Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-20
AN IRISH GENTLEMAN.
How he Lives and Moves and has his
Being.

Henry O'llara, j. p, of Connaglaskin
house, is neither influential nor wealthy, but
he is u gentleman, and as such is treated by
all who dwell round him. Matthew Cronin,
the strong farmer whose land "bounds" with
Mr.. OHara's, has twice as many acres, and
on these the homiaumque 6oumque laJores
are far more extensive. Mr. Darcy, the
shopkeeper, meal merchant and usurer, could
buy up the worldly possessions of half a
dozen such as O'llara. But the magic title
of gentleman is the latters, and between
him and Mr.. Darcy and Mr.. Cronin great
gulf is fixed. A peasant farmer would be
rich indeed if, like Mr. O'Hara he paid no
rent, for the land which Mr.. O'Hara tills is
rent free, being portion of the family estate.
But in Ireland, in spite OF Bencc Jones, it is
believed, and with good reason that no gen.
tlcman can make money by farming, and the
indolent and good naturcd proprietor of Con-
naglaskin house is very unlikely to prove an
exception to the rule.
Night fallsas we reach the hall door, which
is knockerless. We look in vain for the bell
handle there is none Knuckles, and finally
the handle of our umbrella, being applied
produce only hollow echoes within, while
not light betokens the presence of inhabi.
tants. Having been, however certainly in-
formed that "hls honor Is at home, we make
the best of our way round the house. through
multifarious mud and dirt, and are rewarded
by seeing an abundance Of light in the back
windows and hearing much conversation
and laughter. One gentle tap at the back
door produces lull, followed by some OBJ
servations in very different key from that
we first heard is Mr.. O'Hara at home 2"
"Yes, sir,"--this with an indiscribable sus-
picion in the tone and general air of the
handmaiden, Can | see him ~ Yis, sir;
walk H. sir" In the kitchen are about nine
or ten men and several women, some on
tables, some on chairs. some leaning against
the wall, or sitting on threc-lcgged stools.
AT glance the magistrate is readily dis
tingushed. Though as slovenly as can well
be conceived, though his clothes are old and
worn, there is no mistake possible here. The
young man sitting close to the fire, and turn
ing halt round, with Il clay pipe in his mouth,
is Mr.. O'llara, a scion of the dominant cas-
tie. His kitchen is the clubroom of the To-
calty, and is every evening supplied with
such group AS we now see before us. IN
noticed nj fist, beggar sits near the fire.
He has had his supper, will sleep by the fire
tonight, and in the morning, after break
fast, will again take the road. In this simple
locality he Is not beggar, but "poor
travelling man." for Connagaskn is behind
the march of civilization.
As Mr., O'Ilara advances to meet us we
state the cause Of our coming, apologize for
the lateness of the visit and produce our let
Ter of introduction, which he thrusts into his
pocket, aud we really believe never looked at
1t during our stay. Come this way, Mr..
Mundus. Biddy." "Sirl" Make down
fire in the parlor-bogwood; aud be quick,
girl" ! remarked atterward that Mr. o.
men.servants, generally finishes up with the
word hoy" like III it sounds gentle aud
patriarchal. Through a creakipg, rickety
sort of passage we reach the parlor. Mr..
O'Hara leading the way with aparatine lamp,
smelling badly, adorned with very long
chimney, but minus the globe. Biddy
quickly follows with three red peat Goals in o