St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-01-23
A FATHERS HEART.
A STORY Of am Irish Immigrant,

moor BOY, INC oCHeul vi ScuooHng
With Master McDonagh of Artificial,
Connal did both his own share of work
IN the little farm and also the greater
mart of the share that should fall to wee
Micky. "The larnin'," he said, "'ll
niver be a burden to Micky-it's aisy
carried. haven much to give the poor
how Thanks be to God for all his mar.
ces) but can sthrive to let him have
the bit iv larnin', anyhow, though |
never got it meself," And accordingly
except in the very throng of ware and
harvest-Micky was only asked to go to
the field on Saturdays and on the even
ines of school days. And when Micky
crew up and looked about him, and saw
That a Young mans ambitions were not
likely to be satisfied in poor Ireland, he
said: with Gods help, father. | think
Pll push out to Ameriky an thry me for
time there" His father said, sadly:
"Micky; don't laive me-" But Micky,
though he was touched, replied: but
father, what is there for a poor boy in
Irelan'? What but hunger and hard
ships ?" Indeed, and troth you say
thrue, Micky, mo paisdin," said his
father, "but it'll put hard upon me to
have We laive me-" "Arrah, father"
Micky said in tone that affected a
courage that his heart did not feel.
don't talk that way. Sure if l go till
Amerikv tor a couple i years, sure it
isn't goin' out i the wurrul' am. Don't
think, father dear, that bekase l put a
few miles i say atween us I'll forget ye."
NO, no, no, l don't think it at all, at
all | don't dhraim iv such thing,
Micky," his father said quickly.
mo, father; but I'll be fit to do some
thin both for yersef an meself in thon
(yon) country, when can't do for
aither cf us in this" Micky's father had
to how his head, and let his boy 90 in
peace to push both their fortunes.
Father" Mcky said, in his young en-
thusiasm on the morning OF his depart
ure. "lll make man iv you afore I'm
long in Ameriky, an man iv meself.
"God bless ye. Micky chuisle mo chroid,
he God Almighty bliss We, an guard
over ye." And Connal Brogan cried salt
tears when Micky, his JOY aud his pride
was gone
A lonely man now. Counal Brogan
toiled on upon his little farm. Sadness
was in his heart, but buoyant hope
also, which relieved the oppression. Ina
months time came CHEEKY letter from
M,cky, who had landed safely and was
going to do great things, of which his
father would hear more in the next let
ter
But. though the patient, hopeful low
ing, poor father waited seven years look
ing Tor that next letter, it never came.
Micky had had a series of misfortunes.
He did not get work as soon as be ex-
pecttd and during the period OF anxious
Suspense could not write. He nat with
evil companions who induced him to
drink and drown thought, and then he
would not write. When he got a posi-
ton he lost it again before he had saved
money TO send home, and then did not
like to write. And after this varied luck
continued for some time, Micky was a
demorazed boy and forgot to write.
But though Micky forgot his father,
that father let not one waking hour pass
in which he did not send long, long
thoughts after poor Micky." He knew
nol-did not for a moment suspect
what had really happened to Micky.
When by returned to the parish from
Amelica-returned to Doorin, Ardaghie,
Glenainy or Binban-Irom Boston. from
Phlladtl phia, from Texas or Colorado
Connal Brogan spat upon his stick and
went to visit the returned Yankee; and
from him sought Tor news OF poor
Mcky" in Brooklyn. And none OF those
who came from Brooklyn and knew
Micky and knew how he was living
one day in a good position and well
dressed, next day on the streets and in
rags-not one of these had the heart to
tell Connal how matters really were
on" they all said, "Micky is a gran
iella, an dom fine" Conna's heart was
always raised at hearing this and his JOY
rekndled. I'll warrant Micky a gran
fella entirely" he would say with ques
ton in his tone. Indeed, au' he is, a
gran leila. out an OUT" the Yankee
would reply. AN doin very fne-eh ?
VERY fine entirely, Connal-very fine
indeed" "I'll warrant Yell warrant
yc," redectively poking the floor with his
stick. He's miRdin' himself we'll, an hi:
religion? An behavin' himself like hi
always knew how?"
1t was often trying on the questioned
one to carry on the untruths-but there
was no way out OF it. 'Yes, indeed
mirdn' his religion an himself, and 6
moral (modeD iv behavior" "Yis. yis
that's Micky-thats poor Micky. A
very moral iv behavior, as you say. May
God continue him so. What-what mes
! sage did Mcky send me ?" "Mcky said
Give me poor father me love. Tell hin
keep up bis heart; that I'm always
thnkih' iv him, an when I've made
enough money he'll find me steppin' ovel
the threshel (threshold) in to him som'
day, gran jintleman,' "Och, Goo
Almighty bliss poor Micky. Sure.
knew we'll he wasn't forgetlin' me. An
all along l always knew that he'd CONF
home a jintltman-the jintIeman he wa
cut out Ior. Every night does l 60 or
my knees. Iput up prayer to God fol
i poor M cky an every mornin' ever ris
I'm expectin' an prepared to see Mcky
tine jlntleman, step in TO me. God AL
mighty bless ye, Micky!"
Aud with every boy and girl who wen
sway from parish Connal sent the word
Tell our Micky that IN dom we'll, an
in gran heart for hearin' all the fine re
ports entirely that comes home abou
him. Tell him know he'll always con
TIME the moral iv behavior he now is
Tell him I'm always waitin' for him. An
ak hlm-ax him, maybe, sometime he't
have spare minute an not, too throny
az him if he could dhrop his father jus
wan line iv a letter-wan line; an tel
him, God bliss him"
But BROOKLYN could not support Mick,
forever in bis thoughtlesS career. I'll