The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-04-15
THE MACDERMoTTs OF BALLY-
BANE.
: AN IRISH STORY OF REAL LIFE

The best "holdipg" of land on the
Ballybane property was that. of old
Darby MacDermott. His crops were
always first sowed and first home his
haggard the neatest and best matched
his fences in the best condition. and his
house the suggest in the village.
Darby was never behindhand with his
rent. The LIST of May and the LIST of
November found him, wet or dry, good
season or bad season, at the Office with
his old worsted stocking, in the very
corner of which his half years rent Law
safely counted. He was decent old
man, who always minded his business,
ana amended TO his duties, and had few
troubles IN the course OF his three SCORE
and ten years. He had two sons Mar
tin, the eldest, a dark. handsome man
with square, heavy face, and pair of
dark, restless, glittering eyes-a man
whom every one respected, but very
few liked; and Owen, a fair. CURLY
haired, delicate boy, who had been his
mothers darling. Old Darby was fond
OF both his sons, but the sturdy,
healthy Martin was decidedly his favor
lte and when he died it was found
that tina greater part Of his saving went
to hir frst-born.
Oven was not either of Jealous or
envlous disposition; still. he some
times thought it rather hard that his
brother should have all he luck. Mar
TIN was strong, and healthy, and hand
some, had been his fathers fayorite.
and was master of the farm after his
death. All the stock and crops. and
everything, were the property of Mar
TIN and Owen was the possessor of
but hity pounds. Forty years ago two
hundred pounds in ready money was
considered fortune, and even ffty
Pounds was not by any means to be
Gespised and when old Darby Mac
Dermott lett his BOYS so we'll off, there
were lew men in Ballybane who did not
envy Ihem-MartIn especially, who was
looked up to by his neighbors as little
short of a gentleman, certainly as n man
who might keep his jauntin0.car if he
chose. But the possession of money
made no change in the new tenant of
the Upland farm, as the MacD
holding was called. He Just worked as
hard as ever, getting up ut six O'Clock
IN the morning and going to bed late.
owen hved with him, and worked too.
Just as usual, only that during his faith
er Tune he might spend his evenings
ieaulhg Ola newspapers, or writing let
ters TO his acquaintance who had gone
to America. But Martin Thought sncb
occupations mere waste of time. and
when the days work was ended and the
supper over, he ordered the fire and tbe
lights to be put out.
Inc next farm to that of Martin Mac
Dermott's on one side was held bv
michael OByrne, a farmer who had
oeen well to do once, but misfortunes
OF i@te years had come thickly on him,
and he had hard work to keep the farm
together. On the other side. a small
holding OF about fifteen acres was held
Dy good-for-nothing old fellow named
Z H1tiek heveran, who was little better
Snan a nuisance to the entire neighbor-
hood. However, one mornino 10 Jvas
found dead in his bed and Owen Mac.
Dermott, without taking counsel Of anv
one, went to the agent and asked r. he
might have fhe vacant farm. as he
wished to settle down on his own ac-
count. The agent promised, and fuIl
OF nope and Joy Owen went about his
WORK. The next day was the nth of
M9reh, st, Patrick's day, and q general
Holluay and early in the morning
owen dressed himself in his Sunday
SUIT and went ont. A little wav down
the road he met a young pfrl. also
dressed in her best-a crimson stDfT
dress, a gay shawl, and cross of rib.
oons of all the colors in the rainbow on
her shoulder. Her fair hair was twisted
c9relessly round her head, and her soft
blue eyes had startled look in them.
On, Owne, avourneen, L was afeard
You weren't comm; and sure. sorra a
plt OF shamrock you have in your cap
Snls blessed mornin'. Why is that,
:. was in hurry to see you, nv dsr.
IN he answered, looking tenderlv
ihoo the sweet, shy face. "Julia. 7
have some good news for Won tbia
mornin'; let us walk down This lane o,,J
II tell you, and look for NV shamrock
mt the same time"
Iogether they turned down n lane or
father toot-patn, bordered on one side
ipy "a thick blackthoEn hedge, and
Droaa meadow on the other.
lula, sail Owen, ''vou know Tn
ton ROM! OF You, since you were wee. shv.
uehca'e little creature. never had
any sWeetheart but yourself. and now I
WAho You to name the 6av: Il am Doin'
70 take you all to myself You Know
at heveran's houldin ? went 70 tha
Onloe yesterday and axed for It. and the
I T, as good as promised me it. Now.
=" am SO glad, Ownie," was all the
8lII ans Wered, very softly, but there
were tears OF genuine delight in her
eyes as she looked up at him. Well Il
vas That neither Of them saw the dark
race winch watched them from the
o'her side of the hedge, or heard the
IA Il t'ereu threats that were hurled after
the or they might not have enjoyed
'ie - remainder of that day as they did.
OF. Patricks day in ireland. forty
years ago, used to be very difarent
from what il is now and yber, T,,Iio
OByrne and Owen MacD ernott entsroJ
the Market town of Gort. after a Ion,
Famole Through the fields i'm search of q
shamrock, it presented a CAV apnear-
anee. The principal street was lined
with stalls filed with oranges. apples.
and gingerbread, gay crosses, and
sugar sticks. There were tents full of
BOYS and girls eating, drinking and
laughlng; large pots OF boiling bacon
and potatoes, barrels'of porter and kegs
OF potheen, aud Irish pipers PLAYING
with all their might. From stall to
stall, and from tent to tent Owen and
julie wandered, ENJOYING evervthino /
ttll-lateln the evening. when tisev ynef /
Martin MacDermott and Julia's father
both evidently iu high spirits. and chat
ting conhdenuaiiy. They went into n
tent together, and after an hours chat
came out more good-tempered aud con
hdentiRt than ever, aud sought Julia
and Owen. .,'.,.fs ...'S.,
Come here, my eolleenp O'Byrne
faid In rather a thick voice. 81 have
made match for you with Martin. Go
over and SIT by the side of him"
With Martin, father Z, the Girl said.
looking Wit disnnay at the stern. dark
man she. almost hated, and certaiuly
feared. With Ownie. you mean"
"Sorra a bit of it, Julia but Mar |
nn--Alai tin, the master. Poor Ownie
has nothing" lG
Hes promised HeYeran's farm,
father"
No, my dear. it's me that has Hey-
Grams houldin', Martin said, with