I kissed Flora good-bye, and last of all turned to my mother. She
imprinted a parting kiss upon my brow, and as she held my hand with a
long, lingering pressure, said in a choking voice, "Remember my
counsels, respect yourself, and others will respect you, and may God
bless and preserve you from evil!"
I was deeply moved, but to spare my mother's feelings I kept back my
tears. The conductor's loud voice was heard calling "All aboard." I
hastily entered the car, and taking my seat, the tears I had so long
repressed now flowed freely, till some of my fellow-passengers began to
question me, when I became ashamed of my weakness. To the many pitying
enquiries I replied that I was going a long distance from home and was
grieved at parting with my friends.
"Chare up, me man," said a good-natured Irishman who happened to be
seated near me. "I was jist yer size (only that I was bigger) when I
lift me father and mother in ould Ireland, an' come over to Ameriky."
This remark drew a burst of laughter from several of the passengers,
and, though the tears were not yet dry upon my cheek, I could not help
joining in the laugh.
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