The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-09-13

grew the excitement in the dull stagnation
Of our lives IN Bsllynoggin, and got no
nearer the truth. Once the solution Of
the enigma seemed within our g1asp-
thanks to Mr. Terence O'Flaherty.
He wss local "squireen' proprietor
Of the aforementioned bog, whom, in
default Of other society, we used to in
vite continually to mess.
He was heavy enough when sober; later
on, great On Home Rule and the departed
glories Of Ireland and his family, the
fghtin' Flahertys," duellists of note in
the brave days of old when Castle Fla
herty was kept up in princely style, and
"the clar't in the cellars would have food
ed the country for miles around"
O'Flaherty was mixing himself some
whiskey and water one evening before de-
parting, romancing the while gloriously,
when suddenly black figure descended
with q bound from somewhere, alight-
ing on O'Flaherty's shoulders. Congo,
of course. He clawed fast to O'Flaher-
ty's hair with one hand and plunged the
other into the scalding brew, presumably
in search of sugar; then, chattering wrath
fully, upset the boiling mixture on O'Flah-
erty's legs and vanished with lock of his
hair
O'Flaherty's language was forcible;
well it might be- Marillier apologized in
the handsomest manner, but the blood of
the defendant of the "fghtin, Flaher-
tys was up, and mere words had no pow
er to appease him.
He demanded the instant execution
of Congo, or the satisfaction of a gentle
man.
Are those your only alternatives -
asked the major graveIy.
They are" clustered Terence.
Then accept the latter" said Maril-
lier unhestitatingly.
You're a gentleman, bedadr' ex-
claimed O'Flaherty, suddenly sobered.
And ifyou think that dirty little baste
worth fghtin' about, Terence O'FIaher-
ty's not the man to begrudge you the
pleasure Still, I'd be ready to overlook
it, and let bygones be bygones, if you'd
give me one single dacent reason for keep
ing the baste."
A pause, during which we all grew
breathless with excitement.
Marrillier looked as imperturbable as
ever. g If one reason will afford you sat-
isfaction, Mr.. O'Flaherty,I don't see how
can in fairness refuse you. / keep the
beast because expect him some day to
be worth $4,000 year to me-"
And that was all we ever got out of
him.
got leave in January, and started
homeward joyfully.
My father had been promoted to a good
living in the country since l left home
and the first week of my visit was spent
in seeing and being seen. My sisters,
Freda and Gertie, trotted me all over the
place, displaying the church, the COW, the
pet old women, the schools, the new po-
ny-trap, and the points of view. They
treated me with respect and considera-
ton that was entirely novel, and for which
suspected had to thank my uniform
(Which | had been implored to bring with
me }, but which was nevertheless gratify
ing. 1t was all very pleasant and home
like, and quite forgot how very much in
love with Norah McCran had begun to
be one short week before in Ballynoggin.
My mother in the pride of her heart
took me to pay visits with her all over the
country, 80 that when the first Sunday
came round, l felt quite intimate with at
least half the congregation
"Who was the funny old lady in yel-
low bon net and furs, sitting under the
pulpit 20 l asked after dinner
Miss Corbett, of Brockwood," !" said my
mother You know we called there on
Thursday, but she was out"
And the little nigger with herr"
"Oh That's real African prince, her
latest pet, son OF ODE Jumbo, king of Bon
nv. She wanted a heather to convert,
herself, and the missionaries had no end
of trouble to steal this one for her, as she
insisted on his being of good family"
Gertie explained.
She's wild about pets," Freda contin-
ued, sand she changes them once fort
night at least The place was just like
the parrot-house at the Zoo once, when
we first came, and the next thing we
heard Of her was that Dr. Burnaby was
furious At being sent for one winter night
to see her kangaroos. The climate wasn't
agreeing with them She kept tame
snakes once and they escaped and were
never found No one dared cross the
park for months after. as they were sup
posed to be hiding there"
heard good deal more about Miss
Corbett's eccentricities before long. She
had taken violent liking to nay father,
and used to send for him constantly,
much to Freda's disgust, as she had to drive
him to Brockwood-a the man, q con-
pound Of gardener, butler and coachman,
being invalided- The old lady's gravest
consideration in life was the disposal of