The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-08-20

it's the pity to see you standing there behind
that counter, the poor lone creature you are.
peddler and the soldiers draining their glasses
to the bottom, "sure it's some one that Won
ought to have according to law by your side
there TO help you to make such fine pune b,
instead of the onshaugh that's spelling every
thing he puts his hands to; for l was only
joking him when 1 spoke of this drop Pm
| taking, for it's not worth trawneen"
! The peddler and the soldiers laughed at this
and the widow and Tim joined in when the
cornet called for the youug niece of the wido ",
who bad not reappeared after having entered
the room off the bar
Oh she'll be here immediately" said Tim /;
for she's only in there boiling the water for
you"
"She must come out this moment" replied
the 9Th GER, in rather sudden and inexplicab,e
hit of Impotence. for the last glass he took
rest of the soldiers. yes" he continued,
bring her out here! She shall make US some
punch; for I'm determined to have a glass of
her brewing and to pay her for it with a kiss
into the bargain"
A flush of anger Redeemed the cheek of the
Dillon as the cornet uttered these words but
when they heard all the soldiers ipn in chorus
IN demanding the reappearsnce of young
Peggy, they began to fear that matters would
not turn out as well as they had anticipated.
AT this point the peddler came to the rescue,
observing that the young girl would be out in
few moments, as he always knew her to help
behind the counter; although, if the truth
must be told, he never laid his eyes on her be-
fore, or on any one in the house except the
general, whom he had met accidentally on the
road for the first time in the early part of the
day, and whom he had long heard of an able
and adroit friend of the patriots. When he
hrst arrived at the inn, he had few words of
conversation with the widow, which insured
him very cordial and respectful reception,
and which induced her to steal curious elanc
at him whenever she could do so unobserved.
is 1T Peggy Fitzgerald you're talking
aoout1 shouted the general, in fit of sudden
merriment "Halx, if it is, you may save your
self the trouble, for it's myself that knows that
girl, and you could no more keep her in there
all the evening when there's a soger about
than you could keep cat from stealing milk"
Come, come" said the cornet, struggling to
his feet, bring her out here, l say Well
have no more of this delay and palavering.
Shall we, men u he roared, turning to the sol
diers and rushing toward the counter.
No. no" returned his men, starting to their
feet also. Bring out the girl here, else wen
have her out ourselves in jify."
Peggy now stepped ont of the room, pale
and trembling, into the bar, upon which the
peddler cried:
Now, gentlemen, the bargain was, that she
Is to make us all a tumbler of the BEST and
that, after that, she is to be paid with a kies
Let her earn the kiss first. Let us have the
punch, for here am as dry as CHIP.
This seemed to appease the cornet and his
men, for they all resumed their seats, the young
officer, in half-drnnken, leering manner, rub
bling his hands at the success of his demand, |
and the kiss that he was we'll assured he sheuld
obtain also.
The punch made, Tim assisting in SUBJ |
ordinate manner, and the widow looking on |
flushed and nervous. When it was ready, Tim |
took it over to the table, informing the party |
that they must all make clean job of it and |
drink Peggy's health into the bargain, before |
the officer was allowed to pay for it in the |
manner he spoke of.
These remarks were received with applause, |
and every glass drained in trice; upon |
W hich the peddler to his feet to say few |
words before the young girl came for ward.
There was objection to this !; when he |
began at once by observing that he bad known |
the father and the family of Miss Peggy for |
years, and that he if the good man |
had been alive he would have been very much |
pleased to be eyewitness of the honor that |
was about to be conferred his daughter by |
so distin guished officer of KING George Ill. |
Bat" he observed, suddenly breaking off
and looking at the whole party with most |
comical expression of counteuance, "why, |
gentlemen, what's the matterf You are not |
You all dead asleep and tom |
bling off your seats! Oh well, if that's the |
way of it," he continued, " well have to take |
care of you for the night"
The whole appearance of the man altered in |
a moment as he strobe to the door in the rear |
of the apartment, and took q small silver
W histle from his pocket, which he blew three |
times ont into the darkness for it was now |
verging toward midnight and the sky was m
usually cloudy.
[Concluded next weok.l
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.