The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-12-21
Select Story.
AN IRISH LEAR.
GERALD GR1rFIN's STORY BOLD Down BY
CHAs. READE.
From Hdrper's Weekly

Lear the story Is all over Europe, and, like
most old stories, told vilely To that, how
ever, there happens to be one exception, and
the readers of this collection shall have the
benefit of it.
In certain part of Ireland, a long time
ago, lived a wealthy old farmer whose name
was Brian Taafe His three sons ,Guillaum,
Shamus and Garret, worked on the farm
The old man had a great affection for them
all, and, finding himself growing unfit for
work, he resolved to hand his farm over to
them, and sit quiet by the fireside. But as
! that was not thing to be done lightly, he
thought he would just put them to their trial.
| lie would take the measure of their intelli-
gcnCe, and then Of their affection. Proceed
ing in his order, he gave them each hum
drcd pounds, and quietly watched to see what
they did with it.
Well, Guillaum and Shamus put their
hundred pounds out to interest, every pen
ret where his hundred pounds was, the young
man said 81 spent it, father"
spent it?' said the old man. aghast Is
it the whole hundred poundsT
Sure, thought you told us we might lay
it out as we plased.
Is that a raison ye'd waste the whole of
it in Il year, ye prodigal? :? cried the old man;
and he trembled at the idea Of his substance
falling into such hands.
Some months after this, he applied the
second test. He convened his sons and ad-
dressed them solemnly: Pm an old man
my children my hair is white on my head,
and its time | was giving over trade and
making my sow." The two elder overhowcd
with sympathy, He then gave the dairy
farm and the hill to Shamus, and the mead
ows to Guillaum. Thereupon these two
We'd with each other in expressions of love
and gratitude. But Garret said never a word;
and this coupled with his behavior about
the hundred pounds, so maddened the old
man that he gave Carrots portion, namely,
the home and the home farm, to his elder
brothers to hold in common. Garret he dis
inherited on the spot and in due form. That
is to say, he did not overlook him nor pass
him by but even as spiteiul testators used
to leave the disinherited one a shilling, that
he might not be able to say he had been
inadvertently omitted, and it was all mis-.
take old Brian Taafe solemnly presented
young Garret Taafe with hazel staff anC
a small bag, Poor Garret knew very vel
what that meant. He shouldered the bal
and went forth into the wide world with {
sad heart, but a silent tongue. His dog
Lurcher, was for following him, but he drov,
him back with q stone.
On the strength of the new arrangement
Guillaum and Shamus married directly, anC
brought their wives home, for it was a large
house, and room for all, But the old farme
was not contented to be quite a cipher, anC
} he kept finding fault with this and that
The young men became more and more i'm
patient of his interference, aud their wive
famed the flames with female pertnacity
SO that the house was diyided, and aver!
worse, till at last one winter afternoon
Shamus deied his father openly before al
the rest, and said 'Pd like to know wha
would plaise ye, Maybe ye'd like to turl
US all out as We did Garret."
The old farmer replied, with sudden digni
ty IF | did, I'd take no more than gave.
'What good was your giving it :? saiC
Guilaum 1--WE get no comfort of it whil
you are in the house
DO you talk that way to me p said tn,
father, deeply grieved. IF it was poor Gar
ret | had, he wouldn't use me so.
Much thanks the poor boy ever got from
you, said one Of the women, with yenomOu
tongue then the other woman, finding sh'
could count on male support, suggested to he
iather-in.law to take his stick and pack anC
follow his beloved Garrett. Sure ned fin'
him begging about the country
At the women's tongues the wounded pa
rent turned to bay.
4 don't wonder at anything hear ye say
Ye never yet heard of anything good that
woman would have a hand in. Only mischie
always. II ye ask who made such road
or built bridge, or wrote great history, o
did great action, you'll never hear it's
= swords and guns, or two boys cracking eac
others crowns with shillalahs, or a did
secret let out, or character ruined, or
man brought to the gallows, or mischie
made between a father and his own fes
and blood, then III engage you'll hear wc
man had some call to it, We needn't hav
recooTse to histhory to know your doin' :, ii
undher our eyes; for twas the likes o ye tw
burned Throy, and made the king o Lein,
j. ther rebel against Brian Boru.'
These shafts of eloquence stroke home
the women set up screaming, and pulle
their caps of their heads, which in tha
part was equiqaent to gentlelo.ks drawin
swords.
'Oh, murthur murthur was it for this
married you, Guillaum Taafe ?'
och, Shamus, will ye sit and see me con
pared to the likes Would | rebel againt
Brian Boru, Shamus, ara gall?
Don't heed him, ayourneen,' said Shi
: mus he is an ould man..
j, But she would not be pacged. oh, yo
e. vo If ever thought the likes 'ud be sal
7 of me, that I'd rebel against Brian Boru ?
As for the other, she prepared to leave ii
y house, 'Guillaum,' said she, "I'll never sta
. a day undher your roof with them as woul
Is say I'd burn Throy. Does he forget he ey,
a a had mother himself? All It's bad al
u ple that is what it is, that despises the tr,
ii sprung from
All this heated Shamus, so that he to
"a the woman sternly to sit kown, for the q
Of fender should 60 and upon that to sho
@. they were of one mind, Guillaum delibe
ately opened the door. Lurcher ran or
and the wind and the rain rushed in.
was a stormy night.
Then the old man took fright, and hun