A Pocket Full of Shells Read Online Free PDF Page B

Mac’s – if we are lucky, that is,” Michael said to James as he joined his friend outside, “After a second year of blight there’s nothing to make any poitín from,”
    “Ah would you stop your whining. We are bound to get a drop of porter at least. Sure Paddy Mac is only too happy to have the promise of some fish in exchange for his drink,” said James.
    The two young men set out to celebrate, determined to push as far away as possible the worries that came with fatherhood – at least for one evening. It was a good thing they could not see what the months ahead would bring.
     

     
     
    CHAPTER 7
         The winter of 1846 was particularly harsh due to another failure of the potato crop. A relief committee had been established in the parish in October of that year. Local contributions and government grants supported schemes like road works, mostly employing women, young children and the elderly, who were deemed unsuitable for working the land. Pat and James had stored up enough salted herring to see them through the winter. They even had a couple of hens left, having sold some to pay their rent the month before.
         “There’s talk of men earning up to four shillings a day, in England,” said Michael, who had called to see James one evening.
         “That’s only the navvies, they are seasoned workers. You would be lucky if you got half that, son,” Pat said.
         Mary shook her finger at Michael saying.
         “So you are the one putting ideas of leaving us into my husband’s head.”
         “Now that’s not fair,” said James, “I was the one who suggested it when the blight struck again this year. Michael is right to think about it. Half the county are heading over to Liverpool, in fact, whole families are going.”
         There was a heavy silence in the room as everyone thought about what had been said. Only the sound of the flames from the burning turf could be heard.
         “What does Brigid say about it, Michael?” Mary asked.
         “She says she would go with me if we didn’t have Francis, but she won’t bring him because of the disease and fever that’s raging over there.”
         “I wouldn’t want you and Catherine to risk it either, Mary,” James said, “If we go it will only be for a few months in the spring. We would need to be back here for the summer to fish and cut the turf. Pat’s getting too old to do all that now.” 
         “I was thinking of going with you, it might be nice to go to bed and not have someone climb in and take all the heat from me,” the older man laughed.
    Annie slapped him on the leg and laughed back.
         “If you go over there, chances are you will end up sleeping in the gutter, and there will be plenty wanting to climb in with you – not all human at that.”
         Mary was upset and did not try to hide how she felt.
         “I don’t want you to go, we can manage until the summer can’t we?”
         It was obvious to everyone in the room that the two young men were serious about leaving. James agreed they could probably feed themselves for the winter but asked if anyone knew how they would they get money to pay the rent. Michael was already a month behind.
         “We could sell something, my lovely wooden bowls might fetch a good price,” offered Annie.
         “When that money is gone what would we do? It’s no good putting off what needs to be done.  The fares are so cheap now we should take advantage of it. If we don’t get work in Liverpool then we can go on to Durham and stay with my family. There are plenty of McGrothers there now.” 
    James had given it a lot of thought and was prepared to do whatever it took to keep a roof over their heads. Mary wanted to know how he was going to raise the money for the journey.
         “Michael and myself have been talking about this for a while now. The worst of the weather will be behind us by the time March comes in,