The Republican journal., 1870-11-10

hurled;
When your friends have al left, when of fortune
you're ref,
It's a very hard way is the way of the world.
A SAD MISTAKE.
Several years ago, when | was a rather
raw recruit of two-and- twenty, Just COM
mencing the cultivation of a promising NOUS
tache, | found myself stationed near Donegal
County Kerry, Ireland, in the capacity Of
Lieutenant of Revenue My special business
was that Of ferreting out Illicit distilleries
and seizing upon all contraband liquor. !
generally had my hands full. These seizures
generally taking place amid the lonely hills
Of Kerry, where the distileries were carried
on in secret caves and hidden morasses, by a
set of hardy and desperate Irishmen, always
ready 10 oppose the police, were not unat-
tended with danger; but there was one ad
venture which befel me of a more peaceable
nature than the rest, which at the time affect
ed me more unpleasantly than any amount
of skirmishing or fighting would have done
1t so happened that, among the anonymous
''informing" letters that one morning came to
hand, was one, giving information of two
casks Of spirits, smugged from the hills on
the night previous, by order Of Mr. Tremone,
agent of Lord -, who was the great land
ed proprietor of this part of this part of ker-
ry and which casks were now securely re-
posing in that gentleman's cellar. Accom-
panying the note was an order from the su-
pcrintendent of revenue, commanding the
immediate seizure of the liquor in question.
Now it so happened that | was greatly in
debted to Mr.. Tremorne Gan English gentle :
MANI and his family, for various kind and
tlatterng attentions received since my arrlv-
al at Donegal. Many Il sumptuous dinner
had partaken Of at his board, and often had
| been invited to a pleasant dance at his
house, when his pretty niece, Miss Montague,
happened to be staying there-as was now
the case. In truth had been more impress
ed by the bright eyes of Clara Montague than
| had courage to allow, especially us there
was spice of mischief about her which
made me rather shy of her, and generally,
therefore, sheltered my youthful bashfnness
under the wing of Miss Cassandra Tremone,
sister of my host, whom | found always ex-
trcmely kind and gracious. To her, some
twelve years my senior, | felt no timidity in
Offering those little attentions which to q
younger damsel would have appeared more
pointed-such as accompanying her to church
or promcnading the piazza by moonlight.
True | had observed that she was very sentl-
mental, 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 scnsibilty / had in my own mind
referred to some early disappointment in
love, or other sad recollections of past more
youthful days; and l had not thought it
amiss to express my sympathy by gentle
pressure in return.
Such was my position in regard to the Ire
Inp
derstand my embarrassment upon finding this
disagreeable business thrust upon me.
How could 90 upon such business to the
house where [ had been so Hospitality enter
tertained? How could ! wound, and rs it
were insult tho feeling of the family by ac-
cusing its head, (himself magistrate and a
sworn foe to the smugglers), OF violating the
laws which it was his duty to enforce? Mrs
Tremornc in especial, a proud, sensitive, and
nervous woman, would particularly feel the
outrage; besides which, it would be almost
impossible to keep the matter a secret from
the public, in which case the reputation of
Mr.. Trcmorne would be ruined and he
might even risk his magsterial office.
In this dilemma | summoned my sergeant
lloyd, and to him freely explained the affair
knowing he was to be trusted.
VERY unpleasant" was his comment
but one way out of it,
''But one wayi | confess that | can see
none"
"Why you might tip him the wink-give
him a 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 in
former may be mistaken, and there are no
spirits there? He'd never forgive my suspi-
cion and otficiousness."
"'Then try his wife, instead "
Mrs. Tremorne She'd faint at the first
word"
'sThe niece, them"
Miss Montague! good gracious! /
You mean in that case you'd do the faint
ing? But come, excuse me, lieutenant and
if you object to the young lady, the old one
will do-Miss Cassandra, ! think she is
called"
Yes, upon consideration, thought this the
best plan Miss Tremorne was good-natur-
ed-less nervous than her sister-in-law, and
more capable of acting nationally than her
eirlish niece She would know how to ar
range matters; and accordingly, the SER
geant was instantly dispatched to waylay
Miss Cassandra in her regular evening walk
in the park. and as privately and delicately
as possible to give the required 'hint"-
nothing coarse, nothing plainly stated, but
the merest shadowing forth Of the business
in hand.
In an hour the sergeant returned. He had
bocn successful in his mission, which he thus
related to me:
Conccaling himself in the shrubbery as he
saw the lady approaching he stepped forth
when she was within few PAGES of him, and
removing his cap, bowed profoundly, by way
of assurance that nothing disrespectful was
intended She had started back upon first
seeing him, and was evidently prepared for
Il scream.
"Madame," said the sergeant hastily,
'spray do not be alarmed. am the bearer
of message to you from Lieutenant Char
ney."
'sOh, indeed from Lieutenant Charney ?"
Eyes, madame He requested me to see
you as privately rs possible, and say to you
that he will call at the Moor at ten O'Clock
this evening, and hopes that you will under