The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-09-01

"Bcdad Tom, think yc said a couple of
boni5es," Peter said again.
"NaJoclish, (nevcr mid) Peter. I'll throw
in cinich Ia whole BROOD o. ducks-take it
or lose it? Twenty FIVE pounds down the
day they're married. house an home, fea-
ther bed mule an heitr, and clutch o.
ducks !" said Corney, putting his money
back in his stocking.
"FaiX, an clutch isn't bad" observed
Peter "They're better than n calf to them
that hasn'ta COW to feed it an Corny's is
the best house, an Kate'll have il all to her
self. When your Matt an James marry,
it'll be mighty narrow for ye all %
flames is going to America, Pether," said
Tom.
"Well, that makes a differ. But isn't
there anything else yer inclined to offer
Dermott is the best match at this minute" +"
observed Peter.
"Pm done" said Tom Then suddenly
starting up, he cried "Wait minute
and ran out of the house, returning in a
quarter of an hour, staggering under sack
Of seed potatoes, "There, Corny OBrync,
put that in your pipe and smoke it," he
cried exultingly.
Corny at first sight of the sack, started to
his feet and put on his hat. "Wait min
ute, he cried: am not be long" and run
ming all the way home he was soon there.
Get me a sack, Judy-the meal sack
an be quick, ashore, he cried excitingly.
Cara, be aisy Corny, shure an the male
is in it."
"Betther an betther, cried Corny, going
into the room which served as dairy and
without vouchsaiing another word to the as.
tonished Judy, he shouldered the sack and
trotted off with it as fast as he could
Completely out of breath, he reached Pc.
ter's bathcd in pcrapiration but on enter.
ing he unlurkily tripped over the door step,
aud fell with the sack full length in the
kitchen The string round the neck of the
gave way, and covered with the meal, he
groand stammered breathlessly eth. there,
Pe-pe ether Linskey! Wh-woie the prai-
ties was gr-growing, the meal would keep
them alive What dye say, Pe-pether?"
"Begorra, Corny, | say what often said
before, that yer adjacent man'an' your boy is
welcome to Kate Linskey."
'"What do you mean, Pether?" cried Tom
Dillon.
"What / say, Tom +; nor more nor less.
The childer might die o. the farqutha Ia
fainting brought on by hunger or oyer-fatgue
without proper sustenance) while the prates
was CROWN Dermott O'Bryne can best pro-
vide my little girl with comforts an he's
welcome to her."
AT that moment a merry langh caused the
three old men to look round, and Corny tried
to scramble to his feet. In the doorway
stood Katie Linskey, her hands pressed to
her sides, and tears of mirth coursing down
her pretty face. "Tm sorry for your trouble,
Corny," she said advancing "but could
not help laughing, you looked so quare !"
and she burst into a fresh peal.
"Be quiet, Katie, an come here" ssid Pc.
ther, beckoniug his daughter to his side. 81
was matchmaking for ye; an the bargain
is closed betune an Corny for you aud Der
mott O'Bryne!'
"You don't name it, father? said Katy
with comical glance at Corny and Tom
Dillon.
"Shure enough, | do, ma colleen have ye
anything to say agin it it?" replied Peter
knocking the ashes from his pipe.
"Musha, not word at all, father dear
only-only-"
"Only what, Katie?"
"Only was married last Tuesday to Jack
Managan, the painterw she replied, with /;
loud musical laugh, which brought her hus
band to the door
"What % shrieked Tom Dillon.
"What !" echoed Corny.
ooh, Pether Linskey, Peter Linskey, ye
alther humbugging u.s." cried Tom, ,reproach
fully.
"Ah, humbugging US" echoed Corny
mournfully; and Peter, who was SLY ole
humorist, put his head against the wall an,
laughed heartily mt their astonishment.
The two ambassadors silently took up thei
respective sacks and slowly deparred, eacl
thinking himself much injured, aud in the
mutual discontinue forgetting their ami
mostly.
When next Corny went "matcd making
he took care to find out beforehand if tn,
young woman was "willing :" and as fo
Tom Dillon, he vowed it served him righ t,
be "humbugged," as he only wanted to
bother his neighbor, Corny O'Byrre with
whom he was ever good lriends) and h,
declared in future his boys might match
make Cor themselves.