Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-10-02

WAS universal IaNOTlIe, auu ueSerNeu W
be.
A few evenings after Denis Connor
had told his wife of the threatened evic-
ton, Oona, his daughter, was sitting
with Willie Merrick on the stone seat
outside old Judy's cabin. There was no
"take, and the men were all about the
beach attending to the drying of the
nets, or watching little boat which was
making for the quay against wind and
tide.
"She'l never get in, Oona, if they
don't tack more to the east'ard," Willie
said. "Oh, if 1 had a boat like her,
wouldn't be happy"
"Aren't ye happy as We are, Willie ?"
Oona asked. aye told me the other
night that ye was the happiest boy in
Cloonabeg, or Cloonamore either"
$50 I am, darlin'," Willie said, look
ing tenderly at the fair saucy face be-
side him; "but I'll be happier when
yer my own intirely. When is it to
| be 2"
"Whenever ye like, Willie; father
and mother are willing, and yer granny
is teasing me every day. Sure, we're
all as one as married, aren't we,
Willie 2"
eyes, darliu' but want the priest
to spake the words, and put this on yer
s0eeShy little finger ; and young Merrick
pulled from his pocket canvas bag,
from the furthest corner of which he
pulled wedding-ring.
"This Shrovetide, then, Willie, !"
Oona whispered with blush. "Now, 1
must go in, as mother'n be wanting me.
Is that the agent gone into Martin Gill's,
Willie 1 didn't think it was rent day
yet"
eyes, faix, it is, Oona, and it wants a
week yet to the half-year )" and Oona
went into the house, while Willie went
to see what the people we're gathering
into groups for, and talking SO mysteri-
ously about. A very few words served
to explain the object of the agents
visit. He had come, accompanied by the
bailiff, to serve "notice to quit " on
every house. "His honor the landlord
wanted the place cleared down." was all
the reason he gave. 1t was sad thing
to walk through the village of Cloona-
beg that evening, and go from house to
house with the agent. Everywhere he
said the same thing: eye must clear
out /; his honor wants the place. I'll for
give ye half this half.year's rent all
round, and give ye till the first of Janu-
ary to get away. But remember the
men'u be here on New Years day to pull
down these dens."
"By the time they had reached Denis
Connor's the whole village-men, women
and children-were after them, crying
bitterly, and Judy Merrick came to ask
what the matter was.
cts evicted we are-served with no.
tice to quit, judy" Mary Connor said,
quietly. cit isn't easy to leave the old
place ye were bred and born in, and go
out on the world. But Gods good;
cheer up, Denis avic."
"What does she mean, Denis Con-
nor ?" Judy cried. els it that they're
goin' to dispossess ye-to turn ye out OF
the cabin ye were born in, and yer father
and grandfather before ye 2"
Yes, a'am; that's exactly what we
mean," the baiiff said. "I'm going to
serve you next"
"Serve me evict me I! turn me, an
old woman of threescore and ten, out on
the roadside !" Judy screamed. "No
I was born in that cabin; my father lived
and died in it; my ancestors were the
first that ever raised stone of Cloona-
beg. Old Judy, poor Judy, Judy Mer-
rick, ye may call me, but I'm Julia
O'Brien, and in the cabin I've lived in
there'll L de-"
"We'll see about that" the bailiff
sneered, and Judy rushed out. and knelt
down at her own doorstep. "The first
one of ye that crosses here will have tc
walk over me-" she shrieked; but the
bailiff advanced, and laying his hand or
her shoulder, gave her printed form,
and said, jeeringly:
"You're served, Mrs. Merrick; and
I'd take it easier, if I were you. Come
on, sir" he added, turning to the agent
who was examining the condition of the
house.
Judy Merrick stood up, and looked al
the notice in her hand, and then ad
vanced to the agents side. Mr.
Hayes, sir" she said slowly, "I'm to bt
out of this cabin on the first of January
amn't I 2"
eyes; and see that you are." Mr.
Hayes replied.
"Where am to go to, sir9"
"My good woman, that's nothing
whatever to me" he said, Struggling hi
shoulders; "go wherever you like"
"You know, sir, that in Cloonamor
one of us can't get bit, nor sup, no
3 lodging, for love or money, even if w
had that same. Wherell we go to. Mr.
Hayes, sir; will ye ask his honor that 2
1 "That's nothing whatever to hi
l honor; he wants his houses, and sup
1 pose he has right to them. It's no
l every landlord would treat ye so well a
: to forgive ye quarters rent, and thei
/ give ye two months notice and nothing
r to pay" the agent said.
= "It's not every tenant that treats