The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-04-06

oifn. p4aTaH, anu WAS BUM icu IL s'SarJ
folded, for the young man was no more to her
than the other besides, she was strictly non
| oIable. Tho plates had been rearapsed by
Tom Mnrdock himself which most people re-
marked. as it was some time before he was
satisfied with their position. Lennon was
| then placed as Tom had been and told that
AL was right" There was some nervous ms
ness in more hearts than one as he pointed us
finger and brought down his hand. He also
placed his finger in the centre of the plate
with the earth, and pulled the handkerchief
"Now, yon see,' said Tom, i" others can fail
as we'll as me-" and he seemed greatly pleased
that young Lennon had heen as unsuccessful
as himself.
murmur of dissatisfaction now ran through
the girls. The two favoriLes had been unfor
tnn ate IN their attempts at divination and
saw Emor knocks finger fall on the plate
with the earth, felt as if a weight had been
tied ronnd her heart. 1t was unanimously
| agreed by the elderly women present, Mrs Mo,
ran amongst the number, that these tests had
turned ont directly contrary to what the cir
cumstances of the locality and the characters
of the individuals would indicate as probable
aud the whole process was ridculed as false
and nnprophetic. Time will tell jewel"
said one old croking crone.
A loud burst OF laughter from the kitchen at
this moment told that the servaut-boys and
girls no had also been invited, were not idle.
The matches paving been all either clenched or
broken off in the parlor, and the test of the
plates, as if by mutual consent, having been
], it good opportunity to move an adj"uremen 1T
| of t Q whole party to see the fun in the kitchen
which was seconded by Mrs. Moran aud car
ried mem. con.
CHAPTER VII.
Here it was that the real fun was going on
From the centre of tho ceiling hung n strong
| piece of cord, with cross sticks, about eighteen
, inches long, at the end. On each end Of one
of these sticks was stuck short piece flight
ed candle, while on the ends of the other were
stuck small apples of q peculiarly good kind.
The cross was then set turning, when some
plucky hero snapped at the apples as they
went found, but as often caught the lighte ed
candle in his mouth, when a hearty laugh from
the circle of spectators proclaimed his dscom-
fiture. On the other hand, if fortunate enough
to secure one of the apples, clapping of hands
and shouts of "Well donew proclaimed his vic
tory.
A little to side of this "rnerry- 60 round"
was huge tub of spring water, fresh from the
pump, and as clear as crystal. 1t WAS intend
ed that the performers, at this portion of the
fun, should, stripped to the waist, dive for
pence or whatever silver the bystanders chose
to throw in Up to this it had not come into
play, for until their "betters came down from
youngsters were 10th to wet theirsels for
nothing" Now, however, a tenpeHny bit from
Tom Murdoch soon glttered on the bottom of
the tub, n full foot and half under water.
Forthwith two or three young fellows "peeled
off," to prove their abilities divers. The
first, black-haired fellow, with head as
round AS canon-ball, after struggling and
bubbliuG until the people began to think he
was smotherinS, came up without the prize.
He was handed q kitchen towel to rub himself
with, while one of the other yeung gladiators
adjusted tho tenpeuny bit in the middle of the
tub, drew in o long breath, aud down he went
like Il duck lie was not nearly so long down
as tho other had been; he neither struggled
nor dubbed, and came mp with the money be-
tween his teeth.
said one
"Hsw did you got u hoult of it - said an
other.
Bot he kept drying his head, and never
minded them.
Another tenpenny was then thrown in by
old Ned Ca=ans; it withstood repeated efforts,
bet was ut last fairly brought up. Jamcsy
seemed to be the most expert, for having lifted
this second teppenny, his abilities were finally
tested with fppenny bit, which after one or
two failures he brought up triumphantly in his
teeth all the other divers having declined to
try their powers upon it.
BY this time the kitchen floor vas very wet,
AMI it WAS thought, particularly by the con-
tributors to the tub, that there had been
enough of that sort or fun. The girls, who
were standing in whatever dry spots of
the flags they could find, thoHght so too; they
did not wish to wet their shoes before the
dance, and there was another move back to
the parlor.
Here the scene was completely changed, as
if indeed by magic, rs nobody had been missed
for the performance. The long table was no.
where to be seen, while the chairs and forms
were arranged along the walls, and old Muir
rim the piper greeted their entrance with an
enliyeningjiG.
Partners were of course selected at once, and
as young Lennon happened to be coming in from
the kitchen with Winny Cavaua at the mo-
ment, they we're soon footing it to admiration
opposite each other. Not far from them an
other couple were exhibiting in like manner
They were Tom Murdoch and Kate Mulvey
while several other pairs were footing it"
through the room. To judge from the self
satisfied smile upon Kate Mulveys handsome
lips, she was not little proud we'll pleased
at having taken Tom Murdoch from the belle
of the party for she had too much selfesteem
to think that it was the belle of the party had
been taken from Tom Murdoch.
need not pursue tho several sets which
were danced, nor particularize the pairs who
were partners on the occasion. OF course Tom
Murdeck took the first opportunity possible to
claim the hand of Winifred Cavana for n dance
Indeed, he was ill-pleased that in his own
house be had permitted any chance circum-
stance to prevent his having opened tho dance
! with her, and apoloEzed for it-"but it hap
pened in manner over which he had no con-
| troll" He bad picked up that expression at a
| race-course.
With all his bitterness he had the good
sense not to make scene by cndeavorinG to
Illustrate that which DO had not the tact to
obviate by prearrangeueut. Winny had