Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-04-25
The Emigrant's Family.

lFRoM BRoUGHAMs IRISH ENTERTAINMENT.l
One ofthe strongest eculiarities-indeed, may
say passions-of the Irish, is their devoted fond
ness for their offspring.
A curious illustration Of this occurred to me
on my recent journey through the Northern lakes
1t happened 10 be what sailors call very dirty
weather. finished up by a tremendo' gale, which
obliged us to seek shelter at lump of aboriginal
barrennes, called Maintou Island, where we were
obliged 10 remain five days.
There were few deck passengers between
five and six hundred; and inasmuch as they had
only provided themselves with barely sufficient
for the average time, provisions became alarming
scarce, and no probability of supply. To be
sure there venerable OK of sort of semi
qualification, orgonc remnant Of poor, att' nuat
ed, hornlesss, ghtes hovne patriarch who origin
ally yielded up his small residue Of existence for
our benefit. Indeed, it was quite amercy that we ar
rivedto relieve him from painful state suspense;
for so old and powerless was he, that if his last
breath had not been extracted, he certainly could
not have drawn i, by himself
Well, as you may suppose there was consd
cradle conformation on board Short rery short,
allowance was adopted to meet the contingency,
and the poor deck passengers had terrible time
of it. Among the later was an Irish emigra nt
with his wife and three beautiful children, the ell
dUOut scNtU years, anu all WITHOUT TIE
est subsistence, except what the charity of their
were bnt scanly, supplied, it can readily be imag
ined how misserably off was the poor family.
| However, it so happened that the beauty and
intelligence of the children attracted the attention
Of one Of our lady passengers, who had them &C.
casionaly brought into the cabin and their hung
err appeased. Gleesome, bright-cyed little crea
lures they were scrupulouslv clean, despite the
poverty Of their parents, all life and happiness
and in blissful ignorance of the destitution by
which they were surrounded
One day, delighted with her little proteges the
lady happened to say, halfies,ingly-"I wonder
wonld, this poor man part with one of those little
darings2 | should like to adopt it."
81 don't know" said l suppose we make thu
inquiry"
The man was sent for and the delicate business
thus opened
"My good friend" said the lady," you are very
poor are you no2"
His answer was peculiarly Irish ;-"Poor
me lady" said he. "Be the powers of pewther
if there's poorer man nor myself throublin' thu
wurld. God pity both Of w, for we'd be abou
aiqual"
Il "Then you must find il difficult to support you
children said l. making long jump towards
our object
SIS it support thin, sir? he replied. "Lor
bless We, niver supported thim-they never gi
supported somehow or another, they've niyer bI
hungry yit-whin they are it'll be time enongi
to grumble,"
Irish all over thought To-day has enough
to do, let tomorrow look out for itself
swell then" | resumed, with a determines
plunge would it be relief to you to part from
one of them
| had mistaken my mode of attack. He starie
tnrned pale, and with wild glare in his eye, lite
Il rally screamed out
"a relief God be good to MS, what dye name
4 relief!-woud il be relief, dye think, l.
have the hand chopped from my body,or the heal
tore out of me breast ~
"You don't understand us" in,erposed my phi
an,hropic companion "Should one be enable
10 place your child in ease and comfort, woul
sou interfere with its well doing"
The tact Of woman Sho had touched th
chord of parental solciude the poor fellow wa
silent, twisted his head about, and looked all be
wildered The struggle between a fathers low
and his child's interest was evident and affecting
Al last he said -
"God bless We, me lady, and all the thanks {
The poor Heaven knows Id be glad to beiihe
the child il isn't in regard 10 myself, bui--b1