The Litchfield County post., 1828-11-06

1 II
being biIletted on Barry of Cairn Thierna
IT'S surely queer thing for old Dick
ConSadine to be after sending you there,
continued he !; but you see that big noun
| tain before you-that's Cairn Thierna.--
Amy one will show you Mr.. Barry's when
you get to the top of it, up to the big heap
of stones.
The weary soldier gave a sigh as he
walked forward to the mountain-but he
had not proceeded far when he heard the
clatter ola horse's hoofS coming along the
road after him and turning his head around
he saw dark figure rapidly approaching.
A tall gentIeman,richly dressed;and noun
ted on noble grey horse was at his side,
when the rider pulled up and the soldier
| repeated his inquiry after Mr. Barry of earn
Thierna.
I'm Barry of Cairn Thierna, said the
gentleman; what is your business with me,
friend?
I've got billet on your house, sir, repli-
ed the soldier from the billet master of
Have you, indeed said Barry, well,i is
not very far off; follow me, and you shall
| be taken care of.
He turned off the road and led his horse
up the steep side of a mountain, followed
by the soldier, who was astonished to sec
the horse proceed with so little difficulty,
when he was obliged to scramble up, and
7 could hardly find or keep his footing --
When they got up to the top there was a
I house sure enough, far Beyond any house
in Fermoy. 1t was three stories high. with
fine windows, and all lighted up within, as
if it was full of grand company. There
was hall door, too, with "A flight of stone
steps before, at which Mr.. Barry dismoun-
ted, and the door was opened to him by
servant man who took his horse to the sta
bic.
Mr.. Barry, as he stood at the door, desi-
red the soldier to walk in, and instead of
sending him down to the kitchen, as any o.
ther gentleman would have done, brought
him into his parlour, and desired to see his
billet.
Ay, said Mr. Barry, looking at and smil-
ing Il know Dick Consadine well, he's
merry fellow, and has got some excellent
cows on the inch field of Carlckabrick; a
surlon of good beef is ne bad thing for
supper.
Mr.. Barry then called out some of his
attendants, and desired them to lay the
cloth, and make all ready. which was no
sooner done than.a smoking sirloin of beef
was placed before them.
Sit down, my honest fellow, said Mr.. B.
you must be hungry after your all days
march.
The soldier with profusion of thanks
for such hospitality, and acknowledgment
for such condescension, sat down g. made
as might be expected, an excellent sup, err:
Mr. Barry never suffering his jaws to rest
for want of helping, untilah was fairly
done. Then the boiling wafer was brought
in, and such jug of whskey punch was
J made, there was no faulting it.
| They sat together long time, talking
over the punch, and the fire was so good.
and Barry himself was so good gentleman
and had such fine converse about every
thing in the world, far or near, that the
soldier never felt the night going over him.
At last Mr.. Barry stood up, saying il was
rule with him, that every one should be
in bed by twelve O'Clock, and, said he,
pointing to a bundle which lay in one cor
ner of the room, "take that to bed with
you, its the hide of the cow which I had
killed for your supper give it to the billet
master when you go back to Fermoy in the
morning, and tell him that Barry of Cairn
| Thierna sent it to him. He will soon I'M
derstand what it means, so good night my
brave fellow; / wish comfortable sleep,
and every good forlune-but must be off
and away out of this long before you are
stirring
The soldier gratefully returned his host
his good night and good wishes, and went
off to the room which was shown him,
without claiming, as every one knows he
has right to, the second best bed in the
house.
Next morning the sun awoke him. He
was lying on the broad of his back, and
the skylark was singing over him in the
beautiful blue sky, and the bee was hum
ming close to his ear, among the heath
He rubbed his eyes, nothing did he see
bur the clear sky, with two or three light
morning clouds floating away. ,Mr. Bar.
rvs fine house and feather bed had melted
into air, and he found himself stretched ON
q H. II