Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-09-27

The IRISH SoLDIER.-In the autumn Of
1925, some private affairs called me into the
sister kingdom and, as | did not travel,
like Polyphemus, with my eye out, | gath
cred few samples of IRISH character,
amongst which was the following incident
| was standing one morning at the window
of " mine inn," when my attention was at
tracted by scene that took place beneath.
The Belfast coach was standing at the door,
ami on the roof in front SAT solitary OUT
side passenger, a fine young fellow, in the uni
form of the COnnaught Rangers. Below, by
the front wheel, stood an old woman, seem
ingIy his mother, a young man and young
er woman, sister or sweetheart and they
were all earnestly entreating the young SOL
der to descend from his seat on the coach.
& Come down wild ye, Thady;" the speak
er was the old woman a. Come down now
to your ould mother. Shur it's fog ye they
will, and strip the flesh of the bones | CIV
ye. Come down, Thady, darln,"
" It's honor, mother" was the short re-
ply of the soldier and, with ccnched hands
and set teeth, he took a sitter posture on
the coach.
D.. "Thady, come down-como down now,
We tool of the worid-eome along down wld
yo,"
The tone OF the pres ut appeal was more
! promptly and 5ternly pronounced
g It's honor, brother - aud the body Of
the speaker rose more riSidly erect than ever
on the roof.
oh, Thady, come down Shure it's
me, your own Kathleen, that bids yc. Come
down, or yell break the heart of me, Thady,
jewel; come down, then -
The poor girl wrung her hands as she sand
it, and cast a look upward, that had visible
effect on the muscles Of the soldiers coun-
tenance There was more tenderness in HE
tone, but it conveyed the same resolution as
before.
- Its honVr-honor bright, Kathleen -
and as if to defend himself IRON another
glance. be fixed his look, steadtastly in front
while the renewed entreatie5 burst from al
three in chorus, with the same answer.
- Come down, Ihady, honey TIady
ye fool, come down oh, Ihady, come
down to me
D." It's honor, mother L. honor, broth
cr Honor bright, my own Kathleen
Although the poor fellow was a private
this appeal was SD public, that did no
hesitate to 20 down and inquire into tn
Particulars VI Auc ul'Nlt11- II d 'lNlAA'4 LtitA
be had been home on fmlough 10 visit hi
family, and, having exceeded, as he thought
the term Of bis leave, he was going - rejJn
his regiment and to undergo the penalty o
his neglect. | asked him when The iurl0ugI
expired
The fret Of March, your h.uor-5a
{ luck TO il, Of all tine back days in the wor'
f and here il is, come sudden on me like
shot 80
" The first Of March Why, my goo
fellow, you have day to spare, tne1-th
first OF March viii not be here tt tJ.mol
. row 1t is leap year, and February ha
twcnty-nine days.
The soldier was tduuGcr-truck.
90 THenty-nne days, j, it? You're slrti
Of that same O, mother, mother ii
luck fly away wild yer ou.d aIn-uack-
base cratur oil u book, u be decea7en %
, after living 50 long in the family OF Us.
lis frst impulse was cut a caper on Oh
roof Of the coach, and throw up bis cap Wit
a loud hurrah His second was 10 throw hin
self into the arms Of his Kathleen, and tl
third was to wiring my hand fl IN an d,
acknowledgement
" It's a happy man am, your honor, I,
my words saved, and all by your honor
, means. Long life to your honor for Il
same May ye live a long hundred an
leap-yearS every one Of them