The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-10-08

In the market, every one liked to buy
his mackerel and haddocks, not only be-
cause they could depend on whatever he
offered for sale being genuinely good and
moderate in price, but they liked the look
of his honest face and clear hazel eyes, and
the sound of his hearty voice.
Mrs. Merrick was proud of her grandson,
and not without reason, for he was a uni
veIsal favorite, and deserved to be.
A few evenings after Denis Connor had
told his wife of the threatened eviction,
Oona, his daughter. was sitting with Will
lie Merrck on the stone seat outside of
Judy's cabin. There was no ''take," and
the men were all about the bench attend
ing to the drive of the nets, or watching a
little boat which was making for the quay
against wind and tide.
'She'll never get in, Oona, il they don't
tack more to the east ard Willie said.
ooh, if l had boat like her, wouldn't
be happy :"
''Aren't ye happy as ye are, Willie?''
Oona asked. eye told me the other night
that ye was the happiest boy in Cloonabeg
or ClOonamore either''
$50 [ am, darlin'." Willie said, looking
tenderly at the fair, saucy face beside him :;
''but I'll be happier when yer my own iu-
tirely. When is it to be ?''
"Whenever ye like, Willie father and
mother are willing, and yer granny is teas
ing me every day. Sure, we're all as one
as married, aren't VIC, Willie ?"
2
spake the words, and put this on yer 1oesshy
little finger;'' aud young Merrick pulled
from his pocket a canvass bag, frons the
farthest corner of which he pulled we'd
ding-rlng.
"Tbis Shrovetide, then, Willie,' Oona
whispered with a blush. "Now, l must
go in, as mother'l be wanting me. Is that
the agent gone into Martin ellis, Willie :?
l didn't think it was rent day yet
eyes, faix, it is, Oona, and it wants a
week yet to the half year - aud Oona
went into the house, while Willie went to
see what the people we've gathering in
groups for, and talking so Inysteriously
about. a very few words served to ex-
plain the object OF the agents visit. He
had come, accompanied by the bailiff, to
serve ''notice to quit on every house.
ellis Honor, the landlord, wanted the
place cleared down." was all the reason
he gave. 1t was sad thing to walk
through the village of Cloonabeg that
evening, and go from house to house with
the agent. Everywhere he said the same
thing .'Ye must clear out; His Honor
wants the place. I'll forgive ye half this
half-year's rent all around, and give ye TO
the 1st of January to get away. But re-
member the men'll be here on New Years
day to pull down these dens."
BY the time they had reached Denis
Connor's the whole village-men, women,
aud children-were after them, crying
bitterly, and judy Melricl< came to ask
what the matter was.
''It's evicted we are-serveG with no
tbee to quit, Judy" Mary Connor said
quietly. ''It isn't easy 20 leave the place
ye were bred and bonn in, and go out on
the world. But Gods good cheer up,
Denis GUic.'
"What does she mean, Denis Conner ?"
judy cried. ''Is it that they're goin' TO
dspossess ye--tO turn ye out of the cabin
ye were born in, and yer father and grand
father before yep
eyes, ma am; that's exactly what we
mean," the bailif said. "I'm going to
serve you next"
''Serve me, evict nc, turn me, an old
woman of three score and ten, out on the
road side - Judy screamed. "No! I vas
born in that cabin; my father lived and
/ died in it my ancestors were the first that
ever raised stone of Cloonabeg. Old
Judy, poor judy, Judy Merrick, ye may
call me, but I'm Julia Brien, and in the
cabin I've lived in there I'll die
"Well see about that" the bailiff
sneered, and Judy rushed out, and knelt
down at her doorstep. ''The first one
that crosses here will have to walk over
me-" she shrieked but the baiIiff ad-
vanced, and laying his hand on her sbonl-
der, gave her a printed form, and said
jeeringiy:
''You're served Mrs. Merrick and I'd
take it easier, if | were you. Come on,
SIR he added, turning to the agent, who
was examining the condition of the house.
Judy Merr;ck stood up, and looked at
the notice in her hand and then advanced
to the agents side. ''Mr. Hayes, sir,
she said slowly, I'm 90 be out of this
cabin on the 1st of January, amu't ?''
"Yes and see that you are" MIR. Hayes
replied.
.'Where am going to, sir ?"
''AIy good woman, that's nothing what
ever to me,'' be said Struggling his shoul-
ders ego wherever you like"
''You know, sir, that in Cloonamore one
of us can't get bit, nor sup, nor lodging,
for love or money, even if we had that same.
Where'Il we go to, Mr.. Hayes, sir; will ye
ask His Honor that ?''
That's nothing whatever TO His Honor;