North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-11-12

and stretched down to the stream. Herds OF cat
tie law on them chewing their cuds after the plen-
tifal grazing of the day. The white walls of a no-
be house peeped, in the dusk of night, through
the fertile timber which stood in proud guardian
ship of the mansion !; and broad winding walks
gave evidence of place where nature and art had
combined to form paradise. There were ample
pleasure-grounds. Alas the grounds around the
cabins over which the heron had so lately flown,
might be truly styled Fairgrounds.
Within that home was assembled happy fami-
ly. There was the father, fine looking man of
forty. Proud you would have deemed him, as he
safe for moment distracted in his cushioned chair
but moment afterward, as troop Of children
came bursting into the room, his manner was in
stantly changed into one so pleasant playful and
so overfiowng with enjoyment, that you saw him
only as an amiable, glad, domestic man. The
mother, a handsome woman, was seated already at
the tea-table; and, in another minute, sounds OF
merry voices and childish laughter were mingled
with the jocose tones of the father, and the play
full accents of the mother; addressed, now to one,
and now to another of the youthful group.
In due time the 1nerriment was hushed, and the
household assembled for evening prayer. A nu-
merous train of servants assumed their accustomed
places. The father read. He had paused once or
twice. and glanced with a stern and surprised ex-
preston toward the group of domescs, for he heard
sounds that astonished him from corner of the
room near the door. He went on" Remember
the children of Edom, Lord, in the day of judy
even to the ground. o daughter of Babylon, was
ted with misery, yea, happy shall he be who re-
wardeth thee, as thou hast served usn'
There burst of smothered sobs from the
same corner, and the masters eye flashed with a
strange fire as he again darted glance toward the
offender. The lady looked equally surprised, in
the same direction then turned meaning look on
hor h,rc hoDl A,,ch ID hr,o
paleness in her eountenance and che cast down her
eyes, The children wondered, but were still. Once
more the fathers sonorous voice continued" Give
us this day our daily bread, and forgive our
trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against
u.s." Again the stifed sound was repeated. The
brow of the master darkened again-the mother
looked agitated the children's wonder increased
the master closed the book, and the servants, with
a constrained silence, retired from the room.
{" What can be the matter with old Dennis 2" eX-
claimed the lady, the moment that the door had
closed on the household -" o what IS amiss with
poor old Dennis 2" exclaimed the children.
Some stupid folly or other" said the father,
morosely. "Come away to bed, children. You
can learn Dennis's troubles another time" The
children would have fingered but again the words.
1" Away with you !" in tone which never needed
repetition were decisive they kissed their parents
and withdrew. In a few seconds the father rang
the bell. "Send Dennis Croggan here"
The old man appeared. He was little thin
man, of not less than seventy years of age, with
white hair and a dark spare countenance. He was
one of those many nondescript servants in large
Irish house, whose duties curiously miscelane-
Gus. He had, however, shown sufficient zeal and
fidelity through long life, to secure warm nook
in the servants hall for the remainder of his days.
Dennis entered with humble and tinid air,
as conscious that he had deeply offended and had
to dread, at least, severe rebuke. He bowed pro-
foundly to both the master and mistress.
"What is the meaning of your interruptions
during the prayers. Dennis 2" demanded the mas
ter, abruptly. Has any thing happened TO you %
mo, sir"
"Any thing amiss IN your sons family %
"No, your honor"
The interrogation paused; a storm of passion
seemed slowly gathering within him. Presently
he asked, in loud tone, What does this mean
Was there no place to vent your nonsense in, but
in this room, and at prayers 3"
Dennis was silent. He cast an imploring look
at the MASTER then at the mistress.
"What is the matter, good Dennis 2" asked the
lady in kind tone. " Compose yourself, and tell
us. Something strange must have happened to
you"
Dennis trembled violently; but he advanced
couple of PAGES, seized the back of chair as if to
support him, and, after vain gasp or two declared,
had overcome him.
Nonsense, man. exclaimed the master, with
fury in the same face, which was so lately BEAM
ing with joy the children. Nonsense! Speak
out without more ado, you shall rue it."
Dennis looked to the mistress as if he would
have implored her intercesson but as she gave no
sign of it, he was compelled to speak; but in a
brogue that would have been unintellgible to Eng
fish ears. We therefore translate it:
81 could not help thinking of the poor peo-
pie at Rathbeg, when the soldiers and police cried
Down with them down with them even to the
ground and then the poor bit cabins came down
all in fire and smoke, amid the hows and cries of
the poor creatures. OH it was fearful sight,
your honor-it was, indeed-to see the poor wo-
men hugging their babies, and the houses where
they were born burning in the wind. 1t was dread
Ful to see the old bedridden man lie on the wet
ground among the few bits of furniture and groan
to his gracious God above. Oh, your honor ! YOU
never saw such sight, or-you-sure at would
never have been done r.
Dennis seemed to let the last words out, as if
they were jerked from him by sudden shock.
The master, whose face had changed during this
speech to livid hue of passion, his eyes blazing
with rage, was in the act of rushing on old Dennis,
when he was held back by his wife, who exclaimed
=" Oswald be calm let us hear what Dennis has
10 say. Go on, Dennis-go on r'
The master stood still, breathing hard to over
come his rage. Old Dennis, as if seeing only his
OWN thoughts, went ONO, bless your honor! if
you had seen that poor frantic woman when the
pack of the cabin fell, and buried her infant, where
he thought she had laid it safe for moment, while
The flew to part her husband and soldier, who |
had struck the other children with the flat of his