Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-07-01
IRISH HEARTS.

r
public sympathy, the following sketch of
Irish character, may not be found uninter-
esting. To us it seems touching and truth
full The story teller prefaces the incident
by stating that he found an Irish family ola
wife, and several children, on one
of our lake steamers. They we're in great
restitution; and the beauty of the children
was the theme for the admiration of all their
fellow travellers. At the request of lady
passenger, who having no children of her
own, was DESTROYS of taking one of the lit
tie lrishers and adopting it, the narrator adj
dressed himself to the head of the family.
We do not know the author of the sketch,
and give it as we find it.
Although" says the story teller, 81 had
considerable doubts as to the results, | Of
fered my services as a negotiator, and pro-
ceeded Immediately upon my delicate diplo-
macy. Finding my friend on deck thus
opened the affair:
You are very poor"
His answer was characteristic
"Poor, sir l' said he ; cay, if there's
poorer man than me troubln' the world, God
pity both ov uz, for we'd be about aiqual."
"Then how do you manage to support
your children 2"
rs it support them, sir? Why don't
support them any way; they get supported
some way or another. Itl be time enough
for me to complain when they do"
"Would it be a relief to you to part with
one of them?"
1t was too sudden; he turned sharply
round
GA what, sir?" he cried a relief to
part from me chidl Would it be relief
to have the hands chopped from the body,
or the heart torn out of my breast re-
lief indeed God be good to us, what do
you mane?"
You don't understand me-" replied (;
6" if now, it were in ones power to provide
comfortably for one of your children, would
you stand in the way of its interests?'
No, sir" said he; "the heavens knows
that would willingly cut the sunshine a.
way from myself, that they might get all the
warm of it but do tell uz what your driv-
ing at 2"
then told him that lady had taken a
fancy to one of his children; and, if he
would consent to it, it should be educated
and finally settled comfortably in life.
This threw him into fit of graduation.
He scratched his head and looked the very
picture of bewilderment The struggle be-
tween fathers love and childs interest
was evident and touching, at length he said
cob, murther, wouldn't it be a great
thing for the baby? But / must go and
have talk with Mary-that's the mother Of
them, an it wouldn't be right to be giving
away her children afore her face, and she
so know nothing at all about it,"
"Away with you them" said /, and
bring an answer back as soon as possible. ~
In about half an hour he returned leading
two of his children. His eyes were red and
swollen, and his face pale from excitement
and agitation.
WELL" enquired, "what success ~
"Bedad, it was hard struggle, sir" said
he, but Pve been talkin' to Mary; an she
says, as it's for the child's good, maybe the
heavens above will give us strength to bear
it,"
every well, and which of them is it tc
be 2"
"Faix an l don't know, SIR" and he run
, his eyes obviously over both. Here's little
Norah-she's the Oldest an won't want hel
mother so much-but then-oh tear an
aigers--its myself that can't tell which PC
rather part with least; so take the first tha
comes wild a blessin'. There, sir,"-anG
he handed over lutte Norah--turning back
he snatched her up in his arms, and gave
her one long hearty fathers kiss, saying
through his tears:
May God be good to him that's good t.
you; an them that offers you hurt or harm
may their souls never see St. Pether."
Then taking his other child by the othe
| hand, he walked away, leaving Norah witt
{ me.
took her down in the cabin, and W,
thought the matter settled. 1t must be con
/ fessed, to my great indignation, however, il
about an hours time | saw my friend Pat a
f the window. As soon as he caught my eye
he commenced making signs for me to com,
out. did so-and found he had the othe
child in his arms.
"What's the matter now" said |.
Well, sir" said he, ak your pardon
: for troubling you about so foolish thing a
+ child or two, but we were thinkin' tina
: maybe it'd make no difer-you see, sir, Pvt
/ been talkin' to Mary an she says she can
part with Norah, because-the creature ha
t a look ov me-but here's little Bibby, She
purtyer far, an av you please, sir, will yo,
= swap!"
G Certainly" said /, whenever yoI
: like"
= So he snapped up little Norah, as thougl
= it were some recovered treasure, and dartet
away with her, leaving little Bibby, who re
4 NAMED with us all night; but 10! the mo
, ment when we entered the cabin in the morn
: ing, there was Pat making his mysteriou
signs again at the window, and by this tim,
: he had the youngest, baby, in his arms.
, "Whats wrong nowl" enqnired
. BE the hockey fly, sir, an it's mysel
, that's almost ashamed to tell you. You SCI
{ I've been talkin to Mary, and she didn'
. like to part with Norah, because she had
/ look ov me, and be my soul, can't affore
: to part with Bibby, because she's the mode
2 of her mother, but there's little Paudieen
sir. There's lump of Christian for you
! two years old, and not day more--he'l
3 never be any trouble to any one, for av he
: takes after his mother, he'll have the bright
r est eye, an av he takes after his father, he'll
5 have fine broad pair of shoulders to pusl
! his way through the world. Will you swap
, sir p