Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-08
A BROTHERS. CURSE.
An Irish Story.

A BROTHERS CURSE.
An Irish Story.
The best ''helding" Of land on the Ballybane
property was that of cid MacDermott His
crops were always first soWed and first home
his haggard, the nearest and best Matched
his fences in the best condition, and his house
the suggest in the village. Darby was never
a day behindhand with his rent. The first OF
May and the first of November found him
wet or dry, good season or bad season, at the
Office with his old worsted stocking, in the
corner OF which his half-year's rent lay safely
counted. He was decent OIL. man, who al
ways minded his business, aud attended
to his duties, and had few troubles in the course
OF Ghreescore and ten yeaas. He had two sons
Martin, the eldest, a dark, handsome man, with
a square, heavy face and a pair of dark rest
less, glittering cYes-a man whom every body
respected, but very few liked; and Owen, a
fair curly-haired, delicate boy, who had been
his mothers darling Old Darby was fond OF
both his sons, but the sturdy, healthy Martin
was decidedly his faYorite; and when he died
it was found that the greater part of his say.
ings went to his first born
Owen was not either OF jealous or envious
disposition; still, he sometimes thought it
rather hard that his brother should have all
the luck; Martin was strong, and healthy and
handsome, had been his fathers favorte, and
was master Of the farm after his death. All
the stock and crops and everything was the
property of Martin; and Owen was the possess
or Of but fifty pounds. Forty years ago, two
hundred pounds in ready money was consid-
cred fortune, and even fifty, pounds was not
by any means to be despised; and when old
Darby MacDermott left his boys so well off,
there were few men in Ballybane who did not
envy them Martin especially who was looked
up to by his neighbors as little short of a gen.
tieman, certainly as a man who light keep his
ja2nting-car il he chose. But the possession
OF money made 10 change in the new tenant
holding was called. He just worked as hard
as ever, getting up at six o'clock in the morn
ing, and going to bed late. Owen lived with
him, and worked too, just as usual, only that
during his fathers time he might spend his
evenings reading old newspapers Or writing
letters TO his acquaintance who had gone to
America But Martin thought such occupa-
tons mere waste Of time, and when the davis
work was ended and the supper over, he
ordered the fire anu lights to be put cut
The next farm to that of Martin MacDer-
motifs on one side was held by Michael
OBryne, q farmer who han been well to do
once, but misfortunes of late years had come
thicklv on him, and he had hard work to
keep the farm together On the other side, a
by a odior nothing old fellow named Pat
rick Havernan, who was a little better than a
nuisance to the entire neighbOrhood. How
ever, one morning he was found dead in his
bed and Oven MacDermott, without taking
counsel OF any one, went to the agent and
asked II he might have the vacant farm, as he
wished to settle down on his own account
The agent promised, and full OF hope and joy
Owen went about his work: The next day
was the 18th Of March, St. i'atrick's day, aux.
general holiday; and early in the morning
Owen dressed himself in his Sunday suit and
went out. A little way down the road he met
ayoung girl, also dressed in her best-a Grim
son stuff dress, a gay shawl, and a cross OF
ribbons OF all cOlors OF the rainbow on her
shoulder Her hair was twisted carelessly
around her head, and her soft blue eyes had q
startled look in them.
20, Ownie, avourneen, | was afeared you
were not coming, and sure, sorra a bit OF
shamrock you have in your cap this blessed
morn1n'. Why is that dear?''
was in hurry to see you, my dar]in',n
he answered, locking tendery iHto the sweet,
shy face. ''Juia, have good news for you
this mornin'; let us walk down the lane, and
I'll tell you and look for my shamrock at the
same time''
Together they turned down lane, or rath-
er footpath, bordered on one side by a thick
blackthorn hedge and a broad meadow on the
other.
Julia" said Owen, 'syou know Pm fond OF
you since you were d wee shy, delicate little
creature. | never had any sweet heart but
yourself, and now want you to fix the day;
am going to take you all to myself. You
know Pat Heyernan's holdin' went to the
Office yesterday, and asked for it, and the
agent as good as promised me it. Now,
Judy!"
lam so glad, DIVINE" was all the girl an.
swered, very softly, but there were tears of
genuine delight in her eyes as she looked up
at him. Well it was that neither Of them saw
the dark face that watched them from the
other side OF the hedge, or heard the mutter-
ed threats that We're hurled after them, or
they might not have enjoyed the remainder Of
the day as they did.
st. Patrick's day in Ireland, forty years ago,
usea to bevery different from what it is now;
and when Julia O'Byrne and Owen Mac Ter
mott entered the market town of Gort, after a
long ramble through the fields in search of
shamrock, it presented a gay appearance.
The principal street was lined with stalls, fill
ed with apples and ginger bread, gay crosses
and girls, eating, drinking and laughing;
large pots of boiling bacon and potatoes, bar
rels OF porter and kegs of potheen, and Irish
pipers playing with all their might. From
stall to stall, from tent to tent, Owen and
Julia wandered, enjoying every thing till late
IN the evening, when they met Martin Mac
Dermott and Julia's father, both evidently in
high spirits, and chatting confdentially.
They went into tent together, and, after an
hours chat, came out more good-tempered
and confidential than ever, and sought Julia
and Owen.
Come here. my colleen!" O'Byrne said, in
rather thick voice. 81 have made a match
for you and Martin. Go over and sit by tho
side Of him."
"With Martin, father?" the girl said, look
ing with dismay at the stern, dark man she
almost hated, and certainly feared. with
Ownie, you mean?"
''sorra a bit Of it, Julia; but Martin-Mar-
tin, the master. Poor DIVINE has nothing"
"He's promised HeveYnan's farm, father"
"No, my dear; it's me that has Hevernans
houldin," Martin said, with sinister smile;
"and it's me you're gein' to marry"
Owen walked up to his brother, and look
ing him straight in the face, said, in a clear,
calm voice: what do you mean, Martin
MacDermott?"
'sWhat said just now-that I got Hever-
mans houldin', and took my oath to marry
Julia o. Bryne. told it to her father hglf
an hour ago."
You mean to say you are goin' between me
and the colleen I have loved-the colleen
have loved since she was up to nv knee!
You mean to say you are goin' between me
and these few dirty acres of Havernan's, tn at
l asked first and bespOke-betWeen your only
brother and all the hopes of peace he has in
the world-you that has full and plenty, Mar
tin MacD ermott!"
"pm going to marry julia" Martin replied,
with sullen determination.
sJulia, what do you say?" Owen asked,
turning to the girl, wha stood silently weep
1T must answer for her." O'Byrne said. II