The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-11-14
From the New Yerk Weekly Sun.
TERRY O,READY's PASS.
M PIIIsMcRR.

inc IcDclliOn. IHe OTdHSS idCtiois
whose loyalty consisted in religious
bigotry and "A deadly hatred to the
Catholics, was clothed by the go
vernmcnt with unlimited power, but
how it was abused can be found in
the melancholy history of that peri
cd. The lower classes of Catholics
were not allowed to pass beyond
their respective hamlets, without a
pass signed by a military officer or
magistrate, while any violation of
this law subjected the unhappy cul-
prit to drnm-head court martial,
which generally resulted in immedi
ate execution. The subject of this
tale was one of those quiet. industrl-
GUS men, who payed more attention
to his potato crop than to politics,
but who, nevertheless, as he used to
say, "would stand up on a pinch"
if he saw a chance of success f.; yet
whether through prudence or cow
ardice, Terry O'Ready took no part
in the rebellion. lie remained qui-
city at home cultivating his farm on
the banks of the Doom, and when he
heard of the defeat of the rebels at
Ballcnamuck, he shrugged his shout
ders, and fancied himself wiser
man than either his wife or neigh
bours would give him credit for.
But if Terry lacked courage or pat
riotism, his wife did not, for she of
ten told him pretty plainly that if he
had an inch Of man in him he ought
to strike blow for could Ireland"
However Terry bore the sarcasms of
Mary O'Ready with the resignation
of one who felt she was right, and
once or twice swore with round
oath, that if there ever again was a
battle, he would be in the midst of
it, and leave her a widow.
But the war was all over, and
Mrs. O'Ready being in want of ma
ny little articles, such as soap, salt,
&C., &C., which housewives need,
she told her husband, he should start,
forthwith for those articles to Leme-
rick. "But how will go," said the
cautious Terry, "without pass"
"You can just slip down to Broud-
ford and get one from the office, and
l will have your breakfast ready
when you come back" Terry was
well aware of the many atrocities
committed by the military on inno-
cent persons, and felt some reluct-
ance in presenting himself at the
station, but he saw that a refusal
would convince his spirited and pat
riotic wife that she had linked her.
self for life to paltroon. He there
fore set out on his mission with APP
parent cheerfulness, and having pre-
scented himself to Captain Whitaker
of the Derry militia, he claimed a
pass to and from Lcmcrick on his
lawful business. The military chief
tain was a high toned Orangemar
and an ultra loyalist of his day. One
of those frollicking supporters Of the
throne, who drank deeply every
night in honor Of his king, and gave
that toast so dear to every true Or
angeman, viz /: "The people in a pill.
Tory, the pillory in hell, and the de.
vii pelting priests at him" But i
has been generally observed tina
those who retire to rest under the
influence of Bachus, do not displa,
much amiability of temper next nor,
ming; and unfortunate for poor Ter
ry he came to ask favor of a mar
already beset with host of ''blu,
devils"
g"You want a pass, ell ?" eyes
pleas your honor, if it is agrceabl,
to you" "Well, my good fellow
would you guess what would be ia
more agreeable to me-" "In truth
your honor, | am a poor hand a
guessing" replied Terry, becoming
alarmed at the savage scowl of hi
Yquestioner, "but am sure it mus
be something good, of course"
' "Do not be too sure of that" sal
the Captain with fiendish grin
"you at least might not relish it
goodness"
0.a "Do you know Whitaker's tree
eh" Terry O'Ready TUNED pal,
for this was the tree on which tn
Captain hung his victims, and fro,
that fact was called by his nam,
"Ha, ha, you can guess what mca
now, see. 1t would be quite NOR
agreeable to give you swing tina
apass, you popish rebelW
No "The Holy Virgin knows, sir,
have never joined one way or I'll
'onter in the rebellion"
"Holy devil, you id cropp,
how dare you utter your popis
mumery in my presencc"-and her
the Captain rung the bell Violent
stake this fellow, Sergeant, an
see that he gets three dozen on h
back-let the strokes be legible, f
A e