The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-11-08
REPEAL OF THE UNION.
BY T. HOOD.

81 BY I. HOOD.
twas fine, clear, moonlight night, and Mike
Mahoney was strolling on the beach of the Bay
Of Bealcreagh knows why? perhaps to
gather dh0olansaun, or crab, but thinking
intensely Of nothing at all, because Of the tune
he was whistling when looking seaward he
saw, at about q stones cast from the shore,
2 dark object which appeared like human
head. Or was il seal or keg of whiskey
Alas no such good luck! The dark object
moved like living thing, and approaching nearer
and nearer into shallow water, revealed success
sively the neck and shoulders Of man.
Mike wondered extremely. 1t was a late
hour for gentleman to be bathing, and there
was no boat or vessel within Laundering dis
lance, from which the unknown might have
swami Meanwhile the stranger approached,
and the gliding motion Of the figure suddenly
changed into laundering, as if having got
WitMn ms depth, ne was wading through the
deep mud. s.
Hitherto, the object, amid the broad path Of
silver light, had been dark one; but diverging
q little out of the glittering water it now be-
come bright one, and Mike could make out
the features, at least as plain as those in the
moon. At last the creature stopped, q few
fathoms of, and in sort of " forrin voice, such
as the lrishman had never heard before, called
to Mike Mahoney. Mike crossed himself and
answered to his name,
stranger.
"Divil knows" thought Mike, taking ter
rlble scratch at his red head, but he said nothing
"Look here thin" said the stranger; and
plunging head downwards, as for dive, he
raised and fourished in the air fsh's tail, like
a salmon's, but great deal bigger. After this
exhibition had lasted about minute, the tail
went down, and the head came up again.
g Now you know, Of course, what am?"
hxr ~ n IL u.
aging ,sn your pardon, take it you're kind Of
True for you," said the Norman, for such
he was, in very melancholy tone. II am only
half gentleman, and it's what troubles me,
day and night. But I'll come more convenient
to YOU"
I And BY dint Of great exertion, partly crawling,
and partly shooting himself forward with his.
tail, shrimp fashion, he contrived to reach the
beach, when he rolled himself close to Mikes
feet, which instinctively made step back in re-
treat
Never fear, Nike said the Norman, e it's
not in my heart to hurt one Of the finest pea
santry in the world"
"Why, then, you'd not object, may be-" in
CURED Mike, not quite treasured, "to cry O'Con-
nell for ever"
By no means" replied the Norman, "or
success to the rent"
falx, Where dld ne learn tnat muttered
Mike to himself
Water is good conductor Of sound, said
the Norman, with wink Of his round, sky-bue
eyes. at can carry voice q long way-if you
think of Father Mathew"
"Begad, that's true" exclaimed Mike. And
in course you'll have heard of the Repale :"
"Ah, that's it," said the Norman, with long
drawn sigh, and a forlon shake Of the head.
z That's just it, It's in your power, Mike, to do
me the biggest favor in the world"
with all the pleasures in life, replied Mike,
provided there's neither sin nor shame in it."
"Not the least taste Of either" returned the
Norman. at is only that you will help me to
repeal this cursed union, that has joined the best
part Of an Irish gentleman to the worst end of
a fish,"
step backward, "what, cut of your honor's tail I"