Willy Burke, or, The Irish orphan in America - Digital Repository ...

18 WILLY BUKKE; OR,
can't have that happiness. Bat when you get to New
York, Biddy dear, you '11 not forget to have some Masses
offered up for me, that God may have mercy on my poor
sowl ! Don't cry, agra machree ! I see you can't spake,
but I know you '11 do as I say ; there now, put that little
crucifix in my hand— that '11 do, ahagur. Christ Jesus,
have mercy on me— Mother of Jesus, pray for me!
sweet Lord, take me home to my eternal rest". There
was a dead silence for some minutes—not even the
youngest child was heard to utter a sound—many of the
passengers knelt around, but all were silent ; Biddy bent
down over the dying man, and held in her breath to listen,
but all was still. Suddenly one deep, convulsive sigh
issued 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
mercy on your sow], 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 dead. Then, as her children
echoed her cry, and burst into wild lamentations :
" Ay !
we may cry now, childhre dear, for we '11 not disturb
him now—we may cry y farear agar! but it '11 do us
no good—it '11 not bring back the sowl that 's gone. But
what am I doin J
at all ?" she said, suddenly falling on her
knees, fc< what am I about that I 'm not prayin' for him,
an' him before the Judge this blessed minit ? Kneel down,
childhren ! an* ye, good people all ! an' let us offer up our
prayers for him !"
Though her voice was failing at every word, she nevertheless
went bravely on, and offered up her prayers with
fervour and devotion, her children and all the sympathiz-