The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-07-08
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b4S ItutC al IQdI peIlOd WIS u
lnstance Of the power of fortune"
This US q 3 irne. He had been educated
at ST. Ouipl foi the Roman Catholic priest
hood, and on his way to Ireland happened
70 arrive one evening at q village inn in
England so humble that its whole stock of
provisions was but one shoulder of mutton.
This he ordered for dinner. While it was
preparing carriage containing two gentle
men stopped TO charge horses. The roast
ing shoulder of mutton looked aud smelled
so good aud had such a tantalizing effect
on their appetitcs that they agreed the next
half hour could not be better spent than in
dining. But they speedily learned that the
only meat in the house belonged to "a
young Irishman up stairs. A consultation
with the landlady resulted in an arrange
ment that the mutton should be theirs, but
that the young gentleman should be invited
to eat it with them, but when the solution
of the difficulty was propounded to "the
young Irish gentleman" he vowed that ''no
two travellers, nor any ten on earth, should
deprive him of bis dinner" But this men
a;ing message was followed by O'Belrne
himself, good-humoredly saying that al
though he could not relinquish the shoulder
of mutton to anybody, yet if they would
partake of it with him, he would be happy
to have their company at dinner. The pro-
posal was pleasantly made, and pleasantly
accepted. The party sat down; the bottle
went round none of the three we've deficient
in topics, and before the evening closed the
travellers we're so much struck with the APP
pearance and manners of the entertainer
then very handsome young man, and al
ways a very quick, anecdotal and intelli-
gent one-that they asked him what he
meant to do with himself in the world. He
told his story. His destination for the Irish
priesthood was Immediately set down as al
together inferior for the prospects which
might lie before his abilities in English life.
On parting the travellers gave him their
cards, and desired bimato call on them on
his arrival at London We may judge Of
his surprise when he found that his guests
were no other than Charles James Fox and
the Prime Minister the DIXIE Of Portland
Such an invitation was not likely 20 be de.
clincd. His two distinguished friends keft
their promise honorably, and in short
time O'BeIrnc enjoyed all the advantages Of
the first society of the Empire. lie was for
q considerable time on &contdential footing
| in the Duke of Portland's family, and much
employed in the party negotiations of the
time. On the occasion of Howe's concilia-
| tory mission to America, O'Beirne was sent
with him az chaplain, and in come measure
as secretary, and the chaplain preached a
famous sermon at New York and brought
home the only laurels of the Embassy. On
Lord Fitzwilli9m's appointment to Ireland,
o. Beirne who, it will be observed, had ac-
commodated his faith to his prospects, ac-
companied him as first chaplain and secre-
tarY, with the usual promise of the first mi
tire, and before many months were over
O'Beirne was Bishop of Meath, dignity
which gave its holder precedence over all
other prelates, with palace and $40, 900 a
year. All all this from chance meeting in
a country inn where there was only single
joint of meat.
And to take one other example in the
same reign. In August, 1916, was an
nouHccd the death of Right Hon BENJAMIN
Bloomfield, Baron Bloomfield, of Redwood
and Oakhampton, in the county of Upper
airy, e. q. b. and G. G. H., privy coun-
cilor, leutenant-general, colonel com
mandant Of the Royal Horse Artillery, and
Governor Of Fort Charles, jamaica. Yet,
for the merest piece of luck, this nobleman
would probably at his death have borne no
higher title than that of general. 1t was
in the palmly days of the Pavillion-that
palace of freak painted on Peggotty's work
box-that George the Magnificent was Bit
terly annoyed at the detection of an i'm
portant member of his violin parties. What
was to be done? If substitute could not
| be found the quartette could not be per-
| formed. In the midst of this terrible ''iix''
the happy thought occurred to courtier-
who thereby was in blisstul ignorance, per
| haps, as effectually barring his advance
ment, as Her Grace of Marlborough, when
she introduced her poor relation, tho willy
Abigail Hill, into her royal mistress's SER
vice-that there was young officer then in
| barracks at Brighton of the name of Bloom
field who was reported to play very well. A
gentleman was instantly dispatched to COM
mand Capt. Bloomfeld's attendance. He
came, played and conquered. From that
hour the young Tipperary artillerYman was
tame cat in the Princes household. Pres
emily the Gazette announced his promotion
to be major by brevet. Then he was APP
| pointed chief equerry and clerk marshal
few years later he was knighted, and be-
| came in rapid succession receiver general of
the Duchy of Cornwall, keeper of the privY
purse, and private secretary to the Prince.
For years he continued the most influential
person about the court and the dispenser of
immense patronage. In 1922 he went as
Minister to Sweden. In 1928 he was raised
to the peerage, and meanwhile his military
| promotion proceeded without interruption.
His son, the present peer, has held the
highest posts in the diplomatic service.
And, finally, we will cap the climax by
the most remarkable example of all, as to
how property, now in the possession of the
Earl of Elgin, came to that nobleman Years
ago two ladies of high position were JOINT
tenants of an opera box in London. The
occupant of the box opposite was an elderly
gentleman, who used to bore them exceed
ingly by staring at them through his glass,
until at last bis attention became joke be-
tween them. Time rolled on, and they had
long since forgotten all about their old adj
mircr, when one day gentleman called Of
Lord A. S house in London aud asked to sc {
his sister. When she entered the room be
said, am addressing Lady :. Bruce2 She
said that he was. Then have very agree
able and, | imagine, unexpected piece of in
telligenco to Communicate. Under the will
Of Mr. Wilson, former client of ours, you
are entitled to fine estate of several thou
sands u year. The lady said it must be q
mistake. She knew no one of the name.
But, said the solicitor, no identification
could be clearer. Then thought struck
him. Mr.. Wilson, he said, lies near by, in
his coffin, at MIR. Behring'S, the great un
dertaker, in james street. Perhaps you
would not mind going with me and looking
at his face. She went. There was her old
enemy with the lorgnette. Not the least
remarkable part of the story was that he
had intended to leave the fortune to the
other lady, who was the special object OF
his admiration, and who he had been told
was Lady. Bruce.
After these instances it is hard to believe
that there is NO such thing as luck.
I