Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-08-20
IRISH COURTSHIPS AND WE'D
DINGS.

THE arrows of Cupid fly thick and fast
In ireland and the heart Of Pat seems to
be especially vulnerable. According TO
a popular ballad, an lrishman
ssloyes all that II lovely
Loves all that he can;
and il is, therefore, not wonderful that
the love- god persuades so many of the
"sons of the sod. somewhat too early in
life to find their way to the altar of
Hymen. Many young men in the land
of the shillelah and the shamrock mar
nv before they are out Of their teens
and when they are not at all in posi-
ton TO commence housekeeping
So you want to be married?" said the
Rev. Mr.. NJ to Peter Kinsella.
Deed and that's just 1t, your river
ence."
"What age are you, Peter?"
"Just eighteen past, sir"
"You're too young, Peter"
Sure every day I'm growing older,
your reverence, and it's never too soon to
do right
"How much are you able to carn?'
"Not as much as I would like, sir
only los. week-but hope things will
mendn
"Why, man, you couldn't keep house
on lUs. week.
"WclI, sir, Kitty Is aottlin' TO try"
Further exp0stulation was useless, and
n due time the willing Kitty became
Mrs. Kinsella.
In few years the sweet prattlc of
childrens voices was heard in Peters
cottage. After the labors OF the day.. as
he sat before his turEfre with child on
each knee, and his darling Kitty sewing
4. 4. 81 h. 10 hs wa ag
happy as a king" If those who have the
notion that when Poverty comes in at
the door Love flies out at the window
would pay visit to the sons and daugh-
tiers of toll in Ireland. they would find
how false is the saying just quoted.
True, the toiler is badly paid; but he
has contcntmcnt--a priceless boom and
he generally enjoys good health--anotbcr
inestimabIe blessing. And yet il would
have been better If Peter had waited a
little longer before he took upon himself
matrimonial responsibilities. The Irish
are, however, a marrying race, and no
matter how poor they may be they like
to have q home Of their own.
According to custom, Peter mad to give
"house-warming' Is, he had TO
treat his relations and neighbors to tea
and whisky punch. The services OF
fiddler were secured, and, with
song and dance, the hours glided
swiftly by. Peter sang his favorite
song "Did you ever hear tell OF
Kate KearneyY' Mrs. X. was pressed TO
sing, but she said she was " all through
other" and, under the circumstances, she
was excused The nights entertainment
cost something, and Mr.. Kinsella was a
very poor man; but the custom OF the
country must be observed.
There is a good deal of what has been
termed ortunehunting" in Ireland; of
course there are myriads who
And work for sller;"
but there also are "a considerable mum
Der who like TO get the siller" without
working; in other words, they set their
hearts upon marrying wealthy wife.
They keep this object constantly before
them, and when they hear that "A young
lady at allymac-murphy will likely
have a large fortune" of they start
with the object of getting introduced to
the favored fair one. Sometimes these
fortune.hunters are greatly disappointed.
One man had provided through three or
four counties In search of a wealthy
wife. He was informed that Widow
MacSweeDy's daughter would have
"stockingful OF sovercigns,'
and he lost no time In becoming
acquainted with sweet Miss Macs. He
was invited to Fairview, and was cor
daily received by the widow, who talked
about bank books, railway shares and
stock in such way that he imagined he
had at last accomplished his object. AL
ready the fortune seemed In his pos
T.. ,.a.t L... tal,.
round the farm, and his attention was
particularly called TO the large number
of cows and sheep in the meadows Now,
as faithful historian, j must record the
fact that the stock in the field with the
exception of three cows and two sheep,
had been borrowed from obliging neigh
bors who were anxious to assist the wild
ow in securing a husband for her daugh-
ter Mrs Macs. enlarged upon the high
prices given for young cattle, and gave
glowing account of the sums realized
yearly by this part Of her OPP srations
alone. When they reached the house de-
canters and glasses were on the table in
the room, and the widow, with her own
hands, prepared for Mr.. Verdant a rous-
ing glass of punch. In short time. he
was induced TO drink another TO "my
daughters health and good husband to
her" Miss Macs. blushed, of course,
and was about to leave the room; she
was, however, restrained by her mother,
who said: Don't be SO backward,
dear
"Oh, mamma--"
"Shes the best girl In the country, sir;
treasure TO her mother, and 1t viii be
well for the man that gets her.
BY this time the liquor--that cause Of
SO much ill--was telling on Mr.. Verdant,
and golden visions were passing before
his eyes.
The widow left the room" just to see
that all's right in the cow-house."
Taking advantage of the opportunity,
Mr.. Verdant laid siege to Bridgets heart,
and won from her consent to their mar
riage.
When the widow returned she was re-
joiced to hear the good news, and aflec-
tionately kissed her daughter.
She'll be sad loss to me, sir; but
can't stand in the way Of Budgets hap
piness."
and when Is the job to be finishedg"
asked the ardent lover.
"Oh, there's no hurry" replied Bridg
ct.