Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-06-22
norm TO GOOD Luck.
by CHARLES READE.

Patrick ORaIerty was a small farmer in
the county Leinster He and his father be-
fore him had been yearly tenants to Squire
Ormsby for fifty years on very easy terms.
Patrick more uneasy than his sre-now
and then pestered the squire for lease. And
the Squire would say, "Well, il you make
point OF it, will have the land valued and
lease drawn accordingly" But this iniqui-
tous proposal always shut ORaherty's mouth
for time He was called in the village Pad
dy Luck, and certainly he had the luck to get
into good many fights and other scrapes and
to get out Of them wonderfully. 1t was he
who set the name rolling his neighbors did
but accept 1t.
He professed certain powers akin to divi-
nation, and they we're not generally ridiculed,
for he was right one time in five, and that
was enough, for credulity always forgets the
usual and remembers the eccentric
This worthy had a COW to sell, and drove
her in to the nearest fair. lie put twelve
pounds on her and was laughed at. She was
dry, and she was ugly. Twelve pounds
Go along wild ye." Never mind her, was
Pats reply ''Im Paddy Luck, aud it's me
self that will sell the baste for twelve pounds
and divil hR'penny less" This was his
proclamation in the morning. In tho after
noon he condescended to ten pounds, just TO
obge the community. At sunset he manag-
ed to get eight pounds, and bystauder told
him he was a lucky fellow.
That's no news, thin" said he. It was
dark and he WAS tired; his home was twelve
Irish miles OF; he resolved to sleep in the
town. In the meantime he went to a tavern
and regaled his purchaser, drank, danced,
daIed, showed his money, got drunk, and
was robbed by one of the lght-fugered gen
try who prowl about fair
The consequence was that the next time he
ordered liquor on a liberal scale-for he was
one who treated semi-circularly in his cups
he could not find a shilling to pay, and the
landlord put him out into the street. He
cooled himself at neighborng pump, and
went in search of gratuitous lodgings Tho
hard hearted town did not provide these, so
he walked out Of it into sweeter air. He was
not sick or sorry. Quite the reverse. He
congratulated himself on his good luck. He
said to himself, Sure now, If l had sold her
for twelve pounds, it's four pounds I'd be los
ing by that same bargain"
Some little distance outside the town be
found a deserted hovel; there was no door,
window or floor, but the roof was free from
holes in one or two places, and there was
dry corner with heap Of straw iu 1t. Paddy
thanked his stars for providing him with SO
complete and gratuitous shelter, and imme-
dately burrowed into the straw and was about
to drop asleep, when the glimmer OF Lam
tern shot in through the doorway, and voices
muttered outside.
Patrick nestled deeper in the straw he was
trespasser, and it seemed too late and yet
too early for the virtues, charity included, to
be afoot.
Two men came in with sack, spade and
a lantern one of them held the lantern up
and took cursory glance around the prem
ises Patrick, whom the spade had set a.
shiveriug, held his breath. Then the man
put the lantern down, and his companion
went to work and dug, not a grave, as pant
ing Pat expected, but big round hole.
This done, they emptied the sack out roll
cd and tinked silver salyers of all sizes, tea
pots coffee-pots, forks, spoons, brooches,
necklaces, rngs-a mine Of wealth, that glow
ed and glittered in the light of the lantern.
Patrick began to perspre as we'll as trem
BILE The men filed in the hole, stamped the
earth firmly down, and then lighted their
pipes and held consultation. The question
was how to dispose of these vauables. After
some differences of opinion they agreed that
one Barney was the fence they would invite
to the spot and if he would not give one hum
dred pounds for the spoil they would take 1t
to Dublin. 1t transpired that Barney lived
at some distance, but not too far to come to-
morrow evening and inspect the booty. Then,
| if he would spring to their price, they would
! go home with him and receive the coin.
my luck" thought Patrick. "What need
had they to light their pipes and chatter like
| two old women about such trile, without
looking in the straw irst-tho omadhauns" /"
| The thieves retired and lucky Pat went qui-
city to sleep.
lie awoke in broad daylight, and strolled
back into town. He walked jauntily, for, if
he had no money, he possessed secret. He
| was too Irish and too sly to 60 to the police
Office at once his little game WAS to try and
find out who had been robbed and what re-
ward they would give.
Meantime he had to breakfast of of a stale
roll given him by a baker out of charity.
About noon he passed through a principal
street, and 10 in a silversmith's shop was
notice, written very large:
THIRTY GUINEAs REwARDi
Whereas these premises were broken into last night,
! aud the following valuable property abstraeted-'
Then followed an inventory foot long.
"The above reward will be paid to any person who
will give such information may lead to the conyic-
ton Of the thieves and the recovery oi lhe s'oieh
! goods or any considerable part thereof"
Patrick walked in and asked to see the pro-
prietor little fussy man in great state of
agitation came forward.
"Are you in arnest now, sorr p asked Pat.
"In earnest? OF course l am"
"What if dacint poor boy like me was to
find you the silver and thieves and all y
'I'd give you the thirty guineas and my
blessing into the bargain"
maybe ye wouldn't like to give me my
dinner an all, by raison I'm Just famishing
with hungerP
This proposal raised suspicion, and the pro-
prietor asked his name.
Patrick o'Rafferty I'm tenant to Squire
Ormsby."
'I know him. Well Patrick, l suppose
you eau give me some valuable information.
I'll risk the dinner, anyway"
"Ah well, sorr," said Patrick, 'they say
fling a sprat to catch a whale rump
steak and a quart of ale is a favorite repast
of mine when I've had 'em, I'll arm 'em, by
the holy poker!"
"step into my back parlOr, Mr.. Rafferty,, a"
said the silversmith.
He then sent for the rump steak very loud
and for a policeman in a whisper.
The steak came first, and was most welcome.
When he had eaten it, the modest O'Raderty
asked for pipe and pot.
Whilst he smoked and slipped calmly the
disguised policeman arrived, and was asked
to examine him through little window.
"Does he look like crime p whispered the
silversmith.
"No," answered the policeman. "Calf-like
innocence and impudenoe galore"
The leweer asked O'Ranerty TO step out.
Now, sir, - said he, you've had your dinner,
and don't grudge it you but if this is a
Jest let it end here, for am in sore trouble,
and it would be a heartless thing to play on
me-"
"Oeb, hear TO him I" cried Patrick, with q
whine as doleful as sudden. "Did iver an
O'Rafferty make jist of an honest mans trou'
BILE or ate male off his losses But what is
a hungry man worth ? l could not see how
to do your work while l was famsheG, but
now my belly is full and my head fuller, glory
be to God :"
'I don't know how it is" said the jeweler
aside to the detective, she tells me nothing
vet somehow he gives me confidence
Mr.. O'Raferty, do consider time flies, anC