The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-05-04
From the Catholic World
ALL-IIALLOW EVE !;
OR, THE TEST OF FUTUR1TY.
(Continued.)


habit of getting from his son upon the farm,
and it was at no time of much value, either in
labor or advice, had latterly 1indled down
to q mere careless questioning as to now mat
ters were going on, and his father began TO
fear that he was "beginning to go to the bad"
Poor old man, how little of the truth lie
knew!
There was now always something cranky
and unpleasant in Toms manner. He was
often from home for days together, and, when
at home, often out ut night until very late;
and if questioned in the kindest manner by
his father upon the subject, his answers We're
snappsh and unsatisfactory. Poor old Mick
deluded Mick-laid down both his wanderings
and his 'crankincss to the score of his love for
Winny Cavauu, and tho uncertainty of his
suit.
From ono or two encouraging and cheery
expressions his father had addressed to him,
Tom knew this to be the view his father
had taken of his case, aud he was quite willing
to indulge the delusion. Now that matters
had come to an open rupture between him and
Winny-for Notwithstanding his fathers hopes
he had none-it was cony enient to him that
his father should continue of the Same mind
pay, more, his father himself had 81 ggestcd
o step, which, if he could manage with his
usual ability, might turn to his profit, and re-
lieye to u certain extent some of the perpleZi-
ties by which he was bcset.
Old Mick had spent long and fatiguing
day, not merely i'll his peregrinatons through
the farm, but from anxiety and watching, hav-
ing observed Winny go ont earlier than usual,
and seeing that Tom soou after had followed
her down the road. lie was rather surprised
in about an hour afterward TO sec Winny return
alone, and at not having seen Tom for nearly
Two hours later IN tho day, when be returned
cross and disappointed, as we have seen. The
"untoward crcumstanccS,' detailed in the
conversation after diuucr with his son, had
not the same 'depressing effect upon the old
Ipan as upon Tom; for he really believed that
they were not only not past cure, but accord
inGy to his notions of how such matters gen
orally went on, that they were on fair road
to success. llc therefore enjoyed II nights
sound sleep, while Tom lay tossing and tumbl-
ing and planning and acknowledgement occa-
sionally cursing Edward Lennon, whom he
could not persuade lAmself was not, as his fa7
Their said, at the bottom of all this. 1t was
near morning, therefore, before he had fretted
himself to sleep.
Early the next day okl Mick determined to
ascertain the actual state of facts. He was
mp betmes, and having seen what was neccs-
sary to be done for the day upon the farm, he
set the operations going, and returned to
breakfast. Tom had not yet stirred and as
Nancy had told the old masthcr that she
"heerea him struggling with the bed clothes,
an talkin' To himself until nearly morning"
he would not allow her TO call him, but went
To breakfast by himself, telling her to have II
fresh pot ftay, an II daCent breakfast for him
when he got up. poor fellow" he said to
himself, II did not think that girl had so firm
hoult of him."
Old Micks anticipations of how matters
really stood, and his confidence i'll Ned Cav
anu's tirmuess, were doomed to bo shaken il
him Hanging about the borders" with n
watch:ul look directed toward his house lie
took 1t for granted that Tom had mentioned
something of what had occurred to him, and
he knew at once what no was lingering about
for.
Ned had undoubtedly led old Murdoch to
suppose that he would be las stout as q bull'
with Winuy about marrying his son; but
when Ned had spoken thus sterniy upon the
subject he had not anticipated any -opposi-
ton upon Winny's part to the match. He did
not see how she could object nor did he see
why. Mick had imbibed some slight idea of
the kind from what Tom had told him but
Ned had combated this idea with great dici
sion, and some sternness; more by way of
showing his neighbor how he could exercise
his parental authority, than from any great
IT, ~ '"'''u vi ~ assert
But Ned CavaAa knew not the nature of his
own heart. He had miscalculated the extent
OF his love for Wuny, or the influence her af-
tectionatc and devoted life could exercise oYer
that love, u case where such dispute
might come between them. Thus we have
seen him yield TO that Influence almost with
out argument, and certainly without n harsh
or angry word. When il came TO the point
that he had to confront her tears where was
The fury with which he met old Mnrdock's
insinuatiOns and suggestions where the
threats OF cutting her oil, not uih but triihoUt
n shilling, aud leaving IL all to the Church p
where the steady determination with which
be had resolved to "brias her to her senses 7"
all, all lost IN the atiectionate smile which
beamed W on her pleading love.