The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-05-01
THE WAITING OF MICHAEL ROONEY

q
tain American city. But the passer NIGH, reod
mem hundred times without guessing at the little
Tragedy they 1ndlcate-without knowing the hun
bic romance which ended with the placing Of that
STONE ABOVE the dust of one poor and humble man
In his shabby jacket and mud-laden brogans
Michael Rooney scarcely an attractive Object
as ne walked into Mr. Camps great lin and hsrd
ware store one day, and presented himself at the
counter with
I've been told We advertised for hands
Fully supplied, my man." said Mr. Camp not
lifting his head from his account book
l work faithful, SIR and take low wages till [
could do better; and I'd learn would that >,
L he words were spoken with an Irish brogue;
and MI Camp did not like the Irish Yet the tone
attracted him. He turned brskly. and with his pen
behind his ear, ne addressed the man who was only
one Of some fifty who had answered his advertise
ment. that morning, for four worl1men
wv hat makes YOU expect to learn faster than
other folks Are you any smarter" Mr.. Camp
said
I'll not say that said the man: but I'd be
wishing to; and that I'D make il easier"
Are you used to the work.
I've done bit of it."
Much Z"
No yer honor, I'll tell no lie: but do know
bit about tins
You are too old for an apprentice. and you'd
only be in the way. calculate" said Mr.. Camp
The Holy Virgin will have to be afther brngin'
EN- over In her two arms. thin" said the man de-
spairngly, for Eve tramped every day for the last
fortnight and niver job can | get and that's the
last penny have; and it's but a half one
As he spoke he spread his palm Open and dis
played English halfpenny
Bring whom overl" asked Mr. Camp. arrested
by the odd speech he was turning sway
-Iist Nora and Jamesy."
Who theyl"
The vans me wife. and the other me child"
said the man "Oh. sir Just thry me How'll |
'oT11 tn
lob2 ! want TO be aiming, and the whole big city
seems against it,-and me with arms like Thin
I'll hire you for a week" he said; "and now
as it's noon. go down into the kitchen and ask the
girl to give you your dinner; hungry man can't
work"
And, with an Irish blessing. the new hand
obeyed, while Mr.. Camp went upstairs to his own
meal
Michael Rooney worked hard and learned fast.
At the end Of week he was engaged permanently.
and soon he the best workman in the shop. He
a great talker, but not fond of drink, or of
wasting money. As his wages grew he boarded
every penny, and wore the same clothes in which
he had made his first appearance.
Every cent / spend" be said one day puts off
the bringing of Nora and Jamesy Better
coat TO back than wife and no boy by
freside and anyhow. It's slow work saving
1t was slow work; but ne kept at it. Other
-thoughtless and full of fun tried 10 make him
drink coaxed him TO accompany them to places of
in vain. Michael Rooney liked fun, liked com
panionship; but he would not delay the long-looked
for bringing of Nora over: and he not "mane
enough" to accept favors of others which he could
not repay. He kept his way-a martyr to his
great wsh-living on little. working at night on any
job by which he could earn triae, and talking
TO anyone who would listen to his one great hope,
and of mora and Jamesy."
At first the men, who prided themselves on being
al Americans and on turning out the best work in
IL 10 Of Init -
Irish ways. But he won their hearts at last; and
when. one day. mounting workbench, he shook
MS little bundle, wrapped a red handkerchief.
before their eyes and shouted Look. boys I've got
he whole at last; Pm goin' to bring Nora and
Jamesy over" all felt sympathy in his JOY. and
each grasped ribs brawny hand in cordial congrat
ulation.
They parted in a merry mood most of the men
going to comfortable homes But Michael Rooneys
resting place a poor lodging house where he
shared garrett with four other mem and, in the
iov of his heart the poor fellow exhibited his hand
Lerchief with his hard-earned savings tied UP in a
hard knot in middle before he put it under his
inflow and eep. When he awakened in the
morning he . IL his treasure gone.
AZ first he vql not believe that it was lost
He searched al :, y the ROOM shook his quilt and
blanket. and berFad those about him TO quit jok
ing and give il oacs5
But Al last he realized the truth.
Is any man that had to theve it from me!
he asked Boys, is any man that badF
And some one answered, NO doubt of it.
Rooney; it's stolen"
Then Michael Rooney put his head down on his
hands and vent 1t seemed more than he could
bear-to have Nora and the child put months away
Br+ yroen he went TO work. that day ii seemed
% ali who saw him that he had picked up new
determination; his hands we're never idle. At
r,oo he scratched out a letter. botted and very
strangely gcrswled telling Nora what had hap
nened: and the men notinced that he had no meat
VII, his dinner. -, 1d
indeed. from that moment he lived on bread,
-.,+at,.er end cold water and worked 80 few men
rsr worked before It grew to be the talk OF the