Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-03-14
Martin O'Connor,
AmanuenSis
Why He Loved St Patrick's
Day.
BY r. 4 mitchell

Patrick o'Connor came to America
,r,en he was a mere lad and by dint
=, hard work and perseverance made q
,ortune. He left a sister In Ireland
who married Daniel O'Malley. and she
wss separated from her brother for
many wears. He was used to sending
nor money occasionally. and after
awhile. when she had grown older, she
you'd sometimes depute her adopted
daughter, Ailcen. who was coming to
xomanhood, to thank her brother for
nj. benefactions. The truth b that
the woman had NOT been very well
.ducssed, and Aileen, having more
advantages, was better fitted Tor these
replies. A. the years rolled BY and
oCounor became more and more pros
nerous IL seemed to his sister that his
letters showed q better education than
A. arst The fact b that be turned
over a part Of his correspondence to
hts son, Martin, and Il occasionally be-
came Martins part 70 write these
check tearing letters to his aunt. but
be wrote them In his fathers name
One day Martin opened the mali In
of thanks for . remittance. II was
written in Mrs. O'AiaIleys name. but
Martin saw plainly that Il had not
been written by her. Il bore the i'm
press of young girl and very In.
teliigent girl at that There was real
gratitude In II, and II was overflow.
ing with kindiincss ~ well. II seem
ed 10 Martin that m ssnanation from =
lovely girl had been wafted across the
ocean and entered his heart.
The next time Mr O'Connor gave
his son a check u send 10 Mrs. O'Mal-
ey Martin wrufe q letter which was
meant for a rcply 10 the one last re-
ceived One mot knowing the relation
ship between the two correspondents
would have supposed that II had been
written TO ~ instead Of his aunt
Mrs. o'Mailey concluded that her
brother was beroming very affection
ate In his old acc. It was couched IN
such kindly terms that she commits
stoned Alleen te exprexs for her her
appreciation Of her brothers interest
In her and ASSUME him that his sister
had not lost any auf her affection Tor
him during their long separation
Ailecn. feeling that she was writing
from a sister 10 q brother. did not
scruple TO express all the affection her
mother desired she should express for
Mr.. 0'ConnH. Whsn the recipient read
1t be wondersA n stiiis unusual demon
stration Of affection. but set It down to
the fact that his sister was growing
old and a. persans age their affection
for those OF sheir own blood npcns
Being a man at business and undemon-
s'rative. he handed THE letter to his
son and told him 10 reply In kind.
In this way . correspondence grew
up between AsuYtin OConnor and
Allecn, the oss writing supposedly to
her uncle. ih~ stLsr presumably to
his aunt. which. grew warmer and
warmer til IT. ictt~rs between the
brother and sister aseeane almost lover
like.
Whether Marfh WAS really falling
In love with his stunt or whether be
suspected the on aaxy had employed
An amanuensls Asunxiltsappear. but one
thing y certain-kAs '1ettaeD ~ rscsfv-
q became In time - a6ectionAts that
whenever be saw o. so1eiversd By tho
psstman written d ithe well known
hand he appropxiAtsa H. 10 himself, and
Ms father never say IL. Il b quite
likely that Aileaa IL ~ same with
those letters that cams from America.
When loves Qulcksflser had attained
considerable height Martin began to
think that he would mn 10 investigate
this aunt Of bis to vham he was max
ing . semi-brotheR1y lARe and see II
her earthly part was ~ beautiful a.
ner soul He besAn 70 express to his
fsther a desire for Q TIP abroad and
especially to visit the green isle where
Ills ancestors had liveA an1 died. He
became very pathetic over . plot Of
ground mis- father had effea described
$1,000 WAutQ tktG ~ SVukk8to WGtC
moideri4g. An O'Connsr AaA been .
oshop. snd Martin expressed himself
as cesiruus Of visiting the grave of this
eminent s,si Of the church
sfr o'Cobnor. much pleased that his
son should take this interest n his
ancestors. VINO. by the bye. had from
TINE fmmemerial been stnlwart church
eoers. consented that Martin should 90,
abroad IN the early spring. and Martin
suggested that 1t would he well for
MN to time his visit for St. Pafrick's
day.
The very thing. said Mr. O'Connor.
ION may attend services on that an
nlsersary IN the very church where
nnnop O'Ccnnor preached"
Martin sailed early In March. arrang-
ing to be with his aunt on the 18th,
winch every one witt Irish blood In
MS veins knows IL 81. Patrick's day.
netore saying goodby to him his IA
ner whispered in his ear:
he sure to make 1t plain to your