Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-04-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
A RACE FOR A WIFE;
OR PEGGY MAGRATH, THE IRISH CoQUETTE.


Andrew Kennedy and Mike Barry were suitors
for the hand of Peggy Magrath. The power which
Irish fathers exercise over their children, is often
any thing but gentle; they dispose of them in mar
rage frequently to those considered the best bid
ders; and it is small compliment to Irish women
to say that in instances where they have loved
Others they very generally succeed in withdrawing
their affections, and making true and devoted wives
and atfectionate mothers. In the case of Peggy
Magrath, however, candidate stood about as
well with her father as the other Both fine
stout fellows, able to work, when they could get
work to do, with cabin and potatoe garden,
"waiting for furniture" and both anxious to pos
sess the hand heart, and little fortune of Peggy
Magratb. There are two ways of winning wo-
mans favor--the right and the wrong Andrew
Kennedy had chosen the right. Mike Barry the
wrong. Andrew in the first instance made of
the girl-Mke of the father. And if Andrew had
been a whit worse off in the world-if his COW had
not been good-his feather bed as heavy, or his
pig as weighty as those of his rival, might would
have overcome right, and Andrew would have had
no chance. But as it was, the father finding that
one "boy" was well to do as the other, and that
moreover the faction" of the rejected would be
too strong for him. though they would yield to the
lady, declared, as he was walking home from ear
ly mass" that he would leave it "'twixt the AL
mighty and his daughters" let her settle it in Gods
name and he'd wash his hands of it altogether !;
only she must settle one the other that week,
for he could not be having his peace of mind de.
stroyed, with her and her sweet-hears, any longer
his house was like fair a station with them, for
boys, that could not let the girl alone and sure it
was well for him and his "ould woman" they had
but daughter; for if they had more they'd quit
the country sooner than be bothered entirely the
way he had with them-for bachelors!
Now Peggy was as arant coquette as ever
flirted fan IN ball room; one Of those who are
born with an intense desire to continue the "slavt
trade" who delighted in tormenting; and who
whether she cared or not for II man, would enjoy
teazing him: indeed, the better she loved, the
greater pleasure in tanalizing the object of her af
tections. AS long as her father wavered between
Andrew and Nike the true affection she bore thu
former made her dread losing him so much, tina
she was far more afectionate to him than she hat
ever been to any one else; and once when her ia
ther said something that led her to believe he deci
dedly favored Nike she burst into flood of tears
and declared she would die" sooner than MARI
him. Now when her father, accompanied by bot
suitors entered the house, and he told her Their
were her bachelors, and she must make up her min
which of the two should be her husband for h
lher tather,) had no mind to keeping an old maid i
his house, she blushed and simpered, looked thrt
the long lashes of her eyes without raising tn
lids and to the utter astonishment of both her ia
Their and Andrew, accepted Mikes offer to dane
the first jig with her that evening-completel
turning her back on her former favorte. Mix
having got her consent to the dance, eager to sho
himself of to the best advantage, bethought th
his "brogans' would look bad "on the floor
and, like fool, left the field open to Andrew, viii
he set out to borrow his brothers "pumps." Th
opportunity was not lost upon Andrew, who renew
ed his suit, but became thoroughly perplexed b
the waywardness Of woman's nature-he coul
make nothing of her.
"Indeed," she said, she would as soon--as h,
father was so hard upon her--marry one as the ot
en- May be she showed more favor one time
Andrew than to Mike, and may DO at another tin