The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-12-31
Seltftfo NlisttIlann.
AN IRISH ILIAD.

Il is singular enough that so soon after
the appearance Of that wonderful little
book 1.-THE Realities Of Irish Life the
humor and pethos of which have afforded
30 much enjoyment, wholly apart from its
political meaning, there should come out a
volume of quite similar character, written
FROM q standpoint of Irish politics directly
opposite TO that of Mr.. Trench. sally
Cayanagh. or the UnteRanted Graves" is
the title Of a tale of Tippeary, by Charles
j. Hickman, who is an Irish patriot. Mr..
Trench told us stories OF real life that SEEM
ed like fiction; Mr.. Kickham relates a ficti-
tious narrative that has maniiestly real life
for its basis. His object is TO excite the
reader against the tenant system by show
ing how Sally Cavanagh was prosecuted
unto death by a graspiug landlord, one
Grindem. But having mede the reader nc
quainted with the wicked Squire and the
victims of his cruel a%varice, Mr.. Hickman
apparently loses sight of his purpose, and
branches of into every variety OF anecdote
and sketch, all clever and delightful The
main like a Greek tragedy, deepening in
horror to the close. Nothing in Cartoons
Traits and Stories of the Irish peagantry"
is finer than the following incident. A
number Of emigrants are about departing
for America, among whom IL Conner Shea,
the husband Of Sally Cayanagh, and Brian
Purcell, n young farmer, godfather TO one
of Sally's children, has come TO bid them
farewell. He is looking at the poor emf
grants as they pass along the highway in
the moonlight;
Here Brian noticed for the irst time a
little boy who quite in q manly way was
helping 10 "tackle" the ass, and who had
Just inquired Of the boy who was driving,
''how many links he was to hang in the
~draughti' Brian could not help smiling
at the figure the little fellow cut. His out
er garment was 0 mans waistcoat which
reached to the calves Of his sturdy little
legs. A huge fell hat hung crosswise on
his poll and seemed every moment to
threaten to fall down over his face and ex-
tinguish him. He held q formidable "black-
thorn" under his arm which, having com
pleted the "tackling" process, he was about
applying to the donkey's back TO make him
pull ont of the way for the carriage to pass,
when Brian laid hold Of him by the should
ers,
''Neddy," said he, in establishment,
"what on earth brought you here?'
"Goin' to America, sir" replied the boy
half frightened, but r~esolute.
Bot Ned, my man, what will your poor
mother doY"
The boys lip trembled as the replied,
Hasn't she Norah, an Tom, an Corney:
an Williel"
''But you're the biggest, Ned"
'll 90 to America wild my daddy" eX-
claimed the boy, retreating backwards, as
1t he feared Brian thought Of compelling
him TO return by force. Brian understood
the whole cdse at once. Here was Conner
Shea's eldest son, after stealing away from
his mother, resolved to follow the father
that loved him and was 80 proud of him,
and away from whom the boy thought he
could not live even for a month. Thu waist
coat and the hat and the formidable black
thorn illustrated poor Neddy's notions of
equipment for n voyage fcross the Atlantic.
Alter q moments reflection Brian put his
finger to his lips and whistled. In an in
slant another whistle as loud and piercing
replied from the upper end OF the gap"
Brian whistled a second time, and many
minutes did not elapse when Conner Shea
was seen hurrying down the hill.
Whats the NATTER he asked in some
anxiety,
Brian printed to the little boy. who stood
bolt upright before him. The fathers
heart sweiled IA he looked at him, and
turning away his head no dashed the tears
repeatedly from his eyes before he was able
TO speak.
''Now, Neddy," said lie, 'like q good fell
low, go back with Mr.. Purcell. Wouldn't
you rather stay ut home and mind the rest
OF elm for me till I'm sendin' for the whole
Of ye to~gether-when III nave the grand
new house built an ready an all for ye?"
The boy looked ut him in silence for q
moment, his face swollen with the inten,
sity Of his emotion. He then rushed ohis
father, and locking his arm round his
knees, uttered n shrek so shrill. so pierre
ing, so draught with the agony of the young
creatures heart, that both Brian and his
father stood for a moment pertrifed, not
knowing what to do.
The boy chung convulsively TO his faith.
er's legs. The lady in the carriage forgot
the impassiveness upon which she had
prided herself, and sighted and stood by
Brian Pureell's side.
"What am | to do?" said Conner Sbea.
Bring him with you" replied Brian,
land I'll send yerandlet his mother know
what has happened the moment l reach
home"
Come, Neddy, " said Conner, 'Tn take
Mr.. Brian PurcellB advice, and let you
come with me-" The boy let go his hold
and stood by his side, sobbing tremulous.
ly, but making great efforts to suppress his
emotion.
'Do you know me2" Inquired the lady,
STOPPING low and speaking into his ear.
mo, man."
do you know that Mr.. Purcell is your
godfather"
81 do, man."
''And did You never hear who was your
gsdmotherY"
''No, mann, . said the boy, taking courage
to look into her face.
The lady remained lost in thought for o
while.
'Poor Sally, she said half aloud; "sht
never could forgive me-"
When Sally Cayanagh lived with her
father, she was a near neighbor and a great
taVorite OF the young lady's family. And
the admiration of the warm. heart peasant
girl was divided between her and Brian
Purcell, who, in her mind, was the flower,
the ne plus ultra Of creation. She got them
10 stand" for her first child. But when
she discovered that Miss Evans extraor-
binary beauty, together with o fortunate
windfall in the shape Of a legacy, had lifted
her quite above the sphere OF her young
lover, and that, in fact, to speak mildly,
she had given him up, the unsophisticated
heart Of Sally CavBnagh revolted against
the whole proceeding. 1t was 80 opposed
to all her pTeconoeived notions and to her
very nature that the tickle beauty's name
which before was the theme of her praises
morning, noon and night-was never heard
to pass her lips. Which shows how woful-
ly In the rough, poor Sally CaYanagh was,
and how sadly ignorant Of the world and
it, ways" @