Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-10-12
s:elerf Rea1ing.
A Queer Detective.

man of a good old family settled in
the extreme West, distinguished him
self so valiantly as Il "patriot" that
the English government wanted
him for considerable length of time.
Shamus however contriyed to get safe
ly off in a trading vessel, and, along
with some other patriots, took refuge
in America.
Some few years passed, and Shamus
was again "wanted'-this time in
another and better sense however.
The O'Brien had been gathered to his
fathers, and the family ardently desir-
ed that the long lost heir might re-
turn to his native land, bat had no
idea how to set about finding him.
The mother waited, and longed for
her eldest born to come back to her.
! BY degrees every one else forgot him ;
and Murtagh, the next son, a tall
stripping of eighteen, in course of time
came to be regarded as The O. Brien.
But Murtgah thought frequently OF
his eldest brother, and he at length
made up his mind to so out himself
to America and seek him. He resoly-
ed to take Dermot, the third and
youngest brother, with him. 1t was
with mourning the poor mother saw
them go, for she firmly believed that
/ her Shumus was dead. On landing
III New York the young fellows were
indeed puzzled as to how they were to
set about seeking their brother.
They We're very short of cash, and
were in truth strangers in very
strange land.
! After some days Of fruitless inquiry,
Murtagh began to feel the hopeless
ness of the expedition and Dermot,
who had been seasick all the voyage,
and now appeared miserably i'll, cried
! like u baby tor the old home and the
mothers love and kilty's sharp
words and the rest Of the "home COM
forts on the other side of the sea.
One morning the child sat with his
dark curly head resting dejectedly on
his hands while Murtgah knit his
black brows and set himself to think.
"Dermot, have hit on it!' he cried,
eagerly springing to his feet, his keen
gray eye flashing ''Llsten! / am
sure Shamus is somew here in this city
of New York"
.And am sure he isn't" Dermot
;.us in frctfullv. "Qh, Mnrtagh. what
fools We were 10 leave Ballymackaho
ny"
well, We have left; so We may as
well make the best of it, and look fol
Shamus. You wouldn't forsake your
own brother, would you, Dermot
Ny plan is that We look well in New
York before going further. | have a
grand plan now; so dry your eyes and
come with me"
but what is your plan: asked
Dermot, rue;ully looking out of the
tifth-rate little coffee house where
they had gone to lodge,
Never mind yet" replied his
brother hopefully. Just come with
me and you will see.
Dermot obeyed in miserable silence
and looked on with uninterested eyes,
while Murtagh, meeting an old street
hawker, stopped her, and began to ne
gotiate with her for the purchase OF
her big straw basket. Apparently
the basket and its coarse canvass GOV.
er were all Murtagh required, for he
hastily tossed all the clay pipes and
reeds of cotton and parers of pins and
high -complexioned Dutch dolls into
the old womau's apron, and started Oft,
with his purchase hanging from his
arm.
Dermot limped after, wondering
how the old battered basket, which
looked as if it had braved many q
battle" and "breeze," was going te
help them to find Shamus. There
were no words to express his astonish'
ment, however, when, on turning into
the next street, Murtagh stepped out
into the middle of the crowded road
way, and, putting one hand up to hls
mouth in the most approved street
hawking fashion, sang out Justify
dublin Bay herrings. Quite fresh
Caught this ling. Her-ringse
Dermot walked along the path
nearly stumbling in his surprise. He
forgot his sorrows and fatigue in Won
der at Murtagh's insane conduct
On they went from street to street.
and still the fresh young voice rang
out
dublin Bay her-rings! Quite
fresh !"
Presently Dermot began to find an
exhaustible fund of amusement in
the wonder and unfeigned astonish.
ment of the passers-by. 1t certainly
was surprising to Yankee listeners tc
hear Dublin Bay herrings thus loud,
ly proclaimed for sale in the streets Of
New York. Many were the remarks
Dermot overheard and treasured uI
to repeat to Murtagh when his mad
fit should be over. Most persons
agreed that the young Irishman had
Il wager on hand, and some called
to him to come and exhibit his wares
But Murtagh looked at each one who
hailed him with eyes out of which
nearly all the fun had gone, and
walked on without replying to theil
banter.
So the whole morning passed, and
it seemed to Murtagh as if he must
have gone through all the streets in
New York, when, in answer to an unu'
sually prolonged and mellifiuous how
of"Dublin Bay her-rings! Quite fresh
Caught this morning.! Dublin bay!
a gentleman ran to the window on the
first floor of comfortable looking ho
tel and called to the supposed fish
dealer to stop. Murtagh, looking ul
quickly, saw Shamus, and Shamus tt
his intense surprise and joy, recogniz
led Murtagh--Murtagh, whom he neve