Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-06-02
MATCHMAKING IN ROSCOMMON.

MATCHMAKING IN ROSCOMMON.
In the west of Ireland, the feelings O
the young women are seldom consulted in
matters matrimonial Her father being
the best judge of what is for his daughter'
advantage. opposition on her part is OF
very rare occurrence, except where she ha.
taken the precaution of providing herself
with a husband beforehand. When q
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 disobedient daugh.
ter must of necessity make an uncomfort-
able wife.
Still more exceptional is any objection on
the part of the young man to the wife Sc
lected for him by his father, as he feels
satisfied that experience enables his pa
rent to judge of the temper and quali1ica-
tions of a woman much better than he
possibly could. Moreover, the father has
the advantage of being able to examine
her merits with a perfectly impartial, and
at the same time fairly critical eye. In
terest 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 unalter-
able; and he will obstinately contend for
his sons interest, without single thought
Of the young woman's inclinations, taking
it for granted that they will be in accord
ance with her fathers wishes. The mother
has little to say in the matter on either
side. She never goes matchmaking, and
is not in any way consulted, being only
acquainted with the intentions of her hus-
band for their son, when he has made up
his mind. Marriage is a matter of bust
ness, and it is like any other bargain, made
with the shrewd humorous calculating eau
ton which characterizes the Connaught
man. Marriage gifts such as pigs, poultry,
COW, ETC., play an important part in the
arrangements and the girls father has
been known to refuse to give her a single
penny Of fortune until the bridegroom's
parent had conceded to her a favorite
Matching goose! The following is speci-
men of the way in which matrimonial af-
fairs are managed west Of the Shannon.
s'Get out my Sunday clothes, judy"
said old Corny O'Byrne, one evening when
he returned from his work. s'I'm goin'
| over to Pether Linskey's tonight"
"Musha, Corny, an what are ye goin'
for9" Judy asked, as she unlocked large
deal-chest painted red, which stood near
the fireplace. and carefully took out blue
| frieZe 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 handkerchief with
| Powered border (which he carried in his
hat), and stout blackthorn shillelah, con-
stituted Corny's Sunday suit.
"Sure, Pm goin' to make a match be-
tween our Dermott an Katie Linskey"
he said at last in reply to his wife:s ques-
ton. '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 snug fortune, maybe. Pether
is dacent, honest man."
"Faith. Judy, an he is that same, or it
isn't Corny O'Byrne that would 'cut,
schuffle or dale" with him OIL his; an Der
mott tells me Katie likes him."
''An' why wouldn't she. .Corney? There
is not as purity a boy in the parish; nor
betther," Judy said proudly.
ssThrue for ye, ashore; give us out the
ould stockin'. an We'll make a match of
it this Shrovetide, with the blessin' o. St.
Pathrick!'' Corny replied.
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
slv wink, buttoned it into one of his
nockets. "Thisll do the business. judy"
| he said, as he left the house, with many
Laths-God prosper, or be with
you-from his wife
Peter Linskey was small farmer living
about a quarter Of mile from Corny's
cabin. He had several sons and one daugh-
tor Katie, who was considered the "beau-
tv,, of the village of Ballymoyne. Her
oldest brother was about to be married,
| and Dr10g HIS WllO AlOAAO3 esuu aOA AeSoAiOA
considered it would be very advisable to
ont Katie married and settled before the
arrival of her sister-in-law; and permott
O'Byrne-a fine, strapping young fellow,
very s.steady' and good natured-- Old Peter
thought would make a very good husband
for his girl Especially as he was an only
child), if no better suffer offered.
When Corny O'Byrne reached Peter
Liuskey's cabin, he put in his head over
the half-door, and said in Irish: Good
save all here!' the customary form of
greeting in that and many other parts OF
Ireland.
"God save ye kindly, Corny," Peter re-
nlied from the chimney corner, "come in
and take sate."
Corny entered with both his hands be-
hind his back, took his seat on three
legged stool that Mrs. Linskey had pushed
in front Of the fire for him.
Fine weather for the crops, Corny, .
Peter said, poking up the fire with his shoe
An Mary, throw on couple o. sods o. dry
turf, an sweep up the hearth, will you?
Mary did as her husband desired, and
, then going to a recess in the wall by the
fireplace, took out from thence a new clay