The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-08-03
q gaushahle Story.
Dan, 0'Connoll and Mrs. Moriarty.

IL was at an irish court oil justice that
Mr.. O'Conncll could be seen to the
greatest advantage. Every quality Of
the lawyer aud the advocate lac display.
ed. He showed research and perfect
mastery Of his protest. N, aud lie cxhib
tied his own great aud innate qualities.
One ofthe drolest scenes of vitupera
ton that O'Counell ever figured ia took
place in the early part Of his life. Not
long after he was called to the bar, his
character aud peculiar talents received
rapid recognition from all who were
even casually acquainted with him.
His talent for vituperative language was
perceived, and by some he was, even iu
those dnys, considered matehlcss as
scold, There was, however, at that
time in Dublin, certain woman, Biddy
Moriarty, who had huckstcr's stall on
ono OF the quays nearly opposite the
-Four Courts. She was u virago of the
first order, very able with her fist, and
still more formidable with her tongue
From one end OF Dublin to the other
she was notorious for her powers Of
abuse, and eycu in the provinces Airs
Moriarty's language had passed into
currency The dictionary of Dublin
slang had been considerably enlarged
by her, and her yoluble impotence had
almost become proverbial, Some OF
O'Connell's friends, however, thought
that he could beat her in the use of her
own weapons. OF this, however, he
had some doubts himself, when he had
listened once or twice to some minor
specimens OF her Billingsgatc. 1. was
mOoted once whether the young Kerry
barrister could encounter her, and some
one OF the company Ga O'ConnclPs
prosencc) rather TOO freely ridiculed the
idea OF his being able to meet the f,
nous Madam Moriarty. O'Conuc.l
never liked the idea of being put down,
aud he professed his readiness to en-.
counter her, aud even backed himself
for the match. Bets were offered and
taken; it was decided that the match
should cope of at once
The party adjourned to the huckster's
stall, aud there was the owner herself,
experimenting the sale of her small
wares-a few loungers aud ragged
iilers were hanging round her STALL
for Biddy was 'characther," and, in
her way, was one of the sights of Dub
lin.
O'Connell was very confident of sue
cess. He had laid an ingenious plan
for overcoming her, and with all the
anxiety Of an ardent experimcntalist,
waited to put it into practice. lie re.
solved to open the attack. At this time
OCopnell's own party and the loungers
about the place formed an audience
quite sufficient to arouse Mrs Moriarty,
on public provocation, to due exhibi,
ton OF her powers. 0'Connell com.
menced the attack:
What's the price of this walking
stick, Mrs. What's your name 2"
"Moriarty, sir, is my name, aud
good one it is; and what have you got
to say ageu it and one-and six peuce's
the price of the stick, Troth it's cheap
as dlrt-so it is"
Zone aud six pence for a walking
stick; whew p! why you are no better
than an imposter, to ask eighteeupeuce
for what cost you twopence."
"Twopence, your grandmother" re
piled Biddy; 10 you name to say that
it's chatting the people l am? lmpos.
tor, indeed -
"Ay, impostor; and it's that I call
you to your teeth" rejoiued O'Connell.
"Come cut your stick, you cantanker.
GUS jackanapes"
Keep civil tongue in your head,
you old Diagonal" cried O'Connell,
calmly.
stop your jaw, you pug nosed bad,
ger; or by this and that" cried Mrs.
Moriarty, showing her fists, am make
you 90 quicker nor you come"
"Don't be in passion, my old radius
anger will only wrinkle your beau.
ty"
"By the hockey, if you say another
word Of impudepce, I'll tau your dirty
hide, you bastely common scrub; and
sorry I'd be to soil my fists upon your
carcass"
"Whew boys, what n passion old
Biddy is 10 ! | protest as I'm a gentel-
man-"
"Jintleman jiutleman the likes of
you jintlemau Wisha, by gar; IL t
bangs b higher. Why you potato faced