The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-01-01
1.-THE HAPPY NEW YEAR."
,ublin Saturday Magazine.
CHAPTER I.

In mean and poorly furnished cabin
e. on the western coast u Ireland lived those
to whom our story refers. A poor fisher
man, with his wife, a growing up daugh-
ter, and two younger sons, constituted
the household. The time is Christmas
eve, and though the season is not cold or
frosty, the strong gales blowing on that
iron bound coast prevent the hale, hearty,
and generally successful fisherman from
plying his usual calling.
The eldest son is "awaY in Ameri.
kay" and as the father and mother draw
their settles closer to the expiring embers
of a clear turf fire which has been burn
ing On the bearthstone, their conversation
naturally reverts to him; while the ''col-
leen," whose lover has gone to that Gland
ofpromise," sits moodily listening to their
remarks, and occasionally, but rarely IN
uudes her own opinion on the elders.
Being Christmas eve, the larder almost
empty, and the gale blowing so hard that
there is no possibility OF putting out to
sea, they are planning how to make the
morrow pass as cheerfully and happily as
they possibly can.
''Shure, Biddie Flanagan has killed a
pig this Christmas, and would not scruple
to lend US bit till the fishing comes
round again"
''Indeeu it's true for you, Peggy darlin':
many's the time she's helped US, and a
good woman she always was; but then,
alanna, to ry thinkin' it would be a name
thing to borrow our Christmas dinner,
so we'll go to the chapel. Aye, and we've
given Father Mulcahy his dues as usual,
and if We do make our dinner of praties
and milk, no body need be a bit the
wiser"
All this time Ellie Keegan, the daugh-
ter of the fisherman, had not said a word,
but she now burst FORTH
4 glory in your spirit, father, not to
let any one know how we have been
forsaken by them as ought to have cared
for US, and that them as went away and
promised to be thrue hearted, has given
US up entirely"
Poor girl! her feelings was too much
for her. so, throwing her apron over her
head, she had what is denominated "a
good cry"
At length she started up and said.
"WirasthIue! and there is not even the
Christmas candle to the fore"
she sent her younger brother to the
next neighbor Che Biddy Flanagan,
owner Of tue pig to b 6 her to lend her,
if possible, candle for the evening.
'sOch, then, ma cushla. but you're the
lucky boy; the man at Raheea had only
the TWO remaining and he said to me,
Perhaps some of the eighbors may want
one, and you had better take it with you
and sorra neighbor know is more wei;
come to it nor yourselves
The boy, whose name was Patrick,
after the national patron (familiarly
called Paudheen), having received the
candle, was subjected to severe cross
questioning On the part Of the buxom
widow as to the reason Of its having been
forgotten. For time he tried to evade
her, but at length was forced to confess
that the times being bad they could not
manage to get one, nor get the usual
piece of meat on this occasion. The
good little widow listened very attentive
ly to his details, and then taking down
large jar of honey, and loaf Of bread
Of Ter own baking, she gave the boy a
huge slice and babe him eat that and
dream upon it and see if his dream
would come true. The poor fellow, moth
ing lOath, eat his bread and honey, and
started for his home, but like wise child
as he was, said nothing of the fair Blddy's
questionings, nor Of his own replies
thereto, but on going to bed found his
sleep much disturbed by the vision of a
beautiful leg of pork. with greens
in abundance. So vivid was this
dream that when On returning from the
chapel the next Gay, he saw what
appeared to him the identical leg
of pork, with the greens, he was more
pleased than surprised, and looked upon
1t as quite a fulfilling Of his dream an6
nothing else.
Not so the rest of the household; they
wondered who could have sent it. and the
fisherman vo we'd thai if he only knew
the fist good fish he ever caught should
60 to repay the donor.
Everybody was pleased, with the ex
ception of the grown-up daughter, Ellie
who still felt almost affronted at a din
ner being given to them by any one, anc
much inclined to blame the young men
who, on leaving, had vowed never to for
get the ''ould home" Nevertheless, they
had a pleasant Christmas dinner, anc
often did they ponder on the words o.
the good priest, when he said, "Neve1
saw the righteous frrsaken, or his SEED
begging their bread"
CHAPTER II.
The Christmas evening passed of
cheerfu.ly and happily, and many CUES:
was hazarded as to the benefactor who
had SO generously provided for their com
fort. Il Master 'Paudheen" had his owr
ideas On the subject, he took good care
not to divulge them, well knowing how
annoyed his parents and sisters would b.
that re should have made their poverty
know. to any one, even to the kind heart
ed Biddy.
In few days, the wild weather abat
ing, old Keegan was enabled once more
to go out fishing, and was most success
full, catching few fine cod, which he
carried to the neighboring village of Ra
heen to dispose Of, and having reserved
one for the use OF his own family "a piec'