Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-13
EVENING" STAR.
... IRISH HEARTS.
An Interesting and Truthful Sketch.


may not be found unintefesting. The story |
teller prefacss the incid snt by stating he found
an Irish family-a husband, wife, and seven |
children, on one of our lake steamers. They
were in great destitution; and the beauty Of |
the children was the theme for the admiration
Of their fellow travellers. At the request OF
lady passenger, who, having no children Of her
own, was desirous Of taking one Of the little
Irishers and adopting it, the narrator ad-
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, had con-
siderable doubt as to the result, offered my
services as q negotiator, and proceeded imme-
diately upon my delicate diplomacy. Finding
| my friend on deck, thus opened the AFFAIR:
you are very poor" '.
| His answer was charactsristic-
"Poor, sir.' said he; aye, il there's
| poorer man than me troublin' the world, God
pity III, for we'd be about aiquil."
Then how do you manage to support your
| children?
lis it to support them, sir' Why, don't
support them any way; they get supported
| some way or another. 1'll be time enough to
complain when hsy do. >"
Would It not be relief to you to part
with one of thems"
1t was SO sudden; he turned sharply around:
4 ga what, sir % hc cried; " . relief to part
the hands chopped from my body, or the heart
torn out of my breast? A relief indeed God
| be good to us, what do you maneH'
"You don't understand me, - replied; Z" III
now it was in ones power to provide comfor-
tably for one Of your children, would you stand
| in the way Of its interests ''' ..
"No, sir, says he, the heavens knows that
L would willingly cut the sunshine sway from
myself, that they might get all the warmth Of
it; but do tell us what you are driving at 20
I then told him that a lady had taken q
fancy to have one Of his children, and, If he
would consent to it, it would be educated and
finely settled comfortably in life.
This threw him into ft of graduation. He
scratched his head, and looked the very picture
of bewildsrment. The struggle between a
fathers love and child interest was evident
and touching. At length he said:
"Och, murther, would mt it be a great thing
for the baby? But must 60 and talk with
not be right to be giving away her children
afore her face, an she to know nothing at all
| about it.
away with you then" said L, " and bring
me an answer as soon as possible"
| In about half an hour he .eturned, leading
two of bis children. His eyes were red and
: swollen, and his face pale from excitement and
agitation.
"Well," enquired, "what success?n -
"Bedad, it was hard struggle, sir,'' said
he. "But I've been talkin' to Mary, an she
says as it's for the child's good, may be the
, heavens above will give US strength to bear
It."
every we'll, and which Of them is il to be ?''
"Eaix an I don't know, cir, u and he ran
his eyes obviously over both. Heres little
| Norah-she's the oldest, an won't need hel
| mother so much; but then-O tear an ager.-
g | it's msself that can't tell which I'd rather
part with least; So take the first one tha
: comes wild blessing. There, SIR" and b,
] handed over little Norah turning back h,
snatched her up in his arms, and gave her Oh,
| long hearty fathers kiss, saying through hi
; tears:
."Nay God be good to him that's good {
you; and them that offers you hurt or harm
/ may they never see st. Pether.''
Il Then taking his child by the hand he walke
away, leaving Norah with me.
l tooS ,her down into the cabin, and W
| thought the matter settled. 1t must be oon
fessed, to my great Indignation, however, i
about an hours time l saw my friend Pat a
4 the window. AS soon as he caught my eye b
. 4 commenced making signs for me to come out
, i l did so, and found he had the other child il
( his arms.
"What's the matter now" asked /.
I "Well, sir, - said he, % ak your pardon f
troublin' you about so foolish thing as
child or two, but We were thinkin' that ma
be il d make no difer-yOu see, sir. ly
been talkin' to Mary, an she says she can
| uart W. ith Norah, because the cratur has Il
look ov me, but here's little Bddy, she's pu
syer. an av you plaze, sir, will you swap"
"Certai 1ly, said L, whenever you like.
So he ,n, pped up little Norah, as thong
! she was a title treasure, and darted ava
with her. Ieay. ing little Biddy, who remaine
| with us all mig ht, but 10! the moment we e.
tered the caNin in the morning there wss r
making his n Mysterious signs again at the Wi
dow, and thin time ne had the youngest
7 baby, in his ar 7ns.
3 "Be the hoke fly, sir, an it myself that
almost ashamed to tell you. You see, L
been talkin to Nj ary, and she didn IKE
part with Norah be cause had the look OF 10
and by me soul 1 VT part with blddy
cause she's the moi 81 ct hef Iuotnei
there's little Paudeen' SIR mere lump
q Christian for you-twO' years olu, anu ho'
day more-he'll never be any trouble 10 al
one, for ev he takes after MS mother ne s,
have the brightest eye, an ,ev ne taxes an
his father he'll have q fine broA par 81 'n9t W
ders to push his way through tt 70 world
you swap again, sir?" u..u.
4 "With ali my heart" sal ID = :" it's all
t same to me-" And so little .Pasa cen was
| with me.
"Ah, ha!" said Ito myself, as Iooks Z II
his big laughing eyes, the al fair is settleo
last
But it wasn't; for ten minutts had scarce]
elapsed, when Pat rushed into tie cabin will
, out sign or ceremony, and, snat,shing up th
baby in his arms, cried out: =
"It's no use, I've been taking to Mary, AZ
We can't do it. Look at him, SIR he's th
youngest and the best of the batch. 70
wouldn't keep him from US. You see, si
Z Norah has look Ov me, an Bisdy look Q
4 Mary; but, be me soul, little Paudeen has th
mothers eye an my nose, and a little of bot
ov us all over No, sir, no we can bea
! hard fortune, starvation, and misery, but W
. can't bear to part with our children, unless
, | be the will of heaven to take them from W
EY1A noted chap once went into tho sane
| tuln of an editor. and indulged In q Trad