Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-04-09
THE M'DERMOTTs OF BALLYBANE
An Irish story of Real Life.

THE M'UEkMOlIS Of BALL lDANE
An Irish story of Real Life.
THE best "holding" 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 thatched |
his fences in the best condition, and his
house the snuggest in the village. Darby
was never a day behindhand with his
rent. The 1st of May and the 1st of
November found him, wet or dry, good
season or bad season, at the office with
his old worsted stocking, in the very cor.
ner of which his half-year's rent lay safe
ly counted. He was decent old man,
who always minded his business and at
tended to his duties, and had few troubles
in the course of his three-score and ten
years. He had two sons: Martin, the eld-
er, dark, handsome man. with square,
heavy face and pair of dark, restless,
glttering eyes--a man whom everyone
respected but very few liked and Owen,
a fair, curly-headed, delicate boy, who
had been his mothers darling. Ola
Darby 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
to his first-born.
Owen was not either of a Jealous or
envious disposition; still, he sometimes
thought it rather hard that his brother
should have all the luck. Martin was
strong and healthy and handsome, had
been his fathers favorite, and was mas
ter of the farm after his death. All the
stock and crops, and everything were
the property of Martin and Owen was
the possessor of but fifty pounds. Forty
years ago e200 in ready money was con-
sidered fortune, and even fifty pounds
was not by any means to be despised;
and when old Darby MacDermott left
his boys so well off there were few men
in Ballybane who did not envy them
Martin especially, who was looked up to
by his neighbors as little short of q gen
tleman, certainly as man who might
keep his jaunting-car if he chose. But
the possession of money made ms 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 ut six o'clock in the morning and GO
ing to bed late. Owen lived with him,
ami worked too just as usual, only that
during his fathers time he might spend
his evenings reading old newspapers, or
writing letters to his acquaintance who
had gone to America. But Martin
thought such occupations mere waste of
time, and when the days work was end
Cd and the supper over he orderedthe fire
AMI 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'Brien, a farmer who had been
well-to-do once but misfortunes of late
years had come thckly upon him and he
had hard work to keep the farm together.
On the other side small holding of
about fifteen acres was held by good
for-nothing old fellow named Patrick
Heveran, who was little better than a
nuisance to the entire neighborhOod.
However one morning he was found
dead in his bed; and Owen MacDermott,
without taking counsel of anyone, went
to the agent and asked if 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. Patrick's
Day, and general holiday; and, early
in the morning, Owen dressed himself in
his Sunday suit and went out. A little
way down the road he met young girl
also dressed IN her best-a crimson stuff
dress, a gay shawl and 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 a startled look in them.
"Oh, Ownie, avourneen, l was afeard
you weren't comm; and sure, sorra bit
OF shamrock you have in your cap this
blessed mornin'. Why is that, dear?"
81 was In a hurry to see you, my
darlin'," he answered, looking tenderly
into the 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 ut the
same time"
Together they turned down lane, or
rather footpath, bordered on one side by
a thick black-thorn hedge, and broad
meadow on the other.
"Julia," said Owen, "you know | am
fond of you since you were wee, shy,
delicate little creature. / never had any
sweetheart but yourself, and now want
you to fix the day; Pm goin' to take you
all to myself. You know Pat Heveran's
holdin'; went to the Office yesterday
and axed for it, and the agent as good as
promised me it. Now, Judyw
am so glad, Ownie," was all the
girl answered, very softly, but there
were tears of genuine delight in her eyes
as she looked up at him. Well it wa'
that neither of them saw the dark face
which watched them from the other SIDE
of the hedge, or heard the muttereC
threats which were hurled after them, o.
they might not have enjoyed the remain
der of that day as they did.
st. Patrick's Day in Ireland, forty years
ago, used to be very different from what
il is now; and when Julia O'Byrne
and Owen MacDermott entered the mar,
ket town of Gort, after a long ramble
through the fields in search of a sham
rock, it presented a gay appearance
The principal street was lined with stalls
filled with oranges, apples and ginger
bread, gay crosses, and sugar sticks
There were tents full of "boys" anC
girls eating, drinking, and laughing
large pots of boiling bacon and potatoes
barrels of porter and kegs of potheen
and Irish pipers playing with all
their might. From stall to stall
and from tent to tent Owen
and Julia wandered, enjoying every.
thing, till late in the evening, when
they met Martin MscDermott and Julia's
father, both evidently in high spirits
and chatting conAdentially. They went
into q tent together, and after an hours
chat came out more good tempered and
connuehtlal IMAM ever, and sought Julif
and Owen.
"Come here, nay colleenP' oByrno
said, in rather a thick voice. al have
made match for you with Martini &c
over and sit by the side of him."
With Martin, fatherln the girl said
looking with dismay at the stern, dark
man she almost hated, and certainly
feared. with Ownie, you mean"
!" sorra "a bit Of II, Julia; but Martin
Marin the master. Poor 0wnie ha,
nothing"
" He's promised Heyeran's farm, faith
mo, my dear; it's me that has Hcv
eran's houldin',p Martin said with a sin
lister smile; "and it's me you're goin' L
marry"
Owen walked up TO his brother, and
looking him straight in the face, said, II
q clear, calm voice" What do you mean
Marlin MacDermottf"
"What / said Just now-that got