Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-05-31


of duplication, but when she laid her
bonnet on the table, and pushed back
her hair from her pale and somewhat
careworn cheek, | thought had sell
dom seen more interesting girl.
4 knew WE'LL she continued, that
you must have heard something
about Ned; but now just listen to me
till | tell you what you never heard
from his enemies | was telling you
while ago that promised father to
let Ned know l would never see him
more; so one night about month
ago we met as usual-he never could
stay long away, for when his work
was over, he was always coming
about the house, where he thought
he'd see me. And then we'd have a
little walk together, and Ned was al
ways pressing me to go away with
him; but / never would, for told
him whatever l did | would never
bring disgrace upon my family. Well,
one night Ned came as usual, and af-
ter we had walked bit in the moon
light-'Ned,' says |, father says we
must never marry, and that I'm not
to be walking or talking with you any
more. Ned stopped short and stared
me in the face by the moonlight
You're not in earnest, Alice, you're
surely not in earnest; | knew they
were never free to like the match; but
sure your not in earnest that you're
not to walk with me or see me more?'
Ned says |, Il am in earnest; father
and mother was always good to me,
and | cannot go against their wishes
uow-and | fear l must break off
with you.' Alice, you were never
fond of joking-is it truth You are
telling me?' 1T is, Ned said |, as
quiet to him as | am this minute. Il
believe it's yourself that don't care
for me- said Ned, angrily; but any,
way you would never say what you
now do, unless you were in earnest
The boys were often wanting me to
join them, but | always refused up to
this. Alice-though | never told
them so-it was for your sake | re.
fused; but now will refuse no longer.
There is to be meeting tonight, and
III go straight and join them that's
bound to give freedom to Ireland
"Oh, Ned, Ned, Ned said l, 'for
Gods sake don't join the bloody Rib.
bonmen that's bringing all this trouble
on the country, and some of them will
be sure to suffer yet Oh, Ned dear,
don't join them. whatever you DO,
don't join them; they'll surely bring
you to the gallowsr 'What matter,
said he, what they bring me to, when
you draw off from me? Alice, you
are the only living being | care for in
the world I've neither father nor
mother, nor brother nor sister; but |
thought had yOu for my own, and
that you would soon be my wife. And
now you tell me that's all over; and
what can | do better than join them
that's striving TO free our country ?
But come away with me now, Alice
dear, come off with me this minute,
and I'll do whatever you bid me, and
never take the oath, let them all talk
as they will
Here she stopped for few mo-
ments III her story her face grew
paler than before, and her eyes filled
with tears; then after few convul-
sive efforts to overcome her feelings,
she continued
Il think | would have gone with
him that very minute, for loved Ned
dearly, but just then father came to
the door, and called out to know
what | was doing so long out of the
house. So I told him | was coming
in, and giving one last look at Ned, |
said, Ned, don't ask me; | cannot do
it, Very WE'LL said he, mind you
have refused, and you are not the
girl to refuse unless you mean it
goodbye; Njoin the boys tonight =
And he was gone across the ditch by
my side before could say another
word
Il fear,' said l, 'he has kept to his
threat, for know ne is one of the
Ribbonmen now
I will not deny it, replied she,
calmly; / knew well your honor knew
it, and that is what brings me to you
here tonight
'And what do you want me to do p
asked l.
'The police have nothing against
him yet, she replied 'they have
warrant in their hands to arrest him,
but that is only for some assault-as
they call it which one of bis ene-
mics swore against him. He has
done nothing yet with the boys
which could bring him into trouble,
except taking the dreadful oath.
But ch, sir, LII tell you what | dare
scarcely tell to mortal mamie is on
for the nert job
'On for the next jobp said |;
what do you mean p
sYour honor knows well what |
mean, replied the girl, calmly.
DO you mean, said |, shat he is
to murder the next man that those
bloodthirsty villains condemn to die?
perhaps it is myself2'
There is no fear Of his hurting q
hair of your honor's head, said she,
steadily. They tried him about
that, but he was near killing the
man that said it to him, and they
never spoke to him of it since; but
they have put him on for the next
job barrin' yourself; and now that
he is regularly sworn in, be can't re-
fuse
'Well,' said |, 'and what do you
propose that | should do?'
Il II tell you sir replied she. Ned
came to me the other night; was
sitting up late, thinking. Father
and mother bad gone to bed, but |
said l wanted to sew bit, so | sat
up thinking, over the fire. Aftcr a
while | heard tap at the window,
and then a low whistle, which |
knew we'll was Ned's. So l made
M noisa NOR stir hnt | inst mt ont