" was
the mothers reply. And the next
towns Glasgow. and then we come 10
Ireland. Sure il would seem long
way. IL your poor father wasn't at the
end of IL. waiting to welcome us back
wild smile and a blessin.
Yes. and he'll be proud 10 see we've
saved so much. and not spent farthin'
barring what we couldn't help" obsery-
ed Phelim with the air of an old man,
as they seated themselves on the green
bank i'm sight of the city. and he thrust
his feet into the trickling stream by
the road side. Sure. isn't il sweet tn
ST on the grass wild your feet in the
cool wather? i could sit here all night.
mother, and never weary. It's the get
tin up again that bothers me-"
Then your father 'ud get small conn
fort out OF us il We sat idling while ne
was i'm want" reprovingly remarked
the mother. and she produced a hunk
of shearer's bread, and gave each OF the
children a piece. Wed nave had other
three days shearin' but for that black
guard Ovid Shaun. He bears US no good
will and would take the bit out Of our
mouths if he could, bad luck to him.
Yes and he laughed al me because
my trouser legs don't both come TO my
ankles" said Phelim, in hot resent
ment. And then he said he thought
we'd be going home on the shocharawn;
so / fired up and said we might look
like beggars, but we weren't. and that
mebbe were not so poor as people tuck
us for
Bad cess to him. he'll sup sorrow
for II yet" remarked the mother, land
all because he couldn't get the cabin
tuck from your poor father and give
to him."
yet he gave me a ha'penny to run
a message" said little Aileen. i'm CRATE
full remembrance.
have flung II back i'm his face" hotly
observed the boy. What did he name
by saying we'd feathered our nest well.
and hadn't kept in with the master for
nothing? Faith. | was never happier
than when we left him behind, and
walked away along the road, every step
bringin' us nearer Oirland."
The mother said nothing, but took Al
leen in her lap an. chafed the bruised
and cut feet in tender way that made
all pain and fatigue vanish az by mag
ic. Phelim. with the irrepressible spirit
still rampant, climbed the opposite
bank to look through hedge gap down
on the lower and more modern road
There's another road dwn here,
mother" he cried. I'm delighted sur
prise, ''and it's smoother and nicer
looking than this. Wouldn't We have
better u have taken that one2
NO: this ones rough. but It's
straighter and shorter. The easiest
way isn't always the best" said the
mother 'Thaving Is easy. but who
ever got rich by IT."
There's a policeman going along To
Edinburgh--the same that used to stop
and see US working I'm the field" added
Phelim. shading his eyes with his hand.
How the sun shines on his hat and
belt. and what a tearIn hurry he's In.
looking over every wall and gate as he
goes. I wonder if he's lost snythingg
He's speaking To man now and the
man shakes his head. He's off again.
and how I'd like " ' c0uld walk like
that, Sure. I'd be in oIrland tomor-
row"
The mother heard the remark. but
was perhaps too busy with her own
thoughts 10 particularly note the an
parent simplicity Of the allusion to the
hurrying policeman. though she was
IN recall every syllable before long.
While they were thus YEARLY ap-
preaching Edinburgh. and at length
reaching the threepenny lodging w the
Grassmarket called Home for Trav-
elers." the county police constable
Nxhnt,, Dbe1tp, hal ss.p Haa ranfJixy