Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-03-13
TIM HARGATON'S COURTSHIP.

Hareaton. | did not know how she
could have managed the farm without
his clear head and sound Judgment to
guide her He had the name of being
the closest hand at q bargain and the
best Judge of basic in InnlshOwen;
and [ think he deserved it; for mother
very rarely lost upon her speculations
in cattle. and our animals were famed
for their beauty. Tim was not wholly
an Innishowen man. By his mothers
side he claimed descent from the Scot
fish settlers of the opposite coast, and
much of his cautiousness and shrewd-
ness could be traced to this infusion of
kindly Scottish blood We children
had rather an awe of Tim. He ruled
the outer world of our home stead with
a rod of iron. Woe betide the delin-
quent who ventured into the garden
before the "house" had been supplied
with fruit for preserving. Woe be to us
if with profane hands we assaulted his
beloved grapes or ravaged his trim
fower-beds F.. I dare say it was very
good for us that some one was set in
AUTHORITY over the garden and farm
yard for we were allowed quite enough
freedom indoors, fatherless tomboys
that we were. But years passed by;
one by one we grew to womanhood. [
the eldest, left home frst-te return
first: more alone for having been so
happy, too happy for a little while.
When | returned, q widow, the younger
birds had flown from the nest. Mother
had no one left but me, and she was
growing DID, SO [ cast in my own and
my boys lot with her, and soon became
thoroughly acquainted with Tim
Hagarton. To him | was "the young
mistress or g Miss Elem" and [ own
I felt often at disadvantage with him.
His quiet knowledge of subjects | was
utterly ignorant of, his cool rejection of
my farming theories, his almost certain
success in all his ventures, overawed
me; and after struggle or two, l
gave IN.
[ think Tim must have been forty at
this time: but be looked many years
younger, being fair and tall and we'll
made, and-a bachelor. He had a
merry twinkle in his gray eyes which
almost contracted the frmset mouth
with its long upper lip and square mas
sive chin from his half Scotch mother
he derived close calculating DISPOSE
ton, hard to convince, slow to receive
new impressions, strong to retain them
when once received. From his father
rowing Pat Hargaton from Donegal, he
drew an Irishman's ready wit and MIN
bic tongue, and under all an Irish
mans tickle heart, but not his warm
affections, which go SO far towards
amending the latter fault.
Another unusual thing amongst men
of his class, he was Well-to-do, and hay
ing successfully speculated in cattle on
his own account, he had money in the
bank and a snug cottage. Year after
year, Shrove-tide after Shrove-tide-the
marrying season all over Roman Catho-
lie Ireland-found Tim rejoicing in
single-bless edness: nor could he have
had comfortable home; for his old
mother was a confirmed INVALID and
as Tim was reported to be a "trifie
near" he only afforded the services of
little girl scarcely in her teens More
than once mother spoke to him about
matrimony, and as often Tim met her
with the unanswerable argument; Is
it as easy to peck for two as for one,
ma'am?" So she ceased bothering him
about it.
Now it befel that one bright frosty
November day | had dispatched Tim to
the county town on very important
business, and the better to assure my
self of the favorable issue of it, walk
ed to meet him on his return. AS
the time of return was over due, [ be-
gan to feel rather uneasy, and quick
ened my steps along the winding sea-
side road; but turn in it soon reveal
ed the reason of Toms delay. He
was walking beside very pretty coun-
try lass; and another, not SO young or
nearly SO pretty, Jagged little be-
hind.
90, oh, Master Tim!' [ thought;
are we to hear news Of you this Shrove-
tide?"
AS came forward, the girls fell back.
Tim Fastening on to meet me. He
looked shy and sheepish enough as he
advanced; and the pretty lass, whom
at once recognized as Mary Dogherty,
the acknowledged belle of the barony,
hung her shapely head in blushing con-
fusion as she passed me by.
Tim was all business and stOlldity
once the girls were out Of sight. He
had lodged money for me IN the county
bank; settled my own and mothers
accounts with butcher, baker and gro
Ger; transacted all our various bust
ness with care and correctness and
having given up his accounts into my
hands, he hurried on, whilst | continued
my walk Twilight was falling when [
returned home; but although more
than an hour had elapsed since Tim
had preceded me on the road, he was
Just entering the gate as turned from
the sea-road for the same purpose. |
made mother smile that evening, when
4 told her of my encounter.
"But," she said, poor little Mary
has no fortune. Tim will look for one
with any girl he marries:"
A few days afterwards Tim took me
into his confidence. We were making
our winter arrangements In the green
house, putting away summer plants
whose Towering DAYS were done, and