ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 96, 10 May 1900, Page 2

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

A Bath contributor to the Spectator writes:—Sir—l venture to send you two little stories about tho shamrock which may interest your roaders. Saveral invalid soldiers from. South Africa are in a convalescent home in this neighbourhood, and among ) thorn is one of the lunitkilling Fusiliers, so I was very anxious they should each bave a bit of shamrock for SL-Batrick'a Day, and asked an old Irishwoman to try to get me some. Bbe tried in every direction, but nona of the real plant was to be found till she caught sight of oatprecious plant in a cottage window, Bho . was quite a straDger to the inmates, but sho knocked at the door, and, with many apologies, asked if they would Mil her a spray. " Sail my shamrock ? No, indeed, I can't cut a bit of it," stid the owner. " Well, I beg your pardon, sir, but ns it's for those poi r soldiers up oo ■ the Down I ventured to ask." " For tha soldiers, did you say t Here, take it, take it ; thoy may have it all," thrusting the pat into ber hands. And what's to pay, sir ?"—" Nothing at all; if it's for soldiers, they're welcome to it." The same woman, who is the daughter of one soldier and the widow of another, has an only son ia the Colds',ream Guards, who waa severely wounded at Modder River. He wae expected to arrive at our convalescent home this week, and last Tuesday she went to the railway station, hearing that some soldiers were attiring. Her son was not among them; but she found two men, on their way to Ireland, who were waiting for a train to take them on to Milford. On* had beon severely wounded in the head, uud tho other s jldiar was charged to soo him safely home. My warmhearted Irish friend carried them off to her little home (only one room) and fed them with tho tea and eggs she had prepared for her own boy. " And th« j were bo h ippy," blie told me, "and said it was just iiko homo, and when they wt-ro going away the poor fellow whose head was so bid that his memory is igoii'g s.tid: 'Good-bye, mother, and thank you fir that good cup of tea, and us soon a > I get home I'll be sure to send you a bit of the real Irish shamrock.' " lie was truo to his word, for a little box of shamrock came by post yesterdiy, and I am glad to say the long-expected son arrived to-day.