The Irish standard., 1904-10-08
AT HOME AGAIN.
Joseph Pierce of Duluth, Returns
From the Emerald Isle.

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From the Emerald Isle.
Joseph Pierce, member of Division
No. ]. A. o. H., of Duluth, returned
last week from an extended trip to his
home in the Emerald Isle.
Mr.. Pierce left New York the first
week in July, on board the White Star
liner Celtic and had delightful trip
across the Atlantic ocean, the sea be-
ing almost calm.
In speaking of his trip to the CORE
spondent of the Irish Standard, he said
that words cannot describe the feeling
of happiness the Irish exile feels on the
eve of his departure for the old home
in Ireland to see fond parents and low
ing brothers and sisters, who have
been separated from him for many
years.
You have experienced it yourself"
he said, "and it is not necessary for me
to describe it to you. However,
must say, that we were the happy lot
of passengers and as soon as we were
out for a day we commenced to get
acquainted. l had the pleasure of
meeting some very nice people and we
made the voyage a most enjoyable one
for each other by the way, you know
the ships name was Celtic and it was
carrying thousands of Celts to see once
more the land of their forefathers. We
had concerts and amuscments of all
kinds on board. In the evenings, and
they We're beautiful. we would have
some real Irish concerts, in which all
the old songs and melodies Of Ireland
were sung, and we had some very fine
singers among our number. The usual
little incidents of sighting vessels, etc,
occurred during the trip and how
anxious the passengers are to see some
vessel off in the distance. We saw
quite number during the voyage.
Well, coming to the end of our long
journey across the broad ocean we
made great preparations for sighting
| land. The usual excitement prevailed
as to who would be the first to see the
shores of Kerry pushing their head
lands out to give us kindly greet
ing
"What joy there is on the first vision
Of Ireland. 1t seems at first to be dark
cloud and then you lose sight of it for
awhile because the officers of the ship
then change their course a little. Soon
again it appears and finally the out
lines became clearer and clearer and
YOU see the lighthouses on the tops
of the headlands. The sight running
along the coast is a grand one and how
eagerly all the passengers watch it.
You can hardly get them to their
meals. for they want to see it all.
Fastnet light is soon off the port side
of the vessel and what welcome
sight to the sailor From there sig
nal is sent to the offices in Queens
town notifying them of the arrival of
the ship. Immediately the tenders are
despatched t. meet her Tor the trans.
fer of passengers. mail and baggage to
Queenstown. All are in a hurry to get
off as soon as they sight land and i'm
Immediately commence packing up their
things. I shall never forget the scene
when the tenders parted from the big
liner, for many passengers go on to
Liverpool. 1t was grand sendoff, for
we all had become fast friends and
Just as we were beginning to know
each other we had to part. You would
he surprised Mt the feelings that ex'
listed on that occasion. cannot de-
scribe it.
"rhe trip in harbor at the Cove OF
Cork takes about three-Quarters of ar
hour and the sight is very pretty
one. AS you pass the two forts you sec
. CrOsshaven on the left. picturesque
little place, and after a trip around the
harbor you finally sight Queenstown
1t resembles Duluth somewhat, being
situated on a hill. The first object
that strikes the visitors eye is the
cathedral on the hill. 1t is St Col
mans cathedral and is a handsome edi
flee. The first work on it was com,
menced about twenty-five years age
and it is not yet completed. In com.
pany with number of fellow passen-
gers we visited the church, and I must
| admit If ic ma onifioant ctr,,of,ro