River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-12-12

twenty years of age got transported for seven
wears for treason felony, as he had taken an
active part in the rebellion of 1918. Julia was
an idle, careless girl, who spent her time in Cos
siping in the neighbours house, instead OF tax :
ing care of her father, weak, helpless old
man, who toiled early and late, trying to keep
a roof over his head. All his wretched
schemes had turned out badly They had notin
them the ring OF a Straightforward and honest
man. Above all, the trouble and disgrace OF
his son Darby completely broke him down
and he took TO his bed, only wishing ana want
ing TO die. Its the eurse-lts Ownle.s own
eurse" he would moan for hours, as ne lay
alone without soul to hand HIM even 9 dflhk
Of water. "Sure, might have known 1t would
come"
Al length the climax OF Martin MacDer-
motifs suffering was reached, the measure OF
his punishment filed up. For three years he
| had nor maid a sixpence OF rent, and he was
dispossessed, turned out of the house in which
| he was born, and his father and grandfather
| before him. to die By the WAVELET homeless
and friendless by the roadside on dreary
| November morning.
Remembering his unkindness TO an only
brother, his harshness to his poor, tiHnid,
patient wife, his blind indulgence OF his son,
in the face of patent facts, his total neglect OF
his only daughter, and his mean, scheming
character, there were few 10 pity Martin
MacDermott in his trouble; and so ne was
taken to the workhouse, his house knocked
down, and not a trace left of what had been
once happy homestead.
And Owen, when ne left the tent that ever
memorable st. Patricks night, it was with the
resolve of going away for eye--anyw here, so
that he was far from the place which had
suddenly become hateful to him. He walked
all night and at the break of day found him
self Just outside the town of Ballinsaloe.
There he had some breakfast and at the inn
he entered into conye' satiOn with some men
who were going to England with cattle and
were In want of a drever. Owen offered his
servicees, end as he appeared quiet, respee-
table Young man, they were accepted at on e.
They reached Dublin in three days and then
started for Liverpool, where Owen said good
by to the cattle jObbers, and took passage
TO America in the Golden Cross. On board he
made himself so useful and agreeable 10 The
CAPTAIN that he gave him recommendation
to merchant in New York, who took him in
to bis office. For five years Owen worked pa
tientIy and steadily, and then his master pro
NOTED him to be clerk; and so on from step
to step, his patient, honest industry raised him,
till he became a partner in enc OF the first
firms i'm the great city Then, when he paused
10 consider that he was rich and independent,
and a gentleman, came home-longings. The
Upland farm, the llne where he last walked
with Julia the quiet little market town-all
used to come before him as he sat in his grand,
lonely house, and at last he resolved to pay
his native place visit.
He arrived at Gort late on the afternoon of
the 10th of March and determined TO remain
quiet till the next day, when he felt pretty
sure OF meeting his brother Martin. 1t was
just thirty years since Owen left his native
place and there were fewer changes in the
dull little town than he auticipated-far fewer
changes than there were in himself. But
when st. Patrick'S day dc wned, clear and
frosty, he could not rest and started early IN
the aforementioned direction OF the Upland
In a
the old cabin, weather-stained and desolate,
which had been the home Of Julia; and how
it stood still as he reached the level field OF
oats which was just coming over ground
where his fathers house stood Faint and
sick he entered the first cabin he came to, and
asked a drink of wafer. A wretched old wo-
man, seeing how white he looked, asked him
to take stool, which he did, and after a few
minutes silence he began to ask some ques-
tions about the place. A young girl with a
face that would have been
pretty but for its sulky expression, had a
quantity of fair hair negiigently hanging over
her shoulders, looking uli from heap of flax
she was carding, and examined the stranger
attcntivcIy, as he asked the old woman what
had become of the MacDermotts.
Come here, Judy, and tell his honor what
became of Martin hlacDermott and his bless
cd family. This is his daughter, sir"
"And Martin, what has become of him? Is
he dead?n Owen asked, breathlessy.
''No; it would be a good job if he was" the
girl said, sullenly; he's in the poorhousew
Owen buried his face in his hands and wept
aloud Surely his curse had fallen hot and
heavy; far, far hotter and heavier thaa he
meant it should.
Girl! did you hear OF your Uncle Owen:
I am he Take me to your father. And this
is Julia's daughter! l might baye known;
YOU are SO like her."
Itwas hard to make poor old Martin Mae
Dermott understand chat his brother had
come back, and was rich, and was willing to
help him; but when it did dawn on his feeble
mind his sorrow and his gratitude was touch
ing TO behold. "Fake me away, OWnle-take
me away from Ballybane. l can never houk
up my head among the neighbors again
Sure I'm a broken-dow ould creature; but
have a small taste of the spirit Of MacDermott
left yet. in spite of all my troubles. Take me
an Julia away, Ownie."
There was now demonstrated a beautiful
instance of magnanimity, owen took his
b. othsr and his niece TO New York; but
Martin did not live TO enjoy the splendid
home of Owen. Six months after they landed
he died, without any visible or local cause
simply of IA broken heart. Julia took her
place as mistress of her uncle's establishment
and before very long married the son OF his
partner aud had fine house OF her own;
and when Darby's term of transportation eX-
pired, his uncle took him TO live with him
The Young man had learned severe lessen,
but he profted by it, and he is now one Of the
most prosperous and esteemed merchants in
New York His children climb on the knees
of white-haired, gentle old man they call
Uncle Owen, and he sometimes says to Darby,
as he strokes his eldest boys golden curls
Your Owen is like me, nephew, | can SEE
that. I'm a happy old man. | could not
have been so had / committed any horred
act of vegeance. In doing good for evil thai
| am truly blest"