The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-04-28
APRIL %, 1865.
It's Honor.

In the autumn OF 1925, some private ai
fairs called me into the sister kingdom on,
as did not travel. like Polphemus, with m.
eyes out, gathered few samples OF Iris'
character, amongst which was the following
incident. I was standing one morning a
the window Of mine inn, when my attention
was attracted by scene that took place DO
meath. The Belfas: coach was standing o.
the door. and on the roof In front, sat q sol
itary outside passenger, o fine young follow
in the uniform Of the Connaught Rangers
Below, by the front wheel, stood m old wo
mon, seemingly his mother. a young man
and young woman, sister or sweetheart
they were all earnestly entreatinng the young
soldier to decend from his seat on the coach
"Come down wild ye, Thady." The
speaker was the old woman. "Come down
now. to your ould mother. Sure it's fog ye
they will. and strip the aesh of the bones
Civ 20. Como down, Thady, darlin!"
"It's honor, mother" was the the reply
of the soldier and with clenched hands and
set teeth he took sitter posture on the
coach.
"Thady. come down-come down, now,
20 fool of the world-coine along down with
ye!' The tone of tho present appeal was
more promptly and sternly pronounced.
3 ats honor, brother !" And the body of the
speaker rose more rigidly erect than ever On
the roof.
20, Thady, come down! sure It's me,
your own Kathleen, that bids ye. Come
down, or yell break tho heart of mo, Thady,
jewel, come down then :"
The poor girl wrung her hands as she said
it, and cast a look upward that had visible
effect on the muscles Of the soldiers counte
nance. There was more tenderness in his
tone but It conveyed tho Same resolution as
before.
, "lt's honor, honor bright, Kathleen ="
and, rs II to defend himself from another
glance, he fixed his look steadfstly in front.
while the renewed cntrcaties burst from oil
three in chorus, with the same answer.
"Como down, Thady, honey !--Thady' 20
fool, come down 20, Thady, como down to
me :" -.
"Its honor, mother Its honor. broth.
or!-lIonor bright, my own Kathleen !"
Although the poor fellow was u private,
this appeal was 30 public, that did not hes
i,ate to 20 down and inquire into the .partic-
ulars Of the distress. 1t appeared that he
had been home on furlough to visit his
family, and having exceeded US he thought,
the term Of his leave, he was going to rejoin
his regiment, and to undergo the penalty Of
bis neglect. ! asked him when the furlough
expired. ..,.~
"The FIRST OF March, your honor-bad luck
to it Of all tho black days of the world-and
here II Is. come sudden on inc like shot!"
"The FIRST Of March why my good fell
low, you have yet day to spare, then-the
first OF March will not be here till to'mor.
row. It is loap year and February has TWEEN.
ty.nIne days"
The soldier was thundentruck. "Twcuty.
nine days is sit?-You're sartin Of that same7
Oh, mother, mother ill luck fly away wild
yere ould almanac base cratur of book.
t. be dcceaven one, alter living 50 long in
the family Of us!"
His first impulse was to cut caper on the
roof Of the coach, and throw up his cap,
with loud hurrah! His second was to throw
himself into tho arms Of his Kathleen, and
the third was to wiring my hand of in ac'
acknowledgement.
"lts happy man am your honor. for
my words saved. and oil by your honor's
means. Long life to your honor for the
same. May ye live long hundrod-and
leap years every one Of them!''