New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-24
Chapter ".

| Chapter ~.
1t was two months later, and now the old
man was spending his last night upon earth.
his trial once entered upon, was summarily
gone through with and resulted in his con
domination. He sat in his small room, with
MS hands clasped and his head bent, but no
murlnur escaped his lips for hours. Father
flynn had visited him, and departed long
! ago, and his weary thoughts alone kept him
company. Ellen had been set free, to carry
her own heavy burden of sorrow through
the world. She had travelled, faint and
spirit broken, to Dublin. and had thrown
herself at the feet of the great mobiles, but
no word of mercy was given her. She was
told that her application should come from
certain parties, to pass through certain
hands, to be decided upon by certain au-
thOrlt1es, be backed up with thousand in
fluences, and, finally, be presented to his
Excellency by certain judges, under certain
1ormalltles, and that in the event of par
don from the gallOwS, her father would be
transported for life. 1t was big heart
breaking story, but those who uttered it
ielt not the venom, or took comfort in
Its recital. Ellen knew as little about
the intricacies of English law in Ire
land as most of her class do: besides
1t was at time when one of these Pc
riOdlcal risings, which harrass and enslave
ireland was i'll process of agitation. and her
poor prayer was loaded with technicalities
and labor, which was to be disposed of
before any hope could be entertained. So
time wore OIL. The distressed mother
waited anxiously for tidings of her child,
and hoped against hope; but the day came
bringing its realities and suffering: that her
children were orphans, and herself widow
and an outcast, and Ellens bitter spirit
decrying the humanity of the world with
insane epithets. Father Flynn did all in
his power to mitigate the sentence, but the
times were against him; the high tone of
political discOrd rendered any clemency
lmpOssible; and, besides. the condemned
was known to be a turbulent spirit. and
connected with the organization that dis
tressed Ireland in lS4s 1t need not be said
that his fidelity wavered. Indeed he could !
have regained his life and liberty if the |
movements of his countrymen were to be |
betrayed by him. He was man whom the |
government, at any time, would have been |
wiling to make use of or get out of the |
way, and now that the pretence was not |
his chances Of escape were very
small.
1t was late at night, and he sat alone.
when the cell once more opened, and the
worry pastor entered, followed by Ellen. 1t |
was long conference, saddened by many
IN outburst Of sorrow and many a scene of
but we can not paint them. for the
grandeur is too dazzling. and the purple
hat surrounds the picture needs a brighter
light than ours to relieve it. He addresses
.he pastor:
''Fatier, You would have taken my child
rom me and put shame upon her; if she is
eieased very high price has been paid for
ler-a dear, high price, and one which will
hortly prove to have been gratuitous-you
NOW now. You know that John keogh
Ould not kill the boy in cold blood. Have
not children. l would not give much to
i've now; not even point out the man who
lid the deed. Sir. l never killed the boy"
There follows close behind sad history
history whose sequel discloses the curse of
ecret and unlawful organizations, which
ave enslaved Ireland through centuries-a
IstOry in the intercourse of a people who |
ave been sacrificed by mercenary and cor
upt leaders, always ready to administer
he black oath, and to hold the people in a
ystem of tutelegr and Dependence which
leyitably cost them their lives To one
f these societies John keosh had long be-
,re identified himself. and paid tlse bitter
enalty. Years after, when his crime was
early forgotten and his family scattered
broad to beg their bread, and treacherous
len Were again distressing the country with
teas OF liberty, AID making heart breaking
ttempts to rescue themselves from the yoke
England. the real perpetrator of the
'lme Laid bare Lis conscience to the same |
aston who attended the last hours OF old
ohm keogh. A personal animosiry of sew
al years growth had existed between the
mily OF the AttwoOds and this raan-the /
Ime old difference respecting tenancy and
ties. He belonged to the same secret or
lnizatiOn as keogh, whose oath was ;
violable.
Ellen had witnessed the blow, under I
hich her husband died but too well I
tored in the wrongs of her country, and !
e system of secresy. under which her q
Their lay-besi'tes q thousand and one ne G
ssities which imposed silence-the stigma |
being looked upon rs an inforMer, being !
e wOrst-she mvoluntarily submitted to I
r lot. Indeed, if she acted otherwise. it G
Duld be fruitless, her evidence would have 1
en suspected as her own father was the J
incipal in the matter. The price paid by
e old man was gratuitous ii every respect. I
ID the sentence of the church warded off l
fearful blow. Ireland was. is, and will | i
:, the same country, to-day and forever; I
ID any effort to release herself, must begin \
the moral and social enlightenment of t
r children; and while education and lib Il
Atty may, in a great measure. relieve her. v
der the many wrongs, with which she is n
1ieted, her condition through centuries Il
st proves that nothing can be gained by
sassinatiOn or private vengeance.