Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-12

head and let his boy go in peace to push
both their fortunes. Father Mfcky said
in his young enthusiasm on the morning
OF his departure. "I'll make a man iv you
meself'' God bliss ye. Micky a-chuisle
mo chroidhe, God Almighty bliss ye an
guard over ye." And Connal Brogan cried
salt tears when Micky, his joy and his
pride. gone.
lonely man now. Connal Rrogan toiled
on upon his little farm. Sadness was IN his
heart but buoyant hope also. which re-
lieved the oppression: In a months time
came a CHEEKY letter from Micky, who had
landed safely, and was going To 90 great
things. of which his father would hear more
in the next letter
But though the patient. hopeful loving.
poor father waited seven years looking for
that next letter, 1t never came.
Micky had had series Of misfortunes.
He did not get work as soon as he expected
and during the period Of anxious suspense
couId not write He met with evil COM
panions. who induced him to drink and
drown thought, and then he would not
write. When he got position he lost 1t
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 demoraiized boy ana
forgot To write.
But though Micky forgot his father. that
father let not one waking hour pass III
which he did not send long. long thoughts
after poor Micky.' He knew not-did not
FOR a moment suspect-what had really
happened to Micky. When a boy returned
10 the parish from America-returned to
Dcorin, Ardaghie. Glenainy or Binban-
from Boston. rom Philadelphia, from Texas
or Colorado-Connal Brogan spat upon his
stick and went to visit the returned an
kee: and from him sought for news of poor
Micky in Brooklyn. And none Of those
who came from Brooklyn and knew Micky
and knew how he was living-one day In
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 We're. oh they all said, Mlcky Is
a grand fella, an dom fine" Connal =
heart was always raised at hearing this
and his JOY rekindled. IN Warrant Micky $
a gran fella entirely" he would say, with
a question in his tone. Indeed. an he Is,
would reply AN dom very fine-eh?'
Very fine entirely, COnnal-very fine. In
decd I'll warrant Yell warrant We:
refectively. poking the floor with his stick
An be havin' himself like he 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. nindin his re-
ligion an himself. an a moral lmodelo be-
havior." ''Yis. yis. that's Micky-that $
poor Micky. A very moral Nv behavior, as
you say. May God continue him so. What
what message did Micky SEN me-"
'Micky sayed, Give me poor father me
love. Tell him keep up his heart that L m
always thinkin " him. an that when I've
made enough money he'll find me steppin'
over the threshel (threshold) in to him
some day. gran jintleman "Och. God
Almighty bliss poor Micky SGrc, l knew
well he wasn't forgettin me. An all along
I always knew that he'd come home to me
a Untleman-the jintieman he was cut out
for. Every night does l go on me knees.
put up a prayer to God for poor Micky: an
every mornin' ever 1 rise I'm expectin' an
prepared to see Micky. fine tintieman,
step in to me. God Almighty bless ye,
Sicky."
And with every boy and girl who went
away from parish Connal sent the word,
Tell our Micky that I'm dom well. an
I'm gran heart for hearin' all the fine re-
ports entirely that comes home about him.
Tell him I know he'll always continue the
moral Nv behavior he now is. Tell him I'm
always waitin' for him. An ak him. AK
him. may be some time he'd have spare
minute an not, too throny, ak him If he
letter-wan line: an tell him, God bless
him."
But Brooklyn could not support Micky
forever in his thOughtless career. He wen,
from bad to worse. till at length he was
only too glad to avail himself of the oifel
of friends to subscribe and send him home
to Ireland-friends who for kinshtp sake
him. and friends who had regard for him
because of his father. 80. over the water
he was SENT his friends breathing a hearty
thank God! when his ship steamed away
from the New York docks.
When. under cover OF night, Micky hav-
tng walked thus far from the port Of Derry.
entered his own parish. he sat down under
enc mile from his fathers house. 1t was