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

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 21
whisper : " but then, what is the poor body, after all ?
An' sure God can raise ye up at the last day, as bright
and beautiful as if ye had been sleepin' in the quiet
earth ! Farewell, then, till we meet again, an' I hope in
the mercy o' God that it 'ill be before His throne, to live
in His blessed kingdom for ever 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 plash 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 (by some whose tearful
eyes attested their sincere sympathy), 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.
CHAPTER II.
POVERTY AND TEMPTATION.
WELVE months had passed away since
Mrs. Burke and her children had landed
in New York—months of trial and of
sorrow they had been ; for the desolate
widow had found it hard to support her
children with her small means, and, un-
friended as she was, she had sought in
vain for some employment that might enable her to keep