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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est filmd d partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche i droite. et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Lee diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 14.0 13.6 US KUu M 1.8 1.4 ^ x^PPLIED IN/HGE I nc 1653 East Main Street Rochester, New York 14609 USA (716) 482 -0300 -Phone (716) 286-5989 - Kox i / Ct^-^ 1 f: Ol (^K.^-^ •^ fK«J/ i 1 \ ¥ WILLY BURKE ; OR, THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. BY MRS. J. SADLIER. id) " Let not ambition mock their tisefal toil, Their homely joys, and destiny obscure; Nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile, The short and simple annals of the poor." ■Gray. BOSTON: THOMAS B. NOONAK & CO. 1 PEEFAOE. nnms little work was written for the express -L purpose of being usefUl to the young sons of my native land, in their arduous struggle with the tempter, whose nefarious desig>' of bearing them from the faith of their fathers .^ so artfully con- cealed under every possible disguise. The most plausible pretence is, that men make their way better in this money-seeking world, by becoming Protestants ; and the fallacy of this saying I have endeavored to show, by proving that a man may be a good Catholic, a sincere Christian, — and yet obtain both wealth and honor even here below. If my young countrymen would all take Willy Burke for their model — humble as he is — I will venture to promise that the Irish in America would soon become wealthy, esteemed, and respected ; for we are told by our Divine Master, that if we ♦• seek first the kingdom of God and His justice, "all things else shall be added thereto." The exiled children of Ireland have a noble part to play over all the earth, — that of spreading the true faith ; and they should never forget that this glorious prerogative (Ui) ^ 4 iv PREFACE. V has been earner? f^r. *k «n<. persecution which tTeir'^^' "^^ "' ''^"^"S for the sake of conscience and ',"' ""'' *'"'"«'' Irish Catholic who is thll ^''^°''- !■«' every jvide waste, remember ttol" T'^''" theworlc^s t™th, and practise tie lessrr„'H'"r"-'"P<"^'"« ^pretending pages. °" "^ "« '^"""d in these Montreal, ^Member, im. \ \ WILLY BURKE, CHAPTER I. THE DEPARTURE FROM IRELAND, AND DEATH AT SEA. TT was a sorrowful day in a certain parish of -^ the. county Tipperary, when Andy Burke, one of the principal farmers of the district, set out with his numerous family for " the land of the Far West." In their day of prosperity, Andy Burke and his worthy helpmate had been public benefactors — the comforts by which they were surrounded were liberally shared with their poorer neighbors, and their house had ever afforded a shelter for the house- less wanderer. Like Goldsmith's curate, " the long remember'd beggar was their guest " year after j-ear, and the warmest nook in the wide kitchen was ever reserved for the poor way- farer. Their children had grown up amid the prayers and blessings of the poor, and now when the hand of misfortune weighed heavily on them all — when the good farmer found it I WILLY BURKE ; OR, icTr2tT'^'''''' ^'* ^^^ '•'"""y to Amer. calaZvTn ;i;ich /hp"* ,T '■'°'"-"«' "« « shared/ U those dav, f °'' f %hborhood iie or she who «ake it an „„dS„- o/ *r::t%MTr'' *? much daneer and iri r, f pifflc'ilty and but few S^s for iiJ^" b"* T " ^^^' *' ^ad The latter eZciallvh^ ^"*^ °'" '"« ^i^. givings as%:Te"efuIt of S'""'.,'''*' ™'^- about taking, and to he V 'v as? h?7^'"l scarcely brins hert^^''^'.'''-^J'°» 'J "ay- °f their souls? Js^il't C kV"'?^''^^^ the"Z' the happiness of Hvin' ?„ ^'^'T'"' *>' God, an' t's ye«elf rf X^,'^^"^;- true enough, an' sure -"ekterV'tr "A- tC a^' '^^ '^hich stood so hio^h j„ ??''«=tion with a fam^Iv now drawing towfrd " t' «?"«ation. ft ^^{ another the leiXrs I?"'^^' ''"^ one after «ntl.r saluting the priLf ^'■^''' ^"ch one wver a friendly wofd o^ f^Tl 'r'ired f^^K '-''"^" mend was seated, ifno^J^i ^ ^''ere some B"rte fami,,., wh^ were of !.' "''"' ^"""^ of the of all attention. ArZJiu^'""'^^ the objects te ^ ^'-'o «°nti tJof'Z''^^ ^«arthC Jlurke and his wife an,7 f "" P'^'est, Andv the older ne,^h}^ll Ti ^""^ ten or tw^lt „^ sexes. The re- *l THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 9 mainder of the large kitchen was crowded with young people— boys and girls, men and wo- men—while here and there amongst them might be seen the young sons and daughters of the house, each forming the centre of a little group. And the children, amazed at finding themselves suddenly so important, waxed for- ward and loquacious, and chatted away more flippantly than they had ever done before. About nightfall a stir was visible about the door, giving reason to suppose that some dis- tmguished arrival had taken place, and a voice was heard, saying, "Arrah, then, Tommy Cooney, will you just take your long legs out o' the master's road? Mrs. Burke, ma'am, here's Master Dogherty, but the sorra bit o* him can get in, at alFat all ! " A way was in- stantly made for the honored guest, and Biddy herself came forward with both hands out- stretched, and a cordial "God save j^ou, mas- ter ! " " God save you kindly, Mrs. Burke ! " was the old man's quick reply, as she led him up to a seat beside the priest ; " sure I came to see the last of the boys and girls, and to give ye all an old man's blessing — where are the little ones ? " " Here, master,"— and *' here "— and " here " — and before the worthy pedagogue could find time to make a suitable reply to Father Ma- loney's friendly salutation, he found himself surrounded by the younger children, four in number, while the two elder, a boy and a girl, 10 WILLY BURKE ; OR, knows, this famih- is a Stn .1 ^T'' " ^od for old and youn Jof thPm 1 *^ ''■''°''' P''"*. all -sure Imavst-ul^'^ "" "-^'"np'^ '<> away from 2X17,1 l,Sn f fh i-f" *'"'-^'''« going dreu in my 4ooi "Vf d"^' °^ these chil? ther Malonev I In™/? k *'*'''"'«' *» you, Fa- own flesh and blood " " "' '^ ^ey^er; my Wolned^he^Uesf.' .'^nd Vt' ''" ^"^"^-'^V' part, to wish that thev ml ""I? °'''^'' *■<"■ ™V a foreign land, as gZd an^dod '""'' '''^"°-^" I have ever found them 'r^?K "^, •>"°'' "nd to pray that 0^1^; soL J' '?k^ ^' '^''^^ worthy parents." ^ '^^ *° ^''e'n their hert^ while "ill'' vS'"'".r''' faster Do.- "ana hoS J:^„^°':^*'«d with emotioS, that taught /e how tr> .^^1 *''® P"""" "W man -an' that ye'U rememW h?'°"' P^^^'-books -an' never be aXmtd .^ '° ^'°"'' P^''^'^^ they say some grow to^eh,^,^'""'' """""^'i' »« of being born i^Twor oM T^ f'''7^ ^ P^-ond was, ay,''and it is? the IslL'^^^^^"".' ^^^^^^ " above all, children ve'll h„ "'^^amts ; — and " '•engion that ye learned here at THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 11 home ; for ye may be sure that if ye forget it, or let j'ourselves be drawn awaj' from it, ye have iiQ chance for happiness in the worki to come. Think of this, an* remember what 3'e have often heard his reverence here say from the altar, that " there is but the one thing neces- sary.'* Each of ye has but one soul, an* if you lose it what will become of you?" The children listened . with downcast eyes, while not only their parents, but all the imme- diate auditors, were affected even to tears bj^ the touching solemnity of the old man's ac- cents. Meanwhile there was a running fire of question and answer going on at the lower end of the kitchen. Many stories were told of wonderful fortunes made in a short time in America, and of marvellous adventures which there befell sundry persons mentioned. Ex- cited by these narratives, jaany of the young people were heard to wish that they had the means of going. " An* it isn't the money, either, that *id keep me at home,*' said one 3'oung fellow, " for, with God's help, I could raise as much an 'id take me, but then the old mother yonder 'id never hear of my goin*, and troth, if it wasn*t for her I*d be off with the Burkes." " An' me too, Ned," cried Larry Gallagher, his friend and neighbor, " only my father wouldn't hear tell of it — he saj^s it's an unnat- ural thing to leave poor old Ireland, where we were bred an' born, an' our generations afore ^'^ 12 >^ILLY burke; OB, n -T'fl have mv shn™^- *i. •* 'P'' America,' -_ an' What- bold rwouli"' ^°'''' °'" ^'^ '^""'^ fo" packed up ; a^nd ttongTthevTa A'*'' '^T '^'l with genuine Irish larmS .""^ ''"en solicited selves for the niX on"! • ^'''*'^ *<^'n- '^ors,yet they Sined thT„r' °^ *••« "^igh" Beck repose ih^Tm'^^"^.'' '^^''^''^ short. It was, however .Zt ""I" «° ^""-y younger children shouH SZ'^^ **•"* "-e house and accord.W thev ^ '" *'^« "«-^* to bed, -not, however W^ *r '*"* e^^y g'ven his blessing to7hl wwV''''.,P"'^^* ^ad nine o'clock. Father IVfX'f '^'"''^'- About «te leave of tho e S ^^^h*""''-^" ««'«««°n- all probability to meerno m/'""' '"^ '^^^ '» the grave, and it was oh„l T "" *'"" ^'''e hi8 hand over the h^ad of tTif^' .^' ""^ ''^^ed breathed an inwarrtaver V?'"''^'^"*'' ""d by the motion of his Mn? th«f k^ Perceptible when he raised them to h!!o *"' "««<* eyes, tears. When he tSnl f" "' ""^'^ *'''» with that all present werTln*",-^" '^"^^^ ^^ found of his blessing; and as hf^ '" expectation madethesienoffh^-.- ■ P^^^ed along he bcnediction^on tLe'e C™;r'"^'°S '^'> "^ne tians-so sublime in thpT.^'!'- ^"'^^'I Chris- Sf their devotion""^ HetiT"? .^"".e^tness -- w.en Andy Burke'sTecondTol^raXy of' THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 13 eleven or twelve years old, was clinging to his coat. " I want yoif to bless me again, Father Maloney," and the tears were chasing each other over the child's rosy cheeks. *' An' I hope you'll pray for me, and daddy, and mam- my, and all of us," he added, " when we're far away from 3"OU." " God bless you, my boy ! God bless you, and mark you with grace ! — you have always been a good, dutiful child, and may you con- tinue to be a consolation to your poor parents in the strange land whither they and j-ou are going! Be assured, Willy, that if my poor prayers can obtain favor for you all from Al- mighty God, they shall not be wanting." The good man spoke in a thick, husky voice, and he hastened away, evidently desirous to hide his emotion. The rest of the company declared their in- tention of remaining over-night, so as to ac- company the Burkes some miles of the way on the following morning, and the night-hours passed away in sad but friendly conversation. About the middle of the night the Rosary was said, being read aloud by Master Dogherty, and responded to by all present, young and old. It was, and still is, the pious custom of our people to approach the sacraments imme- diately before their departure from Ireland ; and this consoling duty had been faithfully performed by the family in question, who had ir~'Tf ' 14 WILLT BURKE ; OR, holycommunion nn\? ? ^'^ receiver! the less lovely it is whtn » P"™*'""- — and not and fortiftunV thdr sn,l* ^"'^ ". strengthening the foreign la^Ki'V!.''"'* "^T"' t^^Ptation iS scoffers of the world Av «fX/''« half-infidel are then its divhTo lin<..^ ' *'.'" """"^ ''adiant ness-its humil?v 'r^^^.^n's - "s truthful- brought iLrn'/st ^Uh tt Z'T'' ""«» doubting spirit of the age - SironM^''''"^'''''' cal age m which we livft' lt*t,ri-'„ '^^P"' on that Mondav mr.Z;^ ' u ^^ ^'"'^ ^lark, able homestead^ AndT'^fl" *" ''°'»«'^*^ utter loneliness - when th? ft -.''^l'"" *" for so many long ^ar? nifi^™'^' *''** ''ad lovebeneath itr^Ck?;" ,/" P^^*=" »<1 as wanderers for a Snt^'^'- rtht* ' '°'^'' known connfrx- «o«« • ' . ' ^^ tnem, un- tbe hoarrd"&;?SfXs*'nT>"' and respect of their humWe ne^V) 'l '^' '^^ these were blessings -Zat and ^^* and so did AnH„ n.. ,»™at and ..^joiiug — thea. Like t"'L^r'l!_!"'^ ."^^ ^'^ re|ard THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA, 15 ►ungest child, received the •able Sunday I the revered lutiful is the ious piety of iftil when at 'sorrow;'* poverty, and i» — and not ;rengthening Jmptation in it is treated i half-infidel 'ore radiant its truthful- ness, when i, arrogant, old, scepti- still dark, le comfort- vas left to ' that had peace and e, set forth them, un- i little but d the love 'C^^a. Yet ^oOiiiig — ie regard the shel- ter of the ark, they wont forth over the world's waste, unknowing whei they should find a resting-i)lace ; !!ut their souls were in peace amid all their sorrow, for they were filled with an humble yet lively confidence in God. Some of the convoy (as these processions are called) boin2 on foot, went but a few miles of the jour- iioyj'and then returned home, with many a fer- \ ent blessing on the heads of the travellers. Others who were variously mounted, some on horseback, and others on the wheeled cars of the country, accompanied the Burkes to the town whence they were to embark for Liver- pool, and it was already noon-day when they all stopped before the steamboat oflftce. At length the final moment came, and it was one of severe trial. The friendship of years TV as rent asunder, as though by death; and they who had giown up side by side — whose childhood and youth and maturity had passed together — were now parted, as they sadly felt, " to meet no more on earth." But here again came in the consoling aid of their common faith, and with the parting grasp of the hand were spoken such touching assurances as these : '<• Well ! God be with ye all ! — an' sure, when ye are all far away, w^e'U never let ye out of our minds nor our hearts. With God's help we'll never forget to offer up the Pater and Ave night an' mornin', for your welfare, an' •nrVtnm -nra^-^a. aatrin* +V>0 "Rnaarv ITl thft ChaDel TTULCLX TT -_ if urirj Hi vis-.- ^»....~.-j 1 ■ above, sure everybody 'ill keep ye in mind. ,;*■•"- *"' 16 WILLY BURKE J OR, P^^Zatt.^:^y^^^^ an' BMd„ a.' the glory of heaven T" ^ *" "'*^' ^"''n in " for sure it's rerZvtl'thl ^ "^"^'"S voice : an' llvin' or dKj ye tlv'r' ^fi'"' «'«« one of us alive to offer m>^!^ ' '^'"''^ 'J'^fe's >t, from our hearts out '^r.Tff''' ^^'" '"'^e •Jren ! and make 1^1 1 ho '^ ^'•'"^ y«> chU- an- the world to come n?P^^ ^'•'^ '^orid, sight to many aTe to^S°"'\"'' *''« ""ack an' the old walls left bare a„.r ^,^^^ '■"'ned, he sees that. SiretS ''"'«'>'- an' God miss ye sore, an' whe„%r"^''''''^^'"^«'" '^ouse, they'U be offerTn' 1 fh? '* P**"""' <*« for them that ns^ to havp if '"'''>'^'" *° ^od "ferc?V"'-p'-*'^^^^^^^^ the Bu?K"m aC vf '^^^ ''^ '-' o-r, and barked, -the father C°^' ^^ ^'"^'^ «"- «ad, as their tearfd Z^ Zl^T ^«^« and receding shores of that kl °" *^^ ^'^'t to their aching hearts * IZ """^ Painfully deai- nally losing sight of th!^ ^"""^ People grad- eltyofeverUrgl^tT'ThT' '» '''« "o^" the lighthouse, the °tLmJ^®^'''''*''«<'oast, dreds of strange fecef It w"*' ."'"^ ">« hun- waters, had all and each tl^.' °"^ °^«' ^^^ their young minds from Ih ^^^'^ of weaning and it was only "tefX vW*' ^'' ^''''n^^^l boat hfi<„n *„ ... ™" *?<' violent motion «<•♦(.„' -=~ .. =..Ken uiem, that they couId'be° THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA.* 17 prevailed upon to leave the deck, and go below. Even the passage of that narrow sea, though alread}' effected by steam, was by no means so rapid as it now is, and the Burkes found it of all but endless duration ; for it chanced that a heavy sea was sweeping through the channel, and its violent hea^dngs affected all, more or less. The sight of Liverpool, (dirty, smoky town that it is,) was a welcome one to them ; and it was with grateful hearts, and a sense of relief, that they found themselves again on the dry, firm land, although it was the land of England. Next day our emigrants embarked for New York, on board the good ship Dublin; and it appeared as though they set out under favor- able auspices, for the weather was fair and tolerably mild, and the long swell of the ocean' wave was but slightly broken by the breeze. Wind and tide were favorable, and the hopes of passengers and crew ran high, in anticipa- tion of a quick and pleasant voyage. There were, however, two individuals on board who looked on the animated scene, without and within the vessel, without catching even the smallest particle of the invigorating spirit which seemed to actuate all around. These were Andy Burke and his wife — the former of whom seemed weighed down by some dark, hidden feeling, which wore him away A&y by Cia}' ; and the latter by fears, newly awakened fears, for her husband's health. To all others, ^LLY burke; or, he seemed as well «« 7.^ k i there was a flush o^ M '' ^^? ■"=«"'• f"" light in his hoHow eve \LZ^\f^'^' ""^ « scrutinizing g aL of „ff T''' "°* P»«» th" Biddy felt her hp?rt • ,*^*'*'°" ! »°<1 Poor the^time'osrC^I- '^.? ^Tf "* f^r become of us all if a"^ ™ ~ "^hat would For some da™ shf k& V"'"" '■™™ »«? " f eading lest injeSsfou ^:?'!,'« •^^T"'' be injurious to her hn^band h,./ }^ ""^^^ could contain herself nn^^ ' "' ""* '*'"«*'' she to ask, "Andv^ nlL onger, and ventured With y^, at all.' fc. ^f^^f^ the,.matter same man since w l.i t • '°°'' ^^^ the grievin' ye are for W^n' ^'^^P""' •' W it's there's no useinleU^^.^''T' ?""■«' «''<"'»•' helped, an' onlA ^* '"g^^;"* J^^^^* can't be be on the shauo/irnZ n.- t^' ^^ '^°'^^^'i't for that reasorwe must ™ J'v"'^^'' ^^'' " «<>. an' not murmu;, for fear God" *''t^^* "^ " more and more ! '• '^ °"S''* "fflct «s a««Aore/»"rerrn!dr„ Tl* *" ''°°'^. Biddv .re the trutrSTnce^wf^':''" ^"^' *«" something over Z, Z"l d^n'f kn^"' ^^'''''^ IS — I think I'm as wpII . '"?^ '^'■"t it somehow or another th^^e'e^iL!?! ^ '"''' "^"^ on my heart — an' nt«.f* "^^^^^ weight tl«t I'm as much de,d?'',?* '^'^''^ «« so the reason of," But ,1*k^^-"''''*«^«'s thinkin' that I'll' „«,"' see th^°Tl. ^'"». "'^^^^ sure. Ond i.„i., .:. . .."■^ ®ee the other side : /n- . — ■ ....H .uu i mat same wouldn't troubie THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 19 me much, only for you an' the children, poor things ! " '' Tut, tut, man ! " said his wife, affecting a tone of remonstrance, though she found it difficult to restrain her tears, on hearing her own secret forebodings echoed back from her husband's heart. " Sure, it's a shame to hear a sensible man talkin' that way. It's the black grief, I tell you, that's makin' you so down-hearted, an' it doesn't become a God- fearm' man to be so easy cast down. With the help of God, we'll both live to see the children well settled in America, an' then it's no matter how soon we're taken home, for, God knows, there's no great pleasure to be expected in this world. Keep up your heart, then, Andy ! for the love o' God, do ! not tj speak o' myself an' the poor creatures that's dependm on you ! " A sorrowful shake of the head was Andy's reply ; and, as some of the children drew near at the moment, the subiect was dropped for that time. Alas ! these gloomy presentiments were all too soon realized, for Andy visibly declined, and day after day saw him grow paler and thinner, and more dejected. At length he was forced to keep his bed, and a hectic fever set in, which very soon exhausted his remainino- strength, and left not a shadow of hope fo? his^ recovery. Even poor Biddy, though she ., " ^/"f-'^'J struggled against despair while the slightest possibility existed that her hus- ^bn.' '' V 20 ^'I-LY BURKE ; OR, dreadful tidingr Her ••""'' *°'^' '^«e choking sobs, but her ^^.r "'^ ""^ '"•oken br «low in catching he 2al?^ a«'itors were not knowing, as the^ did tfcP • ""l"^ her words was very, very 111 ""'Fro^ *''«'': f^Wed father' nestled around his bed „•♦? ' Moment thev ness, each vyine lifh t^'*'' "••"doubled fond^ »ifstertohii;?„tTtd /nr*^''' ^^° ^houM Yet they had been wCed ^ "I'r*" '''^ '^'«''«« W ^^L""^' show of m"ef • L , -f '"°*«^ not y sight to see the seffi^ ^''j'^asatouch- exercsed h consequence T^?' ^'"«'' ^ey elder boys, who were res "r ',""*"' ^^en the eleven, found it iZoS ?'^' ^'^'^een and tears, they would stZTwavf^" refrain fro« of their dying father, and sittf^*"^ *" ''"'dside S^de in some remote corned 1?^ ''"'^n side by Zlirf *° *''«r so^Tw 'tL'^''""''' «'^« would from time tn ^iZ 7^ young ones pother, With stealth; caulL'^'"^. »««? th4 her ear, "j think daddv^»l?.' ""'^ 'whisper in you see how red ht chLks ""v^'^f^'-don^ tears was the only aasww • fo, n- 1. ^ ^"^t of tjiat death was ranidlv rff^'^'.'l''^' «'ell knew that^the glow on ttt.adatfd'^' '"''^' ^iid P-nnd.aSc^^n^IvtXt^-i'"- THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 21 retarded in her progress by strong western gales, so that, though she had no very great storm to encounter, yet the voyage was a rough and tedious one. For seven long weeks was she kept buffeting about on the wide ocean, without making any considerable progress, and eight weeks had passed since "the last glimpse of Erm " had disappeared from the eyes of the emigrants, when one morning, just as the shades of night were vanishing from sky and sea, iiiddy Burke awoke her younger children from their sleep, and made a sign for them to rise— she could not speak. Hastily donning their little garments, the wondering children followed their mother — it was but a few paces — to their father's bed, where they found their two brother's kneeling, with their faces hid between their hands. A scream burst forth from the little ones as they looked at the bed, for their lather lay still, as though he were dead, and the gnastly paleness of his face was fearful to see. He was not dead, however, though his hour was just then come, and the voice of his children woke him from his lethargic slumber " Kneel down, all of ye !" he said, in a feeble voice, "till I give ye my blessin' — God help ye, poor children, I haven't much else to^leave ye I When the whole sorrowful group knelt before him, the mother as well as the children the dying man raised his clasped hands to heaven, and breathed an inward prayer that the God of the widow and the orphan might r 22 ^LLY BURKE J OR, hand, he made the S of tt ^^ """ '^'^ ''S^t heads, murmuring "^Thp ,.i "T" "'"'' their Trinity -Pather,%o J an' S o' the Holy upon ye all anH ™„ '*,, "°'y Ghost — be God bring „; an toZLi'" «?"<' ""<* "ercifat children, for the last Hmi *" y*""" father, able to say much bu've-rj"?^' ^'"^ »" ye- 1 trust in God ye iS ""i?" J^'^"' ^ ^11 Jn' an' sobbin' now for a ,>fi uS ^""^ "^y- have time enouoTforth.i^t '"'"«• *"'"' yeUl There was, in a moment « ''^"^ ^'"^ ^""e-" and the dj'ing cCs«an ' Lf °'^"°<' ««e°ce, frequently obliged tostonfiPf " "««°- though ness. s u lo stop irom excessive weak- children, wh^J'yl^SXlL ? **™°Sre country, through as best ye can a ^.^"'^ J'*""- way will that ye'U have no iatht .* W '*'« ^'>^^ watch over ye, still heleavl ve ? *^-^'"'°^t° ? wise au' lovin' mothpr I-,-' ' '" ^" ™ercy, 18, that next to God -h "^ ''^'"' «''^*ce honor A«n Never d„ amrh' ^'' "• '"^^ «»« With his dJin'X'"' Brf •f.'^T f^-« to 1" i°- ->4 hii'SlV ch i^''^?;'J° God, THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA 23 to come ! Now, God's blessin' an' mine be about ye all. Bidd}^, asthore ! " he said, after a pause, but he spoke so low that she was obliged to bend down to catch his words, " it would give me great consolation if I could only re- ceive the rites o* the church ; but God sees all things, an' he sees how it grieves me that I can't have that happiness. But when you get to New York, Biddy, dear, ye'll not forget to have some Masses offered up for me, that God may have mercy on my poor soul ! — don't cry, agra macJire ! I see you can't speak, — but I know you'll do as I say ; there now, put that little crucifix in m}^ hand, — that'll do, ahagur. Christ Jesus have merc3^ on me, — Mother of Jesus praj'^ for me, — sweet Lord, take me home to my eternal rest." There was a dead silence for some minutes, — not even the 3-oung- est child was heard to utter a sound. Many of the passengers knelt around, but all were silent. Biddy bent down over the d^ing man, and held in her breath to listen, but all was still ; suddenly one deep, convulsive sigh is- sued from the half-closed lips, — a shiver ran through the whole body, so that even the bed- clothes were seen to quiver, and then all was over. " May the Lord have merc3^ on your soul, for now it's gone before the judgment- seat ! " cried the poor bereaved wife, as her tears, long suppressed, now burst forth, and fell like rain on the pale, shrunken face of the ^ead. Then, as her children echoed her cry, 24 WILLY BURKE ; OR, turb hto no^o -™V m'' .r ^''" "°^ *- »U do ns no eood rf^i, '^'■^'"■««'-« I about, that^I'ffl^of »r«'"'.''?^«« ; " '^hat h'm before the Judo^ fi/- T," '^' '>!'». an' all! an'Jetusoffernpour" ^ ' ?°°'' P^ople Though her voice was f,?r^"<""^ ^"'^ Wm •' " she nevertheless ZZJ^^'^'^S at every ^ord up her prayers witHrvor 5^!;°?' «"'' "ffered children, and all the svmLfi •^■''^''<'"°'' ! her JO-ned in the per^a^eZf t L^"^ spectators, Dunngthe day and nlht ?h V""^** '^"^S' ■Burke was waked Tf ^ "^''* Poor Andv alleviated the ^o^o'w of tC^'^'F ^'"Idlavi made desolate, it surehf w„ ^ '"'°"' ^s death those who had nfvl.^ "^ °°' wanting • for «nthey„eron"b::^«th: °»e f *''« ^^^S to them by so great a ,,,-!^'' ''^'^ ^'^^^ tha the pfaee aS eircums «""'^'' ""'' '^M al° testify their deep and ^ f^^ Permitted to But though the^pZ^.wr'^'* empathy? gratefhl for so mwb Jf?'' ^«« sincerely - yp it could not draw Tr f^'T ^'"« b^^- mot.on so expressive o7hr ^ *'''" Peculiar ""•"" """-'-'»- «'-Pcd han'ds «sti^^': THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 25 her knees, and her tearless e3'es fixed on the rigid features of the dead. All the elder children seemed nearlj- as much afflicted as their mother; but however touching was the silent sorrow of the group, it was not half so much so as the all but unconsciousness of the two 3'oungest, who, though somewhat subdued b}' the sight of so much grief, yet ran about as usual, and ate whatever was offered them with just as good a relish. At times they would peep in between the others, where they sat around the bed, and for the moment they would seem sensible that their father was indeed dead ; but once out of sight of that mournful spectacle, the impression was speed- ily eflfaced. That long, melancholy night was at length past, and the hour arrived when the mortal remains of poor Andy Burke were to be com- mitted to the deep. Weak and worn as Biddy was, she could not be persuaded from helping to prepare the corpse for burial. Herself put on the shroud prepared for him ; but when the sailors came to sew up the corpse in its cam ^ coffin, she resigned her place with shrinking horror, for the operation appeared an unnatural one to her. She had previously called her children to take their final leave of the dead, herself giving the example by imprinting a long, last kiss on the blue, ice-cold lips. This sorrowful ceremony over, the De ProfundiSy and the usual prayers, were read aloud by 26 ^II-LY BURKE ; OR, a young ecclesiastic wHa », Joard, (on his wav tn h^ J'Wened to be on ^ody was carried Soft th Z^'^'^'P'"' tbe deceased following cfosei;. „ !. ^^'""^- «f tlie greater number omepatiC^ "««; them the ful procession having reaoh^f i'^ ^'"^ "own- ;vere ">rownaround1he"&''' ''"™> '"P^b to lower it from the shin't •^^'^ ''<""P«e in order parting forward S C^% '"" ">« ^Wc v' ''e« wait yet a °y«r her heaS! sofhaf her'f '"^'^ ^^« t'^^^n e my ye were a-buryin' 1„ tl ° ,r'i «<"'»*^«/ if home, where /our forefaLi ,P''"'-«hyard at w,rra, wirral to see v™. fu^'^'-hut och ' the deep ocean, instead o" T '^°'''°' <>»t in?o consecrated ground .I ''?i°*»''ered "P in natural ! But then '-r"-*'*'''' 'ts unnatural .,n ollecting herseft mL'^'^'^' ^'^d'^^y rZ foling whisper, "but A^ ""T ^'th its eon. hody, after in? an' stl ^'''7'^''" " the poor at the last day as hri I?'"' ''"n raise ye „„ .Ve had h»o„ :■^:.'^^hr^ght and beantifi./.. "? '""" ""^^"^ '" the quiet eartt f fJl THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 27 well, then, till we meet again ! an' I hope, in the mercy o' God, that it 'ill be before his tlirone, to live in his blessed kingdom forever an' ever. Amen ! " This last word of her simple prayer was echoed from hundreds of hearts : the children gathered close around their mother, and the corpse was raised aloft ; a wild cry broke from the bereaved ones as it was lowered into the deep, — poor Biddy covering her eyes to shut out the horrid sight, — one heavy splash was heard, the body of poor Andy Burke was far down amid the waters, and the vessel was moving rapidly on her course. The widow was almost carried down the gangway steps, (b}'- some whose tear- ful e^'es attested their sincere sj-mpathj-,) for she was literally more dead than alive, being entirely exhausted by long watching and heart-wearing affliction. Her children followed close behind, helping each other along as best they could. 29 WtLr BUBKE ; OB, I! 'III! CHAPTER II. POVERTT AND TEMPTATION. New York ; months o/wal'lT ^'' '""•J"" i" had been, for the desolatpV-f «^ ^o^ow they hard to support her S "^"'T "^"d found it means, ancrunfr£lea f '".. ''"'' ^"^ ™«U nought in ;ain for sit f' r^' '^^ had M'ght enable her to keen hp^7-«^'"«'°' that ■•eserve. Sickness and death *7*"g /"""s in husy amongst her little «!', *°°' ''"d been youngest children ha " one^^ ^"^ ^''' t'^" pined away and dip/!^ ^ *^*"' the other "the qui^t chu^i^f '^«':«^»b'sleeprng fevere trial for the mof h' • i '^"'' '^"''th was a '« to lose a beloved cM/ntr*' ^'^ '* "^^^ stances,) but when reas'n o /'" ","•>' '"'•'""n- exerted their mild iSee n /"''^'^n had acknowledged with a ™,,°? ''"'' ^o«l' she had given her a new p.^of !?„•"}" "^"t G^d takmg to himself her fa hof,'"' ^V'"' '» thus jet hey had been subjected ^ff '«''*«» e™ ulation, or their pure Cf ""^ ^'^ °f trib- the v,-,.„„ _^i, *'"re Hearts contnm!„»4..-, , - •.^-^"ux.ne world. Just about' th^^^^^ °^ THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 29 the first year of widowhood she obtained the washing of a few fanralies of respectable standing, and, through their influence, others were induced to give lier employment. Her two eldest children, being bo3's, could do nothing, it is tnie, to assist their mother in the house ; but the two girls, although only ten and eight respectively, were so docile, and so industrious, that they did much to lighten her labor. Neat and tidy they were, too ; and it did their mother's heart good to see how cheer- fully and willingly they went about their work. After a little time, the eldest boy, Peter, obtained a situation as errand-boy in a com- mercial establishment ; and his earnings, trifling though they might be, were a sensible assistance to his mother, to whom they were duly and regularly given up. Hitherto our old acquaintance, Will}^ had been of a remark- able cheerful, livel}- disposition, but about this- time his mother remarked that he became silent and pensive, as though something weighed heavily on his young mind. At first she thought that this might proceed from the lone- liness attending his brother's absence, as they were now for the first time separated. But when she came to talk to him on the subject, he warmly replied, " No, no, mother, dear ! it isn't that ; sure, I'm glad an' proud that Peter has got somethin' to do, because it's a help to . • ' ■ ^ • an/1 i'f rrixTf^a Viim somethin' for you an' us all ; but when I see 30 'W^ILLY BURKE ; OR, hands, an' when T w "® ^*^®^ into your callin-'hto a Joocf '0"%^ if ^"j?' '^™' ''n' ?orry that I have nothinr^^ • ""''^^ '"J'^elf in place of bein' a hen^iTj"" ^1?"' '"'' that that I'm a burden to you f" "^ ^'"^^'"'^ "'« nock^ara^l^stirT T"/ *« ^f^ than usual tenderness -^An^f''^ •..'"'"' '"°'-« you, Willy, darlin', to'talt thn^ '''•'"'* '*« has always marked you with '"'^'' '^"'' ^"^l mustn't let such thought, Tnf ^""'''' ""■* rou or bad, because S too !^'°'"''"''"^'^°o'J jHUch for any one • an' fn „i ^°T^ i'"* to do «' .you to school I am Tf , "^w*"" °f »«nd- two's more learnin', then vouM ^''iV'''' «"• "o work your way th.™,tf. fif ^® ''«tter able road well e„ou?lfn"f^ the T''''^- You can to God for it ! but vou ,1 *' ^"' ^^'"'^^ '"' 3-o-r name ; an' if Cuwlffn T!^''^^y '^"t" all, I'd like to send ™,? ti u"^'' ," *"y ^V at tell me there's school, l! ''\°°'- ^nre they ib-f :^SKar& »'"* '•-'»-'•«'' heav- tl.0 hearth, he'went quietlv ^^ ""T'" '°^ «" 't anew, for one of 11.?^-'^°'''' *° ''""'le hung from the crook Mr, i^"" I ^"fhing.pots a tear with the co«er of ht '''^ "''P«' ""'V that her f„ :^.'^ °^ her apron, for she «„£ - „.,„..„ „oy was unhappy, and beT THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 31 maternal heart could not but sympathize with his sadness, proceeding, as it did, from the purest and best source. She turned away in silence to pursue her work, and for that time the matter went no farther. Worn and pale she was, poor woman ! and at times far from strong ; but still she toiled on cheerfully, and none might read on her placid face one thought of discontent, — one corroding regret for days of happiness gone forever, days when comfort and plentj^ were in and around her dwelling, and when she had the means of dispensing good things to others who were not so highly blessed. P>ery morning, her first care was to hear Mass in the neigh- boring cathedral, after which she commenced her daily toil with cheerful alacrity, for she had offered it to God, and did all for His sake. As she always went to the earliest Mass, so, in winter, it was before the dawn, and she gen- erally took Willy with her, naturally disliking to traverse the streets alone at an unseasonable or unseemly hour. Thus the boy acquired a habit which he found one of incalculable profit and consolation amid the trials of a strangely chequered life, when that pious mother who had thus early led him to the foot of the altar had been long mouldering in the grave. It chanced one day that Willy accompanied his mother when she went to the house of one her empio} ers ; and the lady being much pleased with the boy's appearance, and his 82 WILLY BURKE ; OR, you to be a good, ffitrl!'^' '■°'' ^ •'^'teve fore I shall tV thirbovTn/'''''"' ^"'' t'^^'-e- He shall be sent to o„e^f"?hfK'"r "'^^ ''a^^' the city, so that he may if ,!.^''. '''''°°'-'' *» up for lost time ; and when h. '•""'"'/•'' »«te older, he shall be talc" n ZZLtt 'i * '^'^ J'^^rs -ng-house, as juni:" "c^ ^ ''"l«- ^o'-nt- . = -., „» junior clert "7°^"'' ^ <=°"nt- have a good silary m^t ?"'"* "^^ ^'" Burke?" -^ *^"™ say you, Mrs. " What can I tnv ^„> tirely obliged to you'for mS^- "^"^ *^' !'■» en- an- from my heart out r^?':"? «"«h a" offer, wouldn't become his mofh!?'' ^■°"- 0»ly it in his praise, W be °ttT.'.° 'P""'^ *« "-"eh "-a'am, that I hope ye-rflnd h?'' '° *«" >-°«' ap' a thankful one. W Ih P i^ ^ ^'^ hoy h.s little things readyT^'^e^^l^? ^'^^ ^'" S^* I can. But won't he corned?'"" "' '°°" «« ma'am, for a Hftio *• ^ home at niffht long I'd be with he cr-."' ^''^^' '''« "o* them about me whUc I'mtit ?"' ' '*^ '° ''''^■« ifyo?rht^^^-J-|^«jheeangohome, you can send him ?t wM b?' auVh'^ T""*' Good morning ; von oZL 'i ^'^^ hetter. hurried this mornin" -? ^ "°''' '^"'" !'"> rather The poor woman mads » i^.^ "-■ " wia cesy , and re- THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 33 tired with her son. All the way home they could talk or think of nothing but the blessed news they had heard, and tears of joy streamed from the eyes of the fond mother as she painted ill glowing language the advantages thus opened to her darling son. In a few daj's after, Willy Burke was duly sent to school, dressed, moreover, in an entire new suit, and a proud woman his mother was when she surve3'ed him in his handsome new clothes, before he set out on Monday morning. When he came home at night, she felt still prouder and happier, for he had several respect- able looking volumes, neatly strapped up, and in each of these he was to learn an allotted lesson. When her washing was done, she hastened to got her sewing, and sat down beside Willy where he was studj'ing his lessons, and she was beyond measure gratified to hear the fine de- scriptions of far-off lands and seas ; and even the grammar, though it was all Greek to her, was listened to with a gratified ear, for wasn't it all " fine larnin' " for her boy ? The lessons were at last learned, and supper being over, and the Rosary said, Willy and his little sisters went to bed. But it was long before their mother sought that repose which her day of toil rendered so necessary ; for, over and above the full half-hour which she nightly devoted to her prayers, she sat for some time on the night in question musing over the past and present, 8 n 34 fl'tr Ji i;;,lt.i WILLY BURKE ; OR, cSSi" "''"^ '^ ""S-^' *Wht or he: "nd did all the little job" that"!!' ^^"' '''^""t quired, did her errwt f i ™°"'«'' '<=' "nd saw that he left n.fv' *" "«* ^^V, eagerly applied himsdf to m"^k T'°"*'' *"«» soon absorbed in the deli °Wfi,?°°,''"' """^ "■•■•s over his lessons. Buton?» •*^'''''°''<=<'"n''ng end of the week, he sudd^nl?°."'^*'"^^«'««'e he middle of a ptase and t^^P^'' '''°'-* « boy ap,r'"''^"'**''^«<'<'^?'' said the ;; What is it, dear?" on ^"fjxr:';::z''j^t-?''' ^^ --' lesson of geoffraohv w1f5^ '"^ "ext day's custom otm^X^'^'^lT' ^"T^««g to the Protestant school" ^t^?y^'^ ^''° «"'te for was strangely e^u'^ffff." "^ Catholics blackenedfas^incMeftateh' '?' ''''"''«^' «"d Catholic „atio„8/Tw1s^*t,''Tl!P"°" «f was now learnino- and th» „'""'' *"t Willy was to the effechhat t™? ^T""^" '" I'-e^tioIi and fertile eounn, and fer"fT " ^''"''^''^^ gent race, but tha't the/wen^^^"*' '"'«"'" of gross ignorance bv thpp!, • ?' '" ^ «tate ,were sunk^in the grossest s,«r'f-^'''""«^'' «»d enUheywere,too!™„i:*vS? ' f.'!'r«'lo- -- aa this, together "witi;--'th;ir;i::^Si THE IRISH OIIPIIAN IN AMERICA. 35 povei-t}', was unhesitatingly ascribed to " their obstinate attachment to the debasing doctrines of Popery ! " " Now isn't that curious, mother ? an' then they say here in another place, that TA'herever the priests of the Church of Rome have power over the people, it's just the same ! " The wan face of the widow was flushed with a crimson glow as she listened ; and when Willj^ had ended, she said in a voice that strua^orled to be calm, "An' do j'ou know Willy, dear ! who them priests are that they're blackenin* that way? — sure aren't they our own priests, darlin', the fathers o' the poor an' the ministers of God's holy church ? — our own Father Ma- loney, that couldn't put bit or sup in his own mouth an' know that anybody wanted it, an' sure there's hundreds o' them like him ; oh, God's blessin* be about them all ! for sure, bad as the poor creatures in Ireland are, wouldn't they be a thousand times worse only for the priests, that's alwaj's ready with the good ad- vice, an' the soft word, an' the help, too, when • it's needed ? " And here the poor woman's grateful remembrance of " the priests at home," together with her indignation at hearing them so basel}' calumniated, and not only them, but the divine religion whose ministers they are, all affected her so forcibly that she burst into or, and asked : kind of a school is foo hastily Willy 86 WILLY BURKE ; OR, ft i fl ; 'fl leadin' poor CaZ^t^^^^^^P-^^ose for they used to miT'o fi, "'^"^•" ^stia_y — where Bible, M- M„"bookf nT f '■"' "''' Protestant that the; ci 1 PoS Mth?tl'""i' ••^""'°"' here too, an' thit th.-c • ^ ^ ""'-^ '"'''■« them -.anna! ^L^tdXutn'^p'?"'' ° »''-' E"- thinS"nothi^:"eirforVr*',^°**^- ^ tament every dav w ,' '"'''''' '" *'»« Tes- of bookrSL Sve " ^nV'^ yourself the kind down my head and «nL f" ,*u^" ''« ^'''oked with nie when he^l 1 "' ^-"^^ some talk The bo,s lid he wLT^ ?!"'" "^^' ^•'=«!- asked 11.'^' does the nrrr''"'-" ""' '^''^" ^ sure they aU turstuf utw" T? "' '"'' make game o' me an- «?? '. ". '^"S'"' to 'Catch a priest inhere -tW's°V''^"i «''"'' boys alone would hunt hm rlh 'oj-^' '^' when I seen they were all ml?- . ' ^^ about it, I said no'^htag bu went'oL «7H '"" writing." ° ^^^ ^^ with my " Well, please God, Willv vonMi « THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 37 they thought we were so ignorant that we wouldn't know nor care anything about refig- ion, but tliey'll find their mistake, or my name's not Biddy Burke. Oh then, aren't they the sly villains, out an' out — here they'd be makin' us believe that they were givin' you a good edu- cation, an' them all the time doin' their best to rob you of what's more precious than silver or gold, or all the learnin' in the world — the blessed an' holy faith that you got from your father, an' him from his ; — may they all rest in heaven, I pray God, this night ! " To this Willy made no opposition ; for the boy had, as I have elsewhere observed, an un- derstanding above his age, and young as he was, he was fully aware that the gift of faith is indeed a priceless blessing ; so, seeing that his mother believed his in danger from the one-sided teach- ings of the school, he cheerfully resigned him- self to her will, and though he sighed to have the golden vista of knowledge closed, ere yet he had done more than glanced through "the portals, yet the sacrifice was made without a murmur. His mother understood his feelings : and kissed drawing him towards her, she fondly his cheek. " Sure, I know it grieves 3'on, darlin', to be taken away from school, just when you were beginnin' to do some good ; but God is merciful, Willy, an' depend upon it, when he knows an' sees that you don't murmur against his holy will, he'llopen some other way for you. Maybe Mrs. Watkins didn't 38 WILLY burke; or, m: such work goi"' on » te ''•^r' *«™'" be no to both ; and when in tlo "'*?' """' ^''"^''"n? set out ;ith he b^nd)^ of ?'■"',""' *^^«- 1^"*^ without a hope tliat «,hi 5 m*^''"' ^''^ «^»s not for Wi„3. on'her refSr "°"'" '''^" S'""^ °«^s .velvet^overed couch n L , '"^''''"^^ on a nished drawi„g.ro"m with h '"J""ousIy fur- tired m a travlllTn^C \fh!-' ^''r" »'" set out on a partv Zr^C ^^"^ "^out to seat of one of iS tL^lZV *"*' """"f^" window stood er hish 'nV. '\* " neighboring the road, and ^^arenUv i„!^f? "''"'«'<''' fo? out for the anpearanPP nf J '""° a^iously horses. PP^aranee of the servant with the the^eT'^i J«*«' -hat \-« ^ou got thrb^Ss'-i--^^^^^ wljen he wis gZ^to Xl'"" *° ^'^« ^'"^ s-.vp\:Sritt:it;;,t? *''--•'-- '-ri-?' r ;Ltuie\° a^ef- -3- THE IRISH ORPHAN IN / ...JJRICA. 39 saj^ good woman, that you do not choose to send him?" " I can't send him there, ma'am, an* Til tell you the reason, if you'll please to listen for one minute." " Well, I declare " said the lady, " this im- pudence is beyond ever\^thing ! It is true, I had often heard that you Irish are too lazy and indolent to apply yourselves to learn anything, and that the trouble of keeping your children in proper order for going to school was more than enough for you, — so I find it just the same with you all." " I beg your pardon, ma'am," said the poor woman, trying to keep in her tears, -' it wasn't the trouble at all ; for, God knows, I'd be glad to sit up all night, after my day's work, if I had no other way to keep his*^ little things clean an' neat on him for goin' to school, an' indeed ic was the joy o' the world to me an* him, poor fellow ! for him to get so good a chance, — but sure, ma'am, it isn't a school for Catholics at all ; an' I just came here this mornin' to let you know the kind of a place it is, an' the sort of books thev had my little boy learnin'." " The books I bought for him myself, good woman, and the school is an excellent one, wherein boys receive a good religious educa- tion." " Well, ma'am, but it's not our religion they teach ; an' though the school may be a very good one for Protestants, no Catholic boy 40 WILLY BURKE J OR, V «on I told jc^VS'sent''tr7'"»""''°^« here he has been bu a we^fc j " ^.''T' " »'>.V, she comes to tell me that .^h^ ""''"''•'•nee, and "'ere any more - becTase f ""?u' """^ '"« R-otestant school DW v^' '"■'°?"' •' '' » a a silly woman ' " ' ^ °" "^^'^ hear of such P'felLsKtt'ielT^ii' ^'•- ^^»'«- ciation of the hmems^M J^^T^^' We- hacl conferred on tte wor ^ f ««'°™ation wg detestation of PoDiTf, !;,"'' ? «0'>espond- andwhat not - and h^K,™ "'""'' ^''Pemition. that his wife shouM Lt t'"''''""^- <'<'"««ted hoy, With a view to hit ^'"■?'' °'" ">« Wsh «>rs of Popen On fv""''"?'"" Aom the er- pecnliarly Swvf and 1^"*' *^"' ^' ^«« his sallow cheek as Zl """^ysh^y was on ing party. "* ^^ approached the offend- "-agittliKt 'hS vr \"'" ''^ =«•"' « » wnch better ehanfl l'"" ^°-^' *'"' have a "[orW, by ear^ ""e^brfinrtr""? '" «>« views and doctrines of Pr^f ?"" .^"hghtened assure you, my wo^ jl f-!:!'^ ', 'T >- Wish you? sonr;^:-^"t{-^.^r iTIE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 41 yon will rather urge him to pass into the brighter raj's of Gospel truth." '^ Well, sir," said Mrs. Burke, moclestl}', 3'ct firmly, " it may be all true what 3-ou say, but all his forebearers, since the clays of St. Pat- rick, have lived an' died Catholics, an' so ,,ill lie, with God's help. I'm a poor ignorant wo- man, sir, as regards the learnin' of this world — but in the matter of religion I know ray duty to myself an' my children, an' with God's help I'll do it ; for, let us be poor or rich in this world, it'll be all the same at the hour of death ; an' we'll never be so foolish as to give up our religion for the sake of the poor perish- able things of this wicked world." "Yes; but, poor misguided creature," went on Mr. Watkins, " how do you know that your religion is right, after all ? Confessedly un- learned as 3^ou are, and, I suppose, totally' un- acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, how can you tell whether you are in the way of salva- tion or not ? " " Why, sir, I believe what the Church pro- poses to me, an' I'm sure there's no other safe guide on earth. Christ himself is with her all days, an' will be to the end — an' so she can't bo wrong." " Well, well," said Mr. Watkins, peevishly, " I see the priests teach their dupes some little Scripture, just what it suits them to bring for- ward ; but this is mere loss of time. Settle with this pious woman, Mrs. Watkins, (and he 42 ^I-t-r BtJBKE ; OB, '•<"' ^^i"eeslfcc,^,f7^«".on the adjective^ l^'l to take lesso„s1,Z"r P"'r ^'-^- ••'"o^ )>o '■>■• tb., no,"- ■tL™"»" !»•• «ol S n«ss, but TvUh g'^ »\'»f. ^'»- a" Jour jjood ca„|e about tt°f ^S ri'^ljl ?»" --^ Me th ngs j„ jjj^ oi, so I u b„ng home TvantW them for some ^f >. ,^'°" ^'gh* be ■liierewas a slio-i.f ^„ , *be same w;iv '• tincture of irom? •'/ Z t'T^ ^Percept bje tbe siieater herself wo ' "'°''''«' of which gav. no smanS^o reHt r"' ' ^"' « IV hen she was gone in,,Jl , bearers, who invective ngaiSluTp^^r' '"»<> "bitter' Wither horses wiratt'nc^' ^-^'^ '^^^ till thei; hXrwe ^'^ ^''P'^t^' THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 43 a what ter; if in» and " good- i never home ?ht be jou'd way," pti'ble w^hich )ut it who, )itter isted iiiei' entered their poor but neat dwelling, did the ladj* say ? " "Indeed, Willy, dear, she said and done what I didn't expect from her. Poor, simple woman that I was, sure I thought she would not be angry with us for bein' true to our own religion, but, God help me, 1 knew little about it ; not only herself, but Mi\ Watkins himself, tried to hoodwink me into lettin' you go to the school ; an* then when they found it wouldn't do, they paid me off, an' said I wasn't to have any more work there; and that's not all, Willy " — she added, taking off her bonnet and sitting down by the f^re — "for I'm to take back the clothes, unless 3'ou go to their school again." "Well, then, mother, they can have them this very minute," said the high-spirited bf " for, now that we know what they're aboui^ an' that it's tryin' to make mo a turncoat they are, I wouldn't wear the-- clothes. So don't fret about that, mother, dear ! for I'd sooner go in rags than keep them, when that's the way. But what troubles me is, that } ou have lost a good friend through my means ; for Mrs. Watkins always paid you well." And the tears which bis own disappointment could not draw forth now burst from his eyes, as he thought of his mother's loss, — a loss so very serious in its probable consequences. " NfiVP.r minrl Willv nax'^i* *«i«/I » " -«,«,, the widow's pious answer, " God is more pow- 44 WILLY BURKE ; OR, \ erful than all the world, an' if it be his hol^ will, he can an' will make up this loss anMf he doesn't, why, blessed be his holy na™; - we'H ItmZl ""■ "' ''°"'^'"'* "° "'"^-^^e than ive cUd, unless we wanted to sell ourselves for the poor paltry comforts of this world " h» „■] «;:ening, when Peter came home as mtif;^-ngr:,t\"If^"'r' ^'^ P- ■'^' . °^*i"gs, as usual, to his motlipr nnri as long as my arm ! " "^ ^nl' ^"k'*?'*' ^"**"''" ^»"' J»is mother, " there's n thl *f'^<'™y advice, he'd put his little ^"Si hey^ trouble t *' "'^''''■"' ^'^^ «"' tht Deeded to r^u. ^ no more." She then pro- ceeaed to relate how they had found out the the snare ere yet it was too late. "''^'''^'^^ Orreat was her surprise, and irreater still )io. S's a"fhajM'?'' ="■'' ^"^ ^""^ "°™ «en«e, - ,. , . .^^^^^ ^^jg mother, with a THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA 45 wild look of astonishment, " what do you mean, at all ? " I just mean this, mother ! " returned the boy, in a bold, confident tone ; " that I only "wish such a chance had been thrown in ray way, an' you'd see how soon I'd jump at it." "God forbid, Peter, dear!" said the poor woman, with affecting solemnity, while the tears coursed down her withered cheek, " God for- bid, acushla machree I for that 'id be jumpin' into the middle o' danger — it 'id be nothiu* else but temptin' the Lord ! " " Danger ! " repeated Peter, contemptuously, " danger, indeed ! don't you think, mother, that I could stick to my own religion, if all the Protestants in New York were hammerin' their lies into my head ? — ay ! to be sure, could I ; an' as I said, if I had Willy's chance, I wouldn't be the fool to throw it over my shoulder, as he did." Ilis brother was about to repl}', his cheek glowing with honest indignation, when one of the little girls called out, " Ilusht, all o' ye I there's some stranger comin' up the stairs." Here the woman of the house (from whom Mrs. Burke rented her two rooms) was heard calling out from the bottom of the stairs — " Open the door, Mrs. Burke ! here's a lady to >> see you. IIastenin<;' to the door^ with the candle in her hand, Biddy was just in time to receive Mrs. Watkins. " You see I l^ave found you out 1 " 46 WILLY BURKE ; OR, "X toni.h«ent. " The t- ?h "^T '"* '' «- Willy up so easily, and I I,!' '""'"°' g"e purpose (though scareXf ^"'^ """"« ''^e %„ t >e eounlrj) to try afc^?,""- ''eturned from him to me on MonZ-'I °" ^■°" '<> send Xou, Willv?" she 3 """fn'og. What sav ing clown his fah hair "''' ^"'"^ °^«r «nd strofcl to do'Tm-:;" ^mh '""'f^ "■«-'" for me «^akW a respect?'' br!''.:t"f^ «p, and "Well, Mrs. Burke Imw ?''?,^"ows best." member all I promised'to do f " *° ^' ' ««" ^o not lightly cast away ht l'^',°f '°"' ^"^ . have no children of m ^ „ ^°°'' fortune. I «?ying what he aay'^^^t"' "°f thfe is no h.m trustworthy ancT obedient'"''""''^ we find ?^r^^^^^T-^r'^^ » ^ood the temptation be ever so i.^? *?>"* ' " "^"t let f ty to accept it, evclnf, ' ^"^ "ot at lib- to bring him up ; the Cl^:°» «ou'd promise "^'that's what you couIdn'/H^''*r'"''' Church, When everything abo^t hTm .f^"] ^^"""^ "«" an' him always listeZ' t- ^ P^testant, •e'igion as I hean'm " e f Z'^ *""' .»''o«t our' »o> ma'am, dear, do"t ask .«» - ?''"'"' ' ^h, slave an' toil for mv child •? r^ " '^"'i"' to see him poor an' nikp^ f ' ""l ^ '"i hear to - "-Ker 01 forgettln' his reli^-'. '"y- ^^ ^ THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 47 I'm thankful to 3^ou, ma'am, God knows I am ! for all 3-our good intentions with regard to Will}', an' I'm heart sorry 3-011 took the trouble o' comin' here to-night to this poor place, an' all alone, too." " Oh, that is of no consequence," said Mrs. "Watkins, evasively-, for she chose to suppress the fact that her husband was waiting in the carriage at the door. Neither did it serve her purpose to acknowledge that both had been induced to take this step by the report re- ceived a daj' or two before from the school- master, that Will}' Burke was no common bo}', and deserved a far better fate than being suf- fered to remain in the darkness of Poperj'. *'But wh'T* a fine family you have, Mrs. Burke," sai 1 > lady, looking round ; and her eye rested on i:*eter. " Is this youth another son of 5'ours ? " " That's my eldest son, ma'am," replied the mother, and her voice trembled as she spoke. " He's been earnin' somethin' for us this time back." Whether it was that the ladj^ saw something in the bo3''s look that gave her better hopes of him, or whether she merely sjioke at random, she addressed him in a gracious manner — " What do you think, my bo}', of this decision of your mother ? " " Just this, ma'am : that if the offer were made to me, instead of Willy, I wouldn't be the fool to refuse it." 48 WILLY BURKE ; OR, " In that case you shall have the same offer, for I see 3-011 know how to appreciate an ad- vantage. Will you embrace the proposal that your brother has rejected ? *' " That will I, ma'am, with a heart and a half, let who will say no." " Oh, r^'ter, Peter ! " cried his mother, with a passionate burst of tears, *' don't say that achorra f or you'll break your mother's heart' because you are just goin' headlong into temp- tation." ^ " I don't care mother, — I'm old enough an' wise enough to take care o' myself, an' you'll see I can keep to my religion as well as your- self or Willy either ; for all that, I'll becatchin' the larnin' when I can get it." *' Well, then, on Mondav I'll expect \'ou " said Mrs, Watkins ; *' and i hope, Peter, you will not listen to an3'thing 3'our mother can say against your coming ; for, though she is a good, well-meaning woman, she has no knowledo-e of the world." ^ "Never fear, ma'am," was Peter's reply; *' if I'm livin', you'll see me early a Monday mornin'." *^ So with a cold " Good-night, Mrs. Burke, I hope 3'ou'll soon come to a better understand- ing," good Mrs. Watkins retired, little carino- for the heavy load of misery she had cast on the already afflicted widow, and heedless of the ^v«xi..ii a„,;«a KJi aisscuEJiuii BO FecKiessiy sown in that hitherto united and affectionate family. THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 49 CHAPTER III. HONESTY THE BEST POLICY. ON Monday morning, according to promise, Peter Burke repaired to the house of Mrs. Watkins, and as his clothes were in tolerably good condition, he was sent off at once to school, loaded with his brother's rejected books. The boy's heart was naturally good, though even then less or more tainted by the compan- ionship of the ungodly with whom he had been broucrht into contact. He was deeply touched by the sight of his mother's tears, when she saw him leave home on what she deemed a perilous errand ; and the rising demon of ana- bition within his soul had to fight a hard battle for his prey. " God's blessin' be about you, Peter I ^ said his mother, in a choking voice ; " an' I'm m dread, poor fellow, that you're puttin' yourself in the way of losin' it altogether, for it's a bad beginnin' for man or woman to slight the ad- vice of their parents. An' another thing, it s _ t-_ J _: 4-^ «r^rt oT^tr r»no an nroiid OUt O* thClT own strength. But I see there's no use talKiu %. 50 VtLLf BtTRlCE ; Oft, X to you, poor foolish boy, so I can onty pray that God may save j'oirfrom the clanger that you're plungin' j-ourself into I *' "Do, then, mother dear, pray to God for me ; though I'm sure there's no such danger as 3'ou think, for I hope I'm too steadfast in my religion to let anything draw me away from it. But it grieves me sorely, mother, that I'll not be earnin' anj-thing for yon now, an' jou wantin' it so badly — indeed it does, mother ; sn' only I'm in hopes that I'll soon be able to do better for you, I wouldn't go at all ; that's as true as I'm standin' here." " Oh ! as to that, Peter," replied his mother, still weeping bitterly, "it doesn't cost me a thought — for sure God is a rich provider, an' he'll send me an' mine enough to live on. An' who knows but j^ou'U be turned against them people and their temptations, the same as Willy was — so I'll not fret so much about it till I see." This new' ray of hope dried up the widow's tears, and gave her a degree of strength and courage in the presence of this new affliction. " Mother, do you know what I'm thinkin'?" said Willy, a little while after his brother's departure. "No, then, alanna; what is it? " " Why, don't you think it 'id be a good thing if I was to go and speak to Mr. Miller ? Who knows, but as Peter*s gone, he'd give me his place? an* then you'd be as well off as ever." THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 51 1I3' pray >er that jrod for mger as r in my from it. I'll not -n* 3'oii nother ; able to ; that's nother, b me a ier, an* ve on. against 3 same I about :ied up Tee of of this kin'?" other's 1 thing Who me his ver." " Sure enough, child, it's a good thought," said his mother, " but somehow or another I'm afraid to trust you in it ; for only Peter got into bad company in the same place, he'd never be . so headstrong in his own opinion, or go against his mother's biddin'." Willy's countenance fell ; the light of hope which for a moment illumined it was quickly gone, but still he thought not of opposing his mother's declared opinion. "Well, mother, you know best ; but if it was pleasin' to you, I'd be glad to be doin' somethin'." *' I know that, Willy dear, —I know it very well ; but let us pray to God that somethin' may turn up that you can go to without any danger. Fray, my son, — an' we'll all pray — an' let us not forget poor Peter in our prayers." And Willy did wait patiently and submis- sively ; and that evening, when his mother's work was done, the little famil}^ knelt together in the presence of God, and invoked his bless- ing and protection for themselves and all dear to them. Thej^ waited up long after their usual hour of retiring to rest, in hopes of Peter's return, but Peter did not appear ; and at last the poor anxious mother threw herself on her humble bed, to weep and pray rather than to sleep. In the afternoon of the next day, Willy strolled out into the street, and, becoming in- sensibly diverted from his melancholy by the 62 WILLY BURKE ; OR, X variei;^ oi objects which everywhere mpt h!o view, without being at all consdous tMt the day was already on the decline. His atten tion was first called to the lateness of the ho "r by the rapidly increasing gloom ; and feS notTith 1?^ ^^'^'"^' ■»« ^«« hnrryingL^r n, tltK "i-''^^ "S *° """ke frequent inqS gone'far'o^n? h°" '^ f °""' *''^«' ^"^ ^"^^^ gone lar out of his own latitude, .vhen nassincr mother. Eagerly and closely he grasDed hU door trr" ^'^^' ^"^'° ^ few feet of the festecFand f r^-?' /*"P ^«« «»df giving scarcely Bxt day, ven one lind ; or, \ it was 3 a foul Ife went n Mass vestry- corner, itments , when, urtesy, snough a few I mild, form. t least which 3'ears 3, too. h his f» yet make one feel that they could pierce the heart, and read what was passing there. *' Certainl}', my good woman, certainly," he said, in reply to Mrs. Burke's request; *' what have you got to tell me ? " " It's about some mone}^ sir, that a little boy of mine found yesterday evenin* ; an' as we don't know what to do to find the owner, I thought it was best to bring it to your rev- erence. " And so saying, she held out the little roll to the priest. The latter merely glanced at the money, and then, slowly raising his eyes to the face of her who presented it, he saw that sorrow and care, aye, and poverty, had worn away a fair and comely countenance. He looked, from the old straw bonnet which covered her head, to the thin, threadbare shawl so closely gathered around her meagre form, and then to the old shoes on her feet, and he saw that all was scrupulousl}^ clean, but nevertheless expressive of extreme poverty. He stretched out his hand and took the cartridge : *' Is It silver, or what?" he asked. *' It's gold, your reverence ! for the boy opened it to see what it was." " And 3'ou seem, my poor woman," said the priest in a faltering voice, " as though a little money, silver or gold, would be very ac- ceptable." A slight flush mounted to poor Biddy's cheek, as she replied, with downcast eyes, 66 WILLY burke; or, \ Why, sir, there's many better off than I am an some worse ; but sure whatever way I'mIS' me an' mme, it's the will o' God, an' werome be It, for ever and ever." welcome More and more interested, the priest went on to inquire into her actual circumstancts a..d gradually drew from her a confessfon tw three children were altogether ^^(1 her daily labor, while hef heaUh was iaLlv on the decline, though, as she saidrshe Xve to conceal it from them. ^^ .nH ^*"l "^ P°*"' *'''''<^'" said the good priest done anything but' 'o„Tdu?;VXg''up'C money ; for no Christian, at least withv of the name could have appropriated aC/an1 of It, to his or her own use, without sinning grievously against the law of God ; vet I wm own that, situated as you are.Tt m,^t have been a sore temptation to you " God'lf'Le-dT"^'', ''" '/ ^'^-fc'ft'l" So d l^od If bed be pleased to give me or n,v children a means of earnin'^that we eoSd depend on, yet, somehow or another, I wasn't " Why, tliis unlearned, simple woman,^' said X TUE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 57 ffW the priest to himself, "is a pattern of true and unassuming piety!" Aloud he said: *' And what is j-our name, my good woman ? ** ''My married name is Burke, please your reverence, — Biddy Burke." The name seemed to strike familiarly on the ear of the listener. "Burke, Burke," he re- peated two or three times, as though endeavor- ing to connect some detached remembrances, " and from what part of Ireland do you come ?" "From the county Tippe^:;:*'-, sir, an* the parish of Kilbeggan, if y)ur i.. u'erence ever heard of such a place." The priest, instead of repl; np- , x)k out his memorandum-book, and aftei turning over its leaves for a few seconds, he paused, ^ nd gin need his eye over a certain page. '^ ind your husband's name — his Christian name — was Andrew, or Andy, was it not ? " " Why then it was, sir ! " said Biddy, now thoroughly awakened to curiosity. "Andy Burke was his name, sir ; an% thanks be to the great God ! I'm neither afraid nor ashamed to own it, — may his soul rest in peace ! for it's himself was the good husband all out. But, sir, how did you know his name, if I'm not makin' too free in askin' ? " Unheeding her last words, the priest raised his swimming eyes to heaven. " Merciful God ! '* he exclaimed, with fervor, "how mysterious arc thy ways, — by what devious paths dost thou sometimes conduct us, thy children, to Mi'M 58 WILLY BURKE ; OR, \ BtS?.tirr, IrS' %^ood Mrs. to ten you may well jusU^VLrn""'" ^°'"^ denco in God Kn^i *i ' " P.""^ P'°"3 confi- past I have btn anx^o;; j '"•"' *''* ^°' """ths «nd your family aTolf/'"^"""" '''«'''• 3°" Ireland havbg ;,»?«« to"^ ^T ^"«"'J '» casually heard of ™ r J ^ T .*'"'* ''« ^^ad and fea'red that Vo„ mf^5^ ^T^"^"^'' ^<"'«', necessitous circumstan™'f V^^'f?'-"' ^ 5" the wondrous Ccv of our^°T,*"''1"''*« "^ he thrown this n,^L ■ ' ^"''' — here has inspired you tifh^^^ '•" your son's way, and of giving^U up to mP f "^^ ''°'^ P^H'ose end^eavor'to fiTd ftsT;„'er •'"!'!h' ^If' ^. "''«''» I might discover the Tw^t J'^ *" t**"' «>»» you obtain a friend T^LLT/fT"^^ ""^ that «>,•««« brinaethit, i ^ "*"* '* "'««'' said, as though to Self " ''''^'^" "« '"•ded, almot"eS4y'"'^fhe''L:i'''' ^"'^ ^'"^W^', raise up friend? fo^ ♦),«!, *u°5** "^^'^■" ^^Is to in Him, an' dc^s wh*\'?H*''''' P"*' *'^«" t™«t Bnt wil you. revereni h5 *"" *" "bey him. now"^' i o'; ^l^tf^ ."? about him «'?sping her hand " fe^'eX' L*'it "«''"^' might a' known it wafllJlfi^, /"tether. "I "y ^eai-t to hear that ie-doSn^fol^-'-" \ THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 59 ood Mrs. ow going us confi- f months ifter you. 'riend in lie had s death, '; be in note of lere has aj^ and purpose ^ might is, that 5h, and in said, added, Biddy, lils to • trust r him. to tell s?" your him idow, "I •aises t us, though we're so far away. But sure he said he'd remember us, an' it seems he does. But I'm keopin' j'our reverence standin* too long, an' so I'll not trespass any longer now," "Well, mother, what news?" was Willy's earnest inquiry, as his mother entered the room on her return. " Just the old stor}^ over again, my son : that '' Honesty* s the best policy!* Sure I always said that God 'id do for us, an',- glory be to his holy name, he has raised up a friend for us alread}'." " Why, what in the world has happei 3d to you, mother? for it's long since I seen you lookin' so joyful." " An' well I maj', Willy dear ! for sure when I went to give that money (an* it was the luck}^ money all out) to the priest,' he b^gan to question me, an' when he found out who I. was, he was mighty glad entirely, for it seems that poor Father Maloney, God's blessin' be about him ! is an old friend of his, an' wrote to him about us, as soon as he heard of your poor father's death ; so his reverence was ever since wishin' to find us out, but couldn't hear anything of us till the Lord put it in my head to go with the monc3\" On hearing Father Maloney's name men- tioned, the two little girls cried out with great joy, " Och, then, mother, dear, did his reverence write about usf" while Willy pulled out his 60 WILLY BUKKE ; OR, \ S"ch as the poor bovL^f n5 ^^'J '"«^«' «"<» "An' yo„ tell me herll .r/ "'''"^ "'^''ow- an' that L w.^ e to put^ hf ^''^."^'""^er, °s;-well, that's the best "« ^°?'l^°'-'l fo' jn^ny a day, an' I'd ratherLarTfJ '"'?/'' *Ws . ''ody gave ns a thousand n^ ".,*'''"' '^ some- «aW he'd keep ns auTn^?'?"''"/' >>"' sure ho that all?" P "^ "" »n mind. An' mother, is "fo;'^h;tTe;f;;id"t^'':"p"i '^'^ •»°tj'-. sure that same «i^l be ,^°"f *" ««^ "«- ««' even if he can do nothfnf t^\T^°''* *" "«- does a body good le? ti.!-^ *° ''^'P "« '• for it jnay, to see' ft t c' "o^i^^^S' '/ "''''' '' s never so lonesome ^■UeTV}VI±''' ' ""e i«^ never 70 , ZsCe 'Xt' ^""^"'^ ''<'-"- they knowr then that th? .^"^^ '^« ""e™. for friend. But n" tdl yon C'in ""] '^•">°"t « want you to do; I'm le?t'in^v •^'' '*^"' ^''"'t I ^ter, an' if you'd iust ^ J""^''^>'a''ont ^^atkins'sintheevenin' wZ ''°"" *° ^rs. home from school -"nihlfwr" *?'n'^ he's I have neither love nor likin'f*''^ '"'j""' ""at 1 wish that he'd come ovei / -T"" *®" ^'"^ f all. I want to Zak?o l.- "'^J"'' ''" ''« ««" his duty." *'^'"' *° 'inn about goin' to When evening was eomo wn errand, being hCse?f nn,^ -^ "^^"^ °" h'^ brother. On arrivi^r„f i,? "".""^ *» see his iefound ^rCZr^^^^!^^ "^o-! -^".^.-ooo. to the lady, havrng-'b^eTcaUeli^t THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 61 'he tears -re, and efore. mother, 'ord for ard thia f some^ sure liG ther, is lotber, »s, an* to us, ibr it hat it >• one n, for H7t a hat I ibout Mrs. he's that hini can a' to his his use, his nto the parlor for that purpose. Mr. Watkins was seated in a high-backed chair near the fire, and had raised his head from a book which he had been reading, in order to bestow his meed of praise on Peter's progress. Just at this moment, Willy was shown in, by Mrs. Wat- kins's orders, but he advanced no fiirther than just within the door, and stood with his cap in his hand, modestly waiting for some one to speak. "Peter, there is your brother," said the lady ; and when the lad turned quickly round, poor Willy could scarcely believe that it was his brother, so much handsomer did he look in his new and fine clothes. The brothers merely exchanged glances, for Mrs. Watkins just then spoke. " I have had 3'ou come in here, Willy, that you might see how well your brother gets on with his writing. We have been just admiring the great improvement already visible. Indeed, if he goes on as life has begun, he will be able in a very few months to go into the counting- house. And then see how well he is looking ; you would scarcely know him, 1 believe." " Indeed, ma'am," said Willy, " he's not the same boy at all ; I'm sure you have done your own share for him, an3^how." " Yes, and I would willingly have done as much for you, had you not chosen to act the fool." "I only obeyed my mother, ma'am," re- /ifS 62 WILLY BURKE J OR, and so must all rational pwole th,f v^.' wrong in obeyino- ],er " '^ ^ ' "*' ^o" '^'^^ that it'^id not becle^^^* T??*" *° '^""^ station to bandy woKls^Mfh'^f,.^", I®^ "»^ when he saw tlmt sirhlfl T *^^ ''"'^' ^ '"'t he ventured to savf! S?^!" T"^ ^'^ " Pa"se, mother w^^ndlTr^^^^^t 'S 7^*"' "^^ com n' home at nil thif i * ^'^^^^ "«* ".e to teU^oVthafs, TbjS ^^u^^rf " Well it- Mri w f, • ■'^ ■"'■ "" '>°"'' or two." an' indeed, onfy" I was s„ 1.?"°" "'"''■"'"'j; came here, I wonlr nTh, u"^^' *''<"" ^'"ce I to see my morher." ''"'^' ''"'" ''"''O"' goin' posM ^s\; r Ss'it *•""* *"" p- Watkins, between w^!™ P easing to Mrs. saw a s o-nffican? wT ""■ '""^ ''"«*"'°^' ""^ standing timt the Seman W' °''*^^"''- rosnnied his studv nf f h ? "'^. "PParently " Well. ZlwriL°I,.^^_". ^?k before him. - -—-.,, ^>=™, aaiu liie lady, in her The IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 63 Ij, '' an* •s. Wat- 3 limits ng that le effect [ think, 'Oil did oipting • know :q and '; but pause, ^^r, my e not 3 sent could or to- two." lough ' my ; nee I goin* pro- Mrs. d he fvith- mtly him. her bland, soft accents, " I know not how 5'ou can go this evening, or even to-morrow evening ; 3'oa have such long lessons to prepare, thlit they occup.y, or should occupy, j^our whole evening. Has your mother any particular object in sending for him, Willy ? for, if not, I fear she must excuse him for some days longer. He is surely not a child, that she should fear to have him out of her sight for a week or two." " Why, then," said Willy, puzzled to know what he had best say, " why, then, ma'am, I think she doejs want him particularly. I heard her say in' that she did. ' "And might I ask," said Mrs. Watkins, in her very sweetest tones, " and might I ask what this particular purpose is, that it makes her so very urgent to see him ? " Willy hesitated, reddened, and looked at his brother with an air as though he expected some help from him in his dilemma. But Peter only said, " Why don't you speak, 3'ou foolish boy, an' not staqd there like a fool I Sure it's no treason, I hope." " Well, then, my mother was sayin', Peter, that she wants to have you go to your duty, an' that's all ; she's afraid you might neglect It. Mrs. Watkins affected ignorance. " To go to his^ duty! and what is that, pray? Wbat duty does the woman mean ? " " Why to go to his confession, ma'am I " '/« \y Q v 64 WILLY burke; or, mi^t -"l-;7" • ^ '"""^ "^ undisguised an,a..- ment , I „ gom', jXease God, some day »h week, an- iny mother thinks he ought tol. «i the same time." ■""o"'' "> go ti. Here Mrs. Watkins burst into a lend lai- •-, -louder than she usually ind«i;r«d n- whUe even her grave husbanoMettin.^ iHU his St Z-\^r'^^ "tter a deep, loV so- nd 'hat wh.« th 1 f •^" *''® Object," said the ladr, "hen W. ;.ad m some decree recovered her composure '. lo ,.ons ...d everything else must of course, gn . , « , , Oh ! certaini;, Pe^rm^ good boy, yo.-. must go to confession • and when you me about it, you will, of cours. S the pnest of that grievous sin of having ^.one for some daya to a school from which PaiKst books .ire excluded. Now Mr wXlnf ?'' > added, turning to that g^Itlfm'an^'ts' "o't thS ihe darkest invention of the Evi One -.onlv Willy had listened to this exordium with nn small indignation ; and when it was^ndudeT hf-l^'^r? " !.''P ^"'^'''''^ his brothe"rwhUe' his cheek glowed and his eye flashed. . Are yon comin,' Peter," he said, "or ar« Alas the poison was already eatine into the soul of the elder brother, and thoufh to cheek, too, wore a crimson flush it „o„ r„ 'i Shame _ not resentment. He' was an^^T ' f'f. THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 65 his brother, too, for having spoken as he did. " Just tell her that I'm old enough to mind my own affairs — an' see that you don't come here or any more such errands, or you'll not be thanlvful to yourself. I'll go to see m v mother when it answers me, — so walk, now !" " You just serve him right, Peter," said Mrs. Watkins, extending her hand to the boy, as she spoke, with a smile of approbation ; " I would have you treat your mother respectfully, of course, but do not suffer her to carry your reason captive. Learn to think for yourself where your immortal welfare — and temporal, too — is at stake." " So you'll not come — an' that's the mes- sage I'm to give my poor mother ? " said Willy, still addressing his brother. " Then may God look down on you, Peter Burke, this blessed night ! I wouldn't be in your coat, fine as it IS, for all the money Mr. Watkins has. God be with you, brother ! — we can only pray for you, an' that we'll do." The tears rushed to his eyes, and he hastily left the room and the house, his heart swelling with mingled sorrow and indignation. It was a cold, rainy evening, and the lamps themselves shed but a dull, dim light on the cheerless streets ; but Willy Burke heeded not the falling rain, nor the cold, nor noticed the bleak aspect of the city, as he Dassed alono* with a hurried step on his homeward waj^ Never had his young heart been so heavily fw \ 66 WltLT BCBKEJ OB, irushed. Never had he felt 80 wretched Keen y susceptible as his feelings were, this firs instance of nnkindness fx°om his onh brother wrung his very heart. And then his mother -that best and most beloved of pa! J!mnt7 ^^'"' ''"■ ^'^°^^" "^ '" ">« most con- temptuous manner, and to reflect that his brother her eldest born, had tacitly encouraged and of'the'f ^\"'??'r °/ *'"'* ^"^"^^^O P"«^t. professed at the expense of all worldly hones and interests. Outraged in his brotheriy W in his fihal respect and affection, and in Ms ^hg,o„s principles, the noble-heaHed boy /e It wCh h'fl • '"'if^'"" f grief and indignation thJ^? K^ '"'"'^"^ '=°"''^ "<" have described, though It seemed throbbing i„ his heart and in lallingrain, nor perceived that his thin, thread- unt.V\t'' ''as saturated through and through, until his mothei-'s anxious tenderness clisl covered the fact the moment he entered T, " ^^y» ^i%, dear, your clothes are all wet W^M wu* ^?" ^^ "'*^ «^^« li<>«se, poor, fel- \V tha vn' '^T' ^'^ ^' ^^'^^' ^"' '^» know- urp^ ??,"^ ^^""^^'^^ ^^^^ SO thin an' light?" " T /? I .V^T *^^^ *^''*^' »^other," said Willy, I didn't think about the rain at all." ^ ' His mother had bfiPn fill «^„r u„„n , »»Wng up a good-^e;"and ltTa7^§1^ \ THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 67 tl •\i fel- tone in which her son spoke that drew her eyeMp to his face. " Whj^, then, God bless us, Will;^^ darlin', what's the matter with j'ou, at all? You look as if somethin' had happened you. Did 3'ou see Peter ? But then, before 3'ou tell me anything you must peel off every tack, till I dry them here at the fire. An' as you have no other clothes to put on, I think it's better for you to go to bed till they're dry. But no," she said, suddenly changing her riind, " I'll put that big-coat o' your poor father's about you, an' you can sit down here in the corner. Go into the room there, dear, an* take off your things — the coat's hanging up, you know, at the foot of the bed — an' come out when you have it on. I'll have a bit o' supper warm for you when you come back." The boy obeyed in si- lence, but Ms mother heard him sigh heavily when he was alone. '* God help you, poor child ! " was the prajer of her loving, sorrowful heart, as she went on with the preparation of their humble meal. " An' now, what about Peter, acushla?" said Mrs. Burke, when her son, rolled up in his dead father's over-coat, took his place at the little table, a chair having been placed for him by his sisters, in the warmest corner. " Indeed, mother dear ! I don't like to tell you what I seen an' heard since I left you ; but there's no use tryin' to hide it, for the sooner you know it, it's all the better." The poor mother sat down on the opposite side of the \ 68 ^roe WILLY BLUKE; OB, Itlr.Ff^ k'"" '-'•'•"'^■''""g' for these words leais. BiK wLci. she heard all — the jibitiff sneers who,. with one of the holiest .acrament! undtifi,^ ^, '''"' ^^'" 'P'^'^'"' °f- ''«>• son's than il V -r'"™*"!^"' •""°="'"^' and, worse than all, his silence whci. uia relioio,. was <,o basely reviled -when she heard alfths,(ove^ thonsh her son told her nothing of the con- temifuous epithets bestowed on herself f it seea„,d as though a fearful weight fell suddenly aid crushmgly on her heart ; and, sinking baek iiand-s. But no tear came to her relief, for her onds she swke not a word hJ^^lF"""^ the little girls were alarmed by her silence, and all three gathered fondly mound her beseeching her to . peak to them "Sure, mother darlin' ! " said Willy, twinW SSTZrf ""■ "^'='^- " '"'' '^'« "-^-o baf well to let Peter come to ha m ; an' I'm sure as -Ioodl°J°/^, 'r >'°"^«' y»»'l finlhim as good an dutuul as ever, for I know he loves 3 ou in his heart, po^r fellow ! an' it's '-nly the .bad ady.ce that made him act .hat way^' son ^lrl7','- ''^M '"'"'^''' ">'• o»-n 'darlin' son, cried his mother, starti^ig- to i.or feet ■ " thanks be to God, I oar. ill 'fee him ht^ne' for I'm sure he'll not dis. n . wh.n T ^ auii come with me. Please the Lord, I'll go " THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 69 the mornin* early an* bring him home, an* if i0r only get him safe out of it, a child o' mine will never sot foot in the same house ; I'd sooner see ye, ay, a thousand times ! go into a plao-ue- house ! There now, Willy, dear ! sit down to your supper — no, children ! don't ask me, for my heart's so full I couldn't eat a bit. When ye're done your supper, we'll get our prayers said, an' go early to bed, for I'm not to say very well." '' iK: i «i 11 f!j| 70 WILLY BUBKE J OB, I CHAPTEE IV. IHE BBOKEN HEART. 'J'ftE long, wakeftil night was at length passed, and Mrs. Burke, having said her mormng prayers, put her little place in order and gave her chiUIren their breakfast thpn set out for Mrs Watkins's, somewhat sttnSh" ened and comforted by the hope that nowf at least, she would have her sou home ,v"°h her — consoling herself with th, reflection that she was about to snatch him from the fleryrrnace soul. ^uU of these hopeful thoughts she knocked at the door, and on being fi^tted requested to see her son. " He's gone to thfi he'io, Ellen"/"' "°"°*'^ ' ^' *«"' ->>- ^^ "This morning — but here's the mistress coming to speak to you." The servanTd sap- peared just as Mrs. Watkins advanced in her elegant morning-dress. " Good-morning, Mrs. Burke," said the lady, THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 71 with lofty conrlescension, " I hope I see you in good health." *' Well, no, ma'am — many thanks for your kind inquiry — but I'm not half well these times. Indeed, only the business it is, I couldn't stir out at all this mornin', so early, for, God help me ! I'm gettin* so feeble that I can scarce do a hand's turn. But is it true, ma'am, that Peter's not here this mornin*?" " Why, yes, Mrs. Burke ; Mr. Watkins sent him off about an hour ago, on an errand of trust to our steward in the country." " An' will he be long away, Mrs. Watkins ? " was the trembling question of the poor mother, who saw in this timely absence but another subterfuge to keep possession of the boy. " Will he be back to-day, ma'am? " " Really, I cannot e&y, it may be that the steward may find work for him for a few days — but I do not pretend to know." The poor disappointed mother raised her dim eyes to heaven, and murmured in an under- tone, *' May God have mercy on me, and on this poor, thoughtless boy ! " " Why truly," — said Mrs. Watkins, assuming an air of offended dignity, — " why truly, you are the strangest woman — one would think you had heard some mournful tidings, you have put on such a long face. What hai-m, I pray you, can your son receive from going fur a lew aaya iv> lae couuiiy t oiucij jsjlx. it «.«» 72 kins is at WILLT BURKE ; OB, liberty to employ him as his require." *" ^^ -"pi^^y mm as his affairs " Och, it is'nt that, ma'sm • it U'^f f k + . » I'd be the first to advise him Vr. ^, ^^[V^'^^ws ter*s orders an' Vr. kJ ? ^^ ^^^3' ^^^^ mas- to doSutrto yo': a'n'hL' "tV"^ "^"^"' Tm afraid mn'n^'^/T ^^™» — b"t somehow tnVth Whnf^ , ™» (^ ""^^^ ^« well tell you the tnith,) that he's not ffoin' on «« Tvi ^- i • , reg*d to his duty to God-^an' thnt f ' ""'^^ point, after all." '^ ^^""^ ^ *^^ ^^in I ^/rn^I^nr ^^^^^ ;0h, I understand I tto?Lio~^^ t^l^is&eSuTgof:,^ to confession, or something of that sort T^,? same to the nr,v«f ' ^"^ ^® ^^^ the yourself on thatTead"^Y^^^^^^^^ ^""^'^ *^^"^^« * and when Peter com;s^eshaWr^ fession that will banish all four fears' " T'^ so saying, she coolly opened the rW ^^'^ nificant hint that she Sed L^ .r ^ ^'^'■ versation. ^^ "^^ ^^^^her con- Mrs. Burke drew her r^lri oi,« i , jnore paUi^ teS ^ tlTnrS^-Jl'!' ......vc . „ora. She might have pMaed'ont \ i'tr- THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 73 s affairs ■' that ! " >rcecl to 1 knows lis mas- ' willin' )mehow yon the h, with le main stand ! it son going . But o very eturn. , to be ill the rouble * . now, a. con- Anrl a sig- con- osely cold still :0 fl.r= i out without being able to make any sort of reply, had not Mrs. Waikins said, with a cold smile : " I see you are at a loss for words to express 3'our anger ; but pray do not curse m\ heretic as I am. Your priest might readily excuse the sin, and even consider it as none ; but God, my good woman, will not view the matter as 3'our father confessor does, nor forgive you so readily." The poor woman felt at the moment a chok- ing sensation in her throat, which for a second or two she could not overcome, and she stood gasping as though for breath, with her eyes fixed on the lady. The latter, somewhat alarmed, extended her hand as though to sup- port her ; but at the moment it seemed as though strength from above were given to the sufferer ; and, moving a pace nearer the door, she made an effort to say : " No, thank you, ma'am, I'm better now — it was only a little weakness I took. I'm goin* now, ma'am, an' God knows whethci- we'll ever meet again ; but I want to tell you before I go, that 3'oy know little of our holy religion, or you wouldn't speak of it as you do. No, Mrs. Watkins, I wasn't thinkin' of cursin' you, or any one else — God knows I wasn't ! — Init I was goin' to pray to the merciful God that you might never have as sore a heart as I have this day." So saying, she moved away, and slowly descended •fl»r\ 114-^f^.r^ i^ ■C.,^^4. ^^ ^1 J . 1 • • 1 - - .1 scarcely able to support herself. Mrs. Watt 4Hii('t]f 74 WILLY BURKE; OR, f'Snre but scant, /coSfd from 'th' ""^H^t^^ »»•; she thousrht of tl,?.!L .?'''''''' ^'''''•P ness of ho/pfr r„"^ 1"^°^ ^^"^^f "•««'^- hmelf: "How unlike a'lthit I hT' T""'" «n(i read of these Roman stsi a ft "l,'"^*'''^ poor woman seems to h ' ^'^^'' »"' this jnering of Gosp^riiAt 1)" V""' ""'" ^"'»- betfer nature predominated ,^'' ■'"°'»<'°' ''er to call the poor wn^w ' ^"^ ^'"^ ^^s about to apologize for hlrunk^^r''" 'T'^' « order evil spirit of pride resumertl,' *""'' '""« ' ^^^ « -..dtheoppor.?;Sat:^^^^^^^ waf:i^lra"sc:rdi"e%tLr:-tr^^^ resisted, ^omul\'^i^,^;^'Z% 7"'""^ Off, and thp bpnrf ,.« ,.'""6^^ "^e baffled or put tw^nt^-tfou hC^7rorhr°"°"^ °f »e C That iveningX poor raothr)" '''"'*'"' ^^''^r- in the first wild narovvl i"^' "^ ''«'• ^ed, while her throe dLifdS"'L "'^ " high fever >vith grief anS terror of th T""^' ^'"P^Aed It was^ortunaie that \v[llff„'',rfl''f :'•'•*• of his mother's illno« 'L^ " ^'"^^ hours priest, (not that he feared h^ ™"i.'^ "»" the but that^ he knew no o[hl'liT*''«^« <»<'«th, i- 'S.'^rSSVs uu vM Wiiuni to THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 75 call,) and towards evening the venerable clei*- gj-man entered the room, to the great relief of the children. Although Father Fitzherbert saw at a glance that the delirious state of the patient rendered spiritual consolation impossible, yet still he lingered b^' the bed, not wishing to deprive the children of the comfort they seemed to derive from his presence, and, moreover, directing them to prepare some suitable drink and med- icine for their mother, himself having given Willy the money to make the necessary pur- chases. While he sat by the bed, waiting to see the effect of the medicine he had given, he was painfully struck by the incessant wailing of the unconscious sufferer, as even amidst the wanderings of delirium she called ever for her absent son, and bemoaned his loss. Scarcely another name but his was heard in her ravings ; and the good priest at length turned to Wiliy, where he stood leaning over the foot-rail of the bed„ " Does your brother know of his mother's illness?" The boy started at the question, and made an effort to reply, but the words seemed to stick in his throat, and a scarlet flush mounted to his cheek. Deeming all this emotion but the natural effect of violent and deep grief, the priest turned to one of the little girls and repeated the inquiry. 76 WILLY BURKE ; OR, hTm ^Z^ "'"' *«- -- — rd sent to bov»'s'al/F^H''^ ^"7? ^'°« g° "t once, my D03 , said Father Fitzhcrbert, " and lot \nZ It may be too late ; and from the constnni allusion your mother makes to l>im T ?" -itee'i?u ^rrtuTn'^?^^'''^^' ""'^ ^ -^" - for^thi^"^'' '''* ''" ^« h^'Wtual veneration for the clergy, seemed in no hurry to obev and It was easy enouo-h to spa th^tit ^ ' "" Tirno „„. iu- , =" *" See that the command was anythwg but agreeable to him This th. grjest saw, and saw it with snrprbe ; for Jfa K;rad;afi?.---^^^^^ w^l^:^Ss^:^^=ce^^^^^^^^^^^^ "Are you not going, Willy?" a^tpri fi priest, mildlv. Willv hnri Li ' i ^^^ ^^® fv^.« fi --^ ,.^ "^<^^ taken clown his can irom the pin where it n«nnii,- u ; P stood twir ing it beTweealStt^' iTelTed not raise his eves for ho r^u 4.u 1 . "'^^i^^i glance rested upon Wm '^'* " ^^^^^^"^S " Only for who it is that bids me, I wouldn't go a step after him » h^ „„,-^ ^ ' "^ ,T«^"^«n t i sent to ice, my let 3-our her day onstant am per- • mind, ^ You will re- Bration iy, and nmand lis the r Mrs. 3 days )n the 'linger s own these lether hearfj I the s cap now larked reins: Idn't ''for THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 77 it's little he deserves it. If it wasn't for him an Ins Mrs. Watking,poor mother wouldn't be bin where she is, for they broke her heart be- togTherT'^'''' "'^ ^''^ J"'' ^'' *^^^ ^1^»« " Child ! " asked Father Fitzherbert, in his sweet, solemn tones, "child! do you call yourself a Christian - a Catholic ? » ^ I' I do, your reverence, to be sure I do f " Are you aware, then, that as such, you are bound imperatively bound, to go on this er- rand of kindness and charity ? If your brother has erred, let him answer to God for his fault • It is not for you to inflict upon him so grievous a punishment as this. How know you but uMHol r^T"" '"^T "^^^^^ here awaits him ^ 111 effectually open his eyes to the truth? and wou d you, through a feeling of resentment, as unkind as it is uncharitable, withhold from him the benefit of a dying mother's blessing heir i''' '.fT- ^"^ ^^Pnve that motfe herself so justly dear to you, of the comfort of seemg him before she leaves this world ? For Lr^"? ^at' ^^""^ ''''''^^''^ '^ ^^'^^ ^^ow not far 8inn''nf *! ' T '^"' ^'^" '^'^" ^^ ^'^ ^his mis- Wo ?? ^"^IPe^^^G' and God will bless you ' thn?fi ^"^^^^^f ,' f^^ ^iniself hath assured as that the merciful ' shall obtain mercy ' " Jf 7^u ^-^^^^^'^Pt^d by the deep, repentant K ""wM? ^^-^ > ^'^''^ ^^ ^'^'^ barely concluded when Willi' wi-c: .... i.,-^ u^^-- i^J ^ii^^iuucu, oT-«a fx^;^?\ "~'" " ""^^"s ov3iore mm, ins eyes brimful oi e.^rs, and his hands clasped in >. s^ 'ii '■< 78 WILLY burke; or, the attitude of earnest supplication u p^ . An> ?M'n/ "?'' *^"'5':« pardon and yonrs sir- very bU^ agaS"poor^t.^ff '" T' "■ ''"^ but now I'll iust r^o t . *''*"'® ''"J-s past, hnn know"aCt ZtC'l'tZl:^ ^^ i?' training which had ]r^i . f .J° *''^ excellent of relilion in the Cv/r'1 ">« <^'^i°« truths fostered therein the7™i'*";'°'^*''« *'°J-' ""d God. ^''^''''^^* remembrance of co«:s- ttw^irdii^eUnr '^"■" *-« Mr^ \\rofi.,-., -^ «t^in erect ins mossao-e to mrs. Watkins, earnestly implorino- tw i ■ brother might be sent for. '^AnMf von^f T liave the ffoodnesa f/> f«n Iv -^^^ ^^ ^"^y ue gooaness to teU me the way, ma'am/' * Forgive in a half- le wrong, the floor, the God j1. Ask 'f an un- nrs, sir ! d, never '» 1 was 3's past, , an' let I'll be time ! " ?ply, he e priest 1 which But he t their cellent truths r> and ice of m the 'ge to It his I only /am," THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 79 ^^•If ^^' '' ^? ^"^y a^' °^ako out the place myself, with God's help ! " f J » Mrs. Watkins, to do her justice, was shocked to hear of Mrs. Burke's alarming illness ; and as she thought of her emaciated features and woe-begone looks during their last interview, and remembered the deadly faintness which had come oyer her, the inward monitor of all mankind spoke out fearfully loud within her soul, charging her with the unwarrantable part she had acted towards the poor unprotected widow. An ashy paleness overspread her face, as she said, m tremulous accents, *^No Willy jou could never make your way there' alone ;' but go home, now, and to-morrow mornino-, bv the first light of day, I shall send for your bi'other, and have him go to his mother at once, too^late^''''^' ^''^'' ^^"""^ to-night ; it is not yet "Thank you, ma am," said Willy,' with a low bow, and he hastened away, being anxious to relieve the priest from his watch beside the sick- bed of his mother. On entering the room, he found there Mrs, O'Grady, the landlady, who had kindly volunteered to take care of her lodger during her illness. The good woman hacl a grown-up daughter, who, as she said to Father i^ itzherbert, could keep house for her in her absence ^'An' so in the name o'God, your rev- erence, I'll stay an' do all I can for Mrs. Burke ; an sorrv I am this r\t^^r +/^ ««« v.^„ i„:_» __ ^ J \ 80 WILLY BURKE ; OR, -indeed we don't see m^ny nowadays like nurse. Immediately after Wi 11^11 ^"'l* witlidrew, promisini tr.7^ *^"lj s return, lie *he will be three dav^i/ I ""^ ''""*' '"'« «ndergoingmtrchtye^'tafirirc;iTf°"' day to see how matters^; .^oing m Thl V2 is ^h'/- ^'^'"''•'■'" ''^ «dded Tn^ I'oweAo^* " the^trfthl/rf" ,"«"*«» ''"" dow . ste :• pa'strat"^: he"^':^," -- tW^aeliriumhal' miVhf fof^K ^u.J. i^-^, ^ go with him that he "'"" '^"^^ ''"""^ '^^^^"- ^^ing obliged to wait lays like >tef], for ily cast- o find a ^"rn, he the fol- 'Grady, e recov- te sure without H ever^"- le truth ' voice, stairs, um has ent to ^s; for this fit ndshe essive wine, when p her adoc- inued Fitz- n the 'e re- Lt he wait THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 81 a little while for . h.- powders, Willy was longer tt%l nT/j,' l^ad expected ; ancl onreSg the top of the stairs at his return, the first sounds that greeted his ear were the deep sobs of his brother, who had arrived a little before and was now kneeling in an agony of sorrow and remorse beside his mothtr's^ bed The tears were streaming from the poor lad's eves and the hot feverish hand of his mother was SpT-f'^i'^ ^'' ^?^'*' ""^^^ '^'' ^^d anon he kissed it with passionate fondness. There were none present but the two little girls, who stood silently by, looking alternatel3^ at S sick mother and the brother whose grief they would fain have lessened, but knew not how f L'lf r^"'^ ?"-"^'^ ^""^ P^^ ^^^^^ to listen to the tender yet reproachful words which fell ever from the parched lips of the sufferer, as she seemed to imagine herself talking to him. At times she spoke of his father, and once or twite of Willy, but ever did the course of her inco- herent ramblings recur to himself J-'J!''''' ^l^^"*^ " ^^^ ^^"1^ "murmur ; " poor child !--och, then, Peter dear! if you'd oZ think of yourself, think of your souL oam Zu sure what about the poor body ? Oh? K f^r^lr '-"^^'^^k'^J^^^ ''''y<^^ t- b« true o } our religion ? --- who's that says he's going to and' l[f/''^^}^'\^^^ ^ied with a wild stfre ; suuu a f;j VfUl thing, - didn't I bring him into the worfd 6 ■" an' 82 WILLY burke; or, am n 1 1 answerablf to God for hi=, soul ? No, ma am ! It wasn't for the likes o' that he came here, an' I have that much trust in Go.' that I'm sure he'd neyer let a child o'lu ne fall nto IZT'I^ ■ " ^'•"'■^" ''»<='^ exhausted, aid ?ay m at/w" '^T' ™°«°°lf «'- '^hile Pete'r sobbed hishearr-' ^^ '"*'''' ^'' "*^' °^ "No, mother, dear! with God's helptliero's , no danger, -only live, _ only open your eves and tell your poor Peter that yi„ Low h m and that you'll forgive him, and he'll nem- 'tive you reason to complain of him again. Oh ' 1 do at all? and m the extremity of his an- guish, he started to his feet and wrung his hands '•.-l.s not dead, Peter! — she's only in a f '7 * " w-T''^'"' *'''" «•"= '■''"s into after a fit ' " hfo 1 ''1,?^',"^ ^P."""^' •»« "nn? '"8 »™s around of their childish days. " But sure there's no use he'd tale ^hJ""" "' *° P^"y *° ^<"'' ^"' -"^ybe he d take pity on us, an' spare Aerlife ! Come g rls passively obeyed, and Peter fell again on his knees, with his face laid on the covlrlU of his mother's bed. Few and simple were the words they uttered ; and it was on v Willy who said^aloud, "O Lord! spare us our mother^ il? No, he came ck\ that fall into and lay ' sobbed ness of ) there's ur ores, )w him, 'er give . bh! hat will his au- 3 hands ly in a •afit!" around fection no use [•! — it maybe Come, e little ain on rlit of re the ly who lother. THE IRISH ORPTIAX IN A.MEP A. 83 her U-''.l'''''*^r; ^^' ''^'''^ ^^"^^^ ^^ '^^ without her il she was taken away from us?" *'Ah then, God's blessin' be ai)out yn for good children that yo are ! " cried Mrs. O'Grlidv who just then entered, and kneeling, she joined m their prayer for a moment. "But now I must see to your mother ! " an qinir she an proached the bed. ^' ^ ""^ When Peter had talked a de while with his brother and sisters, he asked Mrs O^Gr^^^^^^^ whether she thought there was any hope that his mother would soon be sensible a-ain Be- fore i.e good woman had time to answer, the patient started from her feverish slumber, and ntfe^i^xLr^Soir '-' ''""''^ -^ --- Mr^O'rl'.i^^''"' l^'^u^' now, Peter!" said Ml s O Grady, as she hastened to administer a An 1 m afeard it'll be some time before she knows any one — God help her ! " "Then I needn't be waitin' here, Willy " IniXj' ^Tl""? ^^ ^"' ^'^^^'^'^ " there's enough of ye to take care of her, an' I could dp no good. Mrs. Watkins has promised o give me some money 'or my mother, an' to her i'rifr" T^*^^"^« '^^''^^ b« good for denl li • "'.7 ^^^^ ^^^^^' ^^' ^^ h^^'^ a great deal to do in the office." iLskl^ w- n ""* T T"" '}''^^ '^"^ ^^^ office, Peter ? " ^ - —J V > -V- "c uiu noi; at aii Like MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 1^ m L£ li^^ 1^ 7.1 13.2 U) A iZ BiLiU 12.5 M 1.8 ^ APPLIED IIVHGE 1653 East Main Street Rochester. New York 14609 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phona (716) 288-5989 -Fox Inc 64 WILLY BUllKE ; OR, this new move of his brother ; " sure vou can't write an3' yet for them ? " « j ou can t " No," said the other, with some little em- barrassment, -but I can tie up papers, a^' keep the p ace in order, while the clerk^ are all busy writm I'll come back in the even! Sght." '' '" '''' ^^**^'' ^'^^ '^^3^ ^11 I' Ah, then, that same 'ill be a great stretch C kindness," retorted Wiliy, whose angerwas again rising ; and though he did not allSw i^S burst out, jet he could not prevent himself irom speaking tartly and testily. "It's a good thing that mother's not dependin' on you anyway or I'm afraid she'd come off badly! It s well for her that Father Fitzherbert knows where she lives, an' you may tell Mrs. Watkins that. I m sure, Peter Burke, if you were as y^u ought to be, you'd nev'er darLn Mrs! Watkins's door, after the way she has treated my poor heart-broken mother." "I can't wait to answer you now " waq that I just think as much about my mither as jrJ\ ^7 ."" JT *"■'' •' " And^going over to the bed, he took up his mother's hand and kissed It fondly ; then, without another word not even to his sisters, he hurried from the On his return, Peter found Mrs. Watkins anxiously looking out for him, and her kind inquiries for hia mnfho.. ««w.Ji^i._i «, ; ,.*«r" THK ITIISII ORPHAN IX AMERICA. 85 'ou can't ttle em- •ers, an* erks are le even- stay all stretch ?er was ow it to himself 'It's a on 3'ou, ' badl}^ ; knows i^atkins i^ere as 1 Mrs. treated ," was Willy, ther as g over id and word, >m the atkins r kind fiened his heart, so that he as the best and truest of?Ss*° aT" '''' ous illusion, Which the M^^rif knet tvf to dhtC '""i'"'' "'^""'^^ ^'^ ^^ left to the^r u, self ZlZ °'"^ proposed that she her- » S t.i i *"" '■''''"y anxious," said she aisease. The things which I told vou I wmiM send are all in readiness, so that we can Tl e mTkrnf for i" *'^V^?'""=- Oo,row, To Mr! to school ""^ ''''^''' ^' "'">"°' ^P'"-^ >•"" to go ^ In the course of the afteruoonl Father Fitz. fou^cfstuftr •"'''^'' ^^'■'- 1^-ke whom hJ v°"h tand^f fh™"'' ""'^ ^""^""y ^«^k, not- withstanding the rage of the fever. From Willy he received an account of Petei's vit?t^ Suet ot thtxvf^ V''^^' « ^^^ ^holo Burke AmnvuT^""'" ^' '^^^'^"^ the , . .'"""'J • ' There is here," said he witl.in himself, "a deen-laid nin„ I "'"''"e, within thoughtless boy • mav^ Cod • ° v""' **"'" defeat their d°k.yiJ'^lJ''J''. .'^"''y' lamb from strayi^-^VonS thelw , " "" ToZ 86 WILLY BURKE ; OR, brother is to come back here in the evening, is he not? " he said aloud to Willy. " Yes, 3'our reverence! he said he'd come an' staj^ 'over- night, if mother wasn't better. " "Then I must see and speak with him." Father Fitzherbert, as he spoke, approached the bed, and taking up the hand that lay on the coverlit, he found that the pulse was much less violent than it had been even half an hour before. "Mrs. O'Grady, " he said to the nurse, *Sthe fever is already subsiding, so you will require to pay the utmost attention, so as to lose no time in giving some of that strength- ening cordial on the first appearance of re- turning consciousness. Has the doctor been here to-day ? " " Yes, your reverence ; he called about noon, and he thinks that towards evening she maj^ come to herself a little. He just told me what your reverence does — that I have need to look sharp." The twilight was deepening around; and Willy, with Ally and Biddy, had drawn near the hearth, whereon a log or two of wood was blazing. Mrs. O'Grady and one of her daugh- ters were also there, and the good woman was relating in a low voice some old reminiscence of her native land. They all believed that the sick woman slept, for during the last hour or two she had lain in a heavy slumber, when suddenly her voice was heard, low and faint but yet distinct, calling " Willy I " There was THE AiUSH ORP:i.*.N IN AMERICA. 87 iio other light in the room than that of the fire ; but when the boy, starting to his feet, reached the bed with ahnost a single step, he saw that his mother's eyes were open, and that she as trying to raise herself on her elbow. Stooping over her, he held her up, saying tenderly, *' Mother, dear ! do you know me? " " Ah, then, I do, Willy, thanks be to God ! But is it sleenin' I was this long time, or what ? for I had such terrible dreams." She spoke almost in a whisper ; but her words brought tears of joy to Willy's eyes, and bending down, he kissed her. " Sure it was ravin' 3''oa were, all the time„ But, thanks be to God, moUier, dear ! that you're gettin' sensible again." By this time the little girls had reached the bed-side, and, wild with joy, would have kissed their mother over and over again ; but I\Irs. O'Grady quickly interposed, and gently drew them awa^', asking, " Do you want to kill your mother out an' out? An' you too, Willy! come away from there, good boy ! you can do your mother no good ; so leave her to me till I give her what I was bid." "Only let me ask him one question, Mrs. O'Grady, -i* then he'll go. Was Peter here at all, Willy, since I took bad?" " lie was, mother ; he was here a good while this mornin', an' he said he'd come back in the evenin' to see how you'd be; an' indeed, mother, dear, he was in black trouble when he seen you so low." i t V 88 WILLY BURKE ; OR, . Well, God be praised for that same, dear » there's a chance for him still ; " and she raised her eyes to heaven in silent thanksgivino-, while her kind nurse put the wine to her parched lips. Feeling much refreshed, even by the few spoonfuls given her, she would have expressed her gratitude to Mrs. O'Grady, but that good woman would not permit her. " jN'o, no, dear, don't say a word about it ; sure it's only my duty I'm doin' ; be quiet, now, Mrs. Burke, d^ar, until you gather a little strength, an then you may talk as much as you like. Light a candle there, children ! " "Well, but, Mrs. O'Grady," said the sick woman, " I want to tell you about a thino- that's troublin' me very much. There's some clothes there in the tub, belongin' to a lady down town, an' she paid me beforehand for doin' them, too — God bless her kind heart! Now, if you'd be so good as to get one o' the girls to wash an' iron them, so that Willy could take them home, it 'id be a great relief to my miud, an' I'll pay you, please God, what I o-ot myself for doin' them ; that's half a dollar.'' _ "Ah, then, if that's all that's troublin' you, Mrs. Burke, dear ! j-ou may make your mind easy ; for my Anne there did them up an' ironed them this mornin', an' now they're aired an' all ready to send home, but I didn't know where to send them. Willy can go with them as soon as you like; an' as to the pavm^nf aroon I I'll not take a penny. So doa't^let me V THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 89 ! »J hear a word more about it. If God spares joxi life an' health, you'll do as much for me when I am in a pinch.'* ^' Well, i&od reward j'ou, for I'm sure I never can, that's all I can say 1 " was Mrs. Burke's reply ; and her faint, tremulous tones alarmed her nurse so much that she would not suffer her to say another word. I ■ujUf fj 90 WILLY BURKE ; OR, CHAPTER V. A mother's death-bed. yV BOUT half an hour had passed ; Wilh-was ^ goiie home with the basket of clothes, and his mother had fallen into a light slumber, when she was suddenly awoke by a low whispering at the door ; and, starting, she said, " Isn't that Peter's voice I hear ? Are 3'ou there, Peter ? " *'I am then, mother, dear!" cried Peter, darting forward ; and throwing his arms round his mother's neck, he burst into tears, while the fond parent clasped him to her heart with a sort of convulsive strength. " An' you'll not leave me again, my son ! 1 11 not trouble yjou long, an' I'd wish to have ye all around me at the last. You'll not leave me, Peter?" "No, mother darlin', I'll stay with you as long as you wish ; " and, as Peter spoke, the big tears rolled down his cheeks, attestino- the depth and sincerity of his feelings. ° " AVell, now, isn't this pretty^vork ! " cried Mrs. O'Grady, as she taw the sick woman fall ^^^i..,^x:^i ^„ tiic wcu. - Lret OUC 01 IHQ THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 91 waj-, Peter Burke ! don't 3'ou see 3'oiir mother's not fible to speak or to move? Go an' see who's that comin' up the stairs ; I think it's a stranger." "It's Mrs. TVatkins, mother," said Peter, who, having gone to the door, as directed, re- turned ushering in the lady, who had judged it better to let Peter come alone, and then follow herself. A servant also entered the room, carr3'ing a basket, which his mistress ordered him to set down, and then withdraw. There was but little satisfaction in the smile with which Mrs. Burke met the pitying look of her visitor ; and when the latter kindl}^ in- quired how she found herself, she coldl}' an- swered, " A little better, thank God, and you for askin', ma'am ! " The truth was, that poor Mrs. Burke felt sadly disappointed by this visit, for it happened at a moment when she was endeavoring to gather sufficient strength to give a solemn admonition to her son Peter, touching the affairs of his soul. Mrs. O'Grady placed a chair for the lady near the bed, but failed not, as she did so, to express her opinion that the patient should be left undisturbed. "For," said she, "she's not able to talk, an' no one ought to speak to her while she's so weak." Before an}^ one had replied, Will3^*s voice Tirna hnnv/1 on tho et.nirfa nnllinor niit for n licrht ! and in a moment he made his appearance with 92 WILLY BUUKE ; OR, J ather Fitzherbert. " Here's Father Fitzher- bert mother, dear!" he said, and the effect was hke magic. The poor woman's eyes were suddenly lit up with the brightest joy, — the very announcement seemed to give her streno-th for she started almost to a sitting posture, and remamed resting on her elbow. "Thanks be to the Lord ! " was her fervent exclamation, as the priest approached the bed, hat 1 see your reverence again. I know I m not long for this world, an' I was beginnin' to be aft-aid that you wouldn't be here in time ^ut sur« I might have known that my Heavenly 1^ ather wouldn't take me away unprepared — oh, glory, honor, an' praise be to his holy name. It s little I deserve his mercy I " ■ " I am glad to find that you have recovered your senses Mrs. Burke," said the priest, as, bowing to Mrs. Watkins, he took up the hand of the patient; ''but your pulse indicates ex^eme weakness, and I would advise you to keep as quiet as possible, for a few hours, until your strength is somewhat recruited " ^ '1 T!?!^ x1*' ^''^'''' I'everence, I'll not be con- tented till I have got the rites of the church. Only hear my confession, sir, an' give me the Blessed Sacrament, an' then I'll be as quiet as can be,— there's somethin' tellin' me that my end is near, an' I'm sure your reverence would not hide it from me." "Certainly not," replied Father Fitzher- THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 93 ister of religion, whose duty it is to prepare souls for leaving this world. You arc not in error, my child ; — the opinion of your med- ical attendant agrees with my own, and we both think that you have not many hours to live." Here the children, not even excepting Peter, burst into a passion of grief, while their mother turned upon them a glance of unutter- able tenderness, where they stood grouped to- gether near the head of the bed. " AVhisht, children ! " she said, after a moment's silence, during which she was evidently offering her- self and them to God ; " whisht, my darlins, there's no use in ye cryin* that way ; if it was God's will I'd ratiier be left here a little longer, till ye'd be all able to do for yourselves, aii' to go on in the way of salvation through all the tnals of this world ; but since that's not or- ciained for us, I'll give ye all up to the pro- tection of your Heavenly Father, an' he'll do better for you than I could. An' Father Fitzherbert, too, I'm sure he'll watch over you, for God's sake, poor lonesome creatures that ye'll be when I'm gone. So don't fret, children, dear ! an* now all go away for a little while, till I try to prepare myself for eternity ; — do, now, there's good childrei Willy, do 3'ou take your poor little sisters down stairs for a little while, an' you, Peter, get a chair for Mrs. Watkins near the fire abroad in the kitchen, if she wishes to ay longer. l_J 94 WILLY liUUKK ; OR, Mrs. Watkins did Avish to sta}-, hopincr that she mi:;!it induce Poter to ^ro ]y^ick with her, as she no^y more tlian ever f?arcd tliat if she loft him alone to the infliionce of such a scone, she mij^ht g'wQ him up as lost. Ere yet she liad quitted the room, she heard Father Fitzher- berttell Mrs.Burko that AVilly had called to a[)prise him of her having recovered her senses, as otlierwise he might not have come so soon.' "Ay, it's just like him," snid the mother, in a tone of deep feeling, " it's himself that was always thoughtful, an' I hope God 'ill give liim grace to watch over his sisters. If your reverence was talkin* to Father JMaloncy — God's blessin' he with him ! — he'd tell you that my Willy had something good in iiim from his infancy ; an' the last time he seen him, that was the night before he Icfb home, when the priest was goin* away, after givin' us all his blessin', didn't Willy, an' him only a little fellow at the time, run after him to the door, till he blessed hira over again ? " An involuntary smile curled the lip of Mrs. Watkins as she overheard this simple effusion ; and, as Peter closed the door behind them, she looked into his face with a strange expression, half ironical, half comic, as though she would have said: "Can 3'ou be influenced by such silly notions as these ? What a foolish woman your mother u ! " And Peter blushed to his very temples, though he said nothing, but silently placed a chair for the Inrlv in tha nhirr^r^r^xT.r^r^^ TiiK iniar orphan in America. 95 nor. Mrs. O'Crrnfly had fi^onn down stair?; for a fow minutes, al'tor Willy n:id tlio little girls, so Ihiit they AVero left alone to;^ether. During the short time that the room-door was closed, Mrs. Watkins tried every art of persuasion to induce Peter to go back witli her, representing to liim that there was no apparent danger of his mother's death, at least that night, and lie could return next day as early as he chose. " And what good will it do either her or you for you to remain over- night? I should th'nk there are far too many around her, and that ;'ho would be much better if left alone with the nurse, who seems, by-the- by, a very sensible and experienced person. And then Mr. Watkins will not think of com- ing to fetch me, naturally expecting that you will be back with me, so that if 3'ou do not come, I shall really be forced to go home alone, and at a most unseasonable hour.*' "No, no, ma'am!" said Peter, quickly. " There's no need of yon goin' home by your- self, for sure I can go an' leave you at home an' then come back. But as for stayin' away all night from my poor mother, an' it may be the last night we'd have her, — oh, no, ma'am ! I wouldn't take a mint o' money an' do it. God forbid that I'd be so hard-hearted or unnatural ! '* and the poor fellow's tears burst forth anew. At this moment, when Mrs. Watkins was just about to renew her attack, the inner door opened, and Father Fitzherbert came out, ask- -^ WILLY burke; or, ing for Mrs. O'Grady, Peter instantly ran to call her, and then would have passed into the room after the priest, who had left the door open ; but Mrs. Watkins, moving after him, re- quested to know whether she might not see Mrs. Burke for a moment before she left. " Yes, to be sure, ma*am ! " was the faint response from the bed ; and the lady sat down again, following with her scrutinizing eyes the motions of the priest, who still wore his stole. "P€|rhaps, madam," said Father Fitzher- bert, addressing the Kdy whom he knew only by Mrs. Burke's account, *' perhaps you do not know that I'm about to administer the Holy Eucharist to Mrs. Burke, and 3^ou may probably choose to withdraw, for the present. It is usual for all the Catholics in the house to be present, if possible, when the sacrament is given to the dying, but it would be as well for those who do not believe as we do, to retire." Mrs. Watkins bowed her acquiescence, and resumed her place near the kitchen-fire, though internally inveighing against the priest, for she was curious to see how these Popish cere- monies were carried on. But Father Fitzher- bert knew well the irreverent curiosity which would alone have been gratfied, and the total ^want of respect for the Blessed Sacrament, which, in the event of her remaining in the room, would have scandalized the children, and therefore politely hinted at the propriety of her retiiing for a while. Willy and his sis- and THE IRISH ORPHAN IV AMERICA. 97 the' O-rroT' '?'''"''*eywere followed by infoPhfr ^ '■f^'^.""'' y°™g- A" passed into the inner chamber, and knelt, as they en- tered, m respectful silence. Mrs Burke iTv calm and tranquil, with her eyes closed, for tuh'th tT rr "P '" '^^<^' communion with that God who was about to take up his abode within her soul. Her thin, worn hands were clasped together outside the bed-clothes • and, were it not for the motion of her lips she might have been believed dead. But not so • for when the priest, approaching with the "L^i *?°\" 'T'''' "^"^ -^Onu, Dei," Behold the Lamb of God, beho d him who taketh away the sins of the world ' " she opened her eyes and raised her hands in fer! ^ont thanksgiving, while a smile of exquisite joy crossed her wan features. "-^-qu'sue " Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under myroof ; say but the word, and my mj poor miserable soul clean an' pure to re- ceive theel" and while these heaSelt eiac- ulations still hovered on her lips, she sImv raised Iier head, and received he Bread of ang^s-the Bread that giveth life to the . Sinking back on her bed, her eves a^ \ 102 WILLY BURKE ; OR, In that case, Peter," said the priest, "I know that I can get you into the same house with 3'our brother. Your salary may be small at tirst, but you will have many counter-bal- ancing advantages." " Well, sir, as you an' mother wishes it, I'll agree, though I'm sorry to leave Mr. Watkins's "" i^ulrf ^^ "^^^^ *''^^*^^^ as if I was their ownl3hild." 4 'l^^^»^''^ ^® praieed, — I can die con- ^" ^^L ^"urn™"red the dying woman ; " but, uwi^r."^^'': ^ '''^"* *^ sP^ak * word to you." "What IS It, Mrs. Burke?" said her kind nurse ; and her tears fell fast as she bent over Her patient, so as to catch her low tones. " There's a little tobacco-box of poor Andv's in one corner of that big chest within. Willy can get it for you, an' you'll get a sovereign in It ; It s the last of the money we brought from home, an' I always kept it fbr a pinch ; that'll pay you what rent I owe you. I think it's four dollars, isn't it?" Burke! cried her generous landlady, with characteristic vehemence; "that sovereign will bury you decently, an' I can do without It. JNo, no, I m a poor woman, but while God si^ares my husband and son their health, I can get along without the little penny you owed me. So I pray God to cancel the debt, as I do from my heart." Overpowered by the excess of her gratitude, >» THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 103 the dying woman could only grasp the friendly hand held out to her, and raise her failing eyes to heaven, invoking a blessing on her benefac- tress. vShe spoke not again for several mo- ments, during which the rattling in her throat wag fearfully increasing. Raising her feeble hand, she made a sign for her children to ap- proach; the priest placed them all on *heir knees beside the bed, and by a mighty effort the dying mother found voice to bless them. *'Be good children," she added; "be good men an' women, an' ever an' always fear God more than men; listen to the voice of his Church ; live an' die good Catholics, an' W(;ll meet again in glory. There, don't cry that way, it's no use ; but pray for me. God bless ye all ! " She signed to Father Fitzherbert to put the crucifix in her right hand ; he did so ; and, with a smile of ineffable joy, the pure soul, purified by all manner of earthly suffering, well and cheerfully borne, passed away. The eyes were still upraised, and the lips iii the act of praising God, when lip and eye were fixed in death. "May that God whom j-ou so faithftilly served receive your liberated soul into the mansions of rest I " said the priest, solemnly ; and by a gesture full of grave dignity he si- lenced the lamentations of the orphans, now orphans in reality ; then kneeling, he recited aloud the praj ers for the dead, in which all present, joined, with the exception of Mrs. IJif ml' \ i 1 i i '1 J \'t 104 WILLY BURKE ; OR, Watkins. The good lady was just beginnin<» to wax impatient, when a foot was heard on the staircase, and her husband made his ap- pearance, to her very great satisfaction. No notice was taken of either by those wlio, ab- Borbed in devotion, were supplicating the Most High for mercy on behalf of the parted soul ; so without a word being spoken, Mrs. Watkins beckoned her husband from the room, and in an instant tliey were seated in their carriage Death is ever awful ; but how fearfully drear it becomes when it deprives a whole fam- ily of a tender parent ~ an only parent. When wrenching away that last gi'eat bond of unity. It leaves the little community without a head without a centre, lonely and detached units in the great human assembly. It was a melan- choly sight to see the four children of Mrs Burke clinging around the bed, whereon lay their dead mother, vainly calling on her who could no longer hear, and beseeching her to speak but a word; vain, vain their cries. When was " the dull, cold €ar of death " ever reached or opened by human voice ? For some time none of them could think of anything • the one pervading image filled the mind of each — their mother was dead, and they were now or- .phans in very deed. After a little while, Willy raised his head from the side of the bed where it had been resting, and looking around on his brother and sisters, he said, with an attempt at vuLnness It was bad enough when poor THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 105 father died an' was thrown into the sea, but then we didn't half know our loss, an' besides, we had our mother still, so wo weren't so badly oir ; hut now," — here his forced composure de- serted him ; for one glance at the dead face of his mother had subdued his little self-control, and when the others burst out again into tears and lamentations, himself wept and sobbed as loudly as either of his little sisters. Hitherto J^atherl^itzherbert had remained kneelinc WII.Lr BUIIKE OR, The day of burial raiuo, and Father Fitz- erbert offered up the Holy Sacrince earl v h. the mornm. t|,„t God might receive the so. of us departed 8e,vant. It was a touohl-ig spoc- — iollown.g to the grave the remains of their onI.y parent, eaeh holding by the hand one of thoir young sisters. The brothers restraine.1 the violence of their sorrow as they move along after the hearse, but the little giils sobbed and cried all the wav, though Zt tmual ly reminded by their brothers that tTey should endeavor to be quiet while passing a Z the s.reets. Besides the O'Gradys, the?e werf only a few others who followed the liearseTfor te deceased had but few acquaintances, and she was poor, very poor, aye, and far away from the place where she and hers were known and house, with none by to mourn her but the desolate orphans who stood cowering together at the head of the grave. o<=''"ej: THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 100 CHAPTER VI. THE DROTIIERS m TIIEIK NEW SITUATION. place, and Fath^- Sorb rt "in" hi': Sf^ kindness, advised tlie two boys toTo InZf urday to the liouse of Mr Talhr,^ ^fh *" emi)Ioyor "It will J- [' ^""""'f f'eir new 1 , i it will divert your minrlo " o„!i ginning of the week. ^ myse f ,vil „ ''''" duct vniii- i;tfi„ • 1 ^'"JSS" will now eon- arrange wiH/Zto'te"* '"'' """''"'' *° "No, your reverence," said Willv h,-« take so™; ,o.:,"4tes '^f' m^J'^orS^: thats there in the cliest abroad. W L„T. !',.! .uuxuai uiuke something of them," in'part Tf 110 X WILLY burkk; or, ■ said she l.ad canili^r?^t, ?' ' ^'''^"^° «'>« We're aoin' ?« • !, ""^ ^'^''t altoffether. below stairs; wi wlldn'f J- 1'''/'''''" '"•• " any of the clothes sttnles It w i'^' "'"' ™y mother's littIe%lebtXe^u' It'll "? •'"^'' ■ good to look at them now an' til " ^° "^ have nothino- else to nnt T • ?" ' ™''<' «'e that's gone Mvn^° ' .^^ '" """"^ "f them thaf 'ic?r of ui TLTX- ?or'f' ""^i".? " were all worn nut „> ^^ ,' "'^ ''*'' «Iothes shawl an' SL a„' ,r''' ^' '''•' ^""'-^ '>er that she used t. 1 """f °*'''"" ""'« things rest;'' he stoDoed T?, ' ^f"''^'* "P ^"1' & emotion, ;hiS&!ant;hi''uX°"f Y '"^ into teajs. The o-oL] " • * . ^""'^ ■""'«* eyes bore witness^nf if '^'*'''' "^""g"' '"s own it time tol ufrsto ' t^'n''- ^^'' '■''*''^"^''' (iesired them all tnn^l 'i"^' *"'' therelbre They dese:Sle1 tl7sS„'T-/'f ''P"^"^«- children turning s^At--^* '''5"'°''' *''^ oofc of the noVSed^d" eUinf ' wl"'^' they had reached the foot of f h! if ^' }^'^ a short passage led toMr, O^P ,""?' ''''*™ mcnts, Willv asWl h : ^ ^^^^b' s apart- might not sten in f P'''"'* 'vhether they Father pllSert I ° f "■'' '?»'•?«■«"." an^ whole four hastene n ^ "°''?'?,'^ "^^""t' t'^e Wmself walked slow y'S t"' *\^ P"^^' Just in time to wS ,^e 'L *,'!!^- .??.. .''''? \ wouldn't 'aiise she together, iest here, om for it xart with s to pay 11 do us sure we of them inything clothes a^'e her ' things ith the 5 b}' his s burst fiis own :hought lerefore •arture. ow, the a last When where apart- r they and It, the priest 5 was heard THE IRISH ORPHAN IX AMERICA. Hi poor mother. ^° of their own breast when I'm dead '" °" ™^ O Grady, with genuine fervor ° '" an' if, ^^ je all from hurt or harm f™ .-►..?' ."*'** ti^at'« the .juiet, manneri> ■cMi:nf T^;' il 112 WILLY burke; or, ought to have luck ! Go now, poor things, for I see his reverence is waitin' for vou, an' I'm real sorry that there's none o' my ones within But sure ye'll come often to see us. Do an' God bless ye ! for ye may be sure ye'll never come without bein' welcome." ^^ "«^er A few minutes' walk brought Father Fitz. nZZJiV''' ^ r^.^^''^^^ to the house of the good lady who had agreed to take the little gills ; and she received them with so kind a welcome, that notwithstanding their natural iTfhft'^''^ l^ soriw they felt on parting "oonnon ![ ^''^^''''' ^^''y y^^^ ^PP^^-^red quite econciled to stay with Mrs. Williams, only them to the door, that they would come soon to see them. The boys, in their part, we^e much affected, and the eyes of both were filled \\ith tears, just as they emerged from the narrow street in which Mrs. Williams'^shop was sauated. The priest, who walked immi' c ately before them, was accosted by a cheer- ful voice from the opposite trottoir, and a ffen- teman instantly crossed the street. Father ^itzherbert stopped, and said, with a smile! lalbot, as It saves me the necessitv of ^oino- to your house, and I am rather limited in time this forenoon, having promised to be at the Bishop's at half.past eleven. These are e boys of whom I told you." "Oh. indAPH f »' ««i^ _ xaiooi. ruK iKisn onPiuN ix ameb.ca. ns glanced at the brothers • « in f l,„f you had better leave 'th^m . ' *'*'''*' ^ '^'''°'' The business on ,4ioh I w. °"'' *" ""«• mot vou can be oni . "^ S°'"S "hf" I i»g- it will be ustns\v^irf ''"'"'"• *'"•' ">«'■»- of sight, as I needl,o M, ^i"" *° ''''"P °»' 1.0 is against priestT n'^Sf ° Y?-'L"'''='=.'' this, Father Fitzherbort? " T , , ^,"* ''°'^ '^ " these lads aoilea, n= J 'f "*'«' Vnckly ; weeping." '^'^''.'" "« t'^o»gh tliey had been is noliling'^u JSit'L"iT ^r ^"•' '^"' "'-t from their orXn «&ff° thej have just parted a« yon can wil wf„e''r'' *''1 1^""^ ''»«. , of their grievousTosf " ' '""'''"^ '^' "•««°"-y a >^ndj''to°ne*d::h^'fr''\*'^« '^-'■>- '» thatheinight Sue! ^ t f ^'^ •>'>» wherenpon Father FLhe^et h ''".''*"''■' turned awav in „„ '"^neroeit bowed and -ying wi^a Zn: ''K^o'T r V «^«' you will do what you can for th^ 'r,''"' *'"" n-y bovs, I shall see you veTv soo^' '^°'"^-''^'' God's help ! " •= J "u i ery soon again, with ciue^'stS TLX:L^'1-J;'''" P"' -"ous their respective chSacters^yh "'''" °"' slow in nerceiViiK, th„t I, ' " "" ^as »ot l^ad many mentaf !dtn . ^'"""^"^ '^'""^^ little indebted t "^'!l"ffl^^' i'^l^ough but they arrived at h[spi;^r7b„Z3fLt! i ml ii I \ 114 WILLI- bckke; or, ourthJf '*''°f^'^' '-^■''"^''' =o that even with- out the earnest recommemlation of theZil^t less" ™uthr%'i°r 't "'""''' f- *>-«"-- o^einX: To" t' '"-^^ ^'^"^^'^ -Wer„°o. o?- cities, the greatest amount of the wholesale tra,le. H^^i^g ^j^^^ .^^^^ furtLr re~ of the place, without eliciting more thnn „ passing glance from the numerous sXw'?J^ed yard thrpw » • ?? v°.°"* «" " «'°«^ "arrow Sir;'tf 't-""'* *■•'" ^^^ '-'«"" h mercnant, with his Bnnff-colored and hio-h iremity ot the long sham rhin tt/ seated on a high offlce3, td" bent with '"^^^^f^^'^i'^on over his desk. ""'* Blac^"' ^ ^:^Z^ - »^ to ttr" "irh''""' ''"^■'^'"3 ^-f t>^e ^"% In • she ma.' ir-'^'/ ?'[°°S Probability tha sne maj get m to-night, as the win/l h.a veered conairlprahi- »!««- t .. . . T'""' "^s '"-^v «=i"wc X went out. tl THE miSH ORPH^^ ,^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ AyJ^ dere's alway sure a chance, to b pishiy^ndTithout rtSinTw' 'rr""* — l- a'wajs look-in' out forlho '"'"'' ' "J'°"be l>«t fl yo««eedaf ode/Sl°':'',°"''™' « keen gLT^^^Xmy^T^^'P ""'' ''-^«'' standing next him h ? ' ^ " ''^''<^ to be two, he laid «Lr2toTS^*'j?' '''''' ^«e dere be two ' " ^ """' ^a* ^-^a^ be Jons, tell me It "h "f- ^ ' '^""t good dey boU, .J- Tm^^ Kt:^l„?^°*' ."they I--., ui3mg anxious to learn ^w"""* ''''' ^^'"^ to «ake themselves exceSSgi;':^, ~^^^^^^^ 'ifi 'I -.;ii II i 116 WILLY BURKE ; OR, In i i '■ i "Oh, jiy! orpliaiis! Vere von fin.i „n *7 was tlu-owu an orphan on the widl orM t' -Wd; dese boys de on?;::rS;;d"Z' ^ - \ ell ! you Oder boy — vat you can ^r, ■> •• he said, addressing Peter ^ ° ' to N^: y;^r "Tw" *''"• P/'"'"^ «'"«« I «""»« Mr Miller!! V, ^ ^^"^ go'"' en-ands nrst for "Yes*.Ti *""*■■ ^ ^"^ ^"■^^'' '^'f" Tiir. ,ms„ onpnAN ix amewca. 117 ^^;' Humph - <,atisgoo ^as- better than I expeS^f "oeahtzes around here "VeU,vatyoutink?Deyworthkeeping,eh?" ir cannot gh I my- — neither to niglit- '' all that close by ing oiir 3secl this falcolm, '. Saun- s to tlie nanage- em duly od-bj', a good uders." ugh to e faces lat fell ianced in the 1, Mr. Willy gs un- Nas- l here eh?" THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 119 This was said in rather a low tone " ToIk ♦ tone '^d: lot" JrM?"^;,t^ «T '<"^ is now at fault f, ^ T 7 .■'^"'''ots judgment that these S 'are b.fh " /*n '"^'' '° ^^'"^'^ dere, vat your name ? " *^ ■ "^ ' ^ ^^ ^^^ *' William Burke, sir" p'^it.^to-d^u-"'^'^.^-" Priests w . ' "* "° "nk mooch of Sau:der7sa?to''™„':„fL' >'' --'I vtt do veil here^. xlS de same to"''*' ^f ^'""^ Say old Mr Weimar no cZ for P-1^' '*^'^"■• fader dat, but he like Znest bov/daf '^ "' vork veil, and he pay dem leuXh^-' ^'" VVilly made a low bow n^ ihJr.}A nevvfd attS% ^^J^^^J^!^ H, |i 120 WILLY burke; or, Icotetaan!-"'^ *" ^-"^ ^"""-^ -t-f-t'on of the " ^"^ P"''^^ the day; the evening fell." - good :r:,TofT:z'^^z' i: 'r' and the encouramno. ] ; i^ ?^ fc>aunders, }"« dew orsiJTon^tr/ ';;r %'r concern, and Z r^cMhe^ \7iu''' "' '"« Mrs. Malcolm, the old W ,. , *''•' ^'"•" "^ commendin- them X' ^''°'<''' honrekeepar j special prot^cHot ' Vo^'lZ ^T'' '" H have a watch o'er tli I Ei'^'il ''^ "•"■« I'» God, anyhow for bHni '„*''"" '»''3- ^l^ank care." Thb VrsnM ^ ^^/''^™ ""^« 3<»>r they follow^! M^^X'""'-^ *<> the brother's, as Peter- Tnt^^il'lf t'-^i^if "- \"»'--nded lipor UA 1 V "^ ^^ "^® church was nnito ful smile. « You see' von f ''"'' ''"'» " «''««'•' here over thp nf h J \ " '^"^^ ™ advantage u» sects. Crood-mght, my bovs' I THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 121 course of the eveninrr fi.« ^"l^pei. in the waf fn;i o 1 M * ^^^PP«"ed, that wliile Willy was sad and silent, weio-hed down h.^ /k t^fM *^?'" °^ '''^ recent los^'pet^i on' iaugn and jest, soon laughed and woto^ ttl merriest of all. He had loved hTs mother J h aCf th "T '"*"' °" Sandlys. ^ Ven left' alone, the boys sat for a while talkinrover a^eed that they would To n^vV. !?„^"V^:l'\? viieir iiiu tiler's I II grave, and also to see'^^their SIS- 122 WILLY BURKE ; OR, . Litany of th'e uC Vir^i^^„^'f "I" f»i^ the gone half-war throu" '''"•«* of n^a-le both start iCslnfJ'*'""" ">« ''"or heard one of thp v^V. ^ ^°' " moment, thev of the others 'Cv^r° *""""« '<> somi listen to the Burkes _1L, """"^ ''^'■«-' J"st »'ray as if they werTtw? Tf ""'"""j- Pr»3^ns the Virgin, I pr^tlst f "''l^^J^thr Sf" ' ""'' *» "civaneing footstepsVas hearrf " ^^""ndof as though severil «„! ' ""'' 't seemed wound the d^r A ill "' ^'^ "«tening Willy's cheek-it was C^'r °^«'«P'ea3 nation - but, mal hJ , J^ ? f'*"^ °*' i-^lig- due his anger h^resumed th r?.* ^'^"'^ ^o sut nothing hSd CpeneT A±'r/',"' ^""g'^ raised outside, and PeteT^^lf ^^ 'f ^'' ^"s kneeling posture saving ; P' "P *^°n» his jou hear them mat '?' 1"^'° V"'''^' " »on't alone, I tell you -" Same of us? Let it wen "\Si,n*°;^j?ll?^" '""-o-^^^^^^^ till he had reached the . ^7"'^' '""' stopped «tood up, and quX besan^^^''""- '^^'^ ''« .. "Wh3-, what in tte^ worid^.';«P^M'°^ ''•'''• " made you £0 on wl.»^ ,: u™' said Peter, at us thit w^ ? suTe S )T'^ *''«'» '"nghin! ever I seen." ^ '^ *''^ queerest feUow "I'll just tell vou, Petpr wi, t - ' "t*r, why I went on," t-prajcrs. (^ say the fs brother scarcely burst of the floor 'nt, they to some e! just praying and to ound of seemed stening ^spread indig- o sub- though jh was m his Don't Let it ranee, >pped ?n he * bed. *eter, ^hin* jUow on ft THE IHISH OnPH..N IN AMERICA. 123 ttrut J'i'i;ir 'a 1: ^f'""^" ?*"- '-^- the liste„.'^;;"f "tm r::,"n"' in T" "' sage. *'Didn'f a-^.. ^I-l ",^*^""g Jn the j^as- their 1 ail o-h in' ^u / ^"^^ ^® disreorard one of the young^e^^LIf C'CdsTcl clenched hand nnri ^^ ^""^^^^ ^^*^ ^^^ .n^ ^..any vvmcniie had heard the m |U?d i! \ ; 124 WILLY BURKE ; OR, night before. The repeated bursts of lauo-h- ter, which these derisive tricks called forUi overwhelmed Peter with shame ; and althouo-h it was yet considerably before the time Ibr grand Mass, yet seeing- his brother's confusion, Willy said to him, "I think it's time to go to church, Peter ; we know the way ourselves, an' we needn't wait for Mrs. Malcolm. Are you ready to come ? " Peter got up in silence, and reached for his cap. "I say, Hamilton," said one of the 3'ounm the Wlien Mass was over, the brothers went together to see their sisters ; and, if the^- had not met for 3'ears, tlie little girls could not have been more rejoiced. It was with glad and grateful hearts that Peter and Will}- heard the artless praise wherewith the children spoke of their benefactress, who, it appeared, was a woman of rare benevolence. " An' sure she's gettin' us nice black dresses made, for she says we ought to have mournin' for poor mother," said little Bridget ; while her sister caught up the words with, "An' it 'id do ye good to hear her how she advises us ; an' she gets us to tell her everything about poor father an' mother ; an' then the tears 'ill be standin' in her eyes, an' she'll tell us that we ought to be thankful to God for haviu' given us such parents ; an' she makes us pray for them every night an' mornin'." This account was truly welcome to the brothers ; and before they left they made it a point to see the good lady, and thank her for her almost unexampled kindness to their orphan sisters. Mrs. Williams then inquired how they liked their own situation, and was much pleased by Willy's account of Mr. Tal- bot. She was glad to hear, too, that the housekeeper where they boarded was a Cath- olic, and took occasion to warn them that they must not suffer themselves to be deterred from performing any duty of religion, how trifling soever in itself, by the covert sneers or v^f^ 126 WILLY burke; or, open ridicule of their comnanionQ a ai as Ihov ,v 1 '^ 'f 'i'" ""'' "''' scliismatfc scoff S ttffl '""^ ^'^''^ 1'"^- ""S ana^ "^illy saw with no small pleasure that hia brother seemed deeply attentive to tlsl-inrf admonition, which L therefore! loped mii?,t produce a good effect upon h rmT„ ^ to ^eenly susceptible of anythino- like rid .'nle "We're goin' ma'am," saiil Wi% " to t 0^: To 1* Allf r'.',^- ^f '' ^■°"''' ^^ sold ZugL you'll? ruch^'^' "^""^ """ "^' --^'^ thaSk WiIllmT-'""^,^f ' and welcome," said Mrs. the sho'ldl '"'?='' ^ '"^' "<" «t^nfl that ^ifa r u^tirthr^^m!!;Zi:r f t5 affection -a pious dnty it is, too-and I wH- them hl7;°"^^"*- T°" -'">°'-c'ole,:ee astrav in fln"°r'"' "'• "'''^' ""g'^t easily go astiaj m this huge city of ours." ' ^ , ^j ^«umi saia reter, *»aii* THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 127 itholics, »ver all on love get this ic scoff is their of the liat the sm, and !iat his is kind might iid, so dieule. 5ee our enough thank Mrs. I that •lutelj- ready s, are ty of I will e, see y go **an* we're much obliged to you for giviu' them leave to come." About half-an-hour's walk brought our young pilgrims of love to the churchyard, and with streaming eyes they knelt around the grave, which they could not easily have recog- nized, had not Willy, luckily, noticed its posi- tion with regard to the gate. Piously and fer- vently did they all offer up their prayers for the repose of their mother's soul ; and as they bent with clasped hands and bowed head around the holy grave, there could be no more touch- ing illustration of the beautiful doctrine of the church, the never-ending communion, over which death holds no power. When they arose from their knees, Willy observed to his brother: "Doesn't it do your heart good, Peter, dear, to come here an' pray for her soul ? It just seems to me as if I had herself to talk too ; an*, when I kneel on the grave where I seen her covered up, I can fancy that I hear her talkin' to me as she used to do, an' then I find myself uplifted above the world, an' I say to myself, ' Please God I'll never do anything to disgrace her bones in the claj'.'" Peter, on his part, declared his intention to come often. " But," said he, " we ought to mark the gi-ave some way or another, or we'll soon not be able to find it out." "I was thinkin' of that, too," said his brother ; "an' next Sunday, when we come, we'll bring a long, sharp stone, or a slate, that I m i: ( 128 WILLY BURKE ; OR, over l,er • if ro?l I.? "'"'"f <»•» head-stone be able to doU^at "' ' "'' ^ '"'P" "'''" «°0" ion telTe;^';^ ^llr-^^^^^^ j -f I'-ing turned to tbei,- „e,v«rg, wte thevf' '"" good Mrs. Malcolm awiif/tl^ ^T • ^^^X founa -. dinner l,ad been sTrntt L ^eaVr- 7?^' spc^rting their ^ure'dt^TofsSaS^ ?-" THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 129 uch time ad-stone e'll soon 5 having hers re- ■y found iarance, "An*," grace- y're all land." CHAPTER VII. THE FOURTH OF JULY. - POCKET-MONEY. ]^EITHER Father Fitzherbert nor Mr. Tal- bot had forgotten their engagement with regarcl to sending the brothers toTSl anlc^ the Wednesday following they both went ?o an excellent evening-school, whose teacher was in every respect qualified for the charge he held being as conscientious in the discharge of h^ dutj, as he was fully competent to fulfil i Father Fitzherbert had been mainly instruLn it V t''"'!"^ '"^'^ ^^^^^^^ fo/thelnsW tion of boys who were unable to attend anv day-school, and it was his practice to visit it at least once a week, so as to examine the pro- gress of the boys, and ascertain thai not£n; ^^s to be neglected that could possibly pi omotf their improvement. ^ p^t^moie himse7f'on^Si'' '"''"^' ^"^^^^^^' *« ^^^^ S iZr^Z ^'- '''^''''"^' of Father Fitzher- Dcits Ivind permission to .visit his librarv The first time he went he prevailed on his brother to accompanv him. hnf p.... vT'I ^.^^ iove for reading, still WibV thVtTolTranl 130 yriLLY burke; or. bo brought fogo again.' ^^m^JrlLZ' week Zl we'l^Vcto outir?'"! V'" such books as you read in it iV Vi ^ , *'',''" " Wnll f f ° """ f'"" »ncl down-heart" cl " 4?e\ft lit r:toZ';iLt-:j^^:;,;"' things in them bo'oLThat Cppel cUo"S X ur mj part, 1 d rather read them than ill f im [n'H*;:S" •""' ^''°^' ^'°"- *'^''* -- -ri Si Father Fitzherbert's Al^l ^Z '"'y'^°^<^ to in +K«+ 1 11 ; * ^ " rather have one Ipof n that old book that Johnny O'Grady ?cnt me 'The Irish Rogues an' Kannn,.»a. ' "if„„ " .™^' THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 131 big books in the librarv • %n T'li ^^4- more, tluat's all about it '" " ""' ^° "">' " Well, Peter, I'm heart-sorry to hear vn,, l^' '"' ?k'T' ^"'J-' " f«^ ^ know vo^-rXd?" chance that v « may never havei^ai.K" ihat 8 my own concern, an' nSt yours so 1 don't want to hear any more abont i/-^ ,' liter's reply, and Willj^ said no mo^ ' But lie had soon a more severe trial to meet • for t appeared that in Peter's case, as it geu'en ly giace or divme favor was quickly followed bv a grievous temptation which he had no stretlh foU^wht ?"r '■'''""*''' '" ">" ''""f^" °f "> -?ek the hZ! conversation just related, when the brothers were on their way to the school Peter suddenly said: « You Wouldn^ S who I seen the day, Willy ? " ^ ;' No, certainly," said Willy, " l can't im agme ; was it anybody from Ii-elaud?'' 1, ? °f< ?? ^" "^ "''"'" returned Peter, with a laugh, " It was Mr. Watkins " " Mr. Watkins ! " cried Willy ; " an' where did you see him?" ^ iu wuere "Sure, in his own office. Mr. Weimar «Pnt me there with a letter, an' you never Sen an v one in a your life gladder ^o see anothertha^ m Watkms was to see me. He asked me" I ^.«bout how I'm gettin' on, an' he saTj mj^ IZt "h' T ^^''- ^'''''in^.for that^he often taUs about me: sn T',t. «.^;„'^i . ^" emin', instead of goi^'lo'scS: ''^g:'^ t» ,*"'■ V3'2 \ •I ill nil WILLY burke; or, >.eca„,,e%be was so '^-o^f ^'"^ ""^ «# while, or another I rlon't m „ ^ ' >">* somehow ought to be .4 school ^ICm" ^^ ^^''^° 3-on ;;as so much afra^Uf j^u'r'S'rf """""^ them — " ^ "^ S^"i next or near h^sein " I could ef'Father^'ptf/h 't!'^ '"> "> to ask him what he thoulht ok'^^''!'''*"'*' J"st suppose I can't Uf }''}°"gM about it. But I too late ihTZloZfT'^V '^<""<^ "e i?n't his eveni^' to vsit us "''^?'' »"' *'- sighed heavily, for he Wl T ' ■ '^"'' ""*'" ^^e brother was ^gain rushW i"!'"','^'"^ ""'* "s then thej reached the ,cL T,° ''"'"S"'"- J»st versation was for that tim»t '''"'''' ""^ «»"- On the foUo^n* mo Snfxv",,""^- up and dressed by thTS^.r!,'"-' ^"""^^^ ^as "Will you come to mSsIw.T'^- dawn. -awaking his brother from, i ' ''^ ^^i^'' "the morning is ver - fine, i^"''^' slumber in time for breakfast." ' '^ '''*' ''^° "^o ^^^ "Can't you go off alone, as vo., ., - J --« Mv every THE IHISH OWKAN ,x AMKUICA. 133 east they may sleep as I nl; al thev 'e', 'r ^1 knows we have to be 111" Wnf"^ '^'V ^'""'^ onouirh." "i^ ^^^^ '^* work early *' Well Peter, I'rn sorrv v^,i»n 4. mornin', for I'm ifrniT? ^ J ^ "^* come this before ^u, L^ ,t^L^ 7 ^""''^ "" ^'^^^^tion grace. Tl At^s in^t f h! '^ '" "^"^^ «^ ^^^uble & xiuit s just the reason whv T ooi.^.i to come with me now " "^ ^^^^^ ^^"^ could alone be 11^'Huf' "' "■''^'"^ be erally over by se veT" ' "' '"■''"^''''^' ^'''^ g«»- a=-eeabi;sXTs!d"\Vfi'°d°PeZ";S-"^ r him at the first corner '"''"= ^<»' be stajin- a\ Mrs Watkins's ti UVI L"v "j"^"' liome alone; an' Mrs MnlLi ■ -.^'' *° S<* >vhen any of us is out Hto w"?, 'f " ' •"«'''««^' find Mrs'. Watktasf'f :•„ Jlf^'^-^'^'lyou great deal to do about you"? " "°^ °"" '"''"'' " You may say that, Willy," replied hU i: I* 134 WILLY BURKE ; OR, ■ afters fdon'?;''?"^^'' °" *"?««>«, «a„' this week here \n' Pm / ¥ ^"l^ P»t in to go back again to them wif h °*" '"'°""'«'' an, one even FaVr^KSV^""^-'""' Father^ Fitzherbert V own business, an' not onglit not to cross fhp -i *^''''T * '"^'>' ajap^rbis^--^^^^^^^ pr:a4'^;iJrf.^;^t"o^\-^^^^^^^^^^^^ a%oTsU:Tsnb^-ra: f "^^^^^^^^ ask bis advice about Z ^^^^^"'' «"' goin' to BesMes, yoricforaf eTa Ho' tT""'' mother, on her dpath h^^ ^ *^^* P^or Father Fitzhlrberf and Af^f-."' '", "^""'S' ♦" liaiw when be promised i^i I:! J""*'" ^^' *"« guide us. Av an' vn„ i "''='' ?''«■" "», an' very people mado I? v^T' *°°' ^^at these an'-gHevrhe?t Cch'Z/i'b'"^' ™°*^'-' over it." ^"^* ^^^ never got Here Petpr hrr.]^« : u- — "^ "urupuy, being unable ^• " an', • an' Mr. lej've of. i ' have into the y put in to them )) ft cried romised nsultin' other, an* not body or buy priest's !ier re- there's priest )in' to lation. b poor rge to 3r die IS, an' these >ther, r got lable THK IiaSII ORPHAN IX AMERICA. 135 to deny the truth of what his brother said ; and resolved at the same time to have his o "n a ivr' 1, .?''^")^^ ^''''''' "^ "^o^<^ on the subject. U ell, there's no use in talkin', •• I'll keen my promise, let what will come or ^o ; motlier's not ahvc now to forbid me, an' no one else has a nn^lit to do it." «J'^"liT^.^^:- Talbot," persisted Willy, seeing that all else failed to produce any im^ pression, - what will he say to your leavin' without any notice, an' without bein' able to w M "^\r.^^' ^^'^ 1^^^^^- I'^ sure himself '^lain "'' ^^^'"'-'^^ ^^'ill li^-ive reason to com- ** I don't care a fig for either of them," was Feter s reply ns he bounded up the steps and rang the bell ; for just then they reached their domicile, and he was well pleased to cut short a conversation which he found trouble- some. But Willy had no mind to renew the cliscussion, having resolved to apprise Father Fitzherbert of his brother's intentions, and he well knew that if any one could persuade him Irom a course so perilous, it was he, and he alone. Next day, Willy sought and found an op- portunity to acquaint Mr. Talbot with the whole affair, and ask his permission to ffo during the day, to Father Fitzherbert. Mr! lalbot^was both pained and disappointed by .ais iiiioniiation. "iKl informed liim that he was about to leave immediateh The old man was at first taken by sum w' and desired to know the cau.e of this s> rtnn' ' tell him ih'th:'"" ^r' '" -•%' -"^^^^^^^^^^ ten him that he was offered higher wao-es fmm wnv^'f ""P.'"^"^'' ^^'•- ^^••'tkins, tlTe Geraian waxed wroth ; and reminding the boy thThe had consented to take him it firi 7 1 , to oblige Mr. Talbot, he very 'nomfwl^.^lt!^: 'o - i,o to cie i^eevii ; " adding : " You tiiJcTie II C(l that Iiin the ^y from r sorry, t ini^riifc on the roil can 1 1 can, m you. 'itzher- to my pected m the le took 3 bent ing a ice, it ''ather id be- )rmed atclj'. prise, idden only from rman at he olelj- : i-ll.Hl kmo THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 137 offer 3^011 more wages because you tink your- Belf of use here, but I wouldn't even let you stay now, so go off vid you. Your brother — he want higher wages, too — ho want to go, eh ?" "No, sir; I didn't hear him say anything about it." " Veil, him be noting dc vorse ; go now ! " So when poor Willy returned, elate with Father Fitzherbert's promise to see and reason with Peter in the course of the evening, what was his sorrow and disappointment when he found Peter waiting outside the door to bid liim " good-by." "You needn't be frettin' about it, Willy," he said, seeing his brother's ch'^nge of coun- tenance. " Please God, you'll / I that I'll do what's right. You may be sure I'll never dis- grace mj' father nii* mother, though they' e both dead [\' ' gone, by forgettin' the religion that they taught me. Now you'll see, Willy, if I don't go every month to confession an* communion as well as yourself; an* another thing, whenever 3'ou're goin' to see motlier's grave, you can come for me, an' I'll go with you. Give m}^ love to Biddj^ an Ally, an* tell them I'll come soon to see them." " But didn't you tell me," said Willy, "that you weren't goin' till Saturda}^ e\ enin' ? What made 3'ou change 3'our mind ? " " Oh ! I'll tell you that some other time,'* replied his brother, with a light laugh ; and seizing Willy *s hand, he shook it warmly, and ■ 'III i ri 'fm 138 '^^LLY BURKE ; OR, tt «n?af^S- :f « -PM step. ca„,i„g t»ne to inrlu]cte.„,S *'f '''''*«"« of the dupe, for alth?uU'^;*P;«"t„ally become none of that poselvtifi„a.«,!"fu'"' ''"'e or kins and his wK'Snf > '''"*"' ^^"t- not the Catholic ribbon *^''' ^'^'^ ''« 'oved did. ®''Sion any more than they • Father Fitzherbert eillprf th„4 cording to promise nn-1 "* evening, ac- when rnfonned!bvMrM''f ',""'''' g-^eved timt Peter wa a reS" sot°' V"'' '^'"^•' much consoled by Peter'! ?!• ^°'' "'"«' ''« repeated by his brotho,-. if '*"" Promises, as with a despondb" ti ' t '^f "^ ^'' ''^^'l " God granU.img°racetoten^t ''■'''' " ''^^^ -tliat is all I can say " iv ^?^ Promises ! essarily short, as he wi; on h ^ CVr^. "r sickperson,who, although notfnln^iLX: to talk V. md was ; of his :)ected," pie ear- iiiciple, e mcm- factical that is brother he will him- ?ns of •ecome tie or 1 Wat- lovecl I they gi ac- ieved Ls he s, as head sigh, ises I nec- sit a linfa THK IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA, 141 danger still desired to receive the last sac- raments. Two or three weeks after, came the Fourth ot .inly, then, as now, the carnival day, —the flay of all days for the citizens of New York On the eve of this great national festival, each of tlic young men in the employment of Weimar & lalbot was presented with a few dollars,— less or more in proportion to their age, — to two dol lai-s given him, and he received it not alone with the gratitude that might be expected, but with a fulness of satisfaction that surprised Ml. lalbot, at least. No remark was made, h^ v.r, and Willy retired with his prize! Z \i%'^'^ Y^''* """'^ *^^^^' his sisters, with Mrs. Williams's permission, to see some of the rare sights every where to be seen. They called at Mr. Watkins's for Peter, but Peter had gone out, and was not expected back till even, mg. Bi-other and sisters were disappointed on hearing this, and their affectionate hearts were pained by Peter's neglect of them all. Mrs. VV illiams had given each of the little girls a quarter-dollar for pocket-money, but Willv would not permit them to spend any of it Neither did he break in on his own two dollars! but contented himself with laying out a ten-cent piece which he had in his pocket, and that solely for cakes and candies for the girls "Now it isn't that I'd 0-mrlo-n » ooti u^ l.^^ laj out every penny of the two dollars I got 142 WILLY burke; or, I. for pocket-money, but I'll just tell you ahU that I'm keepin' them for somothni ol'se^ nn' vou wouldn't guess what it is ! " ' One guessed a new cap. another a Dair of shoes ; another would waeer it w^, t^ I ^«^-^- ,," No, then, you're fothou7t is Lc"" a^a f-^r- --r/e^^^^^^ hei brt'hT'"?- ""'' ^^'''' ""•« Sirl pulled out hei bright, snining quarter-dollir, and handed ow whLrfn''' ''^'^"i'^ -ying, though if f low whisper, for crowds were hurrvin^ on oil let us. put our money in too? -sure we'd rather g,ve , for that than for anythi,'gX n the world. Here, Willy, here's m?ne"' A,,a„.n,,„etoo." said little Alice ; "isn't ont ?'^ W-, '"?S !^"-^ "■« '"dn't lay any of it sote wav1i^'*^°''*'"l"'°'"'J-- "ndlalk'ed on some waj in silence between his sist.Pi» r^!. heir childish generosity touched M h;art Having seen the greater part of what wa« worth seeing, he left them a home e^rlv inTho evenmg, and willingly accepted Mrs. \Wliams^s invitation to remain for tea 'mams a SnllZ^^mA^"'"" ^"^^'^''J'' ^^'- Talbot, nnciing WiUj alone in a corner of the warol house as he passed through, suddenly Xd him whether he had spent all hU two dollai TIIE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 143 "No, sir/' was the reply ; " I diclu't break on it at all." "And why not, pray? I thought you tes- tiliecl the utmost pleasure when it was eiven 3'ou ! " ° " Well, sir, that's because I have a particular use for it." "And may I ask what that ' particular use ' ,13? Willy modestly explained his intention, and also mentioned the half-dollar that he had got from his sisters. Mr. Talbot turned a\niy without uttering anotlier word ; in fact, his emotion was so great, that he could not have spoken without betraying his weakness, as he deemed it ; he therefore hurried away, while Willy looked after him, surprised by his abi-upt departure. ^ Sunday came, and Willy called for Peter, as usual, when on his way to church. When Mass was over, they went to take a Valk in the Park, and Willy told his brother that he was going to see about the cross, or head-stone for their mother's grave, in the course of the week. "But Where's the use in seein' about it," said Peter, " till such times as we're able to pay for gettin' it done? It'U come to a good acai of money." " Only four dollars, Peter, an' I have two an' a-half of that now ." " Why, I thought you had no money at all, 144 WILLY DURKE; or, wlieii I had them n„t V. *J^"^i'^ "» ^"y, then, every one of nT in'?..^*; ^"'"""^ ' '^"' warehouse, got ,ome 'n" w ^'"""^ ""'' "> «>e gave me notlZ tell you to his ve;y Seal fftnf ,?'''"^'''"°°»te<' can't help you to, L^ft ? H" J'°" *''« truth, I iek," said nts, an* I an' Allj, rth; but fid in the an* they in bills ; i a quar- n Friday i in with dollars give the •half we io more, ^en if it, 5 cross, 'm sure lything r head- I want : |. » )u put ything . II you )unted ruth, I lilling lean agrin, ;? nr.» THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. U5 Ct'Ct""' ^°* ""^'"^'"^ "^""""^ *be„, except ph-M^nf t"" t"°"-'''" ''''« «>« ^onft^sed re- on V -1 ""l"' °"' "'* some of our bova on Friday, an', somehow or another I °il through every penny of what I h-ul nJ ^ rowed half-a-dinar\esides! of ^IrnhZ affair fwouTcv't'f ' ""' "^-g'>' ""-t^'ttU anair, l woulcn t have spent the money as I " You know we had agreed," said Will,- f„ a sorrowful accent, " that we were to do i' t tit "at r Vhtr; it ™L ™ »°' bro^m an"d'»f .""""^ "^ *''" afternoon, the reatZTLtlhVXe"4to Sl^^^^^^^ pers and see Mm. a'rJ.^f Z.^° ^^^ X^ not seen for several" weei^ Th^y Tnir 146 WILLY burke; or, cordingly and were grieved to find that times were sadly altered with that worthy woman hnr ^'ifr"^; .^^^^ ^^"^^^"^^ ^'^'^ f^"en in'o bad health, and had been some time out of em- ployment while her son, the main hope of the household, had been induced to go to sea O^PrnT'^ T^ all depending on what Mrs! O Grady and her oldest daughter could earn h} washing and going out charing. Every- thing 111 and around the house gave sad evi- sorrow that the young Burkes noticed the alteration m poor Mrs. O'Grady herself, who was now as pale and worn-looking as they had been used to see hei;. fat and rosy. Yet her welcome was as kind and cordial as ever, and, with adroit delicacy, she warded off all allusion Willy took her aside, and said in a low voice for he had noticed that her husband was but very poorly clad, " Now, Mrs. O'Grady if you can make any use at all of my father's clothes, here's the key of the chest ; there's a good coat, you know, and a good pair of trousers m It, and I think a vest too, an' they're all too big for either Peter or me. Don't refuse to take them, now don't, for wouldn't we rather a thousand times that they'd be doin' good to somebody, than lyin' there moulderin' away, as they'll soon be." ^ ' Mrs. O'Grady put up her band, and wiped -^ ,j ^^„^ ^^^jjj^ ^jjg j^j-j^j^^-j^g uown ner that times ly woman [alien into out of em- >pe of the to sea. ^hat Mrs. 3ukl earn . E very- sad evi- heartfclt ticed the self, who the}' had Yet her ver, and, 1 allusion however, )w voice, was but rady, if father's there's a pair of * they're 't refuse 'e rather good to I* awaj^, i wiped own her THE lUISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 147 Cheek. " Well, Gorl bless you Willv n„^ mark j-ou with BTaf.r. i 1 1-„ '' ' "^"'J' "M makes yoH sneak thn . ""^ "f^' ''®" ^'"'' at her husband', f hi Z^'" ""'' "'«' g''"'««'l 'i,i „ ""poanci s threadbare ffarmentq " Tt with n • \"''«'Mrs. O'Grady," urged Wilh- V ith a y,ew to set her mi„d 'at case "Sn £me'of°ired5.^^""'^'""'^ ^°'''^ ^'"P- qui;Wy^Hb7t;!!;i"^'" ««'<» M-- O'Grady, about that didn°tlMr"' "'^' """'"''^ ''"^d her death-bed fhof ? ^ ' ^■°""" P°°'" ""Ot'ier on owed meP rMav'th/T'^^'i'^ ''"' "'"^ *""" «>>« f«l to her'') ^ So^ f T .^r"! " ^"^^ «"' ««^^i- isn't in regard of tl^t „ 1 *'f *"°*''^' ™'"d *' pressin' oifme to nl.:. t V^*'"J''^ ^'"•''•^ «<> cause W°Uv " h„ 1 *''^*' "" '^^''''"se. be- thpm » ci "^^1^ noi out o the need o* P.-omisi'rj toTomet:; ^at. '''^''^- *<'°"^*''-' Tafbot7w"erThetaw' hT"'^"r"' "^ '° ^r. writing. " Micht T m.r '''T',' ""^""Sed in bot," laid h„ r*/*."i^i' '° ^^^' Mr. Tal- , CO ov uBit you to let me have ii 148 WILLY BURKE ; OR, two dollars ? That's what I'd get on Saturday night, sir." "Certain!}', Willy, joii shall have it with pleasure," said Mr. Talbot, as ho looked with surprise on Willy's blushing fav;e and down- cast eyes. *'I dare say j'ou want to pay for having that cross put up, of which you told me ? " " Oh no, sir ! it isn't that at all," returned Willy Burke, hastily. " We're going to wait for a little while, till we have more mone}', for Peter has none at all now. Oh, no, Mr. Tal- bot ! I wouldn't on an}- account ask jou for the money now, only I want it for them that's in distress, sir, an' that we owe it to." "And who are they, Willy?" Inquired the merchant, kindly. So Willy,' thus called upon, told how his mother had owed Mrs. O'Grady three and a half dollars for rent, and how Mrs. O'Grady had refused to take it when offered by his mother. »^But it's not the same now," said Willy, "for poor Mrs. O'Grady is badly off these times ; an' so, if you'll be so good, sir, as to give me the two dollars, I can put it with the two I have, an' take it to her. I don't want to touch the half-dollar that my sisters gave me, until it goes to pay for the cross, for I'd lilie them to have their share in it." "And so 3-0U are willing to postpone the nuttinS" nn of that, ornsa " an\A ATr- . TolK/vf " in order to give the money that would do it >f THE IRISH OliPIlAN IN AMERICA. 149 to your friend Mrs. O'Grady? Well, here are the two dollars, and I must say (althoucrh not much given to flatter our young men) that your conduct is deserving of the warmest ap- proval." '^^ xv-u^y"" ^^,e ^'«^y good to say so, sir," was Willy s reply ; '' and I hope God will always give me grace to do what is rio-ht " And pocketing his money with a well-pleased coun- tenance, he moved away. Turning back, how- ever, he asked Mr. Talbot whether he mi• saw Father Fitzherbert out of he church he took occasion to tell Mm of the handsome cross which some unknown friend had placed over his mother's gram ti, * J-' . "''■*''' ^'""° suspicion of who it is that did It, sir," said Willy. " Excent vo, r re verence_ there's only another that I'd Vhtak ■mut:^':^ ^^:^' ^^"^?" *•>« p-st " Mr. Talbot, sir." wnf"'f, ^"'^'""•'^ert smiled again. "Well surmise. I have some reason to know tiiat it was indeed Mr. Talbot who thus testllied his respect for a true Christian, as he hacl weU ascertn.ned your mother to have been He s"v voir^m'/T' *"•= ^""'^ affair,- tltai is S sa^ , 3 our meritorious project of having thi, monument erected, and your <=H1 "JT laudable disposal of the mC; ift Ued to put It in fiYPr»nfm„ T _,Mi -^ "^^^""ea lo ^^,.,„. ^ „^^^ vuQtiire to tea you THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA, 155 that it was still more to show his warm approval of jour conduct, than throuc^h respect for your mother's memory-, that he dkl this. May God give 3'ou the grace, dear child, to walk firmly and*^ steadily in the path of duty ! " ^1 " I can't go astray, sir," said Willy in reply, *• while I have 3'ou to guide me." *' Ah, but you must not rely too much on any support or guidance that is merely human ; learn to look ever for supernatural protection, and for the strength that comes from above. The time is already near when 3'ou will have me no longer ; and I would, therefore, have your course plainly marked by a strong and steadfast will ere I leave you, it may be for- ever. I am even now on the eve of departing for Ireland, and at my age man has but a frail hold on life, so that it is very possible that I may sink into the gulf of eternity ere we meet again." On hearing this announcement, the tears, which Willy sought not to repress, burst forth and rolled unheeded from his e^^cs. "Ah! but Father Fitzherbert, dear, what will I do when 3'ou're away, even if God spares you to come back, as I hope he will? Who will be to me as you were, and to us all, as well as mc?" "Shame, Willy, shame!" said the priest, i,.,,.,.^-^. ^^ „j^_ cvi-.iciitij iuuiu tuuii a Utile affected by the lad's artless sorrow. "Hav« :i i 1 ?|» ' )J iflf 'lu li 156 WILLY BURKE ; OR, you not still the right hand of the Lord to guide and strengthen you— even of him from whom I derived, and do derive, my streno-th and consolation. He is ever the same, Wiffy ; and let who may leave, or who remain with you, you will ever find him a tender father, unless you turn away your face from him, and follow the gods of this world. And then you J have the same sacraments to nourish and strengthen you,— remember that, my child, and I would advise you to choose Father O'Hara for 3^our confessor when I am gone." Though scarcely able to articulate a word (his heart was so full), yet Willy signified his assent, and soon after Father Fitzherbert went away, having merely called to see Mrs Malcolm." No sooner had the priest quitted the room —the housekeeper having gone to her kitchen— than one of the young men, who chanced to be present, addressed Willy Burke in a contemp- tuous tone: ''So that's your father con- fessor, eh ? " To this Willy made no reply, for he felt lU full force of the bitter irony with which it was said, and would fain ai)pear not to have heard it. " I say, Burke," repeated Wilson, in a loud voice, "ain't that your confessor?" "Yes," was the short reply; and Willy arose to leave the room. it "wr^ii i^ 2.-L. ^A. ' t. ... _ ?i vii, ii wittc am i a good joite, I know not THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 157 what is ; " and the speaker burst into a loud laugh. Will3^ Burke turned short round, and his cheek, with its crimson hue, betrayed how keenly lie felt the insult. '' Why, Mr. Wilson, you must be badly off this evening for some- thing to make you laugh. I'd thank 3-ou to choose some other subject than the one you're on, for if 3'ou knew but all, it doesn't become anybody to be makin' a laugh of what they know nothing about." *' There, now," returned the other, "there you go ! Now what have I said to make you so angry, for I see that you are angry, for all you don't want to show it. Now, I just put the question to you as a rational being — how can such an old coon as that have any power to forgive sins? Why, you Papists are the greatest dupes in existence. I guess it would take a good deal to make me bend my knee to a man no better than myself, and tell him all my sins, great and small. And then the best of all is, his pretending to forgive, them, as though he were God himself, or a messenger from him. Now how can you bring yourself to believe such nonsense ? " *'So long," replied Willy, "as you are pleased to speak in such a manner of the doc- trines of our Church, you'll got no informatior;. from me ; and besides, any one that speaks O-i 51 nrioaf. na i-rvn A\A n iVkl 1^ 11 J ing of an answer from any Catholic ; so if you 158 "iVILLY BUIUCE ; OR, want me to reply to any question you l^nt to me, you'll nsk it in a different manricr." "Well, then," said Tvilson, assunung ii gravity which the mischievous Iter of his eye belied, "I would fair* know what certainty you have,, or oan have, that thi,^ priest of yours— -I beghis pardon, av;,d 3'onrs, for having applied the word coon to bo holy a man — 5 ,, really jiuthorized to absolve you from vour fiias?" deed. ,\Ir. Wilson," said Willy in reply, *^I '^)u"L half like your way of talking, and^I have a great mind to let you look for knowl- edge elsewhere. At any rate, f'll just answer yotir last question, and then i'U have done. I'm no great hand at quoting Scripture, so I'll not trouble you with any texts to prove the power left with the priests, but I'll just tell you that I believe it because the Church believes it, and teaches it to her children. Anything that way that I can't understand, I don't dive into at all, because I am not able to judge, of these high matters; but I just believe whatever the Church proposes to me." " More fool you, then ! " exclaimed Wilson quickly ; " for what you call the Church is nothing more than a collection of priests and bishops, as far as I can understand, and of course they can make lust such laws as tend to increase their own power ov v the people. I have really no patience wit ach stunid dupes 's you and your pe« ^e are. The THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 159 » Church, indeed! What nonsense it is, talk- ing of the Church in such a way." Willy Burke laughed, as he arose to leave the room. " Why, j-our fun is all turned into anger, Mr. Wilson. Now I'd just advise you, before I go, not to be attacking me any more about my religion, for I can tell you that you*ll make nothing of it. If you'^were to laugh at me every day and hour that'll come till New- Year's Day, j-ou wouldn't make me ashamed of doing anything that the Church commands me to do. Whatever yow Protes- tants may think or say, I'm proud and happy that God has given me grace to ^hear the Church; for you know — you that talk so much about reading the Bible — what any one is to be considered that does not. You go on your own way, then, and see where it'll bring you to ; but for my part, I don't want to be regarded as either ' a Heathen ' ov ' a Publi- can; ' so with God's help I'll alwaj's listen to the voice of the Church, and then I can't be wrong. Good-night, Mr. Wilson." An insolent laugh was the onl}- answer, and Wilson seemed disposed to let Willy go, with- out further parley ; but just at that moment the door-bell rang, announcing some of the young men, and Wilson became suddenly desirous of protracting a conversation which he deemed capital fun, now that he was about to have ■^\r n vui-a iixji, UUiy JOIU ill lUe laUgn raised at Burke's expense, but would furnish IGO WILLY BLTIKE ; OR, their quota of wit and sarcasm on the ab- surdity of the Romish doctrines. Willy Burke was already ascending the stairs, on his way to bed, when Wilson, running out of the sittmg-room, called after him at the top of his voice, while at the same time he opened the door for two of his companions, ; ' Hold on there, Burke ! What need for hur- r3^ing so? I want to hear something more .about confession and the church. You talk in a first-rate style ; and, by George, you may make a convert of me." "I don't want to make converts," responded Burke, dryly ; " and if you wish to know more about the things you speak of you can just so to the priest, an' he'll tell you all about it, or If ,>^u like it better, there's Catechism tauo^ht m all our churches, an' you have only to sit down quietly an' listen, an' you'll hear all about * Con- fession, and the Church,' as you say yourself." 1 he laugh was now fairly turr.ed against Wilson, who thus fell into the pit he had him- self dug for another, and the merriment of Hamilton and Dawson annoyed him beyond measure. Muttering between his teeth, *' I guess I'll be even with him one of these davs," he was retreating into the sitting-room, amid the continued laughter of his companions, who Vi? WM ' ^"O^eover, with such questions as, I w^;, ^®^"' ^**® y^^ going to the priest, eh ? " VViU you ask his reverence's blessing?" when sauuenij Mrs. Maluoim s shriii voice was heard THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 161 from the further end of the passage, aa she '"^f x5l^ 5^^ *^^ ^«^«r regions : ^ ' ' '^"^ " yiif t's all this clatter about, or are von loo's ?>" ""' ^"^^ «^^-«' 3^ gra'eC f nn^'' ^/^"°^ ^^"^ ^^^^^' t^e three vounff men r^t o/Tni" S' f ,^^^g---^' butWg^he light of Willy Burke's candle as he hastened stenSed'a^HtSr ^^'''fu''' ^^^ ^-^-oom, she stepped a little way up the stairs to see who it Tlone ""'"" ''^^ ^ ^''^' '^"^^^ *^ fi»d him " Why, Gad's sake, Willy Burke ! » she cried sharply, - what ha' you been doin' to mak sic to? What's come o'er ve a' thp nio-hV ^ bod,^ would think youU 1 l^'SlZ^ the house among j^ou ! " nt Ti!i^^' ''''"^'^ T'^y ^^""^ j"«*ified himself, and at the same time excited Mrs. Malcolm's Sot^ "T "^"r; '"* ^^ remembered "he precept, *^ Z>o good for evil,'* and that other resisted the temptation. " I hope you'll for give us for this time, Mrs. Malcolm,'' he -^ IS mine and I beg your pardon, for I know very well that you don't like to hear any nSZ or disturbance in the house." ^ Little flirl crrxrJi TiiT^^ Tkr-r - i i.^ 1 V &•-•-"-» ^^xio. iiiiiicoim suspect what had beensroing forward; but even w : i 11 was, im WILLY BURK^; OR, IS* it p>b<- could fully appreciate Willy's conduct. *' Well, well, ye'rc a guid laddie, there ^ no denyin' it ; awa' wi' you to bed, but dinna raise sic laughing ony more, wi' j^our jokes." Willy lost no tiu.o in gaining his quiet little room, and the housekeeper returned to her Rosary, which had been interrupted by the obstreperous mirth of the young men. "What the devil did he say to her?" said Hamilton to his friends, after a pause of rather anxious expectation. *' I was expecting every moment a full broadside of wrath from the old hag, and there she's gone down to the kitchen again, without saying an angiy word. Do you think he told what you said V " *'I don't know, nor neither do I care," returned Wilson doggedly ; "but w^ic^ther he did or did not, I'll keep his impudence in mind till I have a chance of aying him home ; that I will, or lay name is not Grorge Wilson." " Well now, after all, George," said Daw- son, who ha' not \ et spoken since he had h'jard Wilson s account of his con Tsation with Willy, " after all, it really does appear to m: Ci.at Burke [s the pt. ty aggrieved, not you. By your own ackncwledgme':!!, it was you who attacked him^ ad you might ha^ e known, before to-r'crht, - hat ht is exceeo ugly ensitive in all that ep ds his reL ^ion. Now, as for me, Tm wi .in^ *o acknowle Isre merit even in a Catholic ; and I do confess i.it I admire the lad's steadiness of principle, and nis immovable conduct. ere a no it dinna jokes." ;et little to her by ilie ?" said »f rather ig every I the old kitchen Do you care,*' ^ther he in mind e ; that on." d Daw- he had Tsation ►pear to lot you. ou who known, 3nsitive , as fur /en in a lire the lovable THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 1G3 attachment to the faith lie professes. An >ther thing that strikes me just now, is his not havnig told Mrs. Malcolm of what passed between you for you know as well as I do, that, rigid Catholic us she is, nothing could have palliated your offence in her e/es, had she known anything of it. I must say, that this same Wil y Burke makes me think better than I dido Papists. And then, Mr. Talbot, ihhZm^^ ^^e amongst us can find any fuult " Why, you had better turn Papist yourself Dawson," said Wilson, with a sneer, " since voJ seem to have such a leaning towards them " I suppose we'll have you going to confession some of these da3-s." " And if I did," replied Dawson, with a heavy sigh, '^ I might lead a far difforent life." ho saying, he took his candle and bade the others "good-night," leaving them to interpret iii.s words as they best could. Leaving Willy Burke enjoying the calm repose of an untroubled conscience, let us turn for a httl hile to his brothei horn we have, perchance, too long neglected. Mrs. Wa I ins, as well as her husband, had ciuicky discovered the natural ^veakness of leters understanding, together with that pliancy of mind which n^ade him pecu iarlv open to persuasion, particularly if it addressed irSPlr frk Vila irnrii'f.. .. .' ^K __ ,, - . .,: ' ;"-^itj, i^:n:u was, aiier aJl, iiis prevailing o.ble. air t. illy and insidiously :; I i# ^ VA I 1C4 WILLY BURKE ; OR, had they worked upon this strong character- is+ic of his, until they got him persuaded that It was actually degrading for a young lad like him to be so entirely under the control of a priest, " a mere mortal like himself." And then confession ! Why, in the name of everythino- reasonable, how could one man expect that another had power to forgive his sins? did not that belong to God alone? and if h gave such authority to another, to one of his creatures, would it not be making that creature like unto himself in power? " Do you not re- member, Peter," would the lady or gentleman add, ^*'how God had styled himself ' a Jealous trod, and as such, think you he would invest these priests of the Romish Church, one and all, with one of his own divinest attributes? No, no ! Impossible ! Absurd I " Alas for poor Peter ! all unmeet was he to wrestle with the tempter. It was not for him, Ignorant as his mind was concerning ^Uhe faith delivered to the saints," and being unable to detect the misrepresentation and the (per- haps wilful) perversion of the sacred text, he knew not what to say. Fain would he have stood up for the faith of his fati : rs, the faith (if such it might be called) of his own earlier years, but he knew not how to defend it. He had voluntarily thrown himself into tempta- tion, and the armor that might have enabled him to resist its attack, was no longer his. riis faith, alas 1 was weak and tottering, his il!Si haracter- ded that lad like trol of a \nd then erything )ect that ' did not hi' gave of his creature 11 not re- sntleman jealous id invest one and ributes ? IS he to for him, ig ''Hhe : unable le (per- text, he he have he faith I earlier it. He tempta- enabled Cer his, ing, his THE iniSII OBPIIAS IX AMKP.ICA. 1G5 l^^lt ^cfling strong, and he fell by de-jrees into the pit prepared for him. Yet not all at once was wrought the dread change. Durin* manr a hard encounter with the united forces ^onn7".r"^''''*''-'l<""'«''™'-«'l t° keep his ground, clinging with almost desperate fond- ness to the old tree which had iheltereU his wHh bitf:rh''"'"r°"'*' "">"• ''"'' «''""king Tn anostlTp "'"? ^'""^ ^^^ ''"'"' "^ b^cominf an apostate, —a turn-coat, as he said to himself But he sought not strength from above • he he believed his immovable resolution. But at Z^L'^^'^t ti'e assailants waxed stronger merits (as they chose to style their black calumnies against the Church of God, and their absurd distortions of Scriptural te^?") Srtr^ber"'-'' ''"•^" "''^'^ "^^^ farther-^ Win' ^?°<'""'?g «^er weaker and more waver- eafiirfor^Ler'""''" '^"^ -»-ened of hk eh ,^'"'*''l^ ^"^ """^"^ ^"1 «"roort of his childrei! while on their toilsome heaven- ward journey. Little did WlUv Burke In". S."*"^"* ."^ .*•* sorrowfully complained'lo lather Fitzherbert of his brother's strange r t « I i 1G6 WILLY BURKE ; OR, indifference to the affairs of his soul, that already was that brother more than a little advanced on the road of error, and that the germ of faith could no longer be said to exist within him. Nay, so far had he alread}^ gone in the w^ay of sin and error, that after each of these un- successful attempts of his brother, he went straight to Mr. or Mrs. Watkins to boast of having " got rid of that troublesome Willy " ; and he was sure to be rewarded bj^ some handsome present, and some still handsomer compliment. " I really do begin to have hopes of you, my dear boy ! " said the lady,-on one of these occasions ; " and I have no doubt but you will soon get over these silly prejudices. Then, and then only, you will become a trul}' rational being, and fit to make your way in the world. If you could once bring j'ourself to tell this brother of j^ours that you will not be hoodwinked by the priests any longer, — un- til you can do that, he will be alwaj^s teasing you about these foolish ceremonies and practices of superstition." On another occasion she said to him, " What do you think that elegant Mr. Mortimer said of you last evening? " (Now this Mr. Morti- mer was a ranting Methodist preacher.) " I'm sure I don't know, ma'am," said Peter, raising his large eyes to the lady's face with a •^•'■J 5 u !.v|j-w iv TT s^au. s THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AitfERlCA. 167 anj'thing bad, for he's a ver}' nice man, alto- gether, and speaks so beautifull}'." " Bad ! " repeated Mrs. Watkins, emphat- ically, " no indeed, Peter ; no such thing I lie said jou were born for a shining light, and that he was sure you would one day make a stir in the world ; he could not help expressing his wonder, dear, good man, that such a bo}- as 3'^ou, so clear-sighted and acute in your pen- etration, could have been kept so long in the trammels of Popery ! " Peter listened with a glowing cheek and a kindling eye ; his heart throbbed wildly against his side, and the unholy thrill of gratified van- it}' ran like fire through his veins. "Well, ma'am," he said, " I can only say that it's very good of Mr. Mortimer to speak so kindly of me, and Pm sure Pll do all I can to deserve his good opinion, and yours too, ma'am ! " So he hastily left the room, to indulge his pleasurable emotion in private. Mrs. Watkins looked after her dupe with a smile of triumphant meaning, as she murmured, half aloud : " One brand snatched from the burning ! This is well, and as it should be." It was the Saturdaj'^ evening after the con- versation with Wilson, and some three or four weeks after the discovery of the cross. Al- though we have seen that, from the first, vV illy had suspected that Mr. Talbot was the un- markable that he never breathed a word of the ■ n 168 WiLIrT BURKE ;' OR, matter fo that gentleman. Week after vrooh he had received and pocketed his wages ^tt out as much as thanking him whom he wo I Woo -4. x, : , ^"^"v;'^ m» warmest Was It that he had forgotten it? Not so On the evening to which I have alluderf h» waited in the office till all the oLr" had r^ . tired ; when, approaching Mr. Talbot, who stm remained at his desk, he said : " May I spealc a few words to you, Mr Tal- bot, if you please?" •' ' "■' if you wm7' ^°" '^*'' ^"""'i- ' '"^^ » '>""^'^«'. nnl^^f'i u""' ^ '"PPOse you thought me verv Kw"'™ "?'" ^ f ^"^ <=»'"'' to thank ^^^ tor what you have <]one for us all of late" Then seeing that Mr. Talbot looked, or airected to look surprised, he added : " You know verv well what I mean, sir, -the beautiful cross that you got put up over my mother's grav;!" What reason have you to attribute its ereo tion to me, Willy?" asU the merchant wUh" . " Oh, sir I " replied Willy, with aU that o-en- iTh h^^ t^t belongs toUe nnsopMsticS Irish heart, "oh, sir, it wasn't very hard for me to guess who did it. There was only you and Father Fitzherbert to do it, and I knew that his reverence hadn't the means, though hey have the heart, God forever bles^ him ! s. t THE HUSH ORPHAN m AMERICA. flno«f ° •" ""^i-jtiu lam outon it. Ihavon'f - putting It on the desk as he spoke « If if cost any more than that, Mr Talhnf T „ you when I earn it." ' ^ ''^" P^^ Here Mr. Talbot affected fn i,„ • degree offended, though in Ms W J" '""?! not but approve'of thrboy's concW "'T^'} 3r V r^^'f "^ *»''« Vour money" Wilh- ^do Ct on V V 7"J'' ""^^''t'^or cancel tt'ob° Hniri'f «/ • 1 i^^",^^*^"» irom an overweenino- " >ou speak that way you'll hrmt m„ i,„ * you will indeed, sir ! Oh „„ , tu"^ *"•""■'' well that no money can eWr pa, tbriJ'T ^fra^llTrBTea„tlrn:^;i;t'i tliat I may never die till TMl h^iui^L FJ^l 170 WILLT BUKKE: 08, you that Via not unthankful. Do, sir, please take the money ! " ' P'®^™ " No WiUy that I will not ! "_ and Mr. Tal-' bot as he spoke, could scarcely preserve a show of composure. " Since I must acknowS that your suspicions are well founded, I have only to say that the few dollars which I «! pcnded on that monument have procured mo enced. The act was purely spontaneous and done without the slightest thought of ever being repaid, -my intention being to testis my sincere respect for the humble yet distin- guished virtues of your departed parent, white at the same time I had no objection to gratifv ml placed over her remains. Keep the monev Willy, and put it to whatsoever use you please' lam qmte sure it will be well laid out. There -no more thanks, I anticipate all you would saj. tio, now, and remember that vou will never want a friend while I live " "May the Lord bless you, sir ! " murmured W t^h?7'''' ''I ^t '"** *"« "ffl^o- 0» reach- ing the house, he found several of the youns men assembled, waiting the appearance of supper, but Mrs. Malcolm was not in the eal ing-room Many a significant glance was ex- changed between them as Willy entered and his cheerful greeting was only^answe'ed bj Wiii ^°T. """^ ^"^^"^ '"'^^^- Of late, poor Willy hiid been well aoou8ton.<,rI f^ «.,„!,'."„"" THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 171 ment ; and now, pretending not to notice it, he took a small book from his pocket, and sat down near a window. " Pray,»Master William, of what nature mav yonr stndies be? " called ^ut one from an op- posite corner of the room. "Piety a!« evening? >v I y dKln t you clear out when we did ? Hi ' theU°"n7d^^"^ ^''"^'"^ °' ^•"•"^g. no^ - mat!)!^ """^'"^ '""" ^'^ ^''^ ourselv-es. Henrv n„^- " ^'^^ *? "''>' *« ^'^ Talbot? fo^ Henr> Davis, as he closed the door, heard you ask If you might speak a few words." "* tremtr in"* *?'»*'". «^'" Willy, with a Might tremor m his voice, that to his preiudiled listeners seemed confusion, '< as to that if« ^indt^rr" ';" ™^ °""' -*° ^^^^-- mma to tell you. I never pry into anv oHia- one's affairs, and it's too bad that you're all so inquisitive about mine." •■ .) «« - e an so " Ay, there it is ! " shouted several of the ITZ^T^'I" " *°"« of exultation. " I Lew word for himself now. Ain't he a pretty lad to have amongst us ? Ain't he now ? '' ^ Here Saunders, who had taken no part in the CrT^^" ^'r, *'"' "•'o'^ -hi^ch hrhad Deen reading, and demanded what all this meant. On being told, he sternly ordered the young men to desist from their attack ''I beheve Willy Burke." said he " ■ • ■ - i H 4-^ V.^ i. '%/ i.tHL\.U,yu,UlM THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 173 Of such mean tattlin^r as von In,, f^ i • i. I, for one, have been Jvpn ? ^'' ''^^'^^• authority over him anH f'^ Tr ^^^^^ <'^ no more of this or T ,i oii V, ^u,"' , '"*' ^car the gentleman r,A ' f*? "''''S*'' '" acquaint orphan ad " T) •'".?'" ""'"'«l"es8 towards this the Tuesd!v follo^r "''•"f""'" ^"« "^^-J <•<"• Burke Sltt'M^\^;'''°-Sund^ Peter would not „^ „"i , • ^ *<> ifow whether Tat: rtr/ir ""^^ "ot'e:;::j^d-t^i fPPointed, but h^^TulkeX/tuhrtVat mg any remark to the Bt^rvZtZT \ ^"■'^' to Mrs. Williams's to t„t!i:-''.'^*"' »«^ eider. ''I'm SlirP ^'r.n'7^ i- --; asaeu uiG xm sure >oure always thinking of 174 WILLY bukke; or, bv^'llf tllT *?°'J ^^ ""'«'« to l^id "good- DJ to the priest, and reeeivp hla „„-*^ benediction. The tpar, <.t^„?. ' >.• P^'^t'^g w.ti, TT-; , tears stood in his eves when Father F.tzherbert asked for Peter wTlw could scarcely command his voice to ielltS he wasn' m when he called for him Zl fh' priest only shook his head, for he s^ f h„l It boy was only too sensil^e of his brothei^s V.n' s.""V:r'ix "?h""' TT^ »"- inn- f^ , ' ^®' -^^ ^^ve a book belong- ing to your reverence -it's the m.tnJ^^^^. THE IRISH OEPHAK IN AMERICA. 175 Church, sir— ana I didn't brin? it with m^ because I wanted to see your rfyovcZok^f^ before j-ou go." Having' received a kTndfnd cordm consent, Willy made his best bow, and retired *^"' '"^''' '=°'^'=^>-' ""I ^^^^^ On the following evening, punctual to h!« lound lather litzherbert alone, porino- over om man, with a benignant smile, « you arp come to spend the last evening with the oW pnest. I expect Mr. Talbot h?re by and by asjie was good enough to say L 7ouId "Then I mast hurry and tell your reverence iTke MrTalh^r': f 1^^% ' "I wZd^ iiKe Mr. Talbot to hear me. First, there's your book, sir, and I'm forever obliged to ™u not only for it, but for all the fine tt ev"; you lent nie." He laid the book on the taW ' and then drawmg from the pocket of his over! coat a small parcel, he opened it quickly, Iwl disclosed a very beautiful silver cmciflx, some five or si.^ inches long. This, sir," saidTe t^ .'"'^rP";^"^"' *'•'" I ^o"W wish to send to J ather Maloney, for you said you hoped to '"' Ir; -J"'"'^^ ^' S'^ ^-o-gh to teU him sir, that It was Andy Burke's children senU^ sL; C IV^'jf " "^ ''"''' g.-atitude,\rd'to snow liim that thov havpn'f fr.,.a.^f4«^ l,-.„ „ . "But, Willy," said t^-pri|^-.ti";;;^„i^ ■^>' 176 WILLY BURKE ; OR, rather tell my old friend that it was yourself jjt. u lorget Jimi any more than ua Oh ■>,% ' Andy Burke's children.'" •* ^' " )^ell, well," said the good criesf « hn was in reality much gratifled°u the relit o? l"s own question, "I'll say whatever vm. liBh tins 18, even apart from its religious value the workmanship is exquisite." ^""^ "''"«- whit iz fhoufht o/ r^^w "^f • *'" ^'^ «^ FatherWSrt ? -'for' heT^w thi^l'h*^''*- "^ "f J ou had seen the little cirls wh^n T t^M -'"yltal's 1"*^-^ cloin^gHith th^i^n^y I confess myself unwilling to reS so ^^J THE IKI8H ORPHAN IN AMBUICA. 177 a present from you friendless o/phans R.if I well know the pleasure 3 ou hav;^„ ^?;i„i^^,^ and I cannoL ])rino' mvsplf tr. ;„« I ^^^*"o ^^^ thp tiair. ^4^ J- "^ "^}^eii to inflict upon vo 1 uS.?" ?^ "^ disaiipointment." ^ ^ 3^our reverenpp V\i h *''*»vor. And now, school-master, sir, Mu.ter Do,« ^ - ' ®"^® ^^'s what put what tl prL^ tel^ P '•" ' ^"^ ^°°'' <>"«" flid, sir, it would be i .f«" '""f "''* ' "" '^^ for Sa"r2rsta"s'°on''l^°'; T *« '^'P'^' '• enlightened miL V^ n^ "i''*'^''' * ^n^" "f opinions. "But at « l^"'' ,'''"'"'' '» ^s present wages are „ot at T''' '';'"-^'' y°"' deservin- — von w * . ^" •"I""' *» your ful here" and your sTruo I ^''^'lingly use, you above all vabeTo?.^ '',''"''"'>■ '■<'»<1«''« of what I have said- Jvv'^'^Pl'*^'*'''^- TMnk not Hghtly ca\t r^'gLSl.^"''' ^""^ '«'' clecided'tone'-iufri'if'" '^''' ^^"'y' '» » more about the Ittt 17* *° *''"* ''"y employers firs took me ^'1^^^"''"' so much to them as T n™ „ ' ^''^'^ * "^"'^'h in the course o? some tTmelf'th' 'T°^«' w!th me, they'll ghrmH I'i tl» T""" P''""'^'^ «ny rate M,^ sfindrrs I'l not t''"''"- u"*-' while they're wiUinrto tl" 1° '"'^r *''«"' TT_- ii^lve yoq 182 WILLY BURKE ; OR, anything more to say to me, sir ? for I must go now to something I was bid to do." ;' You not go yet, Willy Burke," said a voice that made both start ; and opening the door of a closet just behind the desk, out stepped Mr. Yv^eimar. His face wore just the same expression as usual, but there was a slight tremor in his shrill voice as he spoke. "Now, Saunders," said he, "dere is no < harm dat you leave us when you goin' into bisness for your own self, dat all well, an' we not say you wrong ; but what for you try to make dis boy go too, eh ? You know him good boy, faithful boy, and den you make him leave us, and go vid you. I not expect dat from you, Saunders, and I ver}^ sorry, verv sorrv indeed." -^ j j " Well, Mr. Weimar," said the clerk, by way of apology, " you have so many young men m your employment (and generally speak- ing they are very good, as the world goes), that I thought you might spare this younff lad, the youngest of all." " Aye, but better you ask us first, if we vish to part him ; dat be de fair way to do. Now Willy Burke," said the old man, and his voice became softer, perhaps unconsciously to him- self, " now, dis de second time dat we find you refuse to leave us ; dis last time you were offered more vages, you not consent, and you did right. Now, I veil pleased with you, and ^ , ,, vTTVf viviiciio a iu\jix\iii iiiur€ man must go said a ling the Jsk, out just the was a poke. e is no >in* into , an' we a tr}'- to im good m leave it from y sorry erk, by young ' speak- goes) , mg lad, we vish Now, s voice o him- ind you a were ad you )u, and e than THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 183 you had. But vat dese boys dey do to you ' I not hear dal )efore." "Oh, sir!" said Willy, "I rather you wouldu t ask me ; it's not worth talking about, and I wouldn't on any account trouble you or Mr. Talbot with such little trifles. But, sir, about the wages, I'm very thankful to you, and if God spares me life and health I hope to prove my gratitude." *' So you not tell me vat de young lads do to you?" asked Mr. Weimar, the harsh lines of his wrinkled face relaxing into a smile of even kindly meaning. *' Ha ! ha ! me heard all you say to Saunders, — dat your cross, eh? You not want to shake it off, eh? Go off, you young Papist ! I not find you so strange now, since I know de reason why you act so." And shaking his hand playfully at Willy, he sent him away, being desirous to speak with Saun^ ders, who was, indeed, about to commence business on his own account. When Willy found himself alone, he raised hfe hands and eyes to heaven in fervent thanksgiving, that God had so strengthened him in the moment of temptation. Although he had not the 6;lightest suspicion that any one much less Mr. Weimar, had been within hear- ing, yet it certainly increased his satisfaction that the conversation had been heard by him above all others. " For," said he to himself, *' Mr. Weimar used to think that there was icarcely a Catholic to be depended on ; and I iiij 184 WILLY bupke; or, doing what I 'should not do " * '"'''* """"''"' eye« and 'f^l'J^lt *Cid ^^^ c^'X'" Claimed, almost aloud- "mirp ifo .^ that', always doin' somPthfrfr. ^ ^^"^^^^^^ hannx' ivri Vm ®^"^®tbing to make people that Father, Ktzhf^'h^ tt::;ecf h^ But, then," sa,d he to himself, " Je I know gion, that mnks and me from ^Iit, wheat a hancl^ ly bound Master t up and ne of the >k — ^'A n Biirke, sent to i's warm [Juct." precious iumed a I to his i utter a es. ng and he ex- ourself people please Willy Talbot 3rayer- it once '■ him. '. know TIIK IRISH ORPHAN IX AMERICA. 185 finn T,^ «i T , . ^"" t^iy consolinjr reflec- gins Delore we come back. They're all fiZ ooM^"'*'' '''^"* Soing to the churchyard " ta.e I como R f t" '"''^'' *'^^' «" '^e next AUce on?T R • , f ^ ^"°* particularly to see it ^t„M .^"''g«t- Do you know *i,iy must mJ « /^7^^^'^ ago -on Wednesday I thmk-and she says they're two nice l^ll if 'i't't^^'f'^''^"^ ^^ ^^■■^- '"Catkins see them- Awh ""■ l-^ftion?" asked Willy, dryl^ She often told me that she'd like to see them aj.d so she sent and ordered a bonnet al Mr? J'' r.^ «' ^"'^ -•'q-ested that either bIZ. o. ^.«, ^urice might be sent home withTt" i n t 3f 186 WILLY BURKE ; OR, SO Mrs. Williams sent the two, as it was getting a little late in the evening. That's the way she managed it, and when she talked a little while to the girls, she was so taken ug^,. with them that she can think of nothing else ever smce. *' Dear me," said Willy, still more dryl}', *' how mighty easy it is to catch her fancy ! And so I suppose she could find it in her heart to take owe of them, or both, for that matter, when they're such nice little girls, eh, Peter? " " You've just guessed it," said Peter. " She says it's the greatest pity in the world to see such girls as them in the way they are." " To be sure ; that's just what I've thought myself," retorted Willy, with ironical gravit3\ *' And so your good Mrs. Watkins sent you to-da}'^ to try and coax them to go to her? Now tell the truth, Peter, wasn't that the reason why you came to see us ? " " Well, did I ever see such a curious boy ! " said Peter, evasively ; " don't you know very well I'd come of my own accord? and more shame for me if I wouldn't." " Aye, shame indeed ! but then, you needn't be turning or shifting about it ; you came to-'day because Mrs. Watkins sent you, — that's the whole thing. And ycu say she'd take the two girls ? " "She'd take one — Alice she'd like best — and another lady, a friend of hers, a rich lady. THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 187 bring them up so that they'd never have to do a hard day's work. They'd be as well off as any ladies." "Well, I don't want to have them made ladies of," s-iid Willy, quickly ; " I want them to get their decent trade learnt, so that they'll be able to do for themselves ; and I'd rather a thousand times see them working hard with Mrs. Williams, where they see nothing but what's good, than to have them sitting up in idleness with Mrs. Watkins and the other ' rich lady,' learning nothing at all but how to turn up their noses at their best friends, and, worse than all, to have them getting to be ashamed of being Catholics. And, for the matter of that, it's not long they'd be so. No, no, Peter, you may go back and tell Mrs. Watkins that they're well enough where they are ; and that if they hadn't a place that I liked, I'd give them every penny of my little wages, and beg the clothes to cover me, sooner than let either of them go to her or any one like her. I'm sure we've got enough of Mr. and Mrs. Watkins al'^ady ; and, please God, they'll not catch c taer Alice or Bridget. With God's help, we'll not lose them^ poor little girls!" He spoke bitterly, and more angrily than usual, and Peter replied with a flushed eheek : " And do you think I'm going to take your opinion for an answer, saucy fellow that you are? Not I, indeed! I'll go straight and see'the 188 WILLY IIURKK : OR, girls thomaelves, and hear what they'll say about it." '' And I'll go witn you then," said Willy, in a milder tone ; '' for I'm afraid you're* riot to be trusted, Peter. You are nc^ sensible of the danger you'd bring them into." '' Well, this is too bad ! " said the elder brother, angrily, as they walked along to- gether. " Now, I'd like to know what are yoa making of all of this great piety of yours ! You that's buch a good Catholic all out ! What good is it doing you ? " "Why," said Willy, "if it goes to that, even in a worldly point of view I'm just as well off as 3'ou are, though, God help you ! I'm afraid you never stand up as you ought to do for your religion. I have a dollar a month now more than 3'ou have." " What ! " said Peter, turning short round ; ** have they raised your wages again ? Oh, I see how it is," he added contemptuously, "it's Mr. Talbot that's doing it ; he wants to humor you up, and so Mr. Watkins says." " Well, Mr. Watkins may say what he will," replied Willy, " but it wasn't Mr. Talbot that raised my wages either time; it was Mr. Weijnar." '' Why, how in the world did that happen?" asked Peter, evidently taken aback. And when Willy told him, he remained silent for a considerable time. He was thinking what a strange thing it was that his brother — two w %• THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 189 3'ears younger than ho — could so stoutly resist and even overoome temptation, while "he was almost sure to give way, even at the very first assault. Yet he would not acknowledge thut such w^ero his ideas ; and when Willy, seeing a certain confusion in his face, and tI»erefore partly guessing his thoughts, would have per- suaded him to apply for grace and strength at the fountain o^ all good, he cut him short by asking snappishly, '' What he meant?" " Why, that j'ou ought to go to confession, Peter, and approach the Holy Communion a great deal ottener than you do; indeed I'm afraid you never go at all. Have you been to confession since Father Fitzherbert went awa}'?" '' No, I haven't," was the reply, '' and I don't want to be worried about it. I'll go when I think fit, and I'll not go at all if I don't do it of my own accord. So don't bothe»- me about confession. Confession, indeed ! I'm sure it's the fine time I have of it with you about the same confession." Willy had been far from expecting such an answer, and it took him so much bj^ surprise, that he did not speak again till they reached Mrs. Williams's house. They were received by the good lady with all her usual cordiality, and the girls were doubly pleased to see ti>dr brothers once more together. ' But when Peter opened his negotiatJbn (which Willy purposely waited for him to do) , the whole scene changed. I !-' ( t 190 WILLY BURKE ; OR, Mrs. Williams could scarcely restrain her indignation, and the little girls cried out v/ith one voice : " Is it leave Mrs. Williams? oh, no, Peter ! not for the world, unless she sends us away ! " and both looked timidly at their benefactress. "And that I'll never do, children," she said, while the big tear trembled in her eye. " No, if I had only one dollar in the world — and I than|c God I have a good round sum by me — I wouldn't grudge you the half of it. They are not in New York this day I'd let you go to (without you were taken from me by them that had a right to do it), and least of all would I turn you over to the Watkins's. It is neither to-day nor yesterday that I heard of their doings with respect to Catholic or- phans. What do you think of this, Willy ? " Willy told her exactly what he had before told his brother, and added : " As for me, Mrs. Williams, I'm just of your notion about these people ; and I'd as soon see my sisters going into a house on fire as into theirs. So if you please, ma'am, you'll not send them there any more on any account. While they're under your care I have no fear about them, and that not only from what Father Fitzherbert told us about 3^ou, but from all that I have seen of you myself, and heard from the girls." "With God's help," replied Mrs. Williams, ." I endeavor to do for them jnst what I would for my own children, and what I think their f THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 191 e> r own worthy mother would approve of, were she living. I pray with them, they go to church with me, and together we approach the Holy Sacraments. I send them daily to a good school — not a proselytizing school, Peter, and take every opportunity of explaining to them their duty to God, the world, and their own souls. Then they are learning the bonnet- making business morning and evening." Peter knew not what to say ; he was not yet so hardened as to stand up in defence of what his conscience told hin was a bad cause, and he did not like, on tuvy other hand, to allow his brother so great a triumph ; neither could he bring himself to confess that he had been in the wrong. " So I'm to tell Mrs. Watkins," he said, rising suddenly, ^'that you all refuse her offer — this is her thanks for her kindness to our famil}'." "Just tell her what j^ou please," replied 'Will}^ who was really indignant at his brother's conduct. " I don't thank her in the least for her kindness, for I know very well what she's about. She has got one — more shame and sin for him — and I think she ought to be satisfied. At any rate, she'll not get either of my sisters hooked, and so you may tell her, if you wish. Come, girls, are you for May they come^ Mrs. f a walk this evening ? miams r ' •^irr • ■* . ■ I i 192 WILLY burke; or, " Certainly/' was the answer, and in a few minutes the girls stood read}- for their walk. '' Are you coming with us, Peter?" inquired his brother, but Peter was far too angrv to consent. "^ "No, indeed, that I am not," he replied sharply ; " an' can tell you it will be many a day before I trouble any of you again. It is well for me that I'm not depending on my own for friendsl^ip, or anything else." And with- out deigning to notice his young sisters, who ran after him to the door beseeching him to stay, he hurried from the house. He°had not gone far on his way home, when he came full against Wilson and Hamilton, where they stood conversing at the corner of a street " Hillo, there, Peter ! " cried Wilson, seeinor that Burke was passing without seeming to notice them, " is this the way you treat old acquaintances ? " *' Oh, Mr. Wilson," said Peter, stoppin.v»^ ^ , * . !i T 1- ociiuou jL v/pciy. i iiace ii as much as he does, — of th^t I'm quite sure 198 WILLY BURKE ; OR, but he can say nothing new about it, and we're all tired of hearing the same old stories re- peated day after day, with only occasional va- riations, just to make people listen." " Come along, then, Georgie, lad ! " and off went the hopeful pair to Williamsburg. That same evening, when Willy returned home, after taking tea at Mrs. Williams's, he was surprised to find almost all the young men assembled ii^ the sitting-room, for they were all in the habit of staying out even later on Sun- day evenings than any other. " Why, 3'ou're all in earlier than usual to-night," said he; " I declare I'm almost the last myself. I hope we're all going to reform," he added jestingly. *' If we ain't," said Wilson, with a sneer, " I know who is. I know of one Papist at least who is already more than half converted from the errors of Poper3\" "More shame for him, then, whoever he is," said Willy, quietly, for he began to see that there was a design upon him, and was de- termined to keep his temper, with God's assist- ance. " He was never a good Catholic, if he's now going to be anything else, and the Church will be well rid of him." " Not so fast, my good fellow ! " said Wil- son, in a tone of exultation ; ''not so fast, if you please, for it's j-our own brother I mean." Willy Burke turned pale, and anon red as scarlet. He much feared that what Wilson THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 199 said was but too true, 3'^et he would not seem to believe it possible ; and, swallowing his emotion as best he could, he said with a laugh — it was a forced laugh, too — " It's all very- well, Mr. Wilson ! you can crack your jokes on me as long as j^ou please ; so long as it's only myself you. attack, I don't care." " But this is no joke, I assure you, Will^^ ! " replied the other ; " Hamilton can tell you that as well as I, for we both had it from jour brother himself. He told us this very evening that he's going to become a Protestant, hoping that Mr. Watkins will reward him bj' making him his heir. He deceives. himself, poor fellow, for that gentleman has a nephew in Savannah, who will inherit his fortune, as a matter of right." An ashy paleness now spread itself over Willy's face ; and, unable longer to preserve his composure, he would fain leave the room, for he found it difficult to restrain his tears. He arose in silence, and was walking towards the door, repressing his emotion as much as he possibly could, when Wilson's tittering laugh grated on his ear ; and, turning quickl}" round, he saw that almost every face wore a look of gratified malice. " God forgive j^ou, Mr. Wil- son ! " he said, with a quivering lip and a trem- ulous voice, " I don't know why it is that 3'ou all seem to hate me as3'0u do, for I'm sure I never rlirl nrw anirl vniA rvmncr f^ncl errant fhnt. von don't draw down punishment on 30urselves !" 200 WILLY burke; or. It was m the midst of a general burst of laughter that Dawson, who had taken no part m the conversation, stepped forward and took Willy by the hand, saying in a kind tone : '^ 1 hope, Willy, that you'll not set me down as one of your tormentors, for I do assure vou that I m sorry to see you receive such treatment, iielieve me, I can and do sympathize with you as regards your brother's apostasy — jf the news be tri^e, as we are assured it is — lor I know and respect your ardent love of religion Your example goes far to convince me that yours IS the true faith, and, with God's help, I will, from this night forward, set about seek- mg the truth." Having thus openly expressed his opinion, Dawson turned and bade a cold " good-night " to the other young men, who were struck dumb. It would appear, by this unexpected incident, and he left the room with W illy. The latter almost forgot his own sorrow,*^ in his joy to hear such sentiments from one whom he had so long considered as blindly prejudiced against the Church. Greater still was his surprise, when Dawson, before they separated for the night, asked him to procure for him some books which might instruct him in the doc- trines of the Catholic Church ; a request with which he willingly promised to comply, as mav weU be believed. "^ ^ THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. CHAPTER X. THE CRUCIFIX. TT was a matter of agreeable surprise to -L Willy, that from that time forward, a marked change for the better was visible in all his companions, Wilson not excepted. He was no longer treated with that contempt which it had so long been his lot to bear, and if a sly sarcasm did once in a while meet his ear, directed either against his religion or him- self, it had no longer the bitterness which for- merly characterized all such discourse ad- dressed to him in the house. This change was indeed most welcome to poor Willy, coming, as it did, at a time when he was har- assed with anxiety about his brother, and he hailed the unwonted civility of his companions with thanldulness and joy. Wilson was now, above all others, the most cheerful, and noth- ing could exceed his kindness to Willy, whom lie jocularly called his protege; "for,'* said he, "you have actually converted me from the error of my ways, and I owe you so much frrnfifnilo fhof T olmll -ft^T. ^v.^ •«.,* j_..i self 3^our friend on all occasions, and defend r.-5l »02 WILLT BURKE j OR, yon from all possible attacks on the score of religion, althougli T do not intend to become a r«^!'olic~-just yet." Wii;7 Burke smiled, and professed himself very grateful for the good intentions of his new friend, although he could not but find the change rather sudden. " I can't understand It at all, would he say to himself; *' but then what good would it do him to make a show of bemg my friend ? and only his heart is entirely changed, he surely wouldn't treat me so dif- ferently from what he did before." Things had gone on in this way for at least two weeks. Dawson had gone through several small works on Catholic Doctrine, which Willy had borrowed from Father O'Hara, and already the light of divine truth was beginning to shine on his mind, so long darkened by prejudice and overshadowed by the clouds of error. The young man himself talked little to the others of the gradual change his mind was under- going, for he knew them better than Willy did, and he CAidently placed but little confi- dence in their present show of liberality. One evening Willy had asked permission of Mr. Talbot to go see after his brother, »nd was just returned, saddened and disappoint'^d. not having been able to see Peter, whe h- was told that Mr. Weimar and Mr. Talbot were both in the sitting-room, waiting for his return It was very near the usual supper. «viiA., ;. .. ,1. „.^... „ t^vMMtij^c Liiiic iur me gentle- (( I THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 203 men to come ; besides, Mr. Weimar had never been to the house since Willy lUirke had been its inmate. And then the idea of their wait- ing for him threw him into a tremor which al- most deprived him of the power of motion. *' Waiting to see me ! " he repeated, in a fnint voice, "why, what do they want with me at this hour ? " *' I don't know, I'm sure ! " was the reply of Hamilton, for it was he who opened the door, "but they do seem pretty anxious for 3'our coming." I' Well, then, I'll go, in God's name ! " said Willy ; and opening the door, he entered the sitting-room. His first look was at Mr. Tal- bot, and he was shocked to see that gentleman wear a sternness of aspect all unusual with him. Mr. Weimar was pacing the room to and fro with a restless lir, but his countenance, always fixed and rigid, gave no indication of what was passing in his mind. All the 3-oung men were present, and, as Willy glanced around, he fancied that every face wore a sort of incipient sneer. Dawson alone looked kindly on him, but even he spoke not a word. There was evidently something unusual goino- forward, and Willy felt chilled, though he knew not why. Mr. Weimar was the first to speak, and his tones were harsh — even harsher than their wont. *' You keen n; l/-wni TTClililX^, IIX; SiiiU) " but you not tink to find us here, eh? " ,)wu i ; i |W i' 204 WILLY BURKE ; OR, "No, indeed, Mr. Weimar," answered Willy, *> I didn't expect to see either j^ou or Mr. Tal- -^Ikjt here." "You guess why we come, eh? What you tink brought us ? " " Well, I don't know, sir," said Willy, and his voice trembled slightly, " I hope there's nothing wrong?" " Yes, dere is someting wrong, sir ! " said Weimar, min^cking his tone, " and I tink 3'ou know it, too. What you do with dat parcel Mr. Talbot give you to-day for me at de office- door — where you put it, eh ? " " I put it on your desk, sir," said Will}' ; and the color left his cheek, for he began to fear that his misgivings were too well founded. "On mj' desk, eh? I see no parcel dere. Where was I when you put it on mj^ desk ? " asked Weimar, with increasing sternness in his voice. " You were gone to dinner, sir. Mr. Talbot knew that, too, and he told me to la}- it where I did, so that you'd see it the first thing when you came in. I put it in the big book, sir, that was Ij'ing open on the desk." "And the big book ate it up, eh? Now, I much 'afraid dat you be one deceitful j^oung rogue, Burke. Did anj' one see 3'ou put dat parcel — I s'pose you know very well dat it was money — on my desk ? Was any one in J _ _ .aa _ _ n »» UU UillCU : " No, sir," said Willy, and his thick, husky I '■ 'fa THE IRISH ORPHAN IX AMERICA. 205 voice bespoke emotion, " there was no one in the office at the time, for Mr. Talbot gave me the key to open it. But sure, sir, tlie parcel * can't be lost?" " I much fear it is, Willy," said Mr. TaDjot, speaking for the first time, "that is, unless you can find it for us, and it contained a large sum of mone3%" " lie know dat very well, de 3'oung rascal,'' interrupted Weimar, angrily ; "dere is no use asking more questions — he take de money — I see dat plain enough. Now, if you don't give up dat money dat you pilfer, I'll send dis very minute for de police and den you go to prison." This threat was made with a ve- hemence which would have seemed foreign to the German's disposition, and he even shook his hand menacingly at Willy, but the latter scarcely heeded it. Turning to Mr. Talbot, who still sat silent and stern, with his arm resting on the table, he said : "And do you believe this, Mr. Talbot? — do yo2i suspect me of stealing away this parcel ? Money I didn't know it was, until you told me just now what was in it." " IIow can I believe you innocent, Willy ? " and Mr. Talbot heaved a deep-drawn sigh as he spoke. "Here, I gave you this parcel (with the key of the office, knowing that Mr. AV^eimar was not there), and directed you to place it on the writing-desk. You brought me back the key in a few moments, and told me d ill' 206 WILLY BURKE ; OR, you had clone as I ordered, but when Mr. Wei- mar with his own key opened the office-door and went in, a short time after, the parcel was not there; and then your asking permission to go out this evening on pretence of seeing your brother — altogether the matter wears a bad aspect. Would that I could believe you guiltless of this crime, for I'm sorry, heartily sorry to find you — you, Willy Burke — so far different froria what you seemed to be." " Well, Mr. Talbot," said Willy Burke, in a tone where reproach was blent with deep sor- row, " I thought you'd be the last to believe me guilty — not because I'm any better than another — for God knows I am not — but be- cause 3-0U know very well that I try all I can to do and say what religion teaches. I could bear all — all — they might send me to prison and punish me any way they like — though the Lord knows I'm as innocent of this crime as the child unborn — so long as j^ou didn't believe me guilty ; but for you — you, Mr. Tal- bot, that was more like a father than a master to me — for 3'ou to suspect me of such a deed as this, oh, indeed, sir, it goes to my very heart! " And the big tears trickled unheeded from his eyes. Yes, it was evident that the heaviest blow of all was Mr. Talbot's seeming readiness to believe him guilty. That gentle" man himself was even visibly touched by this -JTi' tJ-'^'l. i %.' TT \xf,4- refill ■f•^.^4.,. THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 207 SO Strong against Willy, that he dared not listen to the proiflptings of his generous heart. " I repeat," said he, '' that I am truly sorry that suspicion should rest on you, and doubly sorry shall I be if you are found to deserve it. But what say these young men ? " he added, turning to some of the others. " Have any of you seen or heard anything this day that mio-ht throw light on this unfortunate occurrence ? " "Ay," said Weimar, "can any one give dc — de — what you call dat ?— testimony against dis boy, for he goes to prison dis very night, so sure as I live." Being thus addressed, one of the lads, Henry Davis, stepped forward and said, though with well-feigned reluctance, that he had seen Willy Burke put a small parcel in his pocket before he left the warehouse, though he could not see what it contained. '' Was that the one you saw, Henry ? " asked Dawson, coming suddenly forward, and taking a small parcel from his pocket. " I can't say ; it might have been." " Because Willy Burke gave me this, just before he went out, when I met him at the door, and the gentlemen can see for themselves what it contains." He opened it, and laid on the table a small book : it was " The Grounds of the Catholic Docrine." " This is the par- cel, Henry, that you saw Willy Burke put in "^o i^vy^xvcL, lui uu uau laia it aside on a shelf until it was time to leave the warehouse. And, ^4 208 WILLY burke; or, gentlemen," he added, turning respectfuily to the merchants, " notwithstantling the apparent difficulty m believing him innocent, I do ven- ture to say that in my opinion the poor lad is innocent of the crime laid to his charge. I solemnly declare that I could scarcely be brouglit to believe him guilty of even a much more trifling misdemeanor. And if I had ten thousand dollars I would stake it on his inno- cence bein^ established.'* w-n^?? reward you, Mr. Dawson ! " exclaimed Willy Burke, " and I hope you'll never want a tnend in your hour of need." • "wm"' (George," said Mr. Talbot, address- ing Wilson *' what have you got to say in this matter, for I see you have been for some time watching your opportunity to speak?" AH eyes were now turned on Wilson, who came slowly forward, as though the task before him was excessively repugnant to his feelings. "Gentlemen," said he, "I have been some years m your employment, and have found you uniformly generous as well as just ; it would 111 become me, therefore, to remain silent when 1 am conscious that I have it in my power to do you a service. Some people may be induced tlirough a false pity "-here he glanced at Dawson— *' or some other less excusable mo- tive, to connive at guilt, and even attempt to screen it from punishment ; but this I cannot clo, and I therefore tell you — thoup-h I rpo-r^t the necessity which compels me so to do— THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 209 that Willy Burke is a far different character from what you suppose him to be, and I have not the least doubt but that he really took this money, whatever he may have done y ith it. Hamilton, will you tell the gentlemen what you saw him do to-day ? " Hamilton then stated that he had chanced to be doi :g something in a kind of recess which was nearly opposite the office door, when he saw Willy Burke enter and close it after him. In a few minutes he came out, and after having locked the door, he distinctly saw him put his hand into the breast-pocket of his coat, as though to ascertain the safety of something, and then, buttoning his coat closely, he walked quickly away. *'0f course," said Hamilton, ''I thought no more about the circumstance till I heard of the missing parcel, when it oc- curred to me at once." 'i Now I declare in the presence of God," said Willy, his cheeks flushed with honest in- dignation, " and before all the saints in heaven, that I do not remember to have done as Mr. Hamilton says I did. I neither put my hand in my bosom, nor buttoned up my coat, — and that's as true as that I'm standing here ! " Mrs. Malcolm was now called in, and was asked whether Willy Burke had gone up to his room after coming from the warehouse, before he went out. The housekeeper was not a little surprised at the queation. anr\ tho oori/Mia v«o«^ ner in which it w^as put, but she answered at U :'l| 210 WILLY BURKE ; OR, once that he had, — he just went np for a few minutes, and then went out in a hurry, 8a3-ino' that he would be back b^^ the time supper was ready, if he possibly could. ^ "Dere now, Talbot," said Weimar, exult- mgly, " what j'ou say to dat, eh?" " I say," replied Talbot, " that we had bet- ter go at once and search his room ; since he denies having taken the money, we must pro- ceed with such steps as may lead to its dis- covery. You will please light us up stairs, Mrs. Malcolm, to Willy Burke's room." " Certainly, sir ! " said the housekeeper, and forthwith she fetched a lamp. '^But will you just let me say one word, gentlemen ? " Mr. Talbot nodded assent, and Weimar stopped to listen, his foot resting on the first step of the stairs. " Now I understand that you're suspecting this puir laddie, Burke, of purloining some- thing, and you may baith tak' an' auld woman's word for it, that he never did ony sic like thinu that, erposed osslble, .ha+ the ad bet- Burke's Lit mak- >lace he trnnk, nk was »uld ex- is next and, in lere the lerwent , as he look at le wall. hoped jsh dis- hat de robber me." THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 213 All this time Willy had not spoken a word, nor manifested the slightest anxiet}', and when the fruitless investigation of the room was con- cluded, Mr. Weimar said to him : " You take dis matter very cool — you not the least fright- ened, eh ? You tink, I s'pose, dat when we not find de money here, you all right ; but we see dat ; we make you confess dis great rob- bery, dat we will; you go to jail dis very hour." " Well sir," said Willy, in a firm but re- spectful tone, " I can only tell you again that I am innocent; and as you have so much reason to suspect me, I suppose I have nothing to expect but what you threaten me with. It's hard, sir, very hard that I must be sent to jail, — not that I'd complain on my own account, but Tor the disgrace it is to the good father and mother that reared me, and to the holy religion I profess ; but then if it's the will of God I must submit without a murmur, an' I don't blame 3'ou, gentlemen, if you do put me in prison, for I know that as everything stands now, you can't but think me guilty. But Mr. Weimar, you're under a mistake, sir, i^ you think that I'm grieved and troubled about this ; I am, indeed, sir, both sorry and ashamed that such a thing should even be laid to the charge of my father's son ; but I'm not a bit afraid on my own account, for I know that God will iiiig cue tiucu Lu liguL ill ms own gooa lune, 11: '.'I ^1 "■i I 214 WILLY BURKE ; OR, " ^I't'" sni'l Mr. Talbot, who could not h^ln receiving a favorable impr;ssio„Xm Wi S words and manners, " but since you so s "»„ uous ly declare yourself innocent,C-e you "o suspicion of tlie real offender?" ^ "tha^TVlt"*'"'.^^'- '^''^^'^" ^"« the reply, tbat I d suspect any one of committino- snrl, % crime, muph less mention anyname Oh" 1 «r t-, bad enough for onei bfsk down .s guilty, and not to be bringing in another A^' I have to say is, that I put'tLe patel wht^ you old me, sir, ou Mr! Weimar's desk and ba:k'?he1ef ^'''T' ""' '^^ "^-5* S oacK «ie key. I neither saw nor heard anv one in or about the office; and indevlt don't know how any one could get in to ta8e it away before Mr. Weimar c!me back for the other door of the office, the one lead i^ 5 fro™ " will T''-'' "'"ir' ^^^■'^y' locked!"""" served M,.T i!" I'T^^l """"countable I" ob- seived Mr. Talbot to his partner. " Here i., this lad, in the simplicity of his he^rt i? ng the chance of shittinr/uspfciont^m S: self, by assuring us that he neither saw nn," heard anyone about the office, and eveT th^ so. Surely this does not look like guilt '» Weimar was about to answer, and his look, iri^i ^Pf-""". "hen suddenh L t- ,.w»wu>;u V. illy, and said, " What is dat ting All THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 215 dat make a bulk dere in 3^our breast ? Open your coat, dere's some ting in dat pocket ; let us see what it is ? Ha, ha ! de secret will come out now, I tink." Every eye was now turned on Willy's bosom, where sure enough there was a very percepti^ ble protuberance, as if of some parcel thrust into the breast-pocket of his coat. Even Mrs Malcolm trembled, and the young men could scarcely refrain from laughing out, in the glee of exultation. Mr. Talbot said nothing, but a slight flush was on his cheek as he watched the changing countenance of the lad, and waited to see what he really dreaded,— the confirmation of his suspicions. But Willy showed no sign of either fear or confusion *'Here, Mr. Weimar," he said, hastilv un- buttoning the round jacket which he wore, " here, sir, you can search my pockets, aye! every one of them ! There is somethino- in this breast-pocket, sir, but you can tak*e it out yourself, and then you'll see what it is." Weimar thrust in his hand and drew forth not the missing parcel, but a small ebony crucifix, worn and old, as though it might have belonged to a by-gone age. "Why, vat de deevil is dis?" cried Wei- mar, as he held the crucifix aloft, amid the suppressed tittering of the young men, with the single exception of Dawson ; " vat dis tino- ■-^-■^ he carry in his pocket? Oh, dis some Ml ) If 1 f,l ■'4 uat 21G WILLY BURKE ; OR, V K%u.ttV"°°* ''^ °»'"^- ""'' ^- -« " Jhat is a cnicifix," replied Talbot, calmlv • lol ^r ."'«''"'«' '»>• fiend, in calling H an Idol; ,t ,s merely a representation of our Lord's passion and death." " Yes, yes I " said the other, qnicklv " but vat's de use, eh? Vat good dis, vat ^u call It, dis presentation, eh ? '' ^ " Kepresentation," said Talbot again. Hi« t! ^%' w? *.'""« '^'"■*' ! v«"> vat good in " Ro^l. YV '"' '"'"y " '" '"^^ pocket?" "ThS''„ ^r* '"'°'^'" ™J°'ne'''* ^^ added; and Ws voice had almost all its usual softness, for he became more and more convinced tha Willy had been wronged. ' " Well, sir," said Willy, « I fuot n„t !f • my pocket when I was goi^g to s'ee mfbro h r this evenmg, and, to tellyou the trut^, if was for it I came into the house after lief other trmeT; -Z^"'' ^"^^ " ^'* ™« ^ 'J header r; ^d.-' ''''"=' °" ''''' "'''' ''* "^« " And vat you bring it out dis evening for ' » 'a wanted to show it tomv broths? «"!.» «ia lor the first time Willy Bmke~h Jug his THE IRISH ORPHAX IN AMERICA. 217 head, while his very forehead assumed a crim- son hue. "Your broder, he never see it before, do old ting, vat 3'ou call 'presentation,' eh? Vat you show it to him for, tell me dat ? " '* Mr. Talbot," said poor Willy, turning in his distress to that gentleman, and his eyes filled with tears, " Mr. Talbot, I'd rather, if you please, sir, that Mr. Weimar wouldn't put this question to me, if you'd be good enough to ask him." ''Nay," said Mr. Talbot, " 3'ou had better answer the question ; I mj-self am desirous to hear your reason for bringing the crucifix to your brother, for I see there is something un- usual in the case." " Well, sir," and Willy spoke with difficulty, for tears were choking him, " poor Peter, I'm afraid, is in a bad way this time back, and if what I heard the other evening be true, his soul is in great danger of being lost, so as I had tried every way that I could think of to make him begin a new life, but all to no purpose, I just took it into my head that maybe the sight of this crucifix might have some eflTect on his mind, — if it wouldn't I might give him up for lost." Here Willy stopped, for he could not speak another word, but Mr. Talbot quickly caught him up : " Alas ! " sighed Talbot, as though thinking 44 ^.1. Yf liKlli LUC V« 4- •- I-. J iiuui i, i» liuruuucti ^y ik com-se of sin, or steeled by the prejudice of I I hi r 'I 1 4 J Mi "i\. 218 WILLV BURKE ; OB, error, how little is it touched by the sight of anv n?.?! ^"' 7"l^^^- ^° ™°''' '^ «™ciflecl Saviour ii an) thing ijjjt^iejjr^^.^jj. ami hourly life as they cannot but feel, is acon- tinua lusult offered to him- the JLw-God. " 'les, but, Mr. Talbot," said Willy, '-if this was any other crucifix but the one it is, I wouldn^ have thought of such a thing, but U s an old family-piece, sir, and every one of oin- family that died since he or I remembeis, this very crucifix was put in their hands when they were leaving this world. Above all, sir —here the poor fellow's voice sanic almost to a whisper -"above all, Mr. Talbot, we both saw It put in my father's hand, and in my mother's, when they were dying, and laid on their bosoms when they were dead, and that's the reason why 1 thought that if the sio-ht of It would not soften his heart, and malce him love our holy religion, nothing in Us or.,I would. But the worst of it was, sr bat I didn't see Peter at all ; he wasn't ^vithl in, or at least they told me so." in^ ^f T- ^r^^i P"^''" "''■'J ^<=™m. burst- ing into a kind of cackling lauo-h peculiar tn nmself and forgetting his money aid h: anger for the moment. "Your bidder have great loss, eh? Now, you Papists are all fools, -fools every one. And so yon tink jour piece of black wood, dat cross, co d change your broder, and mal-o Cat'hc, eh ? Dat good fun J " nirvi SJ.l.lXt. :uu Od i ;j, THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 219 Ilis laugh was eclioed by Wilson and Hamil- ton and their friends, while Dawson looked reprovingly at them. Mrs. Malcolm could no longer restrain her indignation ; wiping away with her white apron the tears which Willy's simple explanation had called forth, she said aloud, and with unfeigned anger : " You graceless pack o' ne'er do weels ! how daur you laugh at the puir laddie sae ? When you hae na the grace to believe as he does, ye should at least hae the manners not to laugh at him for having the fear of God and the love of religion in his heart." "You forget, good Mrs. Malcolm," said Weimar, angrily, " dat your pious laddie has stolen our money ; but we'll send him vere he deserves to go, and let him see if his cross — dat piece of black wood dere — vill take him out. Go ofl' some one for de police." In vain did Mrs. Malcolm beg, even with tears, that the matter might be examined farther before such a decisive step was taken, and even Mr. Talbot suggested that it might be post- poned till the following day. No, no ! Wei- mar was determined, and would not hear a word. "Well, gentlemen," said Mrs. Malcolm, " since I find that ,you — at least Mr. Weimar — is determined to push it as far as he can against this puir fatherless and motherless bairn, I canna reuain from say in' that ye're a-goin' to commit a grievous sin ; he's no more ^H J ;. W^\ 220 WILLY BURKE ; OR, guilty than I am, I see that plainly ; and some- thing tells me that the culprit is here present " Every one stared at her, and Mr. Weimar asked her what she meant. She made him no reply, for her eyes had been fixed on Wilson's lace with a look of intense scrutiny, and when she saw him shrink before her, and his whole face become red as scarlet, she cried out aloud, pointing to him with her finger : " Look there, Mr. Weimar ! look there, Mr. Talbot t 1 d wager my best new gown that there's guilt, for It s an auld saying that ' a guilty conscience needs no accuser.' Look at him, I say and then look at Willy Burke. Do you see' ony signs o' confusion or shame about himf JNa, na! for he's innocent; but, Georme Wil- son, I say, before God and man, an' I care na wha hears it, that you took away that parcel to have the blame fall on Willy Burke." _^ "It's a lie, — a black, malicious lie,* you old Papist hag ! " cried Wilson, turning pale with anger. "You need not try to screen the young rascal, for the gallows will have its due How dare you accuse me of any such thino-. I told you a little while ago, and I tell yo^u again, to beware how you talk to me in such a way. ^ And he shook his clenched fist at the old woman, who only smiled at his impotent anger. * Suddenly Mr. Talbot, who had been a close thou,'h silent observer of this ln«f n,.,"o^.i^ was seen to beclcon Mr. Weimar apart. After THE IRISH ORPHAN IX AMERICA. 221 a few words spoken together, they came for- ward, and Weimar said in an authoritative tone : " Mrs. MtJcolm, j^ou show us to Mr. Wil- son's room. Wilson, 3'ou give me de key of your trunk." *' I haven't it about me, sir," was the con- fused reply. " Find it for me, and dat quickly too ! " "\yell, really, Mr. Weimar," said Wilson, with increasing embarrassment, " I must pro- test against my trunk being examined. I do not recognize j^our right to take such a liberty ; and besides, I scarcely know where to look for the ke}'." " Den we'll break de lock, dat's all. Come all of you to Mr. Wilson's room ! " " Oh, then," said Wilson, forcing a laugh, and making a violent effort to appear gay, though still his uneasiness and embarrassment were distinctly visible, *'oh, then, there would be no great use in carrying the joke farther, for if I went so far with it as to let you find the money in my trunk, I might have some trouble in persuading you that it was a joke. Here is the key, Mr. Weimar. Will you go yourself, sir, for the parcel, or shall I? ' "So, then, it was j^ou who took it, Wil- son?" said Mr. Talbot, an indescribable ex- pression of satisfaction lighting up his fine in- telleetual features. - And yet you would have suffered this poor boy to be arrested and 222 WILLY BURKE ; OR, III thrown into prison had it not been for Mrs. Malcolm's keen Scotch penetration. What a fearful aggravation of jonr own crime ! " " You have no right to conclude, sir, that I would have let it go so far as that," said Wil- son in a confident tone ; " I was just beginning to think that it was time to acknowledge the truth, when worthy Mrs. Malcolm deprived me of the opportunity. However, it is all the same." " An' what made 3'ou be sae sair fash'd at my putting in a word," said the housekeeper, pointedly, '^ gin it was only a joke you were makin'. Ah, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wilson, truth will out ! You thought to work your revenge on Willy Burke (for God forbid that I'd say you intended to keep the money) , but you for- got that he remembers his Creator in the days of his youths and tliat the great and good Master, whom he serves, never forgets his ain, nor gives them up to the designs of the wicked." Mr. Weimar here broke in impatiently: "Before we go any farder, go you, Wilson, bring the money, dat de first ting." While he was gone, Mr. Talbot took the oj^portunity to congratulate Willy Burke on his innocence, assuring him that the loss of the money itself had not grieved him so much as his supposed guilt. Even Mr. Weimar, in his own curt style, expressed his sorrow for havino- been in- duced to treat him so harshly. THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 223 the " You didn't treat me harshh', Mr. Weimar,'* said Willy, " beggin' your pardon, sir, for 3'ou couldn't but think me guilt}-, an' if I was, I'd deserve the very worst of treatment. But I knevv all along that God wouldn't desert me when I most wanted his help, so I waited as patiently as I could to see what would turn up. Bui I'm sure I never thought that any of the young men had taken the money, for it seemed to me that it must have fallen on the floor and got into some dark corner, where it was out of sight. Thanks be to God that it has turned up, at any rate ! " "Yes," said Mr. Talbot, "but it would appear that this unhappy young man, whether he really intended to keep the monej- or not, was actuated by an unholy desire of revenge. Mrs. Malcolm has just now been telling me how this Wilson and the others have been in- cessantly mocking and reviling 3-0:1 on account of your religion, and also the conversation (for one of the young men, she sa^s, related it to her) which excited Wilson's hatred so strongly. Now who could have believed him capable of such depravity ? " " Oh, as to that, sir," said Willy, " I sup- pose he only meant this as a joke, and as to all that's passed, why it wasn't worth speak- ing of. When youngsters like us get together, many a thing we'll be talkin' about that isn't TTV/iLti iv^^ctiv-iii , tiii trc xwij^^u J.V till, \JL uixu most of it, just as soon as it is passed.'* .4 iru i't 224 WILLY BURKE ; OR, u God bless yon, laddie, God bless you!" was Mrs. Malcolm's fervent exclamation, •' for, sure an* certain, you are one o' his ain faith- ful children, that you are!" Mr. Talbot glanced at his partner, and was pleased to see that the old man's countenance wore a softened and even kind expression as he looked at Willy, on whose sunny features not a cloud was now visible. Wilson just then entered the room and handed thfc parcel to Mr. Weimar with another attempt at a laugh, though his cheek was d^^ed crimson. " There it is, sir," he said, and his voice trembled slightly, "I hope you'll for- give me for this trick, as the money hasn't been but a few hours in my possession, and — " What he further intended to say was cut short by Weimar, who, snatching the parcel from his hand, exclaimed angrily : *' You be one great rascal, dat what I say, and I tink you deserve to be sent to de State's Prison. I'm very sorry dat I can't have you taken up, for I'd give de half of all dis money to see you lodged dere ; and dese two lads — Hamilton and Davis — dey help you up wit your wicked plans ; dey walk off, too, as well as you — " " Why, surely, Mr. Weimar," said Hamil- ton, " you wouldn't think of punishing us so severely merely for helping Mr. Wilson to carry on his frolic? I am quite sure that we had not the RliofhtAsf. infiantio»^ 1. ■ca.il. y JOU I *( for, n faith- Talbot I to see oftened ked at L cloud m and mother -s dyed nd his '11 for- hasn't ad — " t short I from I say, state's '6 you money lads )u up 00, as lamil- us so on to lat we 1 wr ^w% TIIE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 225 juring Willy Burke any more than Wilson had ot retaining your money. It was all a joke, sir, indeed it was. I see now that we should not have takeu such a liberty when your property was in question, but when no serious harm was done, or, in fact, intended, it is rather hard that we should lose our situations lor a harmless trick." " Yes, you call it harmless, do vou ? but I call It wicked, vile plot. You all hate dis boy i^urke, because he Papist ; you tink he too much favor here, den you put your heads to- geder and make a plan to ruin him. I don't say dat Wilson meant to take dat money for himself, but dat no excuse ; you all bad, very bad, very wicked, and you march, all three of you. You go and make jokes like dis some Oder place.'* .Mr. Talbot inquired how Wilson had got into the office, and was answered : "By means of the inner door ; which," said he, " was not locked, as you supposed." "Well," said Weimar, motioning with his hand for all to leave the room, " de night is passing away ; it is time to put off every busi- ness for de morrow, and, Wilson, do you hear? -— 3^ou dat can make such fine joke — you I^milton, and Davis must all come to my office to-morrow forenoon. I'll pay you up and den you go about your business." ' u i" "'"4W.T^*^ ""^ *" xA;acueu iiie sitting-room below, Wilson said with a sneer : " I hope, Mr. ''f ^- M ■i'l ' ' ' fl 226 WILLY IJUKKE ; OR, Weimar, as you propose dismissing us from your employment chiefly because we do not carry crucifixes about in our pockets, that you'll do something handsome for this pious youth who practises all sorts of Popish super- stitions." Amazed at his impudence, all the other young men looked anxiously to see its effect on Mr. Weimar particularly, whose chol- eric temper was well known to them all. To their surprise he was perfectly cool, though the tremor of his lip denoted strong emotion. Rising from his seat, lie assumed an air of dignity not at all usual with him, and ordered Wilson to quit the room instantly ; he would even have insisted on his leaving the house, but Mr. Talbot persuaded him to let him re- main till the morrow. " Come, lads," said Wilson, addressing his two friends, " let us go up stairs. Why do you stand there, looking as though you could cry? If you had a particle of spirit, you wouldn't let that hypocritical Burke see you so dejected ; you know very well how he'll triumph over us. Come along ! " But they whom he addressed were not at all disposed to take his advice, being still in hopes of beino- forgiven, so they both refused to go with him° saying that they had been but too long under his guidance. A sneering laugh was Wilson's reply ; but as he passed Willy Burke, on his way out, he said aloud : " I've missed mv aim this time, but all is not lost, —your brother is THE IRISH ORPH..i, IN AMERICA. 227 a m our hands, and, if we don't make h good sound Protestant, my name is not Geuxye Av ilson. Remember ! " and he raised his frn^rer with a warning gesture as he left the room.° AYiUy Burke was far from hearing this threat witho^it emotion, as his varying color truly tokl, but yet it did not prevent him from doing what he thought his duty. Going, then, up to Mr. Weimar and Mr. Talbot, where they stood together near the fireplace, he said in a low voice : " Might I venture, gentlemen, to ask you a favor, now that you know that I'm not guilty of that crime ? " tit"^^^' ^^^ ^^^* y^^ please, Willy," said Mr. Talbot, kindly taking his hand. " I know very well that you will make no unreasonable request." " Well, sir, if you and Mr. Weimar wouldn't think it too great a liberty for me to take, I'd ask you to forgive Mr. Wilson and the other young men. They're all longer in the place than I am, and as you never found any of them dishonest before now, it is plain that it was only meant for a joke. And then it would be hard if they'd be sent away on my account, that's only a stranger, after all. That's what I wanted to say, gentlemen, but I didn't like to come up to speak to you before Mr. Wilson." "Now Weimar," said Talbot, without reply- ing to Willy, " you heard what Wilson said to mm as he left the room, — so that you have before you all his conduct, and yet you hear 228 WILLY BURKE ; OR, ri him sue for pardon for that perseverino- foe. What think you now?" and ho addcdfin a lower voice, " see if this be not the effecf. of his rehgious principles?" Weimar without any direct reply, turned at once to A\ illy, and affecting a sternness wliieh was far from his real feeling at the moment, ho said rather sharply : " You not in oarnest --.you only make believe dat you forgive liim Dat s not .natural, dat you'd be asking us to pardon him, and he so black against you — I don't tink dat's possible ! what you say boy? — ! no like people dat make b'lieve — better say nothing about it ! " f V^fj-f:". ?^'l^ ^^^"^'' " *^ t^" y^^ the truth, I did jBnd It hard to bring myself to do It, for It is unnatural — I know that. I must own that I was angry with Mr. Wilson when I found out what he had done, and it's only there a little while ago that I got the better of my anger. But I did, sir, thanks be to God, I did get the better of it, and I can solemnly assure you that I never asked any favor with more sincerity than I ask you and Mr. Talbot to overlook these young men's fault, and keep them m their situations." *' But how did you get the better of your anger, as you say yourself?" persisted Weimar, while Mr. Talbot, Mrs. Malcolm, and even Mr Dawson looked eagerly for the answer. t.u 1[^^^' ^''''. ^'^^ J""^* *^^^ ^'^^ ^^«^- ^hen I .$,v v«c passiou strong upon me, and couldn't THE IllISll ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 229 even boar to look at Mr. Wilson in the room above, I put my hand in my pocket for my ancLcerclnef and it came n^ht on tho crucifix that I had put back into my pocket w hide it from any more insult." "And what den,- what did de crucifix do, u77 vT^^ ^,?^ ^^'^^''^ ^^"^^n^ I s'pose?" It ^li^^ sir," said Willy, heedless of the tone m which the other spoke ; " that is, it reminded me in a minute of all that our blessed Saviour suffered from wicked men, and how he died on the cross to save all mankind - if it isnt their own fault -even the very Jews that put him to death ; then I remembered how he prayed for them with his last breath, and I saw at once what a grievous sin it was for me to be so angry with Mr. Wilson for such a trifling cause, so I begged that Jesus Christ vould grant me the grace to forgive him, and very soon I felt my heart softened and my anger dying away, and I knew that God had indeed heard my prayer. That's the truth, sir, whether 3^ou believe it or not ! " " I do ; I do b'lieve you, and since daf s de J,^-];3'r„<^^t'lics use de crucifix, to make tink ^i« TMi ' ''^''"\ ^"^ ^"^ ^""'Siye deir ene- mies, 1 11 never make mock of it any more f>ere now, we say no more dis night, but you just go on the same, Willy Burked don't mind when some one laughs at you as I did while <=■ ' ^—~o-^ --- v^"«xv.ii, ixuu nay your pravers, !• iff I »aJ:J 230 WILLY BURKE ; OR, mid stiKljde crucifix, -I neve* tell you any more not to do dem tin"-.s." ^ Tn]hnrL-l\' f^^«^«' '^^^- Weimar?" asked lalbot, with sly emphasis. " I9 he still to keep clear of them, as I once heard you tell " Ah ! dat's de point - dat's de worst of it ; 3 ou Popish people so much afraid of de priests you can't do nothing widout deir leave Let me alone about de priests." " A^t ^^u* "'^" ^^""^* pretend to say," ob- served Talbot, unwilling to mve ud the noinf so easily ^ that Willy^'Burke asLf S' ^faltr & ^^ '^^^^^^'^ ^^^-^' -^ -- " I know dat, I know dat, but what for you say so r -^ "Why simply this," replied Talbot, "that whatever j-ou admire and approve of in this young lad's conduct is the teaching of to prists reduced to practice, and ttarbecause they are the expounders of the Divine law, and guide their people according to its pre^ cepts. Well, well would it be for societj^-1 cTtLlTf ?°«'f.>--;^ere all who profess the Catholic faith t„ follow the advice and prae- ^!% t^^ '«f ons they receive from their priests as faithfully as does this humble youth Per! haps^is not well for me to speak so before you, Willy," he added, addressing the latter! 'nor would I venture to do sof but that I believe you too firmlv oto.i...i«^ ,•„ xV. any THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 231 maxims of true piety to be puffed up or elated by human praise." "Oh no, sir," said Willy, modestly, " I hope Cxod Will never let me forget myself so far as to become proud ; but now there's no great danger, sir, for I understand very well that it's to our holy religion the merit goes, and not to me." "Well, well," said Weimar, "let us o-q now. Come, Talbot, we'll talk of dis anoder time, for I do begin to tink dat some religion IS good after all." "^ . ''^J}^ ^^ *^^i"k I'" said Dawson, approach- ing Willy as the gentlemen left the room, and he shook his hand warmly. "I, too, am convinced that religion is even nee ;ary for the good of society, and this night uas con- lirmed me in the opinion that the Catholic re- ligion is the best of L, - in fact the only one that can control uie heart and bend the stub- born will of man." "Well," said Willy Burke, a ; they ascend- ed the stairs together, " I can't tell you how glad I am to hear you. say so ; it's such a glo- rious thing to see a soul coming back from the way of error into the right road -~ the road that leads to heaven. May God gi-ant you the grace to persevere to the end ! " " I hope 3^ou'll not forget me in your prayers then," said Dawson. "No, no," replied Willy , witii unaffected fer- vor, - lor there's nothing more delightful to 1'^ i 232 WILLY BURKE ; OR, thot'n fl ^''"* ""rn' in. where they know they II find a safe shelter. You may be sure llf^^ t ^'°^ ■ " They then bade each other good-night, and each went his way to his room' THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 233 )Ut- lOW lire her >iii. CHAPTER XL THE REVENGE. r^N the following morning Wilson was paid ^-^ off and dismissed, with a friendly admo- nition from Mr. Talbot, warning him of the danger of gi.ving way to his passions, and re- minding him how the disgraceful scene of the night before, and the consequent loss of his situation, were but the sequel of that memorable conversation wherein he had so wantonly (though perhaps without any great degree of malice) attacked Willy Burke, on the score of his religion. " Revenge," said Mr. Talbot, " is at all times an unholy feeling, and if indulged, will often be found to recoil on the head of him who worked it for another. Thus you promised to be revenged on Burke merely because he put a sudden stop to your ridicule of his religion and itb priests. Well, you have done your utmost,— you have made a desperate effort to fulfil your vow, and here it is yourself who suffer. You sought to blacken and defame that virtuous lad, and the result of your machinations has been to establish his character on a firmer basis than ever, so that •:U: 234 WILLY BURKE : OR, our opinion of him cannot be. again changed, while 3-ou are dismissed from a situation which 3'ou had filled for two years before we knew him, and go forth suspected, so that nothing could induce us to recommend j^ou to any office of trust. Take my word for it, Wilson, that the safest road, even in a worldly point of view, is the way of God's commandments. The way of sin and error will never bring j^ou to true happiness, even limiting the expression to the happiness of this life." " At any rate," was the answer, " I don't want to be schooled so. I guess I'm quite able to take care of myself, and to judge for myself too. I, at least, M'r. Talbot, will never submit my judgment to that of any other ; I leave that to Papists, who ' hear the Church.' As for losing my situation, I don't care a straw about it — the loss ain't much." Mr. Talbot only smiled — it was a smile of pity — but Mr. Weimar raised his head from the desk where he had been writing, and angrily ordered him to quit the place in- stantly. " If you speak anoder word here," he said sternlj', "I'll have de porters kick you out. How dare you speak so to Mr. Talbot, after we let you oif so easy, widout making ever}-- body know what great scoundrel you are ? Go off, I say, or you'll not be glad for staying." " I will go, old ginger- face," said Wilson, his cheek pale with the intensity of his passion, THE IRIgH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 235 " but be sure that I'll cherish the remembrance of your parting words." At the special request of Mr. Talbot, the other two lads were kept, as their guilt had been much less than that of Wilson, on whose instigation they had solely acted. Willy Burke was forthwith placed in the situation left vacant by Wilson's departure, and so far all went well. Next evening Willy went to see his sisters, and gave Mrs. Williams an account of what had happened on the preceding day, conceal- ing, however, the name of the delinquent. The little girls cried bitterly when they heard of the - trial their brother had undergone, while Williams could onlj^ raise her hands and eyea towards heaven in silent thankfulness, for her heart was full of joy and gratitude on hearing the beautiful morality of the religion .she loved so fully vindicated and so triumph- antly proved. Willy had studiously avoided taking any merit to himself, giving to God, as a Christian should, all the merit and all the praise ; yet Mrs. Williams extended her hand to him when he had concluded, and said, while the glow of genuine feeling lit up her faded cheek : " May the Lord bless you, my child — and bless you he will — for you make it your chief care to do his hol}^ will, as in duty bound. (rf) on as vnn jita orninrr nnrl ho qaanvorl f hof \^r\ii will pass unscathed through the fire of this 4 jfi in 236 WILLY BURKE ; OR, world's temptations and allurements — they cannot harm those who are strong in faith and humble in heart. " "Ah, but, Mrs. Williams," said Willy, with a sudden change of manner, " what is to be- come of poor unfortunate Peter? I'm afraid what I heard is too true, for he hinted it to me plainly enough after we left here on that Sunday evening when we last called to see you. I wish," he added with a sigh, " that Father FitJzherbert was come back, maybe he could do something with him, for Father 6'Hara doesn't know him at all. At any rate, I think I'll go this very night and ask his ad\ice." " Do, Willy," said Mrs. Williams, " and I'd have you go, too, and try to see poor Peter. I wish you could get him to come oftener here, so that we might reason with him, and try to make him understand the danger he's in. Alas ! it was an evil day for him, poor mis- guided boy, when he went back to these peo- ple." " You may say that, Mrs. Williams," said Willy, mournfully, " for if God hasn't forbid it they'll rob him of what little faith he has, — poor fellow, he never could be got to read any books that would have instructed him in re- ligious matters, neither would he go to hear sermons ; and how could he know much about his own religion — so they know that very well — these people that he's o-nt in wifh __L on/i they're the very set that can take advantage THE IRISH ORPHAN IX AMERICA. 237 Of his ignorance. Oh, girls ! " he added, ad- dressing his young sisters with a burst of ten- der emotion tliat brought t^iars to his eyes, oh, girls ! If our poor mother or father was alive and see their son on the way of turnino- his back on the holy Church of God — but'' it's well they re not living to see that, for I'm sura It would break their hearts — pray for him, Bridget and Alice," he said, as he arose and took his cap, wiping the tears from his eyes at the same time, » and you, Mrs. Williams, you'll be mindful of him in your prayers - 1 know you will. *^ "Indeed, I will, Willy, dear, — may the Liora in his mercy hear our prayers ' " "And Willy," said Alice, running after her brother to the door, " don't forget to tell Peter that Bridget and I are praying for him to the Blessed Virgin — our Mother in heaven — that >'.J^% t^^ ^""^ *^ ^^^P ^ini in the true faith. Tell him that, Willy, and tell him that If he leaves the Church we can't love him as well as we do now, for it'll be so wicked of him that God will be very angry with him and then we oughtn't to love him as welL you know." * -^ , " Yes, yes, Alice dear, I'll be sure to tell him, said Willy, as he stooped to kiss the fair foreiiead of his little sister. " Go in now dear, and God bless you till I see yoJ \ ncrmn ~o — " f " Willy went straight to Father O'Hara, but 238 WILLY BUKKK ; OR, he had not reached his house when he met Dawson, who had been going in quest of him to^ Mrs. Williams's. *' Do you know, Willv," said he, " that I want you to come with me'^to your confessor. Father O'llara, as I should like to have a conversation with him regard- ing some little doubts which I cannot find solved in the books you lent me. Can you take time to come now ? " " With all my heart ! " returned Willy, " for the truth Is that I'm just on my way to speak to Father O'Hara about my brother, so come along ! I know there's no use in hiding my poor brother's affairs from you, for you heard the whole story long ago." In going to Father O'Hara's house it was necessary to pass through the street in which Mr. Talbot's dwelling-house was situated ; and the two friends were just within sight of the door, when a little before them, just where a narrow, dark street, or rather alley, opened on the broader street, they saw a gentleman, who had been walking slowly onward, suddenly struck down by a person who instantly disap- peared down the dark alley. The moon was shinmg brightly, but the cowardly assailant hafl taken his stand on the shady side of the street, and he was, moreover, muffled up so closely about the neck and face that it would have been difficult to ascertain his identity, even if quite close to him ; but yet Dawson ex- claimed in an audible whisper : " Why, Willy," J> ^- ME IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 239 and he caught his arm, " look there -I'm not liere il tliat ain't Wilson ' " "Mush hush!" said' the other quickly ' never mind who it was _ let us run to heln the poor man that's lying on the groTncV' '^ All this had been the work of a moment • ZiZfU^r"^ "'''' '-''y ^''^ persrsTe e passing that way at the time, Willy and his friend were the first that reached he fallen wt^i, I .7^' ^S"= ^""^ 1"« face down- behbd and r h""""" '^'"' ^"'"'"^ ^^ f™^ lo,« Win ^?^ appeared entirely motion- he':'dTad ["'"■"' ""' "^ '''™' "0»^. Dawson, By this time several persons had gathered around, and it was proposed to cfrry tte gentleman to the nearest'^ surgeon. He was taken up by three or four stout men, who w^' walking off as fast as their heav'y b„X would permit, when, having caught a glimpse of the face on which death seemed alrfaX to liave placed his seal, Willy and DawsTcried out together: "My God .'-it's Mr.Wetoar." And for a moment both were so terrified that they could not utter a word. The m^n, scefn,^ that they knew who the gentleman ^^as fe stantly stopped, and Dawson, as soon as he could find voice to speak, cried ou : " Don'? take him to any hospital — if you'll onK be -"""-"^ '^^^ proceeded to Mr. Tal- bot s, where poor Weimar resided with the III w 240 WILLY BURKE : OR, family, having himself neither wife nor child. When Dawson rang the door-bell, the sound startled all the family within, as he had uncon- ciously given it a violent shake, for his hand trembled so that he could scarcely command its motion. Mr. Talbot and his wife, with several ser- vants, all ran to the door, and what a spectacle awaited their eyes ! There was poor Mr. Wei- mar carried in, apparently dead — his gray hair streaming around his face, for his head was of course uncovered. His hat had been forgotten on the street. "Good God!" cried Mr. Talbot, "what terrible accident has happened to Mr. Weimar ? What! Dawson and Burke here? — what is the meaning of all this ? " But Mrs. Talbot here interposed with: " Nay, Henry, the first thing is to see to poor Mr. Weimar. There will be time enoueh to inquire how this occurred. Will you be^kind enough to carry him up stairs to his bed-room ? " she said, addressing the men. "Certainly, ma'am," said they, "but it's to be feared that he may be put anywhere j^ou like, for there ain't a move in him." " Oh, I trust in God's mercy that the case is no{ quite so bad ! But come along at once, for it behooves us to apply some restorative as soon as may be." And Mrs. Talbot, snatching a candle from a servant, showed the way u» THE IRISH OEPHAN IN AMERICA. 241 walking on before Z nn 7^ PT.^'" ■"'«™'"- we saw a neroonM!. ^. . " ^^^ ''^ — when for hi^^cat^rLt: thrb'f ^" assananf^rrCn bT^rU^^^^^^ was lying on hnaci/anrwTdMnTk ""'? Snt^i"..*^^ '"^ -^'^ ^ir in^"oTe' Have you anysuspfir:,?^ XmTS^ " To th» v>w t"*"" "^"^ J"«' answering, — bot ~- when Wn?5 rv''"-T'''''S''' Mr. ^Tal- «aying ejerrrf "' 2"^^^ .interrupted him by " W'hy, indeed, sir. we wfron't „„_ to say positively who ilwaT and i? *"T°'' guess at any one we m.Vht' ?.^ "'"'* *'' better for us onlv tnt^ ° u '^''""S' s" it's IP I i 242 WILLY BURKE ; OR, Dawson looked askance at Willy, and smiled Sllglltlj'. Mr. Talbot looked hard at the animated face ot the speaker, and then he shook his head doubtmgly, but he contented himself with say- ing : *'And yet the boy is right ; " and toiling the young men to follow, he hurried ud stairs. ^ One of Mr. Talbot's little children met him above, with the glad tidings that Mr. Weimar was not dead : " Mother says he was only m a swoon, father, and now he bekins to move." ^ When Mr. Talbot entered the room, his wife beckoned him to approach, and told him in a whisper that Mr. Weimar was already show- mg symptoms of recovery, having even opened his eyes for a moment. " But," said she, " I much fear that his mind may be de- ranged, for nothing could be wilder than the glance he gave around. You should send at once for Dr, Hammond." The doctor was accordingly sent for, but before he arrived the patient had somewhat re- covered, and, 'to Mrs. Talbot's great ioy, he seemed perfectly sensible. When asked if he felt any pain, he said in a faint, languid voice : " 1 es, dere s much pain in de back. I tink dere s some bone broken dere. But my head " --and he raised his. hand to his forehead — oh, dat's ^worser — my head is bad — very baa — just here," THE „!,s„ ORPHAN IN AMF.BIOA. 243 " Mr. WelmL>s h° ,,r ';," ^ey «'>'-w."'* «'««• cated, but that i, m ' ^'":? ''«' *" <"sIo- tion ; it s that mh 'i '\rT'''"'>' «on«i'lMa- com,;iains S Ss no t^^^T?'" '^'"^"^ '>« Ity is that thoi"h ,,o „„ t , ^-^^ P'obabil- hi« liead may have K?«f?- , "' ^'S" "I'Peiis, jury from the fnlf t • 1'"°'' "''"« serious i,,: voice toM^- Talbot in? T^ '^''^ '" " '"'^ and the doctor gtnTl 'al^'^'- :^'=""''»'' fectiv lu et'"r^;'"'*'^ >"*^" ""^t be k'ept Jet OMI. room, and he ^at K LV/-: n^afsiid • tri itr vr w^n. ^-' ^-^^ -"^ do doctor tells me and dori • " '''°T'' '*«" /-.•«," placing his h;„" on h L che:?Td'';f /i" me to prepare for deat^ Jh-ralbot d^T fn me once about your modor ^w r i f "' *^" as the Driest fpfl h"„"Tl'.''"* '"'«• «° l>app.v, WUly 'Buike"iin'"lL " ""^"^ '^" ""-' a Cat'lic, J' iJurjce, an den per'aps I'll bave a 5; I 244 WILLY BURKE I OR, 1^ chance. You go fetch de priest here, tell him come quick, for dat a great sinner is going to die, and wants to be received into God's Cliurch before he leaves dis world. Go fast — fast, boy ! and den come back here, for I want you stay wid me ; it was you make me tink first about religion ; then Talbot lent me great many good books dat showed me de danger I was in, but if the good God will save my soul, I may tank you, after him ; 'cause I see you not like oder boys at all, but good, very good ; and den when I found you so good Cut'lic, and doing just what your priest told you, I said to my own self, ' I must see what dis religion of his is,' and den God gave me de light to see. Go now ! " "Well, sir," said Willy, struggling to re- stram his tears, " I'll have Father O'Hara here in ten minutes, with God's help, and I'm sure I'm both proud and happy to go on such an errand for you, though I hope there's no dan- ger of your death. At any rate, sir, I'll go as fast as my legs will carry me." After telling Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, in a low voice, where he was going, Willy hurried away. The doctor then approached Mr. Weimar's bed, and renewed his injunctions regarding the stillness and repose which could alone, he said save his patient's life. " I have allowed you," said he, " to finish your conversation with that young^ lad, but^it must absolutely be the last. A must not, and shali not, permit you to speak II THE lUISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 245 to any one on any topic whatsoever, until I see how matters will go." *'Ycs but, doctor, (lis is all de matter of my soul ; you know very well dat I mav die very soon, and what will become of my poor r . L"""^ ^''y ^^ "^^^1*^ "^v account wid de great Master of us all ? De' greater danger 1 m in, dere s de more need dat I tink of mv soul ; 'cause I've neg)...,- it too long, arS T^ no more time to losr/' ^' ''* "^ ^® Ji Well; I warn yo j/ said the doctor, " that any exciting conver. '.,>,-: may cause your death, and that very suddenly ; ^so if you^wm see the clergyman now, and .nUr upon a long discourse with him, I will not answer for the consequences. ' « rifV? ' f r""" ^^ "*"'« y°" Protestant ; a Cat he would say, 'Miud de soul first, 'cause j;ott may soon have to go before de Judge ' He poor body is not so much to tink of, doctor and get inside de 'one fold,' before de Great Shepherd ealls If dat makes me die^ „o Gof^//* '*''" "" °"'^' "^y ^y' fo'I hope God will spare my soul, when he gave me de grace to see de right road to heavei^" The doctor drew back in sullen silence ;^*"'°'' °^?yi°g a sign fl-om Weimar, an- proached his bed. »', ap " Now, Talbot," said the old man, " you fi f m 246 WILLY BURKE ; OU, just tell mo how dis happened. I only re- member dat I got a great blow on de back dat made me feel as if mj heart was broke in two and den I felt,- dat's all I know." ' And none of us know any more of fhn matter," said Talbot, in replj^^^even Dawson or Burke, who were both walkl^" after you and saw jou receive the blow. The had dealt the blow, whereupon they came up and finding u was you, they came here w"th the men who brought you home." anJv^'Xof'i'^ ^K-™"' "^ * S'^"-" "f fierce' anger shot from his eye, "ha! I know I know dat rascal Wn^on; aye, he said he'd meet me, and so he did. But I'll have him hanged for dis -dat is, you will, Talbot, ff I die. I wouldn't rest in peace if dat fellow wasn't punished for his crimes. Curses on nim, de black villain ! " TaZr^S;'" '*^' ^«™«'-'" interposed ,1 ,V , °°* ^P^'''^ ^'^ ; you will certainly do yourself harm, and it was very wron» i''^^^^"« u j2h ^'^'' r^ • " ^'^^^ai«^ed the patient ; I read great many Cat'lic books, and I prav' to God to show me de trut', and den I bLin our^P^ • ^^' f ^' ^^^^ '^^^^^^^ I i^-d abSt 3 our religion and about de priests, was wronff, all wrong. But all de time I couldn't brined myself to say I'd be a Cat'lic, or go to cont fession, dat I couldn't do, I said, Ind den I was very much angry wit myself, and when I ^Iked to Mr Talbot or his wif^ about it? I said it was about de priests ; dat was only an excuse dat de deevil put in my mout', for I know very well now dat God left de priests power to forgive sins in his name. Buf now all de bad old pride is gone, 'cause my life is near done, and I want to confess my sins, and get de water of baptism, and be a Cat'lic be- fore I die, for fear God would ask me why I did not hear de Church,' as he tell us all to do, and l^ 'If^'u^. ''''* ''''^^^'' ^'^ s"^ely would send me wit de bad people who rebelled against him." How admirable are the ways of the Lord ' " exclaimed the priest again, and he raised his eyes to heaven "Truly has this awful acci- dent been sent as the means of i«n.n.,^ ,.^.j into the true Church, by putting an "^nd' to pi 248 WILLY BURKE ,* OR, ^'nS'"''" ""'' P^"^^^ '^'^''^^ to his fJl\u''^^''^ ^^^"^ beckoned all to follow him from the room, leaving the good father alone with his penitent. Mrs. Talbot then took thl opportunity to prepare some suitable draught It ^^^'^''u^?' Father O'Hara entered the room. Before he had spoken a word to any one, he approached Willy Burke, and laying his hand on hi^ shoulder, he said : " Rejoice and be glad, my child ! for God has given you the special grace of aiding and assisting in the execution of his merciful de- signs on this man. Under God, he attributes his conversion — and a truly marvellous con- version it is — to your excellent example. So true It is, that the silent influence of example is more efficacious than precept. But let not ^is tenapt you to think better of yourself, Willy ; for the greater the favor is that you have received, the more cause you have to humble yourself before the Almighty Giver. May the Lord bless you, my dear child ! " But you have not heard all, reverend sir ' " said Dawson, coming modestly forward • " I am another convert of Willy Burke's making Not -that he ever talked to me about religious matters until ^ began to think of them myself, and asked hun to give me some instructions ; but, like Mr. Weimar, I was struck by the won- aerml diirerence betwpp.n hia lifn a»^ *».„+ ^^ ti-^- £«ritVt VllC^U Vi to THE IBISn ORPHAN IN AMEKICA. 249 regular in going to church, and yet always so gay ancl cheerful, that he seemed^uirhlp/ And then, no matter what we did or said tn Sd' a* "h ^•''"^ *^^* th:'reSoThe'p'r:^ for h^' t ir*' "P *°' ™"^* '^« the right on^ PvL I *''^ ''^'■y ^'^t Catholic boy I had ever known so intimately. Now sir T hnt. been studying your hoi/ religion S' all T principal features, and, with God's blessincr I think I understand them tolerably well I I'as ILU^l to your house with Willv Burko when his dreadful occurrence stopped us " . Allow me to congratulate youf then 1 th^ f£^-fcK-y-^S SSXTtdVoodti^rS^^ grace to lead such a life here on S toat he Se^'toThf "\"""'' "^ y°" «•« c" own* prom! salvation. Turning then to Willy he v? with a paternal smile, " Why mv v ,nn'°" ^efe worth, and } on to be dyin' a Protestant, I'd ;,„ ar? Thanks' and praises be to God that He ha^ bron^ht you^within the pale of the ChSeVbefore'S "But, Talbot," said Weimar, makin- a most lot?""* i" r'"^'*""^ ^'« speecTwas-aU oeiore l die : I forgive dat poor Wilson from my very heart. I promised de priest daH lor It I lell him dat, if vou evpr «3pp hL. „ !i dat it was de holy and d^rnVrcSil religTou "^ Cat lies, speaking by its minister, dat broueht me to forgive him, and pray for him too?^ Mi^ and V- Viw*^ «°d affecting leave of ivii. and Mis. Talbot and their children all of whom were bathed in tears, for the oTd man had been as cheerftU and kind in the domestic circle, as he was strict and stern with those whom he employed. " Talbot," safd he a„d Ills VOinP. waa D/io^^^T.. -- T, , ' ^ "*'' ""tl ._„ «v«xv;uij auuiDie, even when his THE miSH ORPIIAK IN AMERICA. 255 friend bent down over him, " I've left vm. rl» sole owner of de joint concern ; m^I of iv m^ money i„ de Amd., I've left so netl i,tTi eae miWBr^f' '?"^^""- »« remainder after of New York t'P'\ ^T "^ "<' ^°<''' bishop ui i^ew xork, to be laid out as he tinka hesV for de good of religion. Dat's all dat poor oh rrie.drtod^,tsT::a;T;oZr'»-'- menced reciting the'Zua^ "of th' Bleri the prayers for the dead,- Father 0'Rnr.o t 256 WILLY BUEKE; OE, WILLY BURKE*3 LEGACY. W^^ Mr. Weimar's will was at length ^ » opened, it was found that he had be- queathed to Willy Burke no less a sum than lalbots two thousand, and the remainder a? Catho.ic Bishop of New York to ho «. ^irBu^kf 'Vr«" ^-'^^^^^ ^^^ possible that so large a s,.m was to be his own, but, when he could no long, •■ doubt the fact, he ex-Uaimed in a joyous touc " Well foTmrrnl'lfh- tTt "^^ -''^^'a n.S lor me, and I think I kn w what for ; with his dmne ass:, nee I'll do ,„y be.t to clrry h s be L^d and" '"%"*,'?• ^•'' '"'*>■ *•>« ^ord mar ! buie I can never, never forget wli^t vf.ii have done for me." S"wii„ijoa fuli'v^"^' '*^'"^' '" '''''' ^' Tall ,t, reproa-h- t^lflK r" *•""" *<' ' • needing y ojoiced that the letrac/ is sn i« ~ .„ ^ .. ° -V "J""-™ iOUgiit i( rou THE IRISH ORPHAN IK AMERICA. 257 tlnt"vo„^o^;m"''" "^'Pr '''^P'*^*''^' friend tnat^ou set little or no value on money?" Kor neither I do, sir." repli.a Willy in an .nnnnated tone ; " when I toUl Mr. wLZ so I told ,„„ the tnitli, God knows I did I c .11 r 'vvi hVf """•*' j"^' *"'"'- «■■•' "f «" tl^t w listen for a few minutes, I'll tell you what makes me so glad to have it " n,^h» i*^'- '^'''^' '"'• "^'en- »t least as soon oi'e L JlT't^" '"' "'"^ »'«= business o? took wni ' "■'''' '"'"I'leted i and though it took Willy scarce two minutes to unfolcf his smde'o? 1 • ", '"^"'^ *° """ '^' °M f«™il^r smile of l.indness and approbation to Mr. Tal- bot s face. " Well ! well ! Willy," he sa d "I «ee you are never to be caugl't thiuMng of ^^elf, _ always occupied with others. But r?ally t us scheme of yours is a good one. God gTant t^ b It may succeed ! " ^ the'r?f ^''"..";?*?'"™'>''"*"^vill,sir!"was tne rei •• l u jn^t go off now and place the whole matt.. „ the hands of the Blessed Mother docs. Good-by, then, sir, for the present.'' Andaway went Wi", his headandhea uU Weimar R.f""''^ "" ""^ '^^^^^ «*' « \v eimai . Before mak. ,g even one step in the affair, he went into a church, and, before nn altar of the Blessed Virgin, h^ bes'on'ht that gracious mother to assist hi,., ,-„ >,.•„ .. :" . . *t v^.1-. 1^, V ' ^" Jii=» Cii surprise. You know, oh, sweet mother!" be said, with i ' i-: 1 i!-^ *; 258 WILLY burke; or, do s/frT. ' ^? K"°'^ «l'«t I "nclcrtak-c to clo 13 for the greater honor ami giory of your D.nne Son, blessed be his holy name -Zl hat m the reason why I have s,,eh crfldenoo ■n your a,, ! Help mo, then, O pnwerf a l! vocate ! help me with your p'raye'rs, and then left th/"r °[ «;:";ccedi„g!" j'le irose, an lit \ ".'""■';''' ^"" *''■ a consoling assurance thf.t she to whom none eyer sues "n vain 1 nd heard his prayer, an.l approved of his desig A fewinimutes after, he knocked at Father O Haras door, and was quickly admitted to prLt^ldT" "'"" ^"^■"' '"' "-« ^-<» down the ponderous volume which he hi^d been reading, "what is the matter now, that von are out at this hour of the day ' " ^ "Oh ! the old thing, sir," said Willv with n smile ; » I'm goin' to try ,ny hand a"i „ at it and now Tm in a condition to do romethii <; better, for, thanks be to God, and poor Mi- Wei? mar I have five thousand dollars to work with. Don t you thmk, sir, that I may beffin to hone now,_sinee God has ah-eady d^ne so muchTr n'^fi''^J— f""'' fJoHai-s !" repeated Father O'Hara, " IS It possible?" true" R,r"! •1^7?''''"''*',' ""* 0"lyP0S5,ible, but true. But still I haven't all that for this pur- pose ;_ I only mean to put four thousand into THE IRI.sii ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 259 clolla.?of'if'i';; H "f"? *° P"* <=«■'* ''"Wired where U ! / """"H ' tl'-it is, I'll let it stay «ntie It 13, for my sisters — four for eacli to live fiT",' ',f '"° """"^-'' -'^1 I''^ goTng Masses o.rerecl upfo'r uT^.ilT^'^^^^, X f Uher and mother, too, I can now do some thing for them,- thanks be to the Lrd for all his mercies to us ! " " as'lie'tl-'/Jfr"^'''"^'''""" ^"•^■'" «"'<> the priest, as he wiped away an obtrusive tear, " well In l^f' ^'k-' "'.'^°^''"y forgetfulness of seTf is so refreshing in these da^-s of cohl, erasDinff selfishness, that it mal'} 2G0 WILLY bceke; or, money that was in the funds to the Bishon to be laul out on Catholic charities. I be ieve i? eTeShtg"' *"''"*^ "'""-"'J dollars -ctrof .uJ^'"^h ^ *° ^°^ '■" exclaimed the priest clasping his hands together, as he raised his swimming eyes to heaven. " Gr™ h s goodness to us, his unworthy children And need^'fo^^t""'''' ^"''"''' """^'^ in the iouto ' need, for to my certain knowledge the Door Bishop has been harassed for several weeks ings,_he having no less than three of them groclness. Truly, this is a marvellous bless- " Well, now, sir," said Willy, « rn „o and will be in about an hour or so " wi!i flntmeVe".""""''"'^'"^- '"'"«' -*' 3'°" "Oh ! but that's true," said Willy, turning back from the door, " what does your re^r? ence think of Dawson ? Is he really sincere '" "So sincere," said the priest, '• that he is corsfiorito' ".""i"^ '"'■ "^ ^o ''«»' h lateh 3 1 l'"^l several visits from him wUh^God^, h^nT'"' '" ^■'-'" <''«1'°««'J. that, tl^e table nf^LPV^"''^:'°°" ^^ "-Jmitted to uie table of the Lord. You may perhacs fin.) him here when you come." Pe™aps hnd "If I do, sir. it will ho aii ti,» i,_ii.-_ , . **" f"C .VClrfcCr j DUl THR miSII OKPHAX m AMERICA. 261 I'm Staying far too long, so I must hurry away the slanting beams of the Western sun were gliding the tops of the tall, dingy warehouses way tf Mr w »'■'"'*' ^''^'"^ *''*' well-known wa\ to Mr. Watkins's office. But ere vet hp lad gotin sight of it he stopped short and turmng down a wider and more Sson p street, whose bright brick houses! and gre":: jalousies, and iron palisading, deuotid a Ws nirf f '|-:!>-g-l'ousesr he s'Sened ms pace, and at times stopped altogether looking anxiously down the street. "He must soon be here," he mumured to himself "for throlce "' 'k t"",* ^"^^ ''""^ when"h: l'ea,t tne office. He had waited some time, never- theless, when he saw his brothe^'cominl hastily along on the opposite side of the streef Crossing over quickly, WHly caught his arm saying with a smile: "Why, Peter you S be in a mighty great hurry, when voii were passing without seeing me, and I'm IZ Ive been long enough waiting for you It's no easy matter to get seeing you noiadavs^^ "° „S- ' '* ""y '^*"'*''"' *'''''* I wouldn't put 1 3 sell in the way of being lectured and drilled by a saucy younger brother ? " "Ah! Peter. Votm- "<,„;^ nr:ii„ -i . . head sorrowfuily,-:rti,rw;sn't't tay if Z ,j*'l * I' ^1 262 WILLY burke; or, me, — Its because your own heart ro.JJ; u you that you fear me." reproaches "thiJtTh.77A. '^^^ ^^*«^' breaking in this 18 the old thing over again ; there vou'ro at It asrain ' T<= said Wi% "B^t hl'?-f •'. f ""'""S there," didn't hea'r that beforeT" ** '* '"'"1^''" *'>^»^''"' herr7f;l-l"!.^L';;>'l ^rs. Watkins that I . ---o ^---o tuc oia man's death, and in. THK IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 263 IP I suppose they forgot that part of it, — but they seemed to think him a very bad man, and talked a great deal about such a death a^ his must have been, -so very miserable, and all *'Aye," exclaimed Willy, with a bitterness all unusualto him,; itdidn^t serve their pS^ose to let you knov. of Mr. Weimar's conversion but be assured they knew all about it, for Mr.' Talbot told me he had himself converged with Mr. Watkms on the subject. And as to their speaking so hardly of him, that's all because of his becoming a Catholic. At any rate of Mr. Weimar (even if he had been such as tliey said, ■- which he was not), for he has left us independent." *' How is that?" " He has left me five thousand doUars." . "You don't say so, Willv ' " " But I do, Peter ! " " Wh3', how in the world did it happen that he took such a fancy to you?" inquired the elder brother, in real amazement. '' Well, I'm sure I don't know," said the younger, with a blushing face; ^< Mr. Talbot th.?n Tn ^'^V^/^^^^^^ '^ ^^ great deal better than lean. There's one thing to be said at any rate, that I can tell you. ''it was d' wsoi onuTf w^. ^"""^^ P^^^- ^'^^^ l3'i4 on the street Tfor wp ft.iw i.;», .,..^^:,.y ^.^ tatal blow) , and we were present at lus death. n 264 WILLY burke; or, you not seye„teeryet-WhV?nT^ -"■;'' will you do with it all ?■ ZtXl t""® """'''' talk^^M^'s^id Vii V S ""''"'' ^f ^-O" to eves ' c;,„i "^ ,P ' ^'^'^ te«s starting to his aSd keepTngT /T'''^^*'^'^ half what I hundred do lai in tL>™ f°V"^ *° '^«^'<' ^-r girls, and Mr T?.w '"'"'' '^°'" <'««h of the for themTby meais o^li'? ?Si'i''*''«»l "'ore The two'h/ndreHolrs that r^' 'P'^^J'^-^^' thousand, I want fnr 1!.^ "mams of that you at an'ofh^ ttoTirUher''^,?'''''^'" *^" going to divide with vour/''°';?r^'^''" for each of us T Thini: Z' T, , '*''" ^'^ two leave it i^Uh'bank "u t^I^^A^^^ V'''' T^ '" and then we'll hnvo it f„ '^wj-ears older, ness. DoT^'t you thtak thaT-rr T™" ''"^'- to do, Peter?" "'^ t*"* ^««' thing Bot Peter could not nnoot <• ments. The genero^?!- !? *, '^'^ ^°'"« 'no- brother touche^riTXranT ""'* ,"' '''^ better feelings. CinrtL ?1 ''?"l'' " '" he remained" silent "S "'L^l^ '"'"'!*?« 'hat —7 ^.- oz^cmuij rapiuij ran THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 2G5 over the numberless instances wherein, duriuo the last few years, he had outraged and afflicted his brother ; he thought liow he had treated nis traternal counsels with scorn and contempt, and how he had trampled on the love of their early years, — and above all, how he had de- serted the Church that Willy loved so well, and ranged himself with her enemies ;— at least he had all but done this, and now, to see that brother — so wronged — so disgraced — so out- ot his little fortune, — truly it was more than reter could bear ; tlie long-buried affection of early youth burst forth again, and when he clasped his brother's hand, and murmured: God bless you, Willy ! God bless you i " that brother felt that a change — a niio-hty change — had passed over his siirit, and he said within himself: ■ " I thank thee, O God ! I thank and bless tnee. 1 hy gift has, indeed, regained for me the long-lost affection of my brother. Now, sweet Virgin Mother ! that I have succeeded so far I know thou wilt help me in the yet more im- portant attempt to be made. " Well ! now that you find that I'm not 'too proud to speak to my poor relations,' as you said a while ago," said Willy, with a cheerful T r^. y^^l ^^""^^ J"^* ^^^^ ^i^li «ie and see Mr. lalbot? for I want to ask his advice about oiirmonev. And * and so will Mrs, Talbot." " ni 2G(j WILLY BURKK; or, Peter hesitated, and blushed''deenlv "Rnf ^^ ^ '' -^^'" ''' -^^' ''^•* Talbo must tliink me so ungrateful; in short hn never go mueh reason to think well of 'me and that's the truth, -so I'm ashamed to go. >> hoi/of"?'"'"' ^"'f ' •' " '"^ "^'^ brother, takin-^ siiametul action in regard to Mr Tnlh^f +ui you need fear to meet &J, midev-eifrf'S lid take my word for it he'd be ovorjoved ?o seo you repenting of it." •" ■* ^ w-lw*;" ' .T*"" ' I ''""'t like to refuse vou come his unwillingness. " But then I have to go home llrst, as I have some monoy herlfor Mrs. Watlcms, that I know she's wa tinJ for • tml l^:/ *" "''■' ^'" SO -th 3-ou=fora " Then I'll go with you ! " said Willy, quickly want vo^;'?r,°'°''' "'•?,* ^^'•«- Watkiii'sS't want 3 ou to be on good terms with me, and she might persuade you to stay at home." Oh never fear ! " was the answer " shp'II l,<, so glad to hear of our good fortme that s I'M have no objection for iSe to go to s^e M Ta bot But really it's too bad^ that you have so bad an opinion of Mr. and Mrs. witkins!after all they've done for us, — for me at le^^f T>? Z^L^:^] '-' been";:'y1l™h« whatTotu t' -I t!f...'?^^? ^-.-•- And, ,« ? -1 u^ oaiu, ura wmg b THE IRISH ORPHAN IX AMERICA. 2G7 Close to liis brotlicr, and speaking in a lower tone ; I have strong hopes that they'll make me their heir ; do you hear that ? " ' tl f' '"'^^ '"'^^^^'^ ^^^"^^^ «f manner; the} who suggested that hope were but making merry with your credulity, and a few hours after the meeting with you, they twitted me with your being about to turn ProtLtant for the sake of Mr. Watkins's fortune Tou^ thaUrf w'^^f?'* i" ''^^ ^^ ^' '^^ '^-^^ time that Ml. \\ atkms has a nephew in Savannah, who IS sure to be his heir." " Well ! if that be true," said Peter, his face flaming with anger, " that Wilson is the great- est villain unhanged." ^ "It/, true,'; said Willy, "but there's no use n railing against Wilson, or any other one • the only thing is, be on your guard against such schemers for the futuri B?t here S at Mr. Watkms's. Pll go in with you, but I hope you'll not stay long:" Peter opened the door with a latch-kev, and seeing the parlor-door open, he told Willy, in 1 11 be back," said he, " in a few minutes." Peter had not yet reached the door, when he suddenly st^^pped, hearing his own name men- honed in the adjoining room, which was only separated from the parlor by folding doors. lin/^li-vnl-v*-^ J1 ■»*■-_. Jjf±L"6, 268 WILLY BURKE ; OR, but what had she said that made Peter Burke change color so ? " Yes ! " said the ladj-, continuing her dis- course, "I have great hopes that the meeting will go off well, provided you can get this liurke to come forward and bear testimony «iIlTfl 1 r- ^""^y ^^* "' I^^^^'^il "Pon thi !vh^^ T.*"" appear on the platform as one who has abjured the errors of Popery, and, my life for It ! your collection would be a first-rate one. Th0 lad is good-looking, Irish and all as he IS, and as a convert from the Roman Church, He will become the great lion of the day. The reason why your collections do not turn out well, latterly, is the great dearth of novelty • and If you can parade this young fellow as one who has just broken the chains of Rome, etc., etc under your spiritual guidance, you will nnd your account in it, I assure you " T.J!w'C^'".^P^'?^ ^'^^^^^ *^^* Peter knew to be that of Mortimer, *' but I much fear that I cannot, of myself, persuade the lad to appear I know the effect would be most beneficial to our interests, but these Irish Papists are so obstinately attached to the Church of Rome that they are scarcely to be tempted to come Mrs Watkins, and laugh at our boasted lib- erty ! ^ This boy, though he appears to us wavering, may be at heart as much a Catholic as ever But if you will try your powers of i-v.«««o.v^xi, uc-ur, ana ioveij , and bewitching THE IRISH ORPHAN IX AMERICA. 209 as you are, he nnot, he will not refuse Do sweet friend ! " - and the minister's "See aC ff ^^fV • ^^^r*^"^^^ by yet another chain, for It muchimports me to have this Bible meeting crowned with success." ^ " I will try what I can do," said Mr^ Wat- kms in reply ; - since you think my persuasive powers so great, they shall be all pit forth n > our service, and I think I may venture to promise that this hopeful youth will grace your platform as a convert. Oh ! how the priests wil gnash their teeth, and how all goodrpTous Methodists will rejoice on the occasfon, though between ourselves the fellow is noi worth Willy Burke had approached his brother, in- 1 onn, f I ^".T^^ ^^""^ ^^"^y «h«"l^ leave the loom, for he did not wish to remain where he was an eavesdropper, although unintentionally. foLlT", ^^''''^ ^? *^^"^^^ transfixed, nor at- tempted to move from the spot until he had heard all ; then turning, he caught his brother b> the arm and drew him out into the hall, wi hout saying a word. His face was pale as breath Till' ^^^""''^ ^^*"^^"^^ ^^^P^^^ ^^v bieath. Calhng a servant, however, he handed on^T^ir f?*^ "^^^"^^ contained the money, and te ling him to give it to Mrs. Watkins without any delay, he motioned for Willy to loUow. nnd lincfor.^^1 4-^ „— V .1 , -^ though he feared to remain a moment longer. I i' I 270 WILLY BURKE ; OR, Neither spoke for sonn- minutes after th( \ left t^e door, but suddenly Peter stopped, and turned full on his brother : ''Now, with God's help, Willy, I'll never set loot in that house again, for it just seems to me as if it was the gate of hell. While I was listening to that precious discourse the vo;; fell from my eyes, and now I can see the fearful danger I was in." "Well," said Willy, as he wiped away with his hand the tears of joy that suffused his eyes, Iwas afraid to see you going in that time, but now I see it was God himself that con- ducted us there at that moment, so that you might see and hear, from the mouths of your pretended friends, the object they had really m view But I'm not the least surprised, for when i went into the church on my way here, and hvmv^rht the powerfiil aid of the Mother ol Goa .'i saying you from the snares laid for you, I hadn't yet finished my prayer when I tclt assured that it would be granted. No one ever comes away disappointed that prays to that loving Mother with a pure intention. Be- sides, Peter, I know very well that God sent me that legacy that I might have a proof of my affection to give you, and so to soften your heart. You see yourself how beautifully all this has come round to bring 3'ou back to the way of salvation, from which you wr»e every I ^^}^S/'^^ther away." -- 1 do, I do, Yv iUy i • ' said Peter, fervently, THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERl \. 271 ' and I sec, too, all that I owe to you. Ah brotlu; , brother, when you wore before the altar that time prayino: for me, it's little thouo'its I had of either God or yun. Now, thank^Ciod ' I am sensible of all that you have done for me. 1 see that your two thousand dollar s is but a small thing, a mere trifle, com I with what your i^ious prayers have ob^ d for me • where are we going now ? " ' "To tell you the truth," said Willy, with a smile, '' I had planned to take you to Fa.her U nav'i s, on our way to Mr. Talbot's, for I knew t aat you didn't know where he lived, and I wanted to try the effect of his persuasions on you. If mine had IViiled. I suppose you've no objection to come now ? " "None at all," replied his brother; "it's the very thing I'd wish for." Great was the joy of Father O'llara when he learned from Peter himself the wondrous change that divine grace had operated on his soul. " I told your reverence," said the now happy Willy, "that our protectress wouldn't forsake us now. You see she has obtained for us far more than we dared to ask — blessed be her name forever ! " "Amen ! " responded Dawson, as he entered, for he, in turn, had been a listener in the ves- tibule. " I see you're surprised, Peter," he said, addressing the latter, " surprised to hear " ' -^"-d"«b- "'^i" nij niuum, out don't be surprised ; under God, I am indebted for my I t t] I 'l kf ^. MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 1.0 1m 116 2.8 ■ 90 ■ 3.6 Biau 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.8 ^ /APPLIED INA^GE ! nc 1653 Eost Main Street Rochester, New York 14609 USA (716) 482 -0300 -Phone (716) 28R-5989 -Fax 272 WILLY BURKE ; OR, conversion to the Blessed Virgin, for when I was yet only seeking the truth, groping about in the dark, as it were, your brother, there, prevailed upon me to invoke her aid ; and I can solemnly assure you that I was not slow in experiencing the effects of her intercession. I am now a Catholic, thanks be to God for all his mercies ! and I can truly say what I heard Mr. Weimar say in his last moments, viz., that I owe my conversion in a great degree to your brother's good example, so beautifully illus- trating Catholic faith and Catholic morality." Peter could not speak ; for the second tfme that evening his heart was too full for words, but he turned and took his brother's hand and pressed it between his own in silent admira- tion. When he could speak, his exclamation was, "My brother! you are indeed the wor- thy son of our pious parents ; henceforward, with God's assistance, I will endeavor to imi- tate their example and yours. Oh, sir!" he said, addressing the priest, "you don't know how far gone I was in wickedness, — it frightens me now to look back to where I stood two hours ago, when my dear, dear brother, like the good shepherd, came after me and brought me home; surely, he has saved me from the wild beasts that were lying in wait for me. Would your reverence lend me a pen and ink for a moment ? " He got the pen and ink, and in a few mo- THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 273 ments he handed the following note to his brother to read : — "Mrs. Watkins : Peter Burke— that 'silly Jellow, that Hs not worth much at the best* (according to your kind recommendation) — takes this opportunity to thank you for all the favors you and Mr. Watkins have conferred on him, especially for the last, when yoa pro- posed to do him the honor of appearing at a great Bible meeting to ' hear testimony * ; but as said Peter has no wish to be * the great lion of the day,' he'll just take himself off. He sends his compliments to worthy Mr. Mor- timer, and assures him that his opinion of Irish Papists * is about right, as far as him- self is concerned ;— he is a Catholic at heart, though unworthy of being called so, by reason of the scandal he has given in Ustening to such evil counsellors as you and Mr. Mortimer." " Short, but not very sweet ! " was Willy's observation, as he handed the note to Father O'Hara, and requested him to read it aloud. After a little more conversation with the priest and Dawson, the brothers took their leave, and proceeded to the house of Mr. Tal- bot, where Peter was kindly, even cordially, welcomed. How his heart throbbed with joy as he received the friendly congratulations of iations which he knew (and felt) were sincere. 18 .--ra In 274 WILLT BURKE J OR, It was agreed upon, in the course of the pve- mng, that for the present the four thousand u-T^r^^J"". ^^ invested in railway shares, which Mr. Talbot believed the most profitable method of using it. The brothers willino-ly acceded to his proposal to remain in his em- ployment for the time being. " With an increase ot salary^ however," said the generous mer- chant. " Dawson's place is now vacant, he havmg been advanced to that which had been Wilson s ; if you have no objection, Peter, vou can have it, and Willy will assist me in the Office,^ as I have now to take poor Mr. Weimar^s The proposal was gratefully accepted, as may readily be believed ; and bidding Mr. and Mrs. Talbot good-night, Peter and Willy took their way together to the well-known domicile where the good Mrs. Malcolm held sway The worthy housekeeper was profuse in h# con- gratulations to both brothers ; — the one on his recent accession of wealth, and the other on his escape from the net in which the specious arts of the seducer had held him for so lono- a u?,fV n^f ^.^"^'^ ^^^^ ^eel'" said she, that God wad na' let you go unrewarded even m this world Willy ; I beg your pardon I should ca' you Mr. Burke, now that you've come mto so much riches." "No, no, no, dear Mrs. Malcolm," cried WiUy, with a merry laugh, "just call me ""ij > youc maKe me ashamed if you'd be- THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 275 gin to call me Mister, for the title wouldn't sit easy on a 3^oung lad like me." " Ah, I forgot," said Mrs. Malcolm, " that a Christian canna* be proud of money or any earthly good. Vera weel, vera weel you'll still be Willy Burke, that's a guid laddie ! " and so saying, the old lady waddled away to see after some household matter. Next day the brothers went to church to- gether at six o'clock, and side by side they returned thanks to that God who had blessed them bej^ond measure. Then it was that Peter Burke felt a soothing calm, long unknown., stealing throjgh his mind ; it was the gentls, the beneficent influence of religion, — of that religion which before he had never appreciated ; now he began in sober earnest ^o estimate its value. It is true that he was still weighed dowOy the remembrance of his manifold sins, but t^ grace of true contrition was not with- held from bin. and he trusted in the goodness of God for pardon for the past, and strength to avoid sin for the time to come. When Mass was over, and they leaving the church, Peter told his brother that he would go to confession in the course of the evening, and Willy, as may well be imagined, heard the announcement with unmixed satisfaction, for now he knew that his brother was sincerely converted. After leaving the oflSce that evening, the two brothers went first to confession, and then hast- 276 WILLY BURKE J OR, "fn^sSf ^°^*° '''' '"^'"^ heartsof thei. ^i^'^'^A r°* *''^^' *" conceive the rapture with ?°;,. , y '">*'' sprang into Peter's out Btretched arms, and fairlfsobbed oT The„" they drew back to look at him again as thon^h thej-feared the evidence of theife;^s ^ ' "Well to be sure," cried Alice, wiping awav ^'*,,'f\P'-«tty apron her fast^falC'telrT "well to be sure, but that is good news iS a fine thing to hear that we're all so rTch now thanks be to God and our dear brotL" wSh / But the best of all is Peter's getting e-mri again. Oh, indeed it is ! " ^ ^ ^^ ' "And Peter," asked Bridget, "won't von he ^o±':r »r''"'«^^">y.-an was there, it is true, for poor ZneTo'Gmd had departed in the course of thT prS, defoLe'tir frhre,:^^ '^r^'^^^ able maniier • Ld Yfr! n'^^^^1 '"^ ^ ^^^P^^^- ^ttlpd M *t ''"^'"'^ss When we get thin-s BuT and'a %:r\flt T^^J ^-"' ^^ me and mine < An° he L^n ^ '' ''""^ ''"^ tewill. An' sure In'? hi '•^' •"""'•>' ''^ «"'« a 'ss'is L'ai?* '-r'^"^^' - -•^^ « p.cu« oi ncii silk for a dress: and THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 279 never was young queen, newly crowned, prouder of her jewelled diadem than was the worthy Scotchwoman of her dress. " For," said she, " it is na the value o* the thing that I hand account o' ; na, na, it's the gratitude o' the laddie that mak's me set sae muckle store by his present. You see, laddies," addressing the other young men, *' that when riches came into his liands'he did na forget the auld Scotch wife nae mair than anither." Dawson and the two Burkes were hencefor- ward hound in the strictest bonds of friend- ship, and all three made themselves respected wherever they were known, by their scrupulous observance of the divine virtues inculcated by the Church as the oracle of truth. After a few years they commenced business together under the friendly auspices of Mr. Talbot, and Dawson married Alice Burke, then a lovely girl of eighteen. The younger sister soon after gave her hand to a wealthy planter from the South (a connection of Mr. Talbot's) , who had been attracted not less by her modest and retiring virtues than by her personal charms. About six years after Mr. Weimar's death, and just after the marriage of Bridget Burke, Peter happened to take up a newspaper one evening, but suddenly he let it fall, exclaim- ing : "How terrible are thy judgments, O Lord ! Greiat art thon in f>iTrmoT.nxr ov. " ness to those who love and serve th ! ;v/\^u." 280 WILLY burke; or, :Xl -*"°" ''"^' ^ ^''''' " ^"^''^tising the he'htd^'rl" r/^ ^"'^■' '^"^^ '^ "l^^P «igl>, when Peter "al^i.**"^ Paragraph pointed" ouT by ■ ; f!fL "^ • P""""' miserable Wilson ! what a late was vours f tv.;« « / V *^"'^'' entPrpH if o„ ^^* 'i'»' ''»*«' *-'" heaven ^M'S ^^^^ rttdml mTGo^ s^[a;zcrcrucrtS fh^^ l*^^* ^^^^^ Catholic boy who k thit>wn at an earlv a