The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-05-25
The McDermotts Of Ballybane.
AN IRISH STORY OF REAL LIFE.

soWeu, anu Hrst nome MS nagRaru, the
neatest and best thatched his fences in
the best condition, and his house the
snuggest in the village. Darby was new.
er day behind-hand with his rent. The
first of May and the first of November
found him, wet or dry, good season or bad
season, at the office with his old worsted
stockings, in the very corner of which his
half years rent lay safely counted He
was a decent old man, who always mind.
ed his business, and attended to his du.
ties, and had few troubles in the course
of his three score and ten years. He had
two sons Martin, the eldest, q dark,
handsome man, with a square, heavy face
and pair Of dark restless, glitteriDg
eyes-a man whom every one respected,
but very few liked ; and Owen fair,
curly.hcaded, delicate boy, who had
been his mothers darling. Old Darby
was fond Of both sons, but the sturdy,
healthy Martin was decidedly his favor.
ite and when he died, it was found that
the greater part of his savings went to his
frst-born.
Owen was not either Of Jealous or
envious disposition still he thought it
rather hard that his brother should have
all the luck. Martin was strong and
healthy and handsome. and had been his
fathers favorite, and was master of the
farm after his death All the stocks and
crops, and everything was the property
Of Martin and Owen was the possessor
of but fifty pounds. Forty years ago, two
hundred pounds in ready money was con-
sidered fortune, and even fifty pounds
was not by any means to be despised ;and
when old Darby McDermott left his boys
10 woll off. there were few men in Rally.
bane who did not envy them-Martn es-
peeially, who was looked up to by his
neighbors as little short Of gentlemen,
certainly as a man who might keep his
jaunting-car if he chose. But the pos
session of the money made no change in
the new tenant of the Upland Farm, as
the McDermott's holding was called, He
just worked as hard as ever. getting up
at six o'clock in the morning and going
to bed late. Owen lived with him, and
and worked too, just as usual, only that
during his fathers time he might spend
his evenings reading old newspapers, or
writing letters to hi, acquaintances who
had gone to America. But Martin
thought such occupations mere waste Of
time, and when the days work was end.
ed, and the supper over, he ordered the
fire and lights to be put out.
The next farm to that of Martin Nc.
Dermott's on one side was held by Mi.
chael O'Bryne, farmer,who had been
well.to.do one, but mistortunes of late
years had come thickly upon him, and he
On the other side,a small holding Of about
fifteen acres, held by good nothing old
fellow, named Patrick Heveraa, who was
little better than a nuisance to the entire
neighborhood. However. one morning
he was found dead in bis bed and Owen
McDermott, without taking counsel of
any one, went to the agent, and asked #
he might have the vacant farm, as he
wished to settle down on his own account.
The agent promised, and full Of hope and
Joy, Owen went about his work. The
next day was the 18th of March, St. Pat
rick's Day, and general holiday; and
early in the morning, Owen dressed him.
self in his Sunday suit, and went out. A
little way down the road be met young
girl also dressed in her best-a crimson
stuff dress, gay shawl, and a cross Of
ribbon Of all the colors in the rainbow on
her shoulder. Her fair hair was twisted
carelessly round her head, and her soft
blue eyes had startled look in them.
"Oh, Ownie, avourneen, | was afcared
you waren't comm and sure sorra BIZ
of shamrock you have in your cap thi!
blessed mornin'. Why is that dear ?"
81 was in hurry to see you, my dar
lin, he answered, looking tenderly int
the sweet shy face. Julia, l have som,
good news for you this mornin; let u
walk down this lane, and I'll tell you, ,anC
look for my shamrock at the same time.
Together they turned down lane, o
rather tootpath, bordered on one side b
a thick blackthorn hedge, and broat
meadow on the other.
Julia, said Owen, "you know I'm fon
of you, since you were wee shy delicat
little creature. never had any sweet
heart but yourself, and now want yo
to fix the day I'm going to take you a
to myself You know Pat Heveran
holdin'; went to the Office yesterday
and asked for it, and the agent as good 0
promised me it. Now. Julia ~
81 am so glad, Ownic," was all the gi
answered, very softly, but there wer
, tears of genuine delight in her eyes {
she looked up at him. Well it was tn;
neither of them saw the dark face whic
watched them from the other side of ii
hedge, or heard the muttered threats thl
were hurled after them, or they migl
not have enjoyed the remainder Of thi
T day as they did.
St. Patrick's Day in Ireland, fort
years ago, used to be very different fro
what it is now and when Julia O'Bryr
( and Owen McDermott entered the ma
ket.tOwn of Gort, after long ramb
through the fields in search of shan
rock, it presented gay appearance. TT
principal street was lined with stalls fill
with oranges. apples, and eingerbrea
gay crosses. and sugar.sticks. There we
tents full of boys and girls eating, drin
ing and laughing large pots Of boili'
's bacon and potatoes, barrels of porter al
kegs Of poteen, and Irish pipers playi
with all their might. From stall to sta
10 and from tent to tent, Owen and Jul
wandered, enjoying everything till late
D." the evening, when they met Martin NJ
Dermott and Julias father, both evider
ly in high spirits, and chatting con6de
g. italy. They went into tent together,a a
after an hours chat, came out more GOO
i. tempered and confidential than ever, a
e sought Julia aud Owen.
Y "Come here, my colleen !" O'Bry
said 10 rather a thick voice. II ha