The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-05-06
The MACDERMOTTS OF BALLYBAkE.
An Irish Story Of Real Life.

The best ''holding' of land on the Bal
lybane property was that of old Darby
NacDermott. 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
er a 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 the office with his old
vorsted 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, the eldest, a
dark handsome man, with square.
heavy face, and pair Of dark, restless
differing eyes man whom everyone
respected, but very few liked; and Owen,
. fam, 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 frst.born.
Owen was not either of q jealous or en-.
vious disposition; still, he thong hit it
rather hard that his brother should have
Ill the luck. Martin was strong, and
healthy, and handsome, had been his
father's favorite, and was master 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 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
Dallybane who did not envy them-Mar-
tin especially, who was looked up to by
his neighbors as little short Of gentle
man, certainly as a man who might keep
his haunting car, il he chose. But the pos.
session Of money made no change in the
new tenant Of the Upland farm, IS the
NacDermott's holding Was called. He
lust worked a. hard - ever, getting up al
ix o'clock in the morning, and going t.
bed late. Owen lived with him. ane
worked too, justsas usual. only that dur
ing his fathers time he might spend hi!
evenings reading old newspapers or writ
ing letters to his acquaintance who hae
gone to America. But Martin though
such occupations mere waste Of time
and when the days work was ended ant
the supper over, he ordered the lire ant
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 beef
well-to-do once, but mistortunes Of lat.
years had come thickly on him, and h.
had hard work to keep the farm togeth
or. On the other side, q small holding Q
about fifteen acres was held BY coed
for-nothing old fellow named Patricl
Heveran, who was little better than +,
nuisance to the entire neighborhood
However, one morning,
was found dead in his bed
ana Owen AcDermott, withou
taking counsel Of any one, went to tn
agent and asked if he might have the VI
cant farm, and he wished to settle dow
on his own account. The agent promised
and full of hope and joy Owen went abos
his work. The next day was the 18th
March, st. Patrick's day, and gener
holiday and early in the morning Owe
dressed himself in his Sunday suit ~
went out. A little way down the road
met young girl, also dressed IN her be
"a crimson stuff dress, gay shawl, ~
cross Of ribbon Of al the colors IN Il
rainbow on her shoulder. Her fair ha
was twisted carelessly around her hea
and her soft blue eyes had startled Loo
in them.
'sOh, Ownie, avourneen, I was afeal
yoa weren't comm; and sure, sorra :
Of shamrock you have in your cap th
blessed mornin'. Why is that, dear
81 Was in hurry to see you, my d
lin'," he answered. looking tenderly in
the sweet, shy face. Julia, have sor
GOOD news for you this mornin'; let
walk down this lane. and III tell 70
and look for my shamrock at the nj
time"
Together they turned down lane.
rather foot-path, bordarsd On one side