The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-11-08
ruslis.taoa one.-xe. los ersvi.r street.
VOLUME /.
MORNING STAR AND CATHOLIC MESSENGER.
NEW ORLEANS. SUNDAY. NOVEMBER 8. 1868.
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AN IRISH sPA&ERN

IheTeAafe many persons In England anO
the United States, who have no idea of what
is meant by an Irish pattern, while even
by many Irish people this ancient custom
is misunderstood. 1t is simply a festival in
honor Of the Patron Saint of the locality in
which it is held; the term pattern being a
corruption of patron. Whoever may per-
chance read the following incidents of one
Of those popular Irish gatherings, may feel
inclined to think that they We're rather a
peculiar way of honOring the Saints. In
order to prevent any misunderstanding on
this point, it should be borne in mind that
the festival was divided into two parts, one
of which was entirely of devotional ma
ture, the other set apart for amusement.
On the saint's-day the people repaired at
an early hour in the morning to the scene
of the festival, where they heard Macs, and
tRd
ofsfheir friends. After this they took re-
treatment in tents erected for the occasion,
where they Were sure to meet with num-
beers Ofetheir- friends and acquaintances,
come thither to enjoy themselves as best
they could. The amusement was sometimes
carried to such an excess that the festivals
were discourteQanced, and eventually sup
pressed by the clergy. The following is q
faithful sketch of what took place on one of
. these OCCASIONS:
MHurrooV' shouted Dick Stafford, who
was laboring under the influence of the ex-
element which the near prospect of days
fun and frolic never fails to create in the
breast of an Irishman; "hurroo!" said he
as he met about a half-dozen rosy checked
females of his acquaintance; "the pattern
iv Saint Anne's III come off next week, an
it'll be4he greatest one ever known in the1
country afore. Blind Larry Murphy the
fiddler is coming all the way from Bdfafin
Ogue, and they seq thcrell be a>tent out
town that Vida Flanagan won't have all
the green to herself Cheefdp, girls we've
lax- 49, noc rxY/f fl,rno hn. II roll
and sixty five when we can have a bit iv |
fun for ourselves"
After this brilliant description of the plea
sures that awaited those fortunate enough |
to be present, Dick put on his most roguish
smile, and, his eye archly directed towards
viz be there, girls ~ Then, deeming it the .
best way by which the six bashful maidens
now before him could be induced to grace
the festivities, Dick gave them positive as +
surance that six. young men with whom
they we're particularly acquainted would be,
there also. -
al Gb'leve,"l continued Dick, IN take
Bid Whelan myself; Won't you come,
Bid3"
sArrah, is it wud you; Dick ~ said Bid,
great fears of me been ketched wallxen
would the likes of you, me shaver. Mucha |
well done yerself, Dick the 1actl. y |
" All, be aisy now, Bid /" said Dick, moth
ing daunted by the refusal of the modest I
fair one; "there's. not a bit a fear iv We
stoppin' at home, me blade-every one o. d
yiz'n be there afore the fiddler himself"
Dicks prediction was verified. Amongst
the foremost of those who presented them '
selves on the green were the six fair ones, {
by their respective admirers &
and Bid Whelan, despite her positive dec
arations to the contrary, was arm-in arm t
with Dick. 6
= The only person who appeared not alto s
5ether In her natural element was Nancy u
Murphy, who sauntercd about vacantly, t
'taTfpg at everything and everyone. After a
seeking refuge, however, for some time from f
he gaze of the multitude in the widow @
Flanagans tent, she was most agreeably v
lstonished at the appearance of Bob Foster d
40, Nancy, me darlint," exclaimed Bob, C
9 slip us yer fist here; an how are you 1
times over, agra ~ a
"Right well, thank you, Bob" said Nam +
y; /" an how's yourself ~ o
90 fnely,o was the reply. "But," re- 8
umed Bob, "come over and take sup - r
Q, La, Bob, honey, is it me p remon- a
trated Nancy. 10