The Wilmingtonian., 1824-03-18
AN EVENING IN AN IRISH CABIN.
From the New European Magazine, Vol. Ill.

From the New European Magazine, VOL Ill.
No. 18.
pointed towards one of the cottsges,
round the door of which number of the
peasantry were assembled, and asked him
what was doing there. lts's the putteen.
your honour; may be your honour would
like to see the gossoons dancing; and sure
now, there'll be many nate girl and boy
tripping it there, when blind Jerry the pi-
per, that's on the hill yorder, is to the
fore."-We advanced towards the house,
over the door of which was large sign,
with grim figure of st. Patrick, mitred
and clad in his robes, bearing cross in
one hand. and book in the other; before
him were toads and serpents in abundance,
creeping out Of the way of his curse, while
one or two, more courageous than the rest,
had ventured to turn round and hiss at
the holy man, who was thus dispossessing
them Of their territory. We entered the
cabin, and the attention of the company
was divided between the strange gentle
man and Jerry the blind piper. who arrived
at the same moment; the squeaking sound
of whose music, as he filled the bellows Of
his pipes. Immediately set the party ipI
motion. "Arah, Jerry" said one, " wFat
kept you now' and here's Nelly Vaughan's
toes crampcd wild waiting for you.;-And
the stuff you likes TO taste growing could,
said another. "Well, he's here now," ex-
claimed several, "and girls, ifye have no
corns, dance away and see which will be
tired FIRST, homes, your legs, or Jerry's
music"
A stranger neverrequires an introduc-
ton, and is always sure of welcome.
A seat was handed to me, and accepted
the invtatio.l--" Will your honour be-
pased to sit DOWN. It's little the likes of
us has to@ive your honour; but the quality
likes the mountain dew, as they call it Il
and here il is, nate and beautiful, surcl
enough !" Some whi,key punch accompan-I
ed the recommendation, in sort OF mutt
lated tumber, tied round the top, which a
large crack made necessary, by piece OF
tarr'd string. 1t is'n, the best glass, but
il is the largest, sir,' said the man who
presented it to me, and added with wink
and smile, " your honour isn't an officer =
thus sufficiently intmating that my liquor
had paid no duty to the king. | had now
leisure to make my remark on the group
around me; these were principally gazing
On the four dancers. and, BY "we'l done
Paddy! !" or, an "illegantly danced, Ju'
dy !" applauding the endeavours OF the
Young peasants, who certainly footed il
with all their hearts. Among the locker
on, the old people, Of whom there were
but few present, only had seats; the res
were either standing, or sitting cross leg
ged around the ring
The room was crowded, and | neveI
saw more apparently happy group; II"
there was not single countenance amonj
them that bore care. The evening wa
like one of those green spots on tIei
barren mountains: and if they did no
at times enjoy such, the lot OF the lr',l
peasantry would indeed be one OF wretch
edoess and misery. had scarcely iinishet
my beverage, when smart young danse
advanced towards me, and dropped he
eartsey; though, as did not wish to shov
the non-educaton Of my toes, pretended
not to understand her; when matrol
who sat beside me undertook the office o
Interpreter, saying, "she wants to dane
wild vonr honour" In common poiteness
X had been drinking with the men,
,ould not avoid dancing with the women
50 rose and hoped and hobbied throus
"a Irish Jig. My buxom partner, however
really, far outshone me in agility; an
when she retired another came forward
and another, who seemed determined no
10 be tired.
At length there was an universal cry q
"fadda! iadda" (ie FOR shaIneD lave tn
gentleman sit = and was left leaping a
one. But, to show that was not wearle'
made my rustic scrape and bow to pre-
ty and interesting girl, who was seate
in corner. 81 don't dance, Oh wisha .
could not; God knows, sir, could not
was herreply to my invitation. "Och M
nv! hurro." echoed several of the part
two of whom advanced and forced her
her legs when discovered the reason
her basfnl tardness was. that The feet
my chosen one were naked, so with n
tural gallantry, threw off my own shot
and we footed it together gaily on t
earthen floor.
We were thus engaged, when a m
burst into the room, exc!aiming, :" The &
fcrrv-boat has gone down, and they are
lost!" The music instantly ceased, a
the whole party hurried towards the sho
m hnat baI iudpnut un