Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-09-04
Kits Mission.

Kits Mission.
The major arrived just before supper
and when it was over the young folks Il.
usual took possession of him. Seated il
his big arm chair before The blazing fire
with his ruddy face, twinkling blue eyes
soldierly whiskers and slight brogue, HI
was their ideal OF n brave old Irshmar
all of the oldpn time.
And so you've graduated, Tom, my
boy? be said.
Yes, the young man replied, sullenly
With all honors, of course9
With no honors. never was intended
10 make a mark in the world.
Have you chosen your profession? ask
ed the m ,jor cheerily, pretending not tc
see the lads discontented face.
| No, 1t does not matter much what
do, Some fellows have money to begir
the world with. and some talent BOZ
Fitch had an aptitude for medicine; hi.
brother for the law; while Joe, there, is +
born mechanic. But have no capital o
any sort. l don't know why Gcd sends
useless people into the world.
The major made no reply. He saw thai
Tom was bitter under some college defeat
1t was no time for serious reproof. He
turned to the children, therefore, VIII,
were climbing his knee and bringing thell
stools, in expectation of story.
An Irish story, please.
A duel, Major, said Jack.
No, no! Lady Leigh's ghost, PLEADED
Mary
Tut, tut! You know my stock too well
Let me see. Did ever tell you of IL M t1
who lived in his coffin?
No! Oh, 90 on! their eyes dilating with
the delight of n new horror.
1t was in 1920, began the major, toast
ing his feet comfortably, that | was senr
on visit to my uncle, "a farmer in County
Cork. l Was about your age, Jack, :
hearty eater, Il good shot, and II great dea
| fOnder of fun than of books.
My uncle's house was great, loA
rambling building, with plenty of win
dows, and big, roaring fires; untidy an,
comfortable; full and running over witt
children, dogs and servants. | wa.
stunned at first with the scale on which
the eating and fun and flolic went on.
My uncle WAS only II dairy farmer. II
this country he would have felt it right t.
save every penny for his eleven children
But in Ireland he felt it to be his dnly t,
keep his table filled with poor friends lht
| year round.
They're unfortunate, my aunt replied
when | questioned why they were there
| Isn't that reason enough?
In the kitchen it Was just the same way
B sides the cooks, farm hands. laundry
and loom women Qor the ladies wove thei
own linen then), there was Il legion of old
blind and deaf retainers cluttering up thu
passages.
They're not beggars; they're all of use
said my aunt placidly. They earn thei
bite and sup.
Old Molly, now? She cannot hea
thunder, | suggested.
Oh, she sits ih the sun and looks afte
the hens!
And lame Davy?
He-he goes for BARN (yeast twice
week, triumphantly.
And the idiots, Patcy and Barney9
Why. child, they're innocent. God have
them in His keeping!
My uncle's way Of life was that of hi
neighbors. suppose it was eXtravagan
and foolish; and vet, when | remembe
how the poor and helpless were received
and fed, as if sent Ivy God, wonde
sometimes if there were not II better WIS
dom than economy in it.
There was one young lad in the hous
with whom | soon formed friendship
His name was Dick Clancy. He was
hard student, and was reading his hu
manities in the village school, prepara
tory to entering Trinity College at Dublin
Is Clancy y kinsman of yours9 | aske'
my uncle.
No, He is what is called n 100
scholar When II poor lad wishes to Ie
ceive an education, he is taught wthou
charge at any school, and goes from hous
to house, staying at each rs long as h
chooses. A poor scholar is always wei
come. We think Gods blessing zoe
with him for the love of learning.
We were at supper, remember, whel
be said this. 1t was wild stormy night
The ground was covered with snow, an
the wind blew fercely from the sea- In
lull of the storm, we heard knocking il
the gate.
Run! cried my uncle. Who can b
abroad on such IA night rs this?
When the men unbarred the door, on
Of them stepped hastily back.
It's Kit in the coffin, sir
The snow blew with Il frightful gust in
to the open hall, as four men entered, cal
rying a bier, which they sat down, an
then hastily retreated. On the bier reste
what seemed to he an open coffin.
The cloth was thrown off, and fror
within the coffin mans head rose up.
God be with you all here! said a heart
voice
God be with you, Kit, replied doze
voices.
Who could have turned you out on sue
night, lad? said my uncle.
Oh, | would come. | was at Larr
O'Neil's and they were 10th TO see me g
But said am due at the sqnares an
III not disappoint him. And had tn
salye for the misthress' hurn to bring. an
the wash for throat. Molly. l knew yee
couldn't do without me annuder day.
lhrue for you, Kit, came from half tn
people in The room.
T Take him to the fire, said my uncle
who was cutting the best slices OF mea
for his supper.
Kit was, found. man who had bee
, for twenty years paralyzed in his leg
He lived in narrow box like coffin. al
, ranged as a comfortable bed. and wen
, from house to house, staying week o
month at each. as suited him. The poor
est houses in the country took their shar
of entertaining him.
When my aunt whispered this explains
( tion to me, l looked ut the wretched crea
! ture, with one-half Of his body dead, an
wondered how he could bear so muc
misery.
WHY doesn't he make them throw hir
in the bog and make an end of it7 asked
u | don't see how o man can endure to be
! dead weight on others for so many year
w.it and Won will see said NV aunt