The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-07-13

to picking up empty spools in a cotton
factory. and, the first two weeks of his
Work the man he worked for drank
the five shi!lings. SO that Michael
went home penniless. He then got
similar employment in Baxenden
mill. where he was only three weeks
engaged when he was put tending
machine. The world knows the rest.
His little arm was crushed between
two cog-wheels and had to be an,nu-
tated. The boys awful sufferngs, the
struggle for life. and the anguished
mothers despairing appeal to the
priest are things best told in Miss
Davitt's words
The doctors had come prenared to
amputate. The mother was unaware
of it, but the father yielded when he
was told that the boy would not other
wise live for twenty-four hours. Then
the doctors came in the fathers abb
sence.
Mrs. Madden, shrewd old Irish
woman. divining their intention. grab
bed the poker, and said she would use
it unless they awaited the arrival of
my father. Nine DAYS
later lockjaw set in. and Michael's life
was despaired Of. The priest was sent
for to give him the last rites of Holy
Church. and when he came my moth
er threw herself on her knees and i'm
plored him to save her boy. Father
Martin replied he would pray to our
Divine Lord to save him. Twas nine
o'clock in the evening, and the good
priest actually prayed until seven next
morning, when Michael. who in the
meantime had not been able to utter
a sound. called my mother to him. She
was so overjoyed at hearing him
speak again that size threw herself on
her knees and promised in thanksgiv-
ing to our Divine Lord for His mercy.
to make a pilgrimage to Croaghpat-
",
Davitt was the only Irish boy in the
only good school in the town, and he
used to tell how he often had to lick"
boys bigger than himself for calling the
Pope names. and making fun of the
Irish. He was fourteen when he got
employment in the local postoflce as
errand boy. bill collector. and print
er's devil" the place being also
printing establishment On the va
caney occurring for a letter carrier,
Michael was about to get the position
until it came to the oath of allegiance,
which he refused the magistrate to
take 1t is worth recalling, too. that
although Corydon. the informer. swore
Michael had attended meeting of
Fenian officers in Liverpool. in 1870,
the postmaster and his son showed by
their time books that he was at work
that very day in Haslingden many
miles away. Yet Corydon's word was
believed against that of two honest
Englishmen! ~
And now on this morning when
twelve months have rolled by since
he was with us. i; is hard to realize
that We are not to look upon his rug
ged. honest face again. or listen to his
sonorous and kindly voice, which 80
often thrilled thousands of Irish hearts
in all parts of the world. 1t is diff
cult too, to reflect that in public con-
troversies we must miss his pen, tren-
chant and convincing bold and uncom-
promising What force he would be
today when Ireland needs men with
strong minds and resolute character to
give her strength in her weakness.
Rontgen rays to pierce the clouds that
for the moment hang over her for
tunes! The lonely graveyard Of Straide
will not today be lonely or neglected.
Around 1t are the thoughts and the
prayers and the love Of the Irish race
at home and over the seas. From il
will spring the phoenix-like hone that
will fire countless futrue generations
OF Irishmen. God rest you. Michael
Davitt