Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-09-16

while with one hand clinging to the black
ened rafters, and with the other to
seize in succession three children, and
hand them safely to those outside ? Mr..
Fooks, in short W; 8 that, grieve to say,
anomalous character in Ireland-a brave
and good man tcho ,eould not fight!
The estate which bounded his had lain,
l have said. for some time unoccupicd |;
but at length tenant for it appeared in
the person of protcssed duellst from
Tipporary, who having made that fiery
locality too hot hold him, and possessing
as much money as impudence, resolved to
settle at Barnagore, and break fresh
ground among its quiet inhabitants. Tom
Magennis, for such was his name, had not
long been settled in his new residence ere
be managed to establish several every
pretty quarres" with his neighbors. He
was an unerring shot. seldom failing to
kill his man at any number of PAGES, ard
was as prone to take offence as the infam.
Gus lighting Fitzgerald. Ho challenged
one young gentleman for accidentally
touching him with his whip as they were
leaping together across stream while
following the hounds. All attempts at
reconciliation were rejected by the scorn-
full bull; they met, and and an hour af-
terwards, ine lad, the hope of his house,
was carried home lifcless corpse.
The neighboring gentleman tried to
send Magennis to Coventry" but it
would not do; he was a man of good
family. end contrived to maintain his po-
sition in society literally at the point Of
the sword. Every one wished him away,
but who was TO "bell tho cat ?"
1t happened that small field belong
ing to Mr.. Fooks lay next the upper
corner of Magennis' lawn, to which the
latter wished to have it annexed; he ac-
cordingly wrote letter, couched in a
very high and mighty style, requiring his
pacific neighbor to sell him the piece of
ground in question. A polite reply in
in the negative was returned and Magen-
mis-, boiling with rage at having his will
opposed, hastened to seek an interview
with Mr.. Fooks. lie found that gentle
man seated in his pleasant parlor, sur.
rounded by his books; and after the first
salutations had passed, Magennis began
abruptly:
"Mr, Fooks, am | to understand from
ycnr letter that you refuse to let me have
the lawn Gcd -
Certainly, sir; l have no iuteution
whatever Of parting with it"
4" But tell you want it, aud have it
1 will"
Il should be sorry" said Mr.. Fooks
mildly, ",o disoblige neighbor; but [
am sure Mr.. Magennis will see the i'm
proprc,y Of pressing the matter further,
When | repeat tdat am quite determined
not to sell the field"
You won't sell it y
"No, sir"
Then" said Magennis with fearful
imprecation, "if you don't give me the
field, you shall give me satisfaction and
may be I'll find your heirs, executors,
administrators, aud assigns, easier to deal
with than yourself"
A quiet smile passed over the counte-
nance Of Fooks.
"po you mean, Mr.. Magennis, that
you wish me to fight duel p
Certainly; name your friend, and I'll
send mine to meet him."
IL am not much verscd in these mat.
ters," said Fooks "but belive, as the
challenged party, | have right to select
the weapons aud the place Of meeting p
ooh, certainly, nothing can be tairer.
Choose what you like, my boy, the sooner
the better" And the bully rubbed hi,
hands with delight at the prospect Of slay.
| ing another man,
" Then" said Mr.. Foooks, II wish to
dispense entirely with seconds, to fight GU
horseback, and to arrange that each of US
come armed with whatever weapons we
may choose, Let The place of meeting
| be the wide common between the school
house and the mill the time twelve o.
clock tomorrow and let him who is first
driven off the field be declared vanquish.
ed"
Queer arrangements as ever heard, J"
said Magcnnis. why. my good fellow,
don't you know that if l come armed
with long sword, and mounted On my
hunter Illghfyer, I'll ride you down and
split you like "a lark before you eau say
Jack Robinson However, that's your
lookout, not mine; so of course | agree
to what you propose, and have the honor
TO wish you a very good morning"
! He then walked away, marvelIing much
at the coolness of his antagonist, and
thinking what fun he would have on the
morrow. Every one he met was told OF
the Jest, and invited to witness the COM
bat. Great was the CONSERVATION caused
by the news throughout Barragore.
"To think" said Mr.. Penrose, one OF
the chief land proprietors, THAT our hon
est Holy Fooks, who wouldn't willingly
offend worm, is to be slaughtered by
this scoundrel; it mustn't be. I'll go to
him, and offer to ight in his stead.
Accordingly, he repaired to the dwell
ing of Fooks and found that gentleman
as TRANQUILITY occupied with his books as
when ho was visited by Magennis in the
morning.
"A bad business this. Fooks," said
Penrose "a very bad business. Why,
man, rather than ou should meet Ma
gennis,, I'll fight the rascal myself" :,
Thank you. my friend" replied
Fooks II feel most grateful for your
kindness, but since Magennis has chosen
.,ko .on,.Iass offanea | have resolved