The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-09-11
SeTetfe6 Dalt.
A REVENUE ADVENTURE,

1t was in 1929, when I, a rather raw
youth of two-and-twenty, Just col l.
mencing the cultivation of promising
mustache, found myself stationed near
Donegal, County Kerry, Ireland, in the
capacity of Lieutenant OF Revenue. 1t
will be remembered that this was the
troublous time of Orangemen, Ribbon
men, and Illicit distilleres; and nv
special business being that of ferretirc o
out the latter. and Selling upon all con-
traband liquor. generally had NV
hands full. These seizures, generally
taking place amid the lonely hills of
Kerry, where the distilleries were car
ricd on in secret caves and hidden mo-
rasses, by set of hardy and desperate
ir:shmen, always ready to oppose the
police, were not unattended with dam
ger; but there was one adventure which
betell me, of more peaceabie nature
than the rest. which at the time affected
me more unPleasantly than any amount
of skirmishing or fighting would have
done.
1t so happened that, among the ano-
nymous "inforning' letters that one
morning came to hand, was one, giving
information of two casks of spirits,
smurpled from the hills on the NIGHT
previous, ny OlNCl VI MI, lTGnlOfllc,
agent of Lord, who was the great
landed proprietor of this part of Kerry;
and which casks were now securely re.
posing in tina: gentleman's cellar. Ac-
companving the note was an order from
the superintendent Of revenue, COM
manding the Immediate seizure of the
liquor in question.
Now it so happened that was great
ly indebted to Mr.. Trcmorne IAN Eng
fish gentleman) and his family, for vari-
ous kind aid tlattering attentions re-
ceived since my arrival at Donegal
Many sumptlIous dinner had parta-
ken of at his board, and often had been
invited TO pleasant dance at his house,
when his pretty niece, Miss Montague,
happened TO be stay ing there-as was
now yhe case. In truth, | had been
more impressed by the bright eyes of
Clara Montague than / had courage to
show, especially as there was II spice of
mischief about her which made me rath-
eY shy of her. | had generally, there
fore, sheltered my youthful bashfulness
beneath the wing of Miss Cassandra
Tremorne, sister of my host, whom |
found always extremely kind and graz
cious. To her, some ten or twelve years
my senior, [ felt no timidity in Offering
those little attentions which to young
er damsel would have appeared more
pointed-sucha as escortino her to church
or promenading the piazza in the moon
light. True, | had observed that she
was very sentimental, and that of late
she frequently sighed, and pressed my
arm when leaning upon it, and the last
time | had seen her she quoted poetry,
and remarked that life was desolate
without some one to love. These signs
and tokens of sensibility | had in my
own mind referred to some early dsap.
pointment in love, or other sad rccollec-
tions of past more youthful days; and
had not thought it amiss to express nv
sympathy by q gentle pressure in re-
turn.
Such was my position in regard to the
TrcmOrne family; and the reader can
now understand my embarrassment up
on finding this disagreeable business
thrust upon me. How could GO upon
such an errand to the house where had
been so Hospitality entertained? How
could wound, and as it were, insult
the feeling of the family by accusing its
head fhimsclta magistrate and sworn
foe to the smuggers), of violating the
laws which it was his duty to enforce !?
Mrs. TremOrne in especial, a proud, sem
sitive, and nervous woman, would par
tcularly feel the outrage; besides which,
it would be almost impossible to keep
the matter sc ret from the public, in
which case the reputation of Mr.. Ire
mOrne would be ruined, and he might
even rik losing his magisterial office.
In this dilemma | summoned my SER
gent, Floyd, and to him freely explain
ed the affair, knowing he was to be
trusted.
Very unpleasant was his comment,
when he heard me through; 'and can
see but one way out of it,
Bat one way! l confess that l can
see nOne.'
why, you might tip him the wink
give him hint that you may have to
visit the Moor this evening at ten o.
clock. He'll know what to dO-hey ??
Capital! But suppose, after all, the
intormer may be mistaken, and there
are 10 spirits there? He'd never for
give my suspicion and Officousness.'
Then try his wife, instead? p
Mrs. Tremorne She d faint at the
first word.
'The niece, then?'
Miss Montague! good gracious T! /
She
You mean that in that case you'd do
the fainting? But come, excuse me,
1sytt CtsA fInn