It’s said that God doesn’t give us more than we can bear, but “the tragedy,” as it came to be known, met John Joseph’s predisposition for the drink outside a pint or two after work. It marked the end of family joy, and beginning of drunkenness, violence, and financial strife beyond Norah’s ability to stretch a dollar. Eventually, John only paid the rent, and more times than not, the electricity. The rest: coal, food, clothing, school supplies, medicine, and everything else, was up to Norah and the children.
