Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-05
CHATTER IL.
A CRUEL JOKE,

CRUEL JOKE.
The hours passed slowly by.
The children moaned from actual hunger:
and II ever starvation stared family in The
face, the wolf had surely entered Girls O'Mara's
cabi n door.
Every chance had passed.
One or two OF the neighbOrS had come In hit
alas. they had no consolation to offer: half of
them were as hungry and as near starvation is
the OMaraS.
Again the father leaped TO his feet, and moved
toward the door.
Delirium was in his eyes, and mad purpose
in his heart.
Once again the beautiful daughter Snranr IN
her fathers Side.
This time the father would not be restrained.
Perfect madness cleaned in his blood-shot
eyes. He cared not for himself but he could
stand no longer the cries and meanings OF his
mOtherleSs babes.
Maggie, lay not a hand to me-"
Father, father, dear, don't go out :"
would you have me sit here. child and see
me children starving afOre my eyes, whin Rich
ara McMann owes me hundred pounds
Nlyer child, niVer.'
The father dashed his poor weak half.fam-
Sh6d daughter from him.
Maggie fell TO the floor, overcome by hunger.
fatigue, and excitement.
The girl had tainted, and while she lay un-
conscious her maddened father dashed away
lew moments later and the father returned
In charge OF two neishbOr5 who had met hinl,
to do something raSh brought him back
Night set in and the storm increased.
The wind fairly howled in madness, in his
Jury mocklng the misery OF a starving family. q
The cabin door had been closed and the poor
family were preparing to pass third night In
misery and hunger, when there came rap.
GOOD evenin'. Mr.. OMara.' said a couple OF
ne1shbOrs. as they crossed the threshold.
Irish hospitality did not fail, even though dire
hunger and misery reigned In that house
walk ill., friends" said the O,Mara, in d
husky voice.
The first two neighbors had hardly crossed
the threshold, and the door closed behind them
when there came second rap at the cabin
| door,
| And so the neighbors came flocking in. until
| at least twenty poor, half-starved people were
| gathered under Girls O'Mara's roof.
Maggie was amazed at the presence OF their
| friends. still she moved around among them in
| cherry manner, making all welcome.
AT length the OMara arose, and said:
MY friends, am right glad to meet yees ALL
and were there sup in the house Or a biz or
| bread. I'd make yees all welcome indade'
| Faith, was 1t a cruel joke We were playn'
| On us, Mister OMara?' asked one OF the wo-
| men.
| Joke is it, Mrs. Martin? Faith, it's no time
| to be jokin wild yer family staryln around We
II It's wake yer wantin', faith ven not hev
| this poor cabin now. :"
| The nelghbors looked strangely into each
| others faces, and at length one yentured to
'Sure the man has lost his mind wild trouble
| and huDger!"
Magic now asked what had brought them all
''Sure and wasn't 1t an invitation We sint out
! for us to come and hev one good meal at yer
board even If we niyer had another?'
"There was no invitation STINT from this house
| Sure an it's not mOuthful we've had for these
eight-and- thirty hours'
: Be the powers, thin, but there's one has been
playin' cruel joke In yer name, thin,''
And who could hev been 50 mane?"
| "Sure it's not an hour ago that Happy Pat
was gon' around among all OF us, biddtn' ave US
come TO o'Mara's, where we'd hev a bit to ate
/ and to drink"
tits a name thing for Pat Ranleagh to be
playin' joke ave that koind at such times as
| ihesei'