The Shasta courier., 1866-03-17
COURIER
DONNYBROOK FAIR.
A LAUGHABLE SKETCH !

Verify, Donny ylrook Fair is, to all inteiats
and rurposes, dead and gone;' for the
modern wretched assemblage of hungry
| looking cattle, dogs meat horses, measy
swine, and forlnrn looking human creatures.
obliged to content themselves with staring
at the exterior of the show booths, for want
of the means to visit the interior, no more
resembles the Donnybrook of the past, than
troop of the old ''bulkies," armed with
their Arcadian crooks, and helneted with
their old wooden night caps, resemble a
squadron of lancers.
Alas alas how everything is altered =
No longer does the quiet citizen dread the
approach of Trinity Sunday no longer
does he think it necessary to barricade his
windows, and postpone exterior paintings
for week or two, in order to save his glass
and the decorators labor from the nocturnal
industry of the gentle College students.
The students never mustered in much
| force at Donnybraok, because it uuluckily
came during the long vacation but there
were enough at anytime to kick up IA shlndy
or scrimmage (bv modern innovators called
"a row') tor, between those who resided
in town. and such as for ~arious reasons
kept the vacation within the College walls, a
pretty decent muster could, upon an emer-
gency, be called together.
1t was upon the Goth of August-isn't it
strange that should recollect the dav of the
month, though | forgot the year that
Bob O'Gorman, Dan Sweeny, Dick Hall.
and a few other under. graduates of L. c..
D.. resolved to 60 to the fair and have a
spree.
Dick was a little. delicate, effeminate
locking I" ould crab. F" and so smorthed faced
that he would easily pass for girl. and IA
rather good looking one, if dressed in female
attire
Bat Dicks effeminacy was not confined to
his Looks, for his muscular power far ex
ceeded that of any man an inch or two more
in stature, or stone more in weight He
was II perfect master Of the small sword, had
no match at single sticks and woe to the
unhappy wretch who fell under the discipline
of hi~ little bony fists. for he was an accom-.
pllshed amateur the science of pugilism.
tien but little known and less practiced than
subsequently by gentlemen.
On the present occasion it was resolved
that ID ck should ustain the character of a
girl, and much fun anticipate from the
pui ishment that the remainder of the party
would nflict upon any presumptuous indi-
vidual who sh Juld dare to molest the modest
fair one.
At the end Of the double range of tents
called Dame street." was one called
the Larkers;' and as this was uniformly
crowded 10y citizens of Dublin. it was scarce
ly possible for any one, residing but for a
month in town, not to be recognized by some
person present. who Immediately passed the
name of the new conner round, and he was
surprised (if raw one to hear himself ad
dressed by name, by persons whom he never
saw in his life before.
1t was at the entrance of this tent that a
countryman stood. attred in the usual large
frieze over coat (which, from its being worn
in summer well as winter might lead a
stranger to suppose that there seldom or
never is a hot day in Ireland), and accom-
panied by pretty, bashful- looking girl,
apparently fresh from the interior -
After gaping for considerable time, some
gentlemen, amused by the wonderment that
he exhibited, and probably somewhat touch
ed by his companion s charms called 10 him
to come in With some reluctance he
accepted the invitation and, fearful of in
lruding upon the ginrlemin," seated him
self awkwardy upon the end of a form !;
up IL tilted, and down he went, to the great
delight of the behoders Having gathered
himself up. he reseated himself more firmly,
placing = Blddy' near him. she having de.
clned all offers of other accommodation
pressed or her by the company.
Paddy o NelI (the name by which he
announced iimselt), having been pretty
well piled with punch. had grown very
voluble. and seemed to be beginning to feel
himself quite at home, had told many queer
stories, and made his entertainers laugh
very heartily, when two elderly gentlemen,
closely muffled, entered rather stealthiIy,
and sliding over, suddenly seated themselves
behind Paddy. Biddy, who had been hith.
erto quite silent, answering every compli
ment or remark addressed to her only with a
smile. gave Paddy a nudge. and whispered
something into his ear, that caused him to
turn and gaze at the new arrivals
Arrah, thin, Docthor NJ, agrah,
who'd ha' thought O. meetin' you here !"
said he addressing one of them, who sprang
at the mention of his name, as if be had sat
on the point of stray nail he and his
companion DIR. H. both senior fellows
of Trinity College. having disguised them
selves. as they thought etfectualy, for the
purpose of SEEING. for the first time in their
lives. the fair, and the fun Of it, without
beng recognized in such an uncan-
oncal assembIage. With this object
they had avoided exposing themselves to the
risk Of walking down the tent, but had mere
ly slipped in to reconnoitre from behind the
shelter Of the frieze coated customer, who
now, so inoppnrtunely and inn"ently, had
announced the name of one of Them
Hold your tongue. STRIP said DR.. NJ
you mistake me. sir"
- Arrah, docthnr darIint, sure iv mis-
take We, ye needn't get into sch a camtius
thratlon about id bud sure | know ye toe
well to mistake ye- Sure. amt the boy
that had the m>iorthin to dhrop yer hnnnr''
'iverlnce into the bog hole. whin We wini
out t. make belle 9 ye were s"ipe shootin,
down at Col. Threnchs s last Candlemas was
a twelvemonth.''
" don't know you. sir - roared the doc.
Tor IN an ag'ny. hoping by his forocity IL
nverawe the c"untryman Into silence; but
Paddy had taken too much punch TO notice
nd