The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-02-21
TIM HARGATON'S COURTSHIP,

lie vas mothers factotum, big Tim
HargatOn. l do 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 tho closest hand
at bargain and the best judge of a "baste"
in Innishowen, and think he deserved it I;
for mother very rarely lost upon her spesu-
latlons in cattle, and our animals were
famed for their beauty. Tim was not
wholly an Innishowen man. BY his moth
er's side he claimed descent from the Scot
tish settlers of the opposite coast and
much OF his cautiousness and shrowduess
could be traced to this infusion Of kindly
Scottish blood. We children had rather
an awe Of Tim. He ruled the outer world
of cur homestead with rod of iron. Woe
betide the delinquent who ventureG into
the garden before the house had been
supplied with fruit for preserving, Woe
be to us If with profane bands we assault
ed his beloved grapes or ravaged his trim
hower-beds. / dare say it was very good
Tor US that some one was set in authority
over the garden and farm-yard. for we
were allowed quite enough freedom in
doors, fatherless tomboys that we were
But years passed by, one by one we grew
20 wOmanhOod. 1, the eldest, left home
frst-tO return first, more alone for having
been SO happy, too happy for a WHILE
When l returned, a widow, the younger
birds had flown from the nest. Mother
had no one left but me, and she was grow
ing old SO | cast in my own and my bows
lot with her, aud soon became tborourbIy
acquainted with Tim Hargaton. To him
was 'the young mistress, FOR Miss Ellen"
and l own l felt often at disadvantage
with him. His quiet knowledge OF sub
jects was utterly ignorant of, his cool re
lection Of my farming theories, his almost
certain success in all his ventures, over
awed me; and after a struggle or two l
gave in.
think Tim must have been about forty
at :his time but he looked many years
younger, being fair and tail and we'll made,
and-a bachelor. He had merry twinkle
in his gray eyes which almost coutradicted
the firm set mouth with its lorg upper lip /.
and square, massive chin from his half
Scottish mother ho derived a close, caIula- /
ting disposition, hard to convince, slow to .
receive new impressions, strong to retain I
them when once received. From his faith. |
ell, rowing Pat Hargaton from Donegal, he I
drew au lrishman's tickle heart, but not
his warm affections, which go SO far to-
wards amending the latter fault.
Another unusual thing among men of
ola l,o oil \
speculated in cattle on his own
account he had money in the bank and
snug cottage. Yet year after year, Shrove-
tide after Shrovetide-the marrying season
all over Roman Catholic Ircland-fouud
Tim rejoicing in single blessedness nor
could ne have had q comfortable home, for
his old mother was confirmed invalid,
aud as Tim was reported to be ca trifle
1ear,' he only afforded her the service of
little girl scarcely in her teens. More than
once mothor spoke to him about matrimo-
ny, and as often Tim met her with the un-
argument sit is as easy to
beck for two as for one, ma am ?'' So she
ceased bothering him about it.
Now it befOll that one bright frosty No
'ember day l had dispatched Tim to the
country town on very important business
md the better to assure myself of the IA
'Orable issue Of it, l walked to meet him
IN his return. As the time of his return
vas overdue, began to feel rather uneasy,
nd quickensd my steps along the road
)ut turn in it soon revealed the reason
4 Tins delay. He was walking beside
|. very pretty country lass; and another,
lot so young or nearly so pretty, Jagged
little behind.
''Oh ho, Master Tim :" l thought, care
We to hear news of you this Shrovetide ?" :
As | came forward, the girls fell back,
Tim Fastening to meet me. Ee looked
ly and sheepish enough as he advanced $
nd the pretty lass, whom l at once recog-
lized as pretty Mary Dougherty, the &C ,
knowledge belle of the barony, hung her J
iead in blushing confusion as she passed
nc by. ,
Tim was all business and stolidity once ,
he girls were out of sight. Tie bad lodged