The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-01-25

phine, daughter of the Earl of Killislene,
and my .sister--not this one. (pointipg to
the letter), but another one--is now the
wife of the Earl of Denbigh. 1 knew my
uncle George well; have seen him in New
York often, and once dined with him
down in the Washington House on Broad
way. Know where that is don't You But
that was before got disgusted aud took to
rum. don't believe he'd let me put my
old rummy timbers under his mahogany
now if he was alive. Well, he's dead now,
and left 81 100000, and they say Am rich.
Funny, amt it, )" that SIGH an old wreck
as I am should hist aboard SIGH lot of bal
last at this late day Z"
"Well, Hardin" said the Captain, "what
do you want to do Z"
"Wa'al, l want to be lookin' after this
business. I'd like to 20 down to Frisco
first and see some of them lawyers"
81 can't let you do that, Hardin, for l
know you will get drunk, and perhaps be
sbaDghaed on board of some merchant ship.
But If you want to 60 East and see your
cousin-what's his name again Sir Rob-
ert Hardin, why, l will discharge you, and,
right from Vallejo here. Will you do thatf"
"Wa'al, Cap'n, I'd kinder like to see
some of them lawyer chaps first. You see,
sir, I've seen something in the papers that
there is goin' to be lawsuit about the
Hardin property in New York, and s'pose
mebbe I'd better git some advice"
WE'LL" said the Captain, " think it over;
but first you had better get my clerk to
write letter for you 10 reply to this one,
and"
"Oh," said the old man, 81 can write a
little yit. L used to drive pretty good
quill, out you see handlin' marlinspike
and seizin' riggin' kind o. knocks mans
eddication out of him. Still, guess kin
write letter. I'll show you, Cap'n what
write, cause don't want to 60 wrong any
ways"
THE CAPTAIN STILL MORE. AsToNIsHFD.
With this Hardin rolled away, and in
short time he was seen seated on the deck
between two guns, with his ditty-b box on
his knees and dilapidated goosequill in his
hand. He wrote rapidly. and apparently
with ease and readiness of expression. In
an hour he laid before the Captain the fol-
lowing letter, written in q bold, easy style
UNITED STATES NAVY YARD, I
VALLEJO, Cal, October 81.
My Dear HcRrictta-Your letter with it's sad
and somewhat surprising intelligence, was
received yesterday. You were quite wrong in
suppOsing that had forgotten uncle George.
l saw him q number of years ago in New York,
and we formed o delightful acquaintance, he
entertaining me at his hotel in princely style.
AS to the astonishing information that you and
I and the Countess of Denbigh are made rich
in our own right by the demise of poor uncle
george, L Know WnaG TO say. Inc sur
prise has been 80 great that can scarcely re-
aliZe the situation. However, 1 will think it
all over and write you again in few days
what consider best to be done under the cir
cumstances. l am happy to say that am SO
situated here that can leave for New York and
meet cousin Robert, as you suggest, at days
notice. fear we shall have trouble with the
woman who calls herself uncle Georges widow
However, nous rerron8. Intend to follow Your
suggestion, SO urgently put forward, about
going back to the land of my fathers have
been rover for thirty years and more, and I
must confess that the greatest joy that could
come to me would be the anchoring of my
worn and wearied old hulk in dear old Armagh
Your affectionate brother, HENRY.
The Captain read this letter over care
fully, and then gazed with a look of stupe-
faction in the rough old sailors face.
"Why, Hardin" he said al don't believe
any one here thought you could write such
letter."
No, suppose not" said the old man.
I'm pretty rough, and I admit I drink
rum, and l don't allus study my speech !;
but when 1 git pen in my hand l never
forgit old Trinity, at Dublin-God bless
Cap'n morn fifty years ago. Weel, weel,
times has changed with me, and l don't
s'pose l can ever be gentleman again"
Well" again said the Captain, ." L will
discharge you, Hardin, if you want to CO."
Wa'al, guess I'll go. faint no use
stayin heie' ~ LAKES I'LL Ine money can
earn now to pay fines in the Vallejo Police
Court. git drunk every time 60 ashore,
and they allus arrest me-"
So, few weeks age old Henry Hardin
was discharged from the navy yard and
started for New York, where it is to be
hoped that the money he will get from the
great Hardin estate will be sufficient to pay
his fines in the police courts for years to
come"
Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambray, author
Of TaIounoohna pvhap hin nunil