Connecticut western news., 1875-04-09

An equal poftlon dealt to all man klnd; .,.-.. ... As different good by art, or nature given, To different nations makes their blessings even.
 OLIVER GOLDSMITH.
 TUE MacDERM0TTS OF BALLYBANE.
 The best choking" of land on the Ballybane property was that of old Darby MacD Dermott. His crops were always first sowed and first home; his hagggard, the neatest and best thatched; his fences ill the best condition, and his house the suggest in the village. Dar- by was never a day behind hand with his rent Tine zlst of May and the 1st of November found him, wet or dry, good season or bad season, at the office with his old gworsted 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 threescore and ten years. He had two sons, Mar tlu, the eldest, Q dark, handsome man, with square, heavy face, and pair of dark, restless, glittering eyes-a man whom every one respected, but very few liked; and Owen, fair, curly headed, delicate boy, who had been a mothers darling. Old 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 jealous or envious disposition; still he sometimes fhn1Inbf if roll I,o4 h, l. should have all the luck. Martin was strong and healthy and handsome, had been his fathers favorite, and was master of the farm after his death. All the stock and crops, and everything, was the property of Martin; and Owen was the owner of but fifty pounds. Forty years ago, two hundred pounds inready money was considered a fortune, and even fifty pounds was not by any means to be de- splsed and when old Darby MacDer- mott left his boys so we'll 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 gentleman, certainly as a man who might keep his jaunting car if he chose. But the possession of money made no change in the new tenant of the Upland Farm, as the MacDerfnotts' holding was called He just worked as hard as ever, getting up at six o'clock in the morning, and going to bed late. Owen lived with him, and worked, too, lustas usual, only that during his fathers time he might spent his evenings read ing old newspapers, or writing letters to his acquaintances who had gone to America. But Martin thought such occupations mere waste of time. and when the days work was ended, and the supper over, he ordered the fire and the lights toTbe put out F
 The next farm to that of Martin Mac Dermotbs on one side was held by Michael OIByrne, farmerwho had been well-to-do once, but misfortunes of late years had come thickly on him, and he had hard work to keep the farm together. On the other side, 8 small holding of about fifteen acres was held by a 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 MacDer- mott, without taking counsel of any one, 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 17th of March, St. Patrlck'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 ayoung girl, also dressed in her best-a crimson stuff dress, gay shawl, and a cross of ribbon of all the colors in the rainbow on her shoulder. Her fair hair was twisted earelessly round her head, and her soft, blue eyes had 8 startled look in them. %@S
 "Oh, Ownie, avorrneen, was afeard you weren't coming; and sure, sorra a bit of shamrock you have in your cap this blessed mornin'. Why is that, dear?'
 'tI was in hurry to see you, my darln', y he answered, looking tenderlv into the sweet, shy face. "Julia, I have some good news for you this mornin' !; let us walk down this lane and I'll tell you, ,and look for my shamrock at the same time" l...s.-.,...-r Y .-.-. q ..
 Together they turned down lane, or rather footpath, bordered on one side by a meadow on the other.
 "Julia, said Owen, "you know I'm fond ot you, since you were wee, shy, delicate, little creature. l never had any sweetheart but yourself, and now I want you to fix the day: I'm goin' to take you all to myself. You know Pat Heveran' s houldln'; went to the office yester- day and axed for it, and the agent as good as promised me it. Now, Judy T"
 ''I 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. We'll it was that neither of them saw the dark face which watched them from the other side of the hedge, or heard the muttered threats that were hurled after them, or they might not have enjoyed the re- mainder of that day as they did.
 St. Patrick's day in Ireland, forty years ago, used to be very dife' ent from what it is now; and when Julia O'Byrne and Owen MacDermott entered the mar. ket town of Gort, after long ramble through the fields in search of sham rock, it presented a gay appearance. The principal street was lined with stalls filled with oranges, apples, and gingerbread, gay crosses, and sugar pticks. There were tents full of "boys" :" and 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 everything, till late in the even ing, when they met Martin MacD Dermott and Julia's father, both evidently in high spirits, and chatting confdentially. They went into tent together, and after
 hours chat came out, more good