The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-05-01
THE lNTERMoUMTAN AND COLORADO CATHOLIC: MAY 1909

shops and everyone wanted to help Rooney. Jobs
were thrown in his way. and kind words and
friendly wishes helped him nightly; but no power
could make him share the food drink OF any
other workman. That seemed a sort of chsrty to
him. Still he helped along. A present from
Mr. Camp payday set Nora as he said, "a week
nearer"
At last.-cven before he had hoped it--he was
able to say. I'm going to bring them over and to
show his handkerchief, III which. as before he had
tied up his earnings-this time. however. only
shown to his friends. Cautious among strangers.
he hid his treasurer and kept his vest buttoned
oyer it. night and day until the passage tickets
had been bought and sent. Then every man,
woman, and child capable of hearing or under
standing knew that Nora and the bay were coming.
The days flew by. and brought at last letter
from Michatel RooneY's wife. She would start,
she said. las he desired; and she we'll. and so
the boy and might Heaven bring them safe to
each others arms. and bless those who had been so
kind TO him
That was the substance of the epistle that
Michatel Rooney proudly assured the men Nora
had written herself. She had lived. at service,
a girl. with certain good old lady. who had given
her education, the items of which Rooney told
upon his fingers The readin'. that's one; and the
writin' that three; and moreover she knows all that
a woman can"
Then he looked at the men and asked "Do We
wondher that the time seems so long between me
and her boys!'
SO. it was Nora at the dawn of day, Nora at
noon and Nora at night, until the came that
the good ship Kathleen had come into port. 1t
happened holiday afternoon, and half dozen
men ready to 60 with Michael Rooney to the
vessel and give his wife welcome Her little
home was ready. Mr.. Camps own servant had put
ii in order.
She hadn't the like of that in the ould coun-
thry.' said Rooney when all arranged but
she'll know how to keep it in order
4. Il ! l. Ill l,t,.S
hices blockaded the street. a troop of emigrants
came throngng up; fine cabin passengers we're
stepping into cabs and drivers and porters we're
shouting in the usual manner Nora would wait
on board for her husband-he knew that.
The little group made their way into the YES
sci, and Michatel Rooney searched for the two
dear to him, patiently at first, but by-and-by,
growing anxious and excited.
'Why don't you ask the Captain!9 said one,
and Rooney jumped at the idea. In few moments
he stood before the Captain, who nodded to him
kindly.
I'm looking for my wife, sir he said; land
can't find her. | babe her wait for me-
Women dent always do as they are told, YOU
know said the captain.
Nora would" said Michael Rooney, but maybe
she didn't come"
At the name of Nora the captain started. Next
moment he asked, 'What is your name!'
Mike Rooney sir
And your wife was Nora .
That's her name. and the boy with her is
Jamesy."
The captain looked at Rooney. and then said
sit down, nv man. I've got something to tell
YOU
shes left behindH 2 the husband asked,
She sailed with US said the captain. My man
we all have our trials; Heaven sends them Yes,
Nora started with US
Michael Rooney said nothing. He was looking
al the captain. white and speeches.
1T has been sickly season; we had illness
board-the cholera said the captain. Many of
our passengers died-many children. when we
we're half way over YOUR boy was taken sick
'Jamesy." gasped poor Rooney.
His mother watched him. night and day" the
captain went on; land we did all we could but at
last he ded.-ony of many. There were five
buried that same day.
Rooney groaned aloud
Keep up if you can, my man. SAID the captain.
That night. his mother-Nora-was taken i'll also,
very suddenly: and she grew worse very fast In
the morning she called me to her and said: Tell
Michael Rooney died thinking of him: tell him to
meet me- And my man, she never SAID anything
more; ain an hour she gone"
Rooney had risen, and stood up. trying to
steady himself looking at the captain with dry
eyes, then turning to his friends. he said
Boys I've got me DEATH and dropped to the
deck like a log.
They raised him and bore him away to the little
bed which had boen made ready for Nora-wearied
after her long journey. There at last he opened
his eyes Mr. Camp bent over him, and the room
was full of Rooneys fellow worlnen.
Better Rooney" asked Mr., Camp.
A dale sight betther,' said Rooney; cts easy
now. I'll be with her soon. And. look ye. master.
I've learned one thing-God is good. He wouldn't
let me bring Nora over, but He's taking me over to
her-and Jamesy-over the river. Don't you see
it-and her astanding the other side"
And with these words Michael Rooney stretched
ont his arms. Perhaps he did sec Nora-Heaven
only knows: and so he died.--New World
THE PASCAL CANDLE.
The blessing of the Pascha Candle Is one of the