The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-05-12
Volume XII.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Pat Murphy's Fortune.
BY H. HASTINGS WELD.
Chapter III.
PAT THE Ian RID.

I -OOme, CTltu lUe EeA
morning, do lay down that prosy pamphlet
and come TO breakfast You are too old
man to be SO completely swallowed up b,
shop You care more for agilipot than fo
your breakfast, and would rather read tedi
Gus medical periodical than see your family
l declare, you are so redolent of pulverizet
liquorice and rhuharb, that am almost sich
of the sight and odor ofyoul'
Why, Helen said her mother, how yoI
run on Ideclare, l am quite ashamed o
you!
The good old Doctsr smiled with arcl
meaning, as he submitted 10 his daughters
railery. Never mind, wife, he said, as be
took his seat at the table. Physicians ar
such nuisances, that can never think Of adj
hitting another into the family; and as tc
that number of the Medical Examiner, 1t is Z
stupid affair, sue enough. Ii is nearly hal
| filed with paper contributed by some young
quack, named Harry, or Henry, or some
such namen
Helen blushed and laughed, and laughed
and blushed again. Her weapons were
now fairly turned against her, and she had
nothing to do but to look out that she did
not scald her fingers in doing the honors OF
| the breakfast table, while her father, making
the most of bis advantage, pressed her most
! numerically. The real truth was. that the
report of DIR. Henry's case. in which DIR.
! Gregory had been so much absorbed, was a
NEST interesting one, skilfully treated, and re-
ported in a manner which showed the young
man to he master Of his profession, and a
| most excellent praciiOner. Helen had
shrewdncss enough TO perceive that her faith
er was in Il most excellent mood as regarded
| her wishes aud hopes, and therefore courted
rather than deprecated his nirth. She was.
therefore, more disappointed than pleased
when her father changed the subject, by say
ing TO his wife:
We'll, my dear, did you miss any spoons,
yesterdayl'
This question answered in the negative, the
Doctor continued:
Then, unless little Pat considers yonr has
ket worth more than anything he would be
likely 10 get here to-day, he will come back
This morning.
To be sure he will come said Mrs. DIR.
Gregory.
TO be sure he will, father said Hs;en.
'Well-perlIaps-' said the Doctor, pre-
tending 10 have his doubts. Knowing thai
I'll womankind are more or less inclined TO
contradiction, the Doctor cunningly took care
that their negatives should support the aflir-
NATIVE he wished to reach. Betty here an
nounced that the young gentleman was al
ready below stars.
Give him some breakfast, Betty said the
Doctor. and then send him up. Now, you
see,' added the Doc tor, turning TO his daught-
er, that little Pat is deep. He throws a
sprat to catch shad. He will keep on till
he gets far enough into your confidence TO
steal something worth while
You hard -hearted old gentleman, said
Helen, 'how can you be so uncharitable! He
knows that honesty is the best policy
He will come to The galows in the end.
said The Doctor, winking TO his wife to observe
how their daughters fine face lighted up with
The excitement of contradiction.
';Ie will come to fortune, and own a
whole squarer retorted Helen.
$3.50 said the Doctor. Good. So
And Ill tell you what, my pretty prophecies
i know you believe what you predict, and
] I'll make you promise on the credit your
own faith. You shall marry this young
Doctor Henry, or Harry, or whatever his
name is, whenever Pat has house TO lei
your
And the happy father laughed immode
rately at his own wit. His vile JoIned-hnd
Helen, though she rose from the table, and
pretended 10 be angry, could not help join
| ing too. Before she could reply, Betty an
nounced caller. TWAS one ofthe Doctors
tenants, and he directed that be should be
shown up. He was the lessee of several large
old houses, in poor part Of the city, which
the Doctor hardly saw once in year, and
could not point out without guide. HI'
lease was about expiring, and he called to
aOF
terms, as he said there was prospect tina
certain contemplated city improvements
would ruin the property.
500 said the Doctor, "a hard Improve
ment that. They pay me little more than the
taxes, now, and il they are improved at tina
rate, ! shall be made "A beggar with them
must look into this little, sir
AT this moment Pat made Ais appearance
at the door. Helen went to him, led him tC
a. farther window, and entered into converse
ton with him. He looked like another boy
this morning-hope and pleasure shone il
his face, and his whole appearance was tidy
and cheerful. The Doctors lessee soOr
took his leave, having first conversed in al
under tone a moment or two, with frequen
look toward poor Pat. The Doctors coun
tenduce showed that The lad had gained little
in this interview.
Now said the Doctor, as Helen led thu
lad to him. Your name is Patrick, believe
Patrick bowed. i am very sorry the Doc
tor continued, 'to learn that you are very
bad and very imprudent boy-though
might have guessed the last
Helen and Mrs Gregory looked astonished
and poor Pat, gathering hope of sympathy
from their faces, said, as he hung his head
and burst into tears
Sure, sir, that will be news TO my mother
wherever you hearditI
Come, come. sirn said the Doctor, 'nC
more play with us-we've had enough.
don't want to condemn you unheard-and i
you are deserving, | would do you good
Your sharp answers will serve for an hour.
amusement; butifyou are, as am told, ;
very bad boy, you are dangerous plaything
and if you can establish your character,
would do something more than amuse my
self with you, for, to tell the truth, you have
interested me very much.-Now answer me
without evasion :-What have you ever don,
10 maiutain yourselfl'
'Isold the papers, sir