The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-06-21
Matchmaking in Roscommon.


in matrimonial matters. Her a.
ther being the best Judge of what is
for his daughters advantage, opposi.
tion on her part is of very rare occur.
renee, except whore she has taken the
precaution of providing herself with a
husband beforehand. When a match
is made and the bargain concluded, if
the girl declines to accept the husband
selected, she'quickly loses caste, the
young men considering that disobe.
dient daughter must Of necessity make
an uncomfortable wife.
Still more exceptional is any obiec
tien on the part of the young man to
the wife selected for him by his father,
as he feels satisfied that experience
enables his parent to judge of the
temper and qualifications of a woman
much better than he possibly could.
Moreover, the father has the advau.
tage of being able to examine her
merits with perfectly impartial, and
at the same time fairly critical eye.
Interest and inclination alike lead
him to make the best selection; he
does it only after an infinite amount
of cogitation; but when his choice is
made, it is unalterable; and he will
obstinately contend for his sons inter-
est, without single thought of the
young woman's inclinations, taking it
for granted that they will be in &C.
cordanee with her fathers wishes.
The mother has little to say in the
matter on either side. She never
goes match making, and is not it any
way consulted, being only acquainted
with the intentions of her husband for
their son, when he has made up his
mind. Marriage is matter of bust.
ness, and it is like any other bargain,
made with the shrewd humorous cal.
culating caution which characterizes
the Connought man. Marriage gifts
such as pigs, poultry, COW, ETC., play
an important part in The arrange
ments; and the girls father has been
known tc refuse to give her single
penny of fortune until the bride
groom's parent had conceded to her
a favorite Matching goosel The fol.
lowing is specimen of the way in
which matrimonial affairs are man
aged west of the Shannon.
Get out my Sunday clothes, judy"
said old Corney OByrne, one evening
when he returned from his work.
"ln going over to Pether Linskey's
to night"
"Musha. Corny, an what are ye
goin' for?" Judy asked, as she un-
locked a large deal l-chest painted red,
which stood near the fire. place, and
carefully took out a blue frize tail
coat, with bright metal buttons, pair
of light.colored cord knee breeches,
ribbed worsted stockings, pair of
strong shoes, and a billy-cock hat,
which with red cotton pocket hand
kerchief with lowered border (Which
he carried in his haD, and a stout
black thorn shillelah, constituted
Corny's Sunday suit.
"Sure, I'm goin' to make q match
between our Dermott an Katie Lins.
key" he said at last in reply to his
wife's question.
"She's purity colleen, and the boy
is mighty plased with her, intirely."
$50 she is, Corny, a lankie little
girl, an she'll have a snug f)rtune,
maybe. Pether is a dacent honest
man ~
Faith, Judy, an he is that same,
or it isn't Corney O'Byrne that would
cut, shuttle, or dale with him or his /;
an Dermott tells me Katie likes him."
can why wouldn't she, Corny ?
There's not as purity boy in the par.
ish; nor betther," Judy said proud
ly:
"Thrue for ye, ashore give us cut
the ould stockin,' an we'll make a
match of il this Shrovetide, with the
blessin' O. st. Pathriekp Corny re-
piled.
From the furthest corner of the
chest Judy drew out carefully an old
worsted stocking, and handed it to
her husband, who weighed it in his
hand, and then with SLY wink, but
toned il into one of his pockets.
This'll do the business, judy" he
said, as he left the house, with many
Banaughth. Laths-God prosper or be
with you-from his wife.
Peter Linsky WAS a small farmer
living about quarter of a mile from
Corny's cabin. He had several sors
and one daughter, Katie, who was
considered the beauty, of the village
of BalIymoyne. Her eldest brother
was about to be married, and bring
his wife home, and her father consid-
cred it would be very advisable to
get Katie married and settled before
the arrival nf her sister-in- law; and