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

ght the pipe, Corny ?" she said, handin.
them to the old man, who took them will
a nod and "ThaDkee kindly" and filled
slowly, kindled with coal from the hearth
blew few whiffs in grave, dignifed 81
lence, and then handed it to Peter, who, in
equal silence, smoked it for few moments
and then handed it back to Corney, ani
proceeded to light his own pipe.
They both smoked steadily for time,
then Mrs. Linskey pulled a small table be.
tween them, produced from her chest q
stone jar of potheen and couple of crack.
ed glasses, which she set on the table with
a noggin of cold water; and taking up hel
pail, proceeded to the barn to milk the
COWS.
"That's purity colleen of yours, Pether'
Corny said, after a long silence.
''Thrue for ye. an good, sensible little
girl into the bargain it's happy's the man
that'll get her,' Peter replied, after due
consideration.
''That's what [ said myself, an I come
over to see if we can't make match be-
tween my Dermott an herself!" O'Byrne.
| said after another interval.
"He's a likely boy" pursued Peter re-
fectively.
"Ye may well say that, Pether; an he'll
make a good husband, no doubt, for he's a
good son. What do ye say to it % Corny
asked, leaning forward on his stool.
'I'm pleas -
''God save all here!" said harsh graf
| ing voice, and a head appeared IN the door
way: Good evening to we, Pether p
"Good evening, kindly, Peter returned.
"Come in and take a safe, Tom"
The newcomer entered and took sto oil.
and casting questioning glance at Corny
O'Byrne, proceeded to light his pipe and
smoked for some minutes. He was stout,
harsh-featured man, with loud voice.
He was not much of favorite in the vii
lage-and especially disliked by Corny
O'Byrne-who never lost an opportunity
of annoying Tom Dillon. He was a COM
Portable farmer, and one of his sons had
been making up'' to Katie Linskey some
time before. After silence, during which
the three old men smoked theoretically,
Dillon cleared his throat two or three times
and then said abruptly: "Pether, want
to make a match between your little girl
and my Martin; have ye anything to say
agin it ?''
HSorra one word, Tom; only me neigh
Dor Corny O'Byrne an myself were speak
ing o. the same thing when ye come in y
Pether replied, with a shrewd glance at
them both.
First come, first served, Pether," Corny
said, shaking the ashes from his pipe by
knocking the bowl against his thumb nail
"mind that ~
'sTo be sure, to be sure,'' Peter replied
and there was another long pause.
cam we may as well clinch the bargain
at orct,' Corny continued
''To be sure, to be sure," Peter again
assented, smoking steadily.
eye have nothin' agin my Martin, have
ye, Pether Linskey ?" Tom Dillon said,
laying down his pipe.
''Agin him ? No; he's nice dacent
boy, an I have a great regard fer him."
Peter answered.
cam he has great regard for your lit
tie girl, an sorra a days good he'll do till
he's married." calculated Tom, bringing
his fist down on the table. "He set his
mind on it, an I'll back him out! !"
''Turf an tundther Tom Dillon, didn't
Pether Llnskey tell you I came match
making for my Dermott %
ssTundther an turf Corny O'Byrne,
don't tell you that I come to do the same
thing for my Martin an suppose Dill
lon may ask a Linskey in marriage any
day-an' he can afford it tool" Tom added
slapping his pocket.
cam let me tell We, an O'Byrne can put
down pound for pound with a Linskey any
day or, for that mathef, with Dillon"
Corny said, with scornful glance at Tom,
who was in his working clothes "Pether,"
he continued, ''ye know what came for
what fortune are you goin' to give
Katie ?''
Peter took out his pipe, emptied it, pro-
ceeded to refill it leisurely, poked the fire,
relit the pipe. settled himself back in his
corner, and said slowly Fortune, Corny
Katie is fortune in herself. Pm poor
man, an the times is bad; an beyont a
now gown, couple of tieeces of wool, an
hank or so of yarn, can't give her any
fortune ~
Corny locked astonished, and pushed
back his stool-as much as to say that all
further negotiations were useless when
Tom Dillon said: "Never mind, Pether
there's them as III be willin' to take her
without any fortune, an can afford it
too ~
ssThrue for ye, Tom Dillon, an one O.
them is Dermott O'Byrne. We're not de-
pending on a few bare pounds-not but
what it's well to have something put by
for the childer," he added cautiously.
ssTo be sure, Corny, to be sure" Peter
assented.
"Well, Pether, is it to be me or Corney
Is Dillon to be put behind the door for
an O'Byrne? Isn't my Martin as likely a
boy as there is in the barony? He'll take
your colleen without brass penny, an do
well for her. What do you say to that?'
Tom asked, slapping the table.
."Bedad, then, Tom, L m in a fix entirely.
Here's Corney, a dacent old man, with a
fine, steady gossoon of son-he's first; an
here's yourself, an honest man, an a good
neighbor-sorra better-an' sure Martin is
the pride of the parish on Sunday! Pm
bothered entirely, an aohat can Isoy, but
settle it betune ye. Whichever Of you can
do the best for her take her inthe name of
st. Pathrick!'' and Peter resumed his
pipe, and sank back in his corner.
The two old men eyed one another 81
lently for few minutes, then Dillon pull