The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-11-05

Irish Hearts.
AN INTERESTING AND TRUTHFUL SKETCH.
The following sketch from an Irish char
scter may not be found uninteresting. To
us it seems touching and truthful. The sto-
~ teller prefaces the incident by stating that
he found an Irish family--a husband, wife,
and seven children, on one OF our lake steam
ers. They were in great restitution and
the beauty of their children was the theme
for the admiration of their fellow travellers.
AT the request of a lady passenger, who, hav-
ing no children of her own, was desirous Of
taking one of the little Irishers and adopting
it, the narrator addressed himself to the head
of the family. We do not know the author
of the sketch, and give it as we find it.--U.
S. Gazette.
Although, says the story teller, had con-
siderable doubt as to the result, offered my
services as negociator, and proceeded i'm
ing my friend on deck, thus opened the af-
fair:
- GU are very poor"
His answer was Characteristic
''Poor Sirp' said he; sage, if there's poor
or man than me troublin' the world, God pity
w, for we'd be aiquil.''
''Then how do you manage to support your
children 20
SIS it to support them, sir? Why, don't
support them any way; they get supported
some way or another. it'll be time enough to
complain when they do"
Would it not be relief to you TO part
with one Of them?'
1t was too sudden he turned sharply
round
"A what, sir ?'' he cried "a relief to part
from my child? Would it be a relief to have
the hands chopped from my body, or the
heart torn out Of my breast A relief in
deed 2 God be good to US, what do you
name ?''
'sYou don't understand me ~ Ireplied 'if
now, it were in ones power to provide COM
fortably for one of your children, would you
stand in the way of its interests ~
ono, SIR" said he; ''the heaven knows
that would willingly cut the sunshine away
from myself, that they might get all the
warmth of it but do tell w what you are
driving at 20
then told him that lady had taken fan
cy to have one Of his children, and, if he
would consent to it, it would be educated and
finally settled comfortably in life.
This threw him into fit Of gratulation.-
lie scratched his head, and looked the very
picture of bewilderment The struggle be-
tween fathers love and a child's interest
was evident and touching. At length he said:
s.Och, murther, wouldn't it be great
thing for the baby? But must 20 and talk
with Mary-that's the mother of them an it
would 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 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.
s'Well,o inquired, ''what success 20
'sBedad, it was hard struggle, sir" said
he. 'sBut Eve 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
ito
every we'll, and which of them is it to
be?o
''Faix an don't know sir" said he and
he ran his ewes obviously over both. ''Here
is little Norah--she's the oldest, an Won't
need her mother SO much--but then-O tear
an aigers--it's meself that can't tell which
I'd rather part with least, SO take the first
one that comes wild blessing. There, SIR"
said he handing over little Notwithstanding
back he snatched her up in his arms, and
gave her one long hearty fathers kiss, say
ing through his tears:
"May God be good to him that's good to
you, and may them that offers you hurt or
harm, never see st. Pether.''
Then taking his child by the hand, he
walked away, leaving Norah with me.
took her down into the cabin, and we
thought the matter settled. 1t must be con-
fessed, to my great Indignation, however, in
about an hours time saw my friend Pat at
he commenced making signs for me to come
out. did so, and found he had the other
child in his arms.
whats the matter now ?'' asked l.
"Well SIR" said he, 81 az your pardon
fort roublin' you about SO foolish thing Us .
child or two, but we were thinkin' that may
talkin' wild Mary, and she says she can't part
wild Norah, because the cratur has the look
NV me, but here's little Biddy, she's purifier,
an Nv We place sir, will ye swap ?"
Certainly" said ], whenever you ike"
So he snapped up little Norah as tho she
was little treasure, and darted away with
her, leaving little Biddy, who remained with
US all night, but 10 the moment when we
entered the cabin in the morning, there was
Pat making his mysterious signs again at
the window, and this time he had the young
est, baby, in his arms.
"What's wrong, now ?" enquired.
6 Be the hockey fly, sir, an it's meself that's
almost ashamed to tell you. You see Pye
been talkin' to Mary, and she didn't like to
part with Norah, because she had the look Nv
me, and by me soul can't part with Biddy,
because she's the model Nv her mother, but
there's little Paudeen, sir. There's lump
of Christian for you, two years old, and