Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-08-27
CHEATING A COUNSELLOR.


HOW KEDAGH GEoGHAGAN GOT HIS WILL
DRAWN FOR NOTHING.
A few miles from Barnestown, the residence
OF the famous Anthony Malone and cotempor-
aneous with that worthy, there lived Jolly old
squire of the regular Irish school, named Ked-
agh Geoghagan. This old gentleman, together
with a great deal of Irish virtue contained in
himself great deal of what his enemies would
call downright Irish vices and infamies Among
them he was exceedingly litigious, to which dis
position the propinquiety of such a convenience
as the prime sergeant, was, perhaps, in some
degree an encouragement; be that as il may, the
assistance of Malone was often given to extri-
cate his unlucky neighbor out of those scrapes
which his intatu ton was daily hurling him into;
but his patience and good will were at length
exhausted when. after years of such hard service
he had to declare himself absolutely ignorant
of the color of Kedagh's gold.
Ihisunlucky yconsummaton of his imp udence
came about at the very moment when the coun-
sellor's aid was most required. Poor Kedagh
had got himself into dreadful hohble. Some
sharp attorney had taken under his protection
one of his numerous victims, and law and equi
ty were together hurling their thunders on bis
now dcfenceless head. He knew that Malone
would in few days be going to town to attend
term, and that unless his anger were previously
deprecated it would be idle to expect assistance
from him. To pay him would be an abandon
ment of those principles on which, through
good report and evil report he had acted for
nigh half century and pay him he would not
and yet to get free from the dilemma without
doing so was puzzle. He. however, at last
hit on all expedent which will be seen in the
sequel.
The day for Malone's departure had arrived,
and he was already in his carriage driving out
of his avenue gate, when his progress was stop
ped by fine herd of cattle turning down in that
direction.
Halo, my man." shouted the counsellor to
the herdsman, "whose bullocks are thoseo"
Mr.. Geoghagan's, your honor" replied the
fellow, touching his hat, "that is, they wor, sir.
but he sint them to your honor, wild his com
pliments and this bit of note"-a the same
time fumbling the misshaped epistle from the
reccsses of his breeches pocket and handing it
to the great man.
" "Hum-aye-unioresee troubles-hope to
he eXcused-request a continuation of my SER
vlces-oh. very well my good man, present my
compliments to your master, and tell him shall
feel happy in using my utmost exertons in his
business-drive them on and deliver them to
the herd-one, two, three ten, believe, are in
it-'pon my word very fine lot of bullocks,
and do credit to the feeder, and you may tell
your master said so. Stay, there's half a crown
for you to drink my health, since I'll not be be-
low mysef-drive on John"
Next vacation Malone returned home, full of
complacent delight at the good news he had to
tell his generous client, for whom his splendid
talents had procured an unequivocal victory.
The morning after his arriva', when taking his
usual walk through his concerns, he met his
herdsman and after receiving his congratua-
tons on his safe return, began making the
natural enquiries regarding his stock
Fine weather YOU had while was away, Tha-
dy."
"'Pon my word, never knew it so soft at this
time of the year before-an old parliament gem
tlcman Of my acquaintance that was laid up in
his bedroom ever since winter, was able to go
down all the way to the Cove of Cork last week,
il was mild"
9th dth, think O. that now
"fes indeed; and how is the grass coming
on, Thady?"
81 never seen the like, your honor, if you
would only jst step down an look at it you'd
see, yourself, sure"
"You didn't find Mr.. Geoghagan's bullocks
too great addition, hope?"
"Sir-"
"Old Kedagh's bullocks-those that he sent
here the day went to Dublin. 'Po5 my word,
Thady, they shame you, they were so superior
to any YOU ever sent off my pasture
"Oh, he's very judgmatical feeder, your hon.
or but, for all that, would show my herd with
his, any day-but as to the bullocks, bedad, your
honor, myself dosen't rightly understand what
you're talking about at all, at all"
"Why, the bullocks he sent here on the day
went to Dublin-the ten fat bullocks he sent
by his own man. Kelly, l think, is his name"
"Arrah, the duce a bullock, begging your
honor's pardon, he ever sent here, the old rogue
they'd bring the murrain or some maugh
among us, so they would"
"Old Kedagh tricked me, them" shouted the
counsellor.
And SO he did. The herd had been waiting
an hour at the head of the avenue to intercept
him as we have related and no sooner was the
carriage out of sight by an angle of the road
than, according to his masters directions, he
turned the bullocks heads, and before evening
they were browsing quietly in their native pas
lures, whence they had been called that morning
to effect the deception.
1t was little wonder that Malone should be
deeply exaspera.ed at the trick, so humilating
to him and successful to his outwitter, and just
as little that honest Kedagh should take credit
to himself for so neat piece of chicanery; i,
was, in fact subject of merriment to him fol
long time after, until some dilemma, similar
to that which gave rise to the expedent we have
related occurred, and compelled him to try and
make his peace with his incensed advocate.
The hopeless task was undertaken in the same
spirit which characterized his former proceed
ings. Kedagh took to his bed-was ill-ver,
ill-going to die, in fact. 1t was not long unit
an account of his illness reached Barnestown
and fast on the heels of report followed mes
senger from the invalid requesting to see hi,
dear friend the counsellor.
"Confound the rascal!' exclaimed Malone
"his impudence is insufferable-what can h,
want with mep"
"Oh, your honor" said the afflicted messen
ger, "he's stretched for death, and wont die aisy
if he don't see you an the priest"
"Well, now for curiosity's sake" said Malone
81 wW go over and hear what he has to say; i
would really be pity not to hear Kedagh re
penting'
The counsellor arrived, and was shown int
the darkest room, where poor Kedagh was wait
ing his final call.
"You wished to see me Mr. Geoghagan,
believe" said Malone, in the coolest tone o
voice he could assume.
Counsellor, dear, is that youp" whined tn,
invalid, from the middle of the bed in the cor