Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-08-04
HOW CON. CREGAN LEFT HIMSELF
a FARM.

Cregan."
The story opens with good joke
which Con. tells at the expense of his
fathers reputation for honesty. An old
fellow named M'Cdbe had two sons, who
were always fighting between themselves
who should have the old mans money
Finally Mat cleared out and listed,
leaving his brother Peter in possession of
the field. The old man died but refused
to make will, declaring that the proper
ty should be fairly divided between the
two sons. This did not suit Peter; so as
soon as the old man had breathed his last,
only Peter being by, he remembers that
Con. Cregan's father looks very like the
defunct OFF be goes, calls up the elder
Cregan, and offers him five golden gum |
cas-, if he will personato the dead man
long enough 10 make will bequeathing |
all TO Peter. Cregan yields, is put into
the dead man S bed, and shoes, the law
yer called and neighbors summoned. 1t
is at night, and the room not we'll light
ed. Nobody suspects the fraud, and
Cregan proceeds TO dictate the will:
eWhere's Billy Scanlan? l want to
make my will"
"He's here. falherr' said Peter, taking
Billy by the hand; and leading him to
the bedside.
"Write what bid ye, Billy, and be
quick; for | haven't a long time afore me
here. / die a good Catholic, though
Father O'Raferty won't give me the
'rites!'
A general chorus of mutered 'Oh
musha, musha," was now heard through
the room; but whether in grief at tile sad
fate of the dying man, or the unfinching
severity of the priest, is hard to say.
81 die in peace with all my neighbors,
and all mankindI''
Another chorus of the company SEEM
ed 10 approve these charitable express
cians-
q bequeath unto my son, Peter-and
never was there better son, or a decent
er boy!--have you that down? be-
queath unto my son Peter, the whole Of
my two farms of kiilmundoonery and
Knocksheboora, with the faliow meadows
behind LyncE's house; the forge and turf
on the Dooran bog. | give him, and
and much good may it do him, Lanty
Cassarn's acre, and the Laury field,
wit h the lime-kiln; and that reminds me
that my mouth is just as dry; let me taste
what We have in the Jug" Here the dy.
ing man took a very hearty pull, and
seemed considerably refreshed by i'll
"Where was [, Billy ScanlinY' says he
"Oh, remember, at the lime kiln; leave
biu--thal's Peter, | mean-ihe two Po-
tato gardens at Noonan's. Well, and
sure ii is the elegant fine crops grows
there"
"Ain't you gettin' wake, father darlin?
says Peter; who began TO be afraid of my
fathers loquacionsness; for, 10 say the
truth, The ePnnch got into his head, and he
was greatly disposed to talk.
81 am, Peter, my son, says he'll am
getting wake; Just touch my lips again
with the jug. All Peter, Peter, you wa
tered the drink!'' Il
"No, indeed, father! but it's the taste
is leavin' you," says Peter, and again |
low chorus OF compassionate pity mur-
INJURED through the cabin.
"Well, Pm nearly done now," says my |
father; ''there's only one little plot Of
ground remaining; and put it on you,
Peter,-as ye wish TO live good man,
and die with the same easy heart do
now,-that ye mind my last words to We
here. Are ye listening? Are the neigh
bors iisiening2 Is Billy Scanlan listen
iag2"
"Yes, sir. Yes, father. We're all
minding," chorused the audience.
"Well then it's my last will and tes.a-
ment, and may-give me over the Jug"
here he took long drink-"and NAV
that blessed liquor be poison to me, if
I'm not as eager about this as every
other part of my will: say then, | be-
4ueath the little plot at the crossroads to
poor Con. Cregan; for he has heavy
charge and is as honest and as hard d-work |
ing man as everI knew. Be friend to
him, Peter. dear; never let him want
while ye have it yourself; think of me
on my death-bed whenever he ask We
for any trife. 1t is down, Billy Scanlan?
the two acres at the cross to Con. Cregan,
and his heirs in secla seclorum. All,
blessed be the Saints! but l feel my heart
lighter after that" says he; ga good
work makes an easy conscience; and now
I'll drink all the company's good health.
and many happy returns-"
What he was going to add, there's no
saying: but Peter, who was now terribly
frightened at the lively tone the sick man
was assuming, hurried all the people
away into another room, 10 let his father
die in peace.
When they were all gone, Peter slip
pen back 10 my father, who was putting !