The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-17
Married on St.
Patrick Day
BY LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

patty as person employed In a man
ufactory or on a railroad to break the
news to an operatives family that he
has been killed. Where there are a
large number of employees there Is
usually such person, for there Is a
certain percentage of workmen killed
every year.
Kathleen O'Rourke and Patrick Co
CLAN met at ball on the evening OF
St. Patrichs day, and Pat had asked
her to dance with him many times.
Afterward he invited her to go to a
moving picture show with him. From
that time forward they were together
when not at work, and 1t was evident
they were about to make match.
But Pat had mother to support,
and Kathleen. who was an orphan,
was O mother to a little brother and
a sister. so they couldn't marry until
they had laid up something. They
both worked in the same factory, and
each lived In a house built on the
premises by the company to be used
for homes for its employees. So they
saw a great deal of each other.
They agreed that when their wedding
occurred 1t should take place on the an
niversary of their meeting, which was
the evening before St Patrick's day.
When this first anniversary came
around Pat had saved $500, and Kath-
leen had saved $500, and they decided
that if they did as well the next year
they would be married the evening
before st. Patriek's day.
on the first of the year they counted
up their savings and interest and con-
Guided that with their nest egg they
might be married and have enough for
themselves and those dependent upon
them. Kathleen bought what clothes
she would need to last year after her
marriage, and in due time the banns
were published In church. Finding IL
inconvenient to be married on the very
day they had planned, March 10, they
set their wedding day for the 10Th.
This was partly because Pat was one
of the committee Of arrangements for
the st. fatrick's day parade and was to
lead his society on that occasion.
When the hour came for the we'd
ding Pat did not appear. Kathleen,
dressed in her bridal apparel. waited
for him with a wildly beating heart
lest something had happened to him.
She went to the door dozen times 10
look for him and finally stationed her
self at window where she could look
M the street on which the workmen's
cottages were built
Presently she saw owen MacTavish
coming. MacTavish was known to
every one connected with the plant as
the company's bad news breaker ana
many a woman's heart beat quick
when she saw him approaching her
house. Kathleen no sooner saw him
coming than she fancied he would stop
at her home TO tell her that Pat had
been killed. Before he reached the
door she had fallen In swoon.
Now, MacTsvish did not stop at the
O'Rourke cottage and was unconscious
that he had frightened a girl there into
a swoon. Kathleen was picked up by
her friends. who had gathered TO at
tend her TO the church for the we'd
ding. When she came TO herself she
looked about. dreading 10 see the bad
news breaker, but he was not there.
SIS he gomez she asked.
"who goneY
"MacTavish."
"He hasn't been here"
"And Pat isn't deadf
"NobOdy's heard OF his being dead"
"Thanks be to Cod
But Pat did not appear. and no one
seemed to have any news OF him.
Word was sent to the company's office
to inquire for him. but no Information
was elected.
Kathleen for awhile gave herself M
20 grief. She was uncertain whether
Pat had met with foul play or wheth-
or he had deserted her IL would have
been easier for the poor girl N she had
known which Of the two suggestions
was correct, for IL would have relieved
her somewhat Of suspense.
when 81. Patrick's day I'm the morn
ing came round Kathleen made NJ her
mind that her lover had deserted her
and with true Irish grit declared that
there were a. good fish In the sea as
ever were caught Then the children
asked her 90 take them 10 see the
para le. and she consented that she
wished 70 do 20. but that she did not
care to dissppoint them.
They were all standing on stoop
where they could see the parade over
the heads q Others. and the societies
were moving past when who should
appear marching az the head of one Of
them bot Pat lie saw Kathleen. but
she gave him a whitening look and
turned her back 10 him. Reiinquishing
the command to another. he left the
ranks and Joined her
This was Pats explanation ~ his
conduit: An accident had occurred Il
. rhine owned by the company some
miles away. and q rescue party wns
leaving Oh a train Pat was ordered
tboard and. Instead - being married.
was engaged IN digging ont buried
-niuers. re returned On the morning
a. 81 Pafffck's dnT only m tine .
nkr his piace IN the parade
II required some tims - piacufe me
maiden. Tor sise thought Fat mirht
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