The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1875-03-17

corner where the bed stood seemed te
cause even a deeper stiffness and
then, in silence, where the buzzinl
Of fly would have been hoard, my
father soid
"Where's Billy Scanlanl I want
to make my willW
| Giles here, father" said Peter
taking Billy by the hand, and lead
ing him to the bedside.
"Write what l bid ye, Billy, and
b, quick for haven't long time
'sfore Inc hero. I die good Catholic
though Father O'Rafferty won't give
me tho rites ~
A general chorus of muttered, "Oh
musha, musha - was now hea rd
through the room but, whether in
grief over the sad fate of the dying
man, or the uufinching severity of
the priest, is hard to say.
IL die in pace with all my neigh.
bors and all mankind"
Another chorus of the com pany
seemed to approve these charitable
expressions.
bequeath unto my son, Peter
and there never was q better son or q
decenter boy IL bcqueath unto my
son Peter the whole Of ny two farms
of Killimundoonery and Knocksho-
boora, with the fallow meadows bo.
hind Lynch's house the forge and
right Of turf on the Dooran bog. l
give him-and much good may it do
him-Lanty Cassarn's acre, and the
Leary field with the lime kiln and
that reminds me that my mouth is
just leetle dry. Let me taste what
ye have Ia the Jug"
Here the dying man took a very
hearty pull, and seemed considerably
refreshed by it.
"Whsre was l, Billy Scaplan 7"
says be ; "oh, l rememb er; at the
lime-kin. L leave him that's
Peter [ mean the two potato gar.
IONS at Noonan's Well aud it is the
elegant, 6ue crops grows there.'
"Ain't you getting wake, father,
darlin' I" says Peter, who began to
be afraid of my fathers loquacious-
uess for to say the truth, the punch
got into his head, and he was .sreatly
disposed to talk.
81 am, Peter my son." says l. am
getting wake just touch my lips
again with jug. All !" Peter, Peter,
you watered tho drink"
"No, indeed, father, but, it's the
taste is LAWN you," said Peter, and
again q low chorus of compassionate
pity murdered throu Ii the wide
cabin"
"Well, Pm nearly done now," says
my father. "There's only one little
spot of ground remaining, and put
it on you, Peter--as 20 wish to live
good man. aud die with the same
easy heart as do now-that ye mind
my last words to ye here. Are ye
listening z" Are the neighbors lis
tening !? Is Billy Soanlan listen
ing I"
eyes, sir yes, father. we're all
minding," chorused the audience.
"Well then, it's my last will and
testament, and may-give me over
the jug"-here he took long drink
-"and may that blessed liquor be
poison to me if Pm not as eager about
this as overy other part Of the will {;
1 say, then bequeath the little plot
at the cross roads to poor Con Cregan,
for he has heavy charge, and is as
honest and as hard working a man as
ever | knew. DO friead to him,
Peter, dear never let him want
while ye have it yourself-think of
mo on my death-bed whenever he
asks ye for any triae. Is it down
Billy Soanlan Z" tho two acres at tho
cross to Con Crogan and his
heirs forever. All, blessed be the
saints - But 1 feel my heart grows
lighter after that" says he, ga good
work makes an easy conscience. And
now III drink all the company's
good health, and many happy re-
turns"
What he was going to add, there's
no saying but Peter, now terri.
bly, frightened at the lively tone the
sick man was assuming, hurried all
the people the another room to let his
fataer die in peace.
When they were all gone, Peter
slipped back to my father putting on
his brogues in corner.
"Con," says he "ye did it oil woll ;
bat sure that was a joke about the two
acres at the cross"
"Of course it was, Peter?" says ho ;
"sure It was all a joke, for the matter
for that; won't I make the neighbors
laugh hearty tomorrow when [ tell
the all about it :"
"What T. exclaimed Peter, in
amaxemont "Tell 'em all about
itS"
"Faith, and why shouldn't l 7" re-
turned my father dryly.
"You wouldn't bo mean enough t.
betray me 3" says Peters trembling
with fright.