The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-04-04


although not SO money loving an ere as at
present, IL was, we maintain, one Of more
high minded feeling among the upper.
happiness and contentment amongst the
poor. The ground Mike and his companion
We're now traversing consisted of small
hills, dotting the extensive valley enclosed
within the higher range of mountains, and
at length they came suddenly upon a raised
mound of earth, covered with smooth,
green turf, and totally Invested of the
heather, which grew everywhere around it.
Enormous blocks of rough stone, which
must have been carried there from a long
distance, and with extraordinary labor,
were placed at equal distances, SO as to
form circle, in the centre of which stood
group of old and well furnished haw-
tllorns. In ancient times it formed, in the
opinion of antiquaries, q Druid's altar, and
was now commonly reputed to be the head
quarters of the "good people, ]" or s'fairies.n
snow-white cloth, covered with cold meat
and pasties, and garnished with fasks of
eognac, and earthen jars of homes brewed
ale, was spread upon the grass, and some
of the spOrtsmen sat upon the large stones
while others lay stretched upon tn, grass,
awaiting the arrival of the rest. Remnant
received 30 hearty greeting from Harry
bingham and his friends that he at once
felt at ease in their society, and Mike
inqairing into the health and weli-being Of
the neighbering peasantry, come members
efseaeA fam Eensid leTzng r Q duty To-
annual visit for the grouse shooting.
The luncheon over, the time for resuming
operations had arrived, and the spertsmen
again separated, each selecting his own
route ON returning to the castle. Remnant,
who continued to accompany Mike, as he
wished to receive lessons in field craft from
so kind and competent an instructor, was
struck by the appearance of one OF the
guests, whom he fapcied to- hav@ been
Master Mikes companion at their first
meeting, and who YVES in fact tile only
person of the party TO whom he had not
been formally preseD ted with slight, but
muscular frame, and classic features, this
man appeared to attract the attention and
/ to- command the respect of all, the express
sion of his face in repOse was daring and
determined; although long iashes impaired
n softness to his full, dark, ana iustIous
eyes, but when he smiled and spoke, there
was an irresistible charm in his mellow
sympathetic voice, and joyous playful
,nanuer. In reply to his inquiry as to who
I this person was, Mike informed him, that
/ he was r-MMr. Edwards, tftt-frietfd -of a
BeigAheF,r xhn- haL1-c come to- the -cnnntrE fnr
! a fe w days grouse shooting" s As9
They had good success, their bags were
I soon Fefilled, and Nike proposed that they
should stroll leisurely bonewardsj on
nearing the woods of Dunseverick, they
crossed the river, which had in the morning
impeded Pennant's progress, by a ellmsily-
! construc ted wooden foot-bridge, and found
themselves beside the ruins of an old abbey,
hitherto concealed from their view by q
double line of noble yew trees. There was
a still loneliness about the place winch
awed Pennant, and a constitution mel
ancholy, by which he was often affected
crept over him, as master Mike sald'-
ST.. YN1n amt 4
/ pass the resting place of my fOrefatheri
without visiting it" The spot was pecu'
liarly adapted to religious purposes. Tie
river, after issuing from the demesne
formed AZ sharp curve, and swept TSaH'
two small but abrupt hills directly facing
each other, and in the narrow valley lyint
between them stood what remained OF th
ancient abbey, which contained the mauso
leum of the Blakes. = 1t was surrounded AM
approached by q fiat piece of ground, SAT-
in former days to have been the burla
ground attached to the monastery, but tn
tombstones had long disappeared, the ralse
mounds had gradually sunk to the level
the adjoining earth, and rich and -neye
failing verdure alone served as evidence c
, the use to which twas popularity suppose
to have been in other times appropriated
! A road running right across both hliit
, parallel to and close by the demesue wal
/, | was overhung with trees, and constitute
the base of triangle formed by the tongu
of ground stretching from it to the riyel
The ruin was situated at its extreme pom
! nearly upon the waters edge, and half wa
between it and the wood stood sort 1
, rustic pyramid the object Ofwhose erectio
! seemed a mystery to Pennant, He seatc
himself upon small green bank whic
} faced it, and had from this position n fu
! view of the interior of the abbey, Throug
! I the noble arch which SPAWNED it's doorwa,
: he saw his companion kneeling, bare hea6
: ed, in an attitude of prayer, before larg
r and massive slab of marble, elaborated
= carved with armorial bearirgs, which oC
| crnied the ontire breadth of the bnildin!