The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-03-13

t 9 ground at his feet; he springs nimbly
aside Just in time to avoid huge black
object that falls with a thud on the soft
earth. A glance suffices to show the star
tied animal the form Of man, and he
leaps quickly away. The rudely awakened
Irishman finds himself seated upon hill
of his favorite vegetables, with his gun by
his side, and sees a pair of hoofs and the
white tail of his coveted booty disappear
ing through the gate. O'Neil has never
hunted deer by moonlight since.
Our good natured friend owned three
fowls, two hens and rooster Now this
rooster was fine looking bird, and the
pride of O'Neirs heart, although it was
somewhat of torment to him. The rae
looks intently at the moonlit objects around.
Suddenly gun falls from above and strikes
Goons and opossums were q vi to numerous,
and he was fearful they would devour his
precious flock. To avoid this he erected
roost in his sleeping apartment at the foot
of his bed, upon which they perched every
night in safety. But the head of this little
harem unfortunately possesses the same
popularity for which roosters have been
celebrated since the time of st. Peter-he
would crow loudly and vociferously every
morning before daylight. This melodious
note is considered by many as specific
remedy for banishing wandering spirits,
but the Irishman, thanks to his education,
was unlike the majority of his brethren,
entirely free from superstition. The song
of his favorite was, therefore, serious
annoyance to him, for it rang in his ears 50
repeatedly as to prevent his sleeping after
this wakeful bird saw fit to proclaim the
advent of day. AS soon as the first crow,
which usually occurred about 1 O'Clock,
awakened him, he would rise, seize the
unhappy fowl, and thrust him out of the
window, where he would wander about in
the darkness. The danger of its being de-
voured by the predatory 'coons and pos
sums was greatly augmented by this
.houghtlessness on the part of its master,
who so tenderly protected it during the
earlier hours of the night.
Although the fowls were made pets of
and stood in high favor with their master,
vet the feline "Thomas was the prime
favorite, and was, as O'Niel said, ga fine
cat" He was a sleek Maltese with good
countenance and mild eye; in fact, he bore
a strong resemblance to his master. His
sagacity and Intelligence was hourly COM
mented upon by his doting owner. We
gained the heart of the honest Irishman at
once, by listening with attention to the
long stories he told of this animal.
On the day succeeding that of our arrival
the mail carriers came across the portage.
They were to remain over night with us
and 60 on in the boat the next day. AS
we we're all rather short of provisions they
made the proposition that one of the Irish
mans hens should be bought and cooked.
We were dumb founded at this proposal,
surprising that he would nearly as soon
part with finger as with one of his much
loved hens. The mail carriers seemed to
understand him much better than we did,
however. They made the audacious pro-
posal, and to our surprise it was instantly
accepted; and for the paltry sum of seven
ty-five cents O'Niel consented to the sacri-
flee.
One of them quickly seized the gun for
fear that he would relent, aimed it at the
latest of the three. and it was soon served
up as a rich soup, in the consumption of
which our host lent a willing hand. We
afterwards learned the secret of his readi-
ness to dispose of the bird. He was ex-
ceedingly fond of an occasional drap of
the cratur." and having but few ways to
"turn an honest penny" had willingly
! yielded to the temptation offered, to obtain
little money with which to purchase some
of his favor;te beverage.