Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-21
THE EVENING STAR.
THE "AGINT."
A TALE OF IRISH TENANT LIFE.
CONTINUED

nary time without paying his rent; when. on
the morning after the scene we have descr ibed
in the opening Of our tale, the agent unexpe Ct.
eddy entered his cottage, and threatened to Ia.
train him If he did not procure the money in
twenty-four hours. The poor old man Wes
thunderstruck at the announcements however,
he promised to carry the rent to him in the
eveRing. Shortly after the agent had depart
ed, Pat Murnane and Mr.. G. entered the
house, to whom Connolly related what hap
pened.
"He's a dreadful seoundrel," exclaimed Pat.
30" "Reaiiy' you give very ex eelient eharac-
known to Pat or Connolly. spray who is
your landlordp
"a Mr.. G., sir; young gintleman who
lives in Dublin" answered Connolly "This
bad man is his agent here; he behaves yery
cruelty to his tenants, an they all hate him
Pm tould MIR. G. is good young gintle-
man; but he'd be better il he no and then paid
visit TO his tinnants."
IL wish he were present to hear yeBr adj
vice." said Mr.. c.. "I'm sure he'd profit by
it."
"He would, sir, if he TOOK it; but must now
contriye to get the rint money for this man
agn the evening
When Mr. G. and Pat had left the cot
tage, the former abruptly addressed his CON-
paIion.
pat said he, II have a secret for you, AID
I want you 10 assist me in little plot. must
drst let you know that / am yonr landlord,
and that, urged by frequent petitions from m
tenants, have resolved, at length, to inquire
into their complaints.
discovery
~ have now" continued the landlord, "come
hit6Fr in secret, and without the knowledge of
Lseson, my agent, through within which
sized NE. | wish 10 remain incO9nito for some
time till see the end OF this fellows plots.
/ wan: your assistance TO discover them"
'tiCu have IL WITH al my heart, sir" an
swersd 1'at
twas evening when they turned their steps
tow ards.cld ConnelIy's house. At a turn Of
tie road tIey suddenly encountered a man
running ut tulI speed, whom they Immediate
y recognised rs the seryan; OF the agent, Lee
son. The man, who knew Mr. c., wss
electrified when he behpld him; he stood mo-
iionltss until that gentleman spoke.
why, how new, Ned!' saio he; whats the
mater, man-are you dumb!"
Ill: sr-I-".5tam mered the servant
"Come now" SAID Mir. c. sternly, "you
have been on some goodly errand for your
master. / have been Informed that he and you
have been carrying On some villainous plot.
have already discovered some of your deeds.
Come, come confess tlc whole Confess it and
you shail be well rewS-ded conceal it, and
III ma means To punish you and your mas
ter tor yoET villainy"
The man, terrified by threats on the one side,
and entiGsG by promise of reward on tbs 9TH
er, confessed that he had been sent by his mas
ter to rob ole Connolly! They had, he said,
plotted this between them, in order to deprive
the old man OF the means Ot paying his rent and
thus induce him TO give his daughte TO Lesson.
He said he was now after robbing Connolly,
and produced the money.
"Wss ever so complicated piece of villaiuy
arranged ny man. eAcIalulpd MT. GI-.
THAT dupe that man has made ofme. Now
he added, turning 20 the servant, "do you, my
good fellow, go to your master, tell him you
have dcne as he bid yon, and show him the
NC ney, but, at your peril, don't mention
word about me. Come, Pat"
The servant promised TO obey him and de-
parted and Mr. G. and Pat proceeded 10
old COpnelly's cottage. There they found the
old man with his face buried in his hands, dis
daughter sobbing in silence, and Mrs Connei-
iy venting her grief II ieud lamentations. On
hearing them enter the Old man arose.
Good evening, sIr,'' said he; you've come
n time 10 witness my mis- fortune"
"Why, what's the matter!' asked Mr.. G.,
"what has caused this griet'
"Oh! sir" answered the old man, "a sad
misfortune has happened since | saw you last.
'Tisn't al hour ago since l was robbed of
money was carrying 10 the agint. As was
going along the road Il man stopped me, an
putting pistol TO my throat, commanded me
20 stand and deliver. He was masked, but
l m sure heard his voice before. "Stand an
deHveTn sezh he; took out the money. Here"
SCI ]; sis all my money: It's what I've got to
pay my rent; II you take it, curse will follow
you," seq L; t'but II you leave II tn me you'll
have the blessing Ola poor man" He snatehed
the purse and went away. 1 thought it use
less 10 60 and tell ny story 10 the agInt, for he
wopldn': believe me-
"Do you thinR,'' asked Nr G., "that YOU
could recognise he rob5eT!"
"Oh! Lord bless you, sir not 1; sura he was
masked j think heard the voice before, but
L cannot tell when or " here. But what am
10 do now!-the agint Will come in the morn
ing and distraiR.'
"But don't you think he may give Won q lit
tie time when he hears what has happened!"
ais it he, sir! not he, he'd no more
"Well, we'll" interrupted Mr.. G., 'sas
there's no hope in that quarter take q little ad-
vice from me. Allow this agent TO do as he
wishes to- morrow don demonstrate with aim,
whatever he may DO, and, perhaps, you may
hear from me tomorrow" and away he went,
leaving OLD Bal in wonder at what he could
mean.
Morning came, and with il the agent and his
sateiiries. Old Connolly, who had been ex-
pecting him for some time. met him at the door
Lesson began to upbraid the old man for his
ingratitude, and the manner IN which he re-
paid all his kindnesses; telling him that since
he had behaved so ill to him, he would cause
& Gistrain Immediately. The old man excused
himself and, related how he had been roboed.
Pooh, pooh, said the agent, 9Th. is all
sham, got up 20 deceive me; but II is all or no
use"
"Mr. Lseson," said old Connolly, "you're
The first man that ever told me lied, and, look
DO" - % - y ~ -''' ; ~ - WAN
"well, WE'LL" said Lesson, en- try an d man
age matters The best way can. Give me
what asked OF you before, and all will be set
TO rights
-" hat :" thatl'
s.Give mt your daughter in marriage"
"Neyer!' said the old man, frmly-'nev eri
I will not sell my child III thar manner. l
may he driven 10 poverty, and wander house,
less beggar upon the wide world, but j will
never sell my poor child-never" and ne
struck the table yehemen thy with his clenched
FIST. "Besides,'' continue he, 81 told you that
she was another's. j gave my promise to Pat
MuInane, and when pledge my word never
break it," and he turned from the room.
Come here, Norah," said Lesson, as Con-
nelly's daughter entered. 81 have been speak
ing TO your father; promised to settle all II he
consented to make you my wife"
"Aud what did he say, STRIP asked Norah,
suddenly turning dreadful pale. "What did he
sayl'
"IIe refused me at once; but want your
opinion On the matter"
If my father refuses, there no necessity to
ask ne"
"BU' l thiBk il you consented he'd be salts
fed. Besides, think on your fathers situa-
ton: you ought 10 make some little sacrifice
Tor his sake
MIR. Lesson" answered Norah, how can
you press ne thusl Tou know that my father
has given his promise TO another; and, even
4. was satisfied 10 it, he would not break has
word
Ave, your father told me you were to be
r,srrta- 70 Pat NurDane." said the agent: Ebnt