The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-05-07
TIVE nACDERM0T1s Of BALLYBANE,
An Irish Story Of Real Life.

Tho best "holding'' Of land on the Bal
lybane 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 new.
or day behindhand with his rent. The
LIST Of May and the LIST Of November
found him, wet or dry, good season or
bad season, at tho Office with his old
worsted stocking, in the very corner OF
which his half.year's rent lay safely
counted. He was decent old man, who
always minded his business, and attended
to his duties, and had few troubles in the
course Of his three score and ten years.
He had two sons; Martin, tho eldest, a
dark, handsome man, with = square,
heavy face, and q pair of dark, restless
gIittering eyes II man whom everyone
respected, but very few liked; and Owen,
= fair, curly-haired, delicate boy, who
had been his mothers darling. Old Oar.
by was fond Of both his sons, but the
sturdy, healthy Martin was decidedly his
favorite; and when he died it was found
that the greater part Of his savings went
. 70 his first-born.
Owen was not either Of a jealous or en-.
vious disposition; still, he thought it
rather hard that his brother should have
Ill the luck. Martin was strong, and
healthy, and handsome, had been his
fathers favorite, and was master of the
farm after his death. All the stock and
crops, and everything, were tho 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
VAS not by any means to be despised;
and when old Darby MacDermott left his
boys so we'll off, there were few men in
Ballybane who did not envy them-Mar.
tin especially, who was looked up to by
his neighbors as little short of a gentle.
man, certainly as man who might keep
his jaunting.car, if he chose. But tho pos
session of money made no change in the
new tenant Of the Upland farm, as the
MacDermott'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
worked too, just as usual, only that dur.
ng his father s time he might spend his
evenings reading old newspapers or writ.
Ing letters to his acquaintances who had
gone to America. But Martin thought
such occupations mere waste of time,
and when the days work was ended and
the lights to be put out.
The next farm to that Of Martin Mac.
Dermott's on one side was held by Mi.
chael O'Byrne, \ farmer who had been
well.to.do once, but misfortunes of late
years had come thickly on him, and he
had hard work to keep the farm togeth.
or. On the other side, q small holding of
about fifteen acres was held by . good.
1or.nothing old fellow named Patrick
Heveran, who was little better than q
nuisance to the entire neighborhood.
However. ono morning, he
was found dead in his bed
ana Owen McDermott, without
taking counsel Of any one, went to the
agent and asked if he might have the Va.
cant farm, and he wished to settle down
on his own account: The agent promised,
and full Of hope and joy Owen went about
his work. The rext day was the 18th
March, St. Patrick's day, and = general
holiday and early in the merning Owen
dressed himself in his Sunday suit and
went out. A little way down tho road he
met young girl, also dressed in her best
- crimson stuff dress, 4 gay shawl, and
cross Of ribbon Of oil the colors in the
rainbow on her shoulder. Her fair hair
WAS twisted carelessly around her head.
and her soft blue eyes had startled look
in them.
"Oh. Ownie, avourneen, I was afeard
YOU weren't comm; and sure. sorra A bit
Of shamrock you have in your cap this
blessed mornin'. Why is that, dear %
II was in hurry to see you, nv dar.
In" he answered, looking tenderly into
tho sweet, shy face. Julia, have some
good news for you this mornin'; let US
walk down this lane, and I'll tell you.
and look for my shamrock at the same
time.''
Together they turned down = lane, or
rather foot.path, bordered on one side by
thick thorn hedge, and broad meadow
on the other.
julia said Owen, "you know I'm
found of you, since you were wee, shv.
delicate little creature. I never had any
sweetheart but yourself, and now want
you to fix the day; am goin' to take
you all to myself. You know Pat Hev.
Grams houldin' I went to the Office
yesterday and axed for it, and the
agent as good as promised me it. Now,
Judy!'' '
II Am 80 glad, Ownie," was NIL the girl
answered, very softly, but there were
tears Of genuine delight in her eyes As
she looked up At f;n. Well it was that
neither of thu he dark face which
watched them from the other side of the
hedge, or heard the muttered threats that
were hurled after them, or they might
not have enjoyed the remainder of that
day As they did.
st. Patrick's day in Ireland, forty
years ago, used to be very different from
what it is now; and when Julia O'Byrne
and Owen MacDermott entered the mar.
ket town Of Gort, after. long ramble
through the fields in search Of sham.
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