The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-01-30
From "Guy Livingston" late English novel.
RALfH MOHUN.
A Wild Irish Story.

e dinner after a capital days cock k-shooting-
besides myself there were Lord Clonter
, Mohun, and Kate, my wife, hen we wer
disturbed by perfect hail of knocks at tn
hall door. Old Dan Tucker or the Spectr
Horseman never clamored more loudly 70
, admittance.
: Fritz Mohun's old Australian servant wen
down to see what was up, and, on opening
. the door, was instantly borne down by tn
tumultuous rush Of Michael Kelley, gentle
man, agent to half dozen estates. the at
torney at law. In the two last capacities h,
had given, it seems, great umbrage to tn,
} neighboring peasantry, and they had caught
him that night as he returned home, intend
ing to put him to death with that ingenuity
of torture for which the fine warm hearted
fellows are justly celebrated.
They did not wish to hurry over the en-
tertainment, SO confined him in an upper
chamber, while they called their friends anC
neighbors to rejoice with them, carousing
meantime jovially below.
The victim contrived to let himself down
from the window, and ran for his life to the
nearest house, which, unluckily, happened
to he the Lodge. Two boys however, saw
and recognised him as he entered the de-
mesne, and raised whoop to show that they
knew where the fox had gone to ground.
| This We made out from a strir z Of inco-
herent interjections; and then he Law pant
ing and comforting himself in an agony of
! fear.
! Mohun sat on the hall table swinging his
! foot and regarding the spectacle with the
/ indolent curiosity that one might exhibit to-
wards the gambols of some ugly new impor-
tation Of the Geological society. When the
story was told he pointed ceolly to the door
/ The shrek that the miserable creature set
up on seeing that gesture shall never for
I get
Do you think shall turn my house into
refuge for destitute attorneys!" Ralph
/ said, answering my look of inquiry. IF
there were no other reason, l would not
risk it, with your wife under my roof \
night attack in the west is no child's play"
Kate had come out and was leaning over
the gallery. She heard the last words, and
spoke, flushing scarlet with anger:
IF thought my presence prevented an
act Of common humanity, I would leave
your house this instant. Capt Mohun."
! Ralph smiled slightly as he bent his head
in courteous acknowledgement Of her inter-
ruPtion.
Don't be indignant, Mr.. Carew. If you
have fancy for such an excitement, | shall
be too happy to indulge you. 1t is settled
then. We back the attorney. Do not lie
there, sir looking So like whipped hound
You, here You are safe for the present"
He had hardly finished, when there came a
rustling Of feet outside, ana hurried whis-
pers, then knock and summons
Wed like to spahe wild the curnel, av ye
plase.n
I'm here; what do you WANT" Mohun
growled.
I'VE want the 'torncy. We know that
he's widin'."
Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed
It's not NV fancy to give him up. would
not turn OF a badger TO you, let alone a
man.
You see that he took the high moral
ground now.
Then well have him out in sp te of ye,"
two or three voices cried out together.
Try it," said Ralph. Meantime | am
going to dine-good night"
4 voice that had not spoken yet was heard
with thrill, 9 bng accent. "Ah, thin the
best Of appetites be TO We, curnel, and make
haste over yer dinner. It's Pierce Delaney
that'll give ye yer supper"
Then they went of.
1.-The said Delansy is huge quarrymap,
Ralph observed. "IIe represents the phys
ical element of terror hereabouts, as be-
lieve do the moral. We shall have warm
work before morning. He does not like me.
Fritz, send Connel up, he is below some
where"
The keeper came, looking very much sur
prised. He had been in the stables, and had
only just heard of the disturbance.
"Get the rifles and guns ready, with bull !
lets and buckshot," his master said. I'VE
are to be attacked, it seems"
The mans bold face fell blankly.
By the powers, yer honor, haven't the
value of an ounce of powdther in the house.
meant to get some the morrow morning
afore We were up
Mohun shrugged his shoulders whistling
softly
MAN proposes, he said. Its almost
pity we found so many cocks in the lower
copse this afternoon. have fifteen charges
or SO in my pistol case. We must make
that do, loading the rifles light
Then he went to a window, whence he
could see down the road the moon vas
shining lightly. al thought so; they have |
got scouts posted already. The barbarans !
know something OF skirmishing after all. /!
Maddox come here"
The groom was strong English boy, very |
much afraid Of his master, but Of nothing |
else on earth.
Saddle Sunbeam, and go out by the back |
gates, keeping well under the shadow of the !
trees. When you clear them, ride stralght
at the rails at the end of the paddock. You
will get over with scramble, think
Keep fast hold of his head, you mustn't fall |
Then make the best of your way to A.,
and tell Col. Harding, with my compliments,
that shall be glad if he will send over a
troop as quickly as possible. They ought
to be here in two hours. Aud mind, do not
spare the horse going, but bring him back
easy. You will be of no use here, and
wont have him lamed if can nelp it You
will have to risk bullet or two as you get
into the road but they can't shoot. It's |
odds AGAINST tbeir hitting Won Now 90