The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-09-24
OUR FAITHFUL IRISH GIRL.
BY MRS. L. V. BLAKE.

That was our Kathleen O'AIorriII, She
was "a " real jewel - as housekecpcrs have
1t; steady, efficient, an excellent cook q
neat chambcrmaid. skiIlfulI scamstress
(atnccdD, fertile ofinvention and quick of
wit a~ only Il genuine Hibcrnian can be.
Handsome, too; no lily-fngcred, taper
WaI>tcd maid, but a round, buxom, rosy.
Jolly lass, with arms Of good size and
good proportion, waist of ample girth.
height five feet ten, and good, sound,
hearty Irish strength in every joint and
muscle
We had had her year and halt. and
Mike Rusher, our gardener, four months
when the hot summer days burst upon Us
out oi the warm May sunshine. and woke
IN our hearts the annual vision of tempt-
ing salt waves and cool rocky caverns at
Lcye Beach. | think they started with
less than the usual preparation that year:
at any rate | forget now the incident that
sent them off 80 suddenly at the last. 7
mean father, mother, John and little Ada.
had not finished two dresses that | CON
Sldered not essential to my summer
makeup at Lcye Beach, and remained
10 he sure she accomplished them bv q
given time. There were, then. ONLY nv
self, Kathleen and Mike Rushcr in the
house.
Now we were rich enough, but lived in
Simple ease and comfort in Il lovely, great,
ran nj.
caring little for outside show. but rather
taking rambling trips all over the conn
try, whenever the fit took us, into what
ever quiet nook or bustling city suited
best. And, for my, part, | much prefer
money spent in this way.
But in our quiet, unpretending home
were quantities of old family Jewels and
heavy family plate and the huge dining
room safe held besides. at certain times
large sums of money. Such a sum had
been there on the day of the familvexodus:
but at my urgent cntreatv father removed
through.
" It's bad enough. father. to have all
lhat plate, without two or three thousand
dollars to tempt burglars" said |, d" and
here alone with Kathleen"
"Cowardiy, Agnes ," said NV father.
laughing. You forgot Mike"
Yes, and what mortal use could Mike
he to me, in the event of a burglar break
ing IN ? When he's milcoh i'm the uppcr
story, and sleeps soundcr than the Seven
Slccpcrs."
Well, have him down in the little
corner room, then, and take Kathleen in
the next chamber. Or shall | send YOU a
special policeman ~
i wish you would. Mr.. Staggs. for
instance. Do have him patrol round the
house every night, He's smart and quick.
ANA nc II he real comfort Do father"
Well, upon my wordw said father.
laughing again; Ito think my brave
Agnes should turn such Il coward. Why.
chIld, its thickly settled all around, and
any cry would wake up somebody. I'll
stay myself If your 80 timid"
No you won't. | won't have YOU.
Mother will need YOU to look out for
everything. Johns Il harum-scarum if
hG Is eighteen. Only, | wish you'd send
Mr.. Stages"
Wen anyway, I'll come back Satur-
day night. The directors meeting is
Monday; and Wednesday you can 90
down with me. suppose your dresses
will he ready 10y then"
They went. But Mr.. Stages did not
appear.
The first night passed Off easily enough.
Mike slept downstairs, and Kathleen in
the room next To mine.
The second night | fancicd queer
taste m my chocolate at supper. and |
told kathleen To turnit out and buy some
new next dav. And took long draught
of water.
Kathleen looked ut me intently as |
told her, and dropped her eyes slowly
upon the cup. | remembered it after
ward, but it passed with no thought at
the time.
When | went to bed | lay for a long
time restless, then sank away to sleeper
partly. | think twas near twelve O'Clock
when a hand on my mouth and whisper
at my ear aroused me.
" Hush, miss, dear. not a word-not
noiSc"'
oh, Kathleen! is it you? What's the
Let me into the bed wild We, miss,
dear, for the love Of Hiven, an I'll tell
We. Quick, now"
She pushed me along and slipped under
the clothes on the edge of the bed. Then,
with her hands still ON my mouth to stiae
any untimcly ejaculation, she put her lips
to my ear. Miss Agnes, wo'd We behave
It?-bUt Mike Rushcr' cowardly, wicked
thafc; an its myself Il hur-r-d him bit
ago whi,tlin' under his breath out of the
windy, and whiu the clocks on twelve
II" II open the durc To a lot NV thaves an
cul-thruats an what not. an wei be rob
robbed, an like enough murdered. An
its near the time, surc-barrin' quarter
NV hour"
| can truly say l never before came
-ad awake in 50 quick time. | turned
WY cold from head to foot. When
.er comes in the daytime we have the