News extracts: Nov. 11, 1824: Reunion of brothers, James and Denis Work, of Loughrea
Alison Kilpatrick
Chronicle & Erne Packet newspaper, by permission of The British Library:
Affecting Incident.
Mr. Work, Captain of the Giovanni schooner, from Gottenburgh, while
delivering a cargo of deals and iron at a wharf in St. Catherine's on
Tuesday last, was accosted by a miserable-looking young man, just
returned from America, beseeching a little employment. The Captain, in
reply, said, he was sorry he was not in want of any additional hands, as
his crew were fully adequate to discharge the cargo. The young man in
return expressed his regret, but urged the Captain to suffer him to work
only for his meat, as he was literally starving for want of food.
Commiserating the youth's unhappy situation, the Captain complied with
the condition, and the young man went cheerfully to work in the hold
among the crew. Observing on the following day the assiduity of the
stranger to discharge his duty, the Captain asked him of what place he
was a native?--"Loughrea, in Ireland," he replied. "Loughrea, Loughrea,"
rejoined the Captain, and "What is your name?" "Denis Work," replied the
youth. Palpitating with anxiety, and afraid he might be mistaken, the
Captain immediately inquired if he had a brother. "I had," said he, "but
it is a long time since I saw him." "What is his name?" almost
breathlessly inquired the Captain--"James Work," replied the youth.
"Then you must have had letters from your brother?" says the Captain.
"Oh, yes, Sir." "Come, come along with me," says the Captain, hastily,
and immediately hurried him into the cabin. "Have you any objections to
shew me those letters from your brother?" asked the Captain. "Certainly
not," said he, and instantly pulled out his pocket-book and produced
them. The Captain, assured then almost to a certainty who the young man
was, produced from his desk, corresponding letters to himself, and upon
the mutual correspondence being laid upon the table, each exclaimed,
"Brother!" and they instantly rushed into each other's arms, and for
several minutes their feelings were so overpowered with the warmth of
their affections, that neither of them could speak till tears came to
their relief.--London Paper.
==================