North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-01-28
TUNKHANNOCK PA, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 49, 1863

| talk with Mary-thats the mother of them
an it wouldn't be right to be givln' away her
children afore her face, and she to know
nothing at all about t.n
Away with you, them" said |, "and
bring me ali answer back as soon as posi-.
bic -
In about half an hour he returned, leading
two of his children. His eyes were red and
swollen, and his face pale with excitement
and agitation.
Well" inquired, what success 2"
| Bedad, it was hard struggle, sir" said
be. "Bat I've been talking to Mary, and
she says, as 5 for the chld's god, may be
the heavens above will give US strength to
bear IT."
every well; and which of them is it to
be 2"
Fax, and I don't know, sir )" and he
ran his hands dubi"usly over both.
| Here's little Norah-she's the Oldest,
and wont need her mother so much but
| then-oh, tear an algers, it's myself that
can't tell which I'd rather part with least =
SO take the first one that comes. with bless
| ing. There. sir" and he handed over little
Norah; turning back, he snatched her up III
his arms and gave her one long, hearty IA
theirs kiss, saying through his tears:
May God be good TO him that's good to
you, and them that offers you hurt or harm
may their souls never see St. Peter"
Tten taking his other child by the hand
he walked away leaving Norah with me.
took her down to the cabin, and we
though the matter settled. 1t must be con
fessed, to my Indignation, however, in about
an hours time saw friend Pat at the win
dow. As soon as n caught MY eye he be
gan making signs for me to come out did
SO, and found he had the other child IN his
arms.
w hats the matter now ?' | asked.
"Well, sir" said he, 1" ask your pardon
f'r troubling YOU about so 70. .llsh a thing as
a child or two. but were thlnkin' that may
be I'D make no dlffer-you see, sir, I've
been taIkun' to Mary, and sh. says she can't
part with Norah, because the creature has IL
look OF me, but here's little Blddy, she's
purtyer far, an av you please sir, will you
swap?"
Certainly; whenever you like" said l.
81 he Snatched up little Nnrah as though
it was some recovered treasure, AM darrell
away with her, leaving Boldly, who remain
a.. III, l,,. J. Z
ed the cabin in the morning, there was Pa
making his mysterious signs again at the
window, and this time he had the youngest
a baby, in his arms.
"Wau's wrong, npN 2" ina ,ircd.
Be the hockey fly, SIR, IFS myself that'>
almost ashamed to tell ye. Ye see, Tv,
been taIkin' to Mary, and she didn't like t"
part with Norah, because she has look e
me, an be mo soul, [ can't part with B'ddy
because she's the model OF her mother; buG
there little Paudeen, sir. There's lumr
Of Christian for you, two years old, and moi
day more; he'll never be any trouble to
any one for av he takes after his mother
he'll have the brightest eye, an av he takes
after his father he'll have fine broad pair
of shoulders push his way through The
world Will you swap again, sir ~
with - all my heart" said L, otis all the
same to me )" and so little Paudeen was
left with me.
''Ha, ha'.. said to myself. as locke !
into his big laughing eyes, so the affair Is
settled at last.'
But it wasn't; for ten minutes had scarce
ly elapsed, when Pat rushed into the cabin,
without sign or ceremony, snatched up the
baby, and said:
"lt's M use I've been talkin' tn Mar,
am We can't do it. Look at Eim, sir he'>
the Youngest an the best of the batch. You
wouldn't keep him from US.
"You see, sir, Norah has look of me, an
Biddy has look Of Mary but be me soul
title Paudeen has the mothers eve, an my
nose, a little Of us all over No, sir we can
bear hard fortune, starvation and misery, but
We can't part with our children, unloss it be
the will of Heaven to take them from US.