The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-10-03
The Irish Seer.

Squire Ormbsy's pantry was broken
nto and robbed of large amount of
aluable plates. Mr.. Ormsby distrustcd
he police and publicity in these cases.
and his wife prevailed on him to send for
Patrick O. Rafferty,, the village seer.
That worthy came, and heard the
story. He looked at the lady and gen.
tleman, and his self-deception began to
ooze out of him. To humbug his hum.
ble neighbors was not difficult nor dan.
gerous, but to deceive and undeccive
and disarpoint his landlord was quite
another matter.
He put on humility, and said this was
a matter beyond him entirely. Then the
Squire Was angry, and said bitterly,
"No doubt he would rather oblige his
neighbors, or q shopkeeper who was
stranger to him, than the mau whose
land had fed him and his for fifty years. I"
He was proceeding in the same strain
when poor Pat, with that dismal whine
the merry soul was subject to occasion
ally, implored him not TO murder him
entirely with hard words; he would do
his best.
"No man can do more" said Mr..
Ormsby. "Now, how will you proceed I?
Can we render you any assistance?"
Patrick said, humbly, and in down
cast way, he would like to see the place
where the thieves got in.
He was taken to the pantry window,
md examined it inside and out. and all
the servants peeped at him.
"What next p asked the Squire.
Then Patrick inwardly resolved TO get
good dinner out of this business, how
ever humilating the end might be.
"Sorr," said he, "ye'll have to give me n
oom all to myself, and n rump-stcak and
onions; and after that your servants
must BRING me three pipes and three
pints of home brewed ale. Brewers ale
hasn't the same spiritual effect on q
scer's mind"
When the first pipe and pint were to
80 to him discussion took place between
the magnates of the kitchen who should
take it up. At last the butler and the
housekeeper insisted on the footman TAX
ing it. Accordingly he did so.
Meantime Patrick sat in state digesting
the good food. He began to feel a physi-
ca! complaccncy, and to defy the future;
he only regretted that he had confined
his demand to one dinner and three pots.
To him in this frame OF mind entered the
footman with pipe and pint of ale as
clear as Madeira.
Says Patrick, looking at the pipe,
"That's the first of EN-
The footman put tho things down
rather hurriedly and vanished.
"Humph," said Pat to himself, "you
don't seem to care for my company"
He slipped and smoked, and his mind
worked.
The footman went to the butler with
a scared face, and said, "Iwont go neal
Kim again; he said I was one."
"Nonsense |" said the butler "Pl
take up the next"
Ho did so. Patrick gazed in his face
took the pipe, and said. sotto vocc.
"This is the second;" then, very re
gretfully, "Only one more to come"
The butler went away much discom
posed, and told the housekeeper.
"I can't believe it," said she. ANY
way, I'll know the worst"
SO in due course she took up the thirt
pipe and pint, and wore propitiator.
smiles.
"This is the last of 'em," said Patrick
solemnly, and looked at the glass.
The housekeeper went down all in I
flutter. ave are found out. We ar'
ruined" said she. "There is nothing tt
be done now but Yes there is; w
must buy him, or put the comether Oh
him before he sees the master"
Patrick was half doing over his las
irpe when he heard rustic and com
motion, and 10 three culprits on thei
knees to him. With that instructive sa
gacity which was his one real gift-so h,
Hnderrated it he said, with twinklinl
eye:
'"Och, thin, you've come to make
clane brist of it, the three Chrischin var
tues and haythen graces that ye are. Y
may save yourselves the trouble. Sur
know all about it."
1--WE see you do. Y'are wiser thai
Solomon" said the housekeeper. "Bn
sure We wouldn't abuse your wisdom t
ruin three poor bodies like usY
"Poor |" cried Patrick. ."Is 1t poor y
call Yourselves? Ye ate and drink lik
lighting cocks; y'are clothed in silk an
nInsh and broadcloth, and your wage
isall pocket money and pin-money. Ye
va r1ust rob the man that feeds an