Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-06-26
IN TWO PARTS-PART ONE

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IN TWO PARTS-PART ONE
MICHAEL HURLEY had only been
in the O'Reilly household a short
Ava time when he heard of the black
urge that burned in the heart of Willy
John.
Finola O'Reilly and her family were
at the supper table in the big, clean
kitchen when he loomed so unexpect-
eddy in the open doorway, a raw boned,
sandy headed old giant, a bullying
knapsack in hand. And their clamorous
welcome enveloped him like a gossamer
rainbow of smiles and tears as they
drew him into their midst. Happily
they marveled at his coming. Tearfully
they recalled their parting so long
back. Eagerly they begged him for his
saga of those intervening years. But
short work Michael made of that re-
quest!
Sure. and We can kill the hare at
n bloW!" he scoffed. I'm still driving
the jaunting car 'twiXt Kingston and
Dunleary. And as devil the bit I've
been able to put the charm on either a
wife OF fortune, l made up my mind
to have mt fling before l died. So
when I found that my old friend Jamie
Regain was putting off in his tramp
boat for the states. l got my leave of
absence and a boiled shirt. and here
l ami
The little green eyes in the ruddy
old face twinkled about the boards;
from gray headed, bent little Finola to
the right of her where sat her dallgh-
tiers. the fair, faded Kate, the little
less faded, gentle Agnes Mary. And to
the left of her where sat her orphaned
granddaughter, flaming haired young
Mora Shannon. Then to the head Of
the tale where sat Willy John And it
seemed to the old Wayfarer that the
man of the clan alone had cheated the
years. True, on close inspection, his
curly black hair might be thinning a
bit at the temples. the ebony dashed
blue eyes have the tell-tale lines about
them; but, taken all in all, he was still
the same handsome. devil-may-care
looking Willy John of old.
And now tell me. how has the new
world been treating the rest of you?'
he questioned.
I'VE owe it mucn." Firola told him.
Take this place now, a whole acre not
a stones throw from the town, with
IOOlil lOl Il QCll ALL CON dllQ ClllCh-
ems. We may be owning it some day.
And Kate works in a canning factory
and has good wages, and Agnes Mary
sewS for the good nuns of st. Mary'S.
AS for Mora here. she's not only my
right hand about the place. but it's the
grand scholar of the family she is, too,
ready for high school in the fall, and
the teachers certificate after that! And
and" then, with her eyes on her last
born, Finola O'Reilly suddenly hesitat-
ed.
"As for Willy John" Michael broke
in heartily, his gaze on the whiteness
Of the others linen, the jauntiness Of
his coat, and the softness of his hands,
"troth, its plain to be seen Willy John
is sitting easy as an alderman in a
plush rockerl'
willy John can turn his hand to
anything" Finola supplemented some
what vaguely.
please the pigs!" Michael marveled.
Then a lucky day it was for the kit of
you when you needed his words, and
came across"
And then it was that Willy John
dropped his spoon with a clatter.
Don't be saying that, Cousin
Michaell' he implored.
TITS no ~disloyalty I'm meaning to-
ward the homeland" the other re-
turned quickly. Look at this house
now-the elegance Of it, with an up
stairs and down, water coming from a
spigot. Well, then, l cannot but be
comparing it with the one you left in
D%unleary; a sod cot so wee you could
put your hand down the chimney and
take the latch off the front door,"
But that cot held the sacred air of
Erin,' Willy John sighed.
you can't feed on air, mani Michael
insisted, Just look at this table-every
platter heaped high as an English
landlord'S-and every mouthful off the
place, I take it. Well, then. when could
you be having such a living off the
old place? Twas a wee, Weeshy bit of
sod that a decent crow would starve
on!"
But my heart was rooted in that
sod" Willy John quavered.
Then frozen it riSked being many
a time" Michael argued. For when
the cold winds came up from the boys
twas only the peat fire. you had to turn
to, with brambles off the thorn bushes
to help out!
Erin puts a glow in the heart Moth
ing can dim! But tbs plain to be un-
derstood that the new world has CIV
en- you pounds to the old worlds shil-
ling!"
"Contentment cannot be bought"
Willy John reproved him.
But necessities can!" the surprised
old Celt retorted. Willy John gulped as
he pushed back his chair.
Michael blinked. Well, l see I might
as well talk Spanish to paving stones!'
he told himself. Then, aloud: wei
say no more about it, Willy John. Twas
only that I'm surprised to find you
flinging your blessings in the face of
Providence, if you'll forgive me saying
So"
"'Tis only a we'll wisher would tell
me my faults Willy John returned
humbly, as he stood with dropping
head, IF fault it be that so long as /
live Erin will ever be first on my lips
and first in my heart!" Then he turned
and went blindly from the room.
AT which Finola gave the amazed
newcomer a knowing look. "Whisht!'
she whispered compassionately; "Tis
the black urge of homesickness that
burns in the heart of Willy John!'
But I can't be making head nor
tails of it," Michael exclaimed. Wasn't
it Willy John who urged you to come
across in the first placer"