The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-01-13
AN IRISH LEGEND.

IAN knlSH LEJENDs
In an obscure corner of the town o
Galway, stands, or did stand some twenty
years ago, house of extreme antiquity
| over the door of which are still to be seer
skull and cross bones, remarkably vel
sculptured in black marble. This house
was called "The Cross Bones,' and it,
tragical history is as follows:
In the fifteenth century, James Lynch
a man of old family and great wealth, wa.
chosen Mayor of Galway for life, an office
which was then nearly equal to that of {
sovereign in power and influence. He
was reverenced for his in1exible rectitude
and loved for his condescension sud mild
ness. But yet more beloved-the idol O
the citizens and their fair wives-was hi.
son, according to the chronicle, one of the
most distinguished young men of the time
To perfect beauty and the most noble air
he united that cheerful temper, that con
siderate familiarity, which subdues while
it seems to f1atter; that attaching grace O
manner which conquers all hearts without
an effort, by its mere natural charm. On
the other hand, his oft proved patriotism
his high hearted generosity, his romantic
courage, and complete mastery in all war.
like exercises, forming part of an educa
ton singular in his age and country, Sc.
cured to him the permanency of an es
TEEN which his first aspect invountariIy
bespoke. So much light was not without
shadow. Deep and burning passions, a
naughty temper, jealousy of all rival mer-
it, rendered all his fine qualities only SO
many sorces Of danger to himself and
others. Often had his stern father, al.
though proud Of such son, cause for bit.
ter reproof, and for yet more anxious So
licitude about the future. But even be
could not resist the sweetness of the
youth, as quick to repent as to err, and
who never for moment failed in rever-
ence and to himself. After his first dis
pleasure was past, the defects of his son
appeared to him, as they did to others, on
ly as spots on the sun. He was soon still
further tranquilized by the vehement and
tender attachment which the young man
appeared to have conceived for Anna
Blake, the daughter of his best friend, and
girl possessing every lovely and attach
ing quality. He looked forward to their
union as the fulfllment Of all his wishes.
But fate had willed it otherwise. While
young Lynch found more difficulty in con-
quering the heart of the present object of
his love than he had ever experienced be-
fore, his father was called on business to
Cadiz-for the great men of Galway, like
the other Inhabitants of sea ports in the
middle age, held trade on large scale to
be an employment in no wise unworthy
even of men of noble birth. Galway was
al tila thai time so powerful and so widely
known, that, as the chronicle relates, an
Arab merchant who had long traded to
these coasts from the East, inquired Gin
what part of Galway Ireland lay?" After
James Lynch delegated his authority to
trusty hands, and prepared everything
for distant journey, with an overfowing
heart he blessed his son, wished him the
best issue in his suit, and sailed for his
destination. Wherever he went success
crowned his undertakings. For this he
was much indebted to the friendly servi-
ces of a Spanish merchant named Gomez,
towards whom his noble heart conceived
the liveliest gratitude. 1t happened that
Gomez also had an only son, who, like
Edward Lynch, was the idol of his family
and the darling of his native city, though
in character as we'll as in external appear
ance, entirely different from him. Both
were handsome; but Edwards was the
beauty of the naughty and breathing
Apollo, Gonsalvo's of the serene and mild
s.. John, The one appeared like rock
crowned with flowers; the other like a
fragrant rose covered knoll threatened by
the storm. The Pagan virtues adorned
the one; Christian gentleness and humili-
ty the other. Gonsalvo's graceful person
exhibited more softness than energy his
languid dark blue eyes, more tenderness
and love than boldness and pride; sof,
melancholy overshadowed his counte
nance, and an air of voluptuous suffering
quivered about his swelling lips, around
which a timid smile rarely played, like a
gentle wave gliding over pearls and coral
His mind corresponded to such person
Loving and endearing, of grave and mel
ancholy serenity, of more internal than
external activity, he preferred solitude to
the hustle and tumult Of society, but at.
tached himself with the strongest affection
to those who treated him with kindness
and friendship. His inmost heart was
thus warmed by fire which, like that o.
volcano, buried too deep to break out a
the surface, is only seen in the fertility 0
the soil above, which it clothes in the soft
est green, and decks with the brightes
flowers. Thus captivating and easily cap
.ivated, was it wonder that he bore th'
palm even out of the hand of Edward
Lynch But Edwards father had nt
such anticipations. Full of gratitude t.
his friend, and of affection for his engag
ing son, he determined to propose to th'
elder Gomez marriage between Gonsal
vo and his daughter. The offer was to-
flattering to be refused. The fathers wer
soon agreed and it was decided that Con
salvo should accompany his future father
in law to the coast of Ireland, and if tn
inclinations of the young people favore,
the project, their union should take plac
at the same time with Edwards, afte
which they should Immediately return t
Spain.
Gonsalvo, who was just nineteen, az
companied the revered friend of his fathe
| with ioy. His Young romantic spirit eI