Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-02-22

Mary's return, when saw approaching from
its other extremity a middle-aged gentleman OF
military bearing, and two ladies. On my advanc-
ing 10 meet them Colonel De Burgho, holding out
his hand, said
1--WE are delighted Mr. Meryyn, TO have the
pleasure of your company; allow me To intro
duce my daughtcrs,-this is Norah, and this
Kathleen.n
Thus Hospitality welcomed, / expressed my
sense of his great kindness TO stranger, and
explained that had for some years taken the
liberty of paying an annual visit 10 his worthy
representative, Mary McGlOne, of whose care
fulness and fidelity expressed high opinion
"Yes,n said Colonel De Burgho, "Mary is
one of that class of faithful domestics now only
To be found In rural districts, and attached to
old families, in which they have been brought
up | have seen several of her class in the
south of France, and also In Italy, but few or
none in England; contact with London and
Partisan servants has effaced those kindly feel
ings which once existed between the heads of
families and their dependents, and formed one
of the charms Of country residence ia England
All this is changed now; servants object to
long engagements, particularly females, whose
| minds are now entirely occupied, not with their
duties, but with fashions In dress, chances Of
| matrimony, and public amusements; and they
seem to have formed an opinion that those OBJ
jects Az best attained by frequent change of
service. In passing through London, wished
| TO engage an attendant for my daughters, and,
at my request, one of my tradesmen directed
several applicants to call at my hotel; their re-
quirements and expectations, however, were SO
| ridiculous that failed to form any engagement.
AT length, one morning when l was out,
young person called; my valet in my absence,
had an interview with her, and finding her tes-
timonials good, and that she was satisfied with
the wages offered, made an appointment to
meet me on the following morning. She left,
but in few moments returned, and said,-
'Your master and young ladies are In Lon
don now, but where is his family residences"
I'm Ireland miss" he replied.
''Ireand! the idea Of my going TO Ireland I!
Why, my good man, did you not tell me this at
once. You've been deceiving me, and wasting
my time. Ireland indeed!' And off she went
in great indignation.
"My daughters, however, rejoiced that they
did not import servant OF this class, as they
have found an intelligent maiden here, niece
Of Mary'swho they are educating as their atten-
dant But" continued he, II have all this
time been forgetting my duties as a host; you
have Travelled far and must need refreshment;
dinner will be served In half amour. We dine
early, and thus, if the evenings are fine, have
time for sail on the bay, or a stroll through
the woods, afterwards"
Thanks, Colonel," Ireplied; nothing could
be more delightful, and from my former ex-
perience think there will be glorious sunset
this evening.
We dined in an apartment with windows
opening on the terrace, and observed that
Norah cast many longing look over the bound
less ocean. During dinner our conversation
turned upon the antiquity of the castle, and
the beauty OF its vicinity, compared with the
black desolation of the country surrounding.
Colonel De Durgho informed me that he had
returned to his home about month previous
ly, having landed at Cork, and hired small
vessel to bring him round the coast; that his
arrival was not known in the county, and had
been, as yet, his only visitor.
no my NJ iuh-
Dor resides at twenty miles distance; that is
rather too far for visiting and until repair and
furnish few rooms in this deapidated abode,
fear must deny myself and daughters the
pleasure of female society. You am aware,
though not solder, belong to a kindred pro-
fession, and have been accustomed to CAM
paigning; you will, know, excuse the some
what rough bivouac we have to offer you"
assured my kind host that my quarters were
all that could wish, and, stepping on the ter
race, he Observed
"This is an evening for sail; will have the
boat brought round the point, where she lies in
a small natural hsrbor, and We can embark at
the old jetty below the castle" And turning
to his daughters, he said, Bring your harp and
guitar, my dears; Mr. Nhrvyn, | am sure Is
fond OF music
In a few minutes We were G1oat in well-ap-
pointed and capacious boat provided with com
Portable seats for'ard. Ny host having desired
the boatman to await his return, we showed of,
and were soon sailing westward before fresh
though gentle breeze.
"Mr. Mervyn," said my host, IL have always
found that II dctracts very much from the pleas
ure Of a short boating excursion 10 have boat
men ON board; all free conversation Is impos-
sible before such auditors; they misunderstood
much that Is said, and retail IL with their own
commentaries, laying the foundation among
their class OF the most absurd stories regarding
the mode of life and conversation of their SUI
periors. As am an experienced sailor | can
dispense with their services, aud will hold the
sheet and steer, If you will kindly keep look
out ahead"
As the nearest objects ahead were the beau
tiful forms of his lovely daughters, said, with
the greatest sincerity, that should have much
pleasure in complying with his wishes.
Norah and Kathleen were seated in the bow,
and l. on the seat opposite, enjoyed the pros
pect exceeding. To open the conversation |
remarked
This boat, am sure was not built or fitted
on this coast"
NO" said my host, IL purchased her ready
fitted out at southampton, and brought her
with me To Cork, whence she was towed here.
My daughters and have been so accustomed
TO sail about on the Mediterranean, that knew
we could not get on here without our favorite
pastime; we have enjoyed a sail almost every
evening since we arrived"
Our conversation then became general,
Norah and Kathleen vying with their father
In describing in glowing coors the beauty
of the scenery on the Italian coast, and
their frequent excursions into the interior.
"And yet" said they, ''there is so much to in
terest and employ us here that we have never
enjoyed ourselves more than since we arrived
at home.n
mora, my love-" said Colonel DeBurgho.
we shall be almost becalmod for few minutes,
let us have a song"
Norah took her harp,-one of those small
harps which, think, are peculiar to Ireland
aVlL nN~t nNt .xn1 I'll.
same deep contralto had overheard on my ar
rival, and with pathos and expression indie
scribable, the following song:-
speeding feetly DER the ocean
Sails the bark that bears my love;
Watt him, winds, my souls devotion,
Guard him. angels, with thy love;
Fleetly speeding, guard my love.
Though the boundless sea, dividing,
Rolls between us, dearest love,
Ger its bosom swiftly gliding,
Hither hither, comes my love.
Hither, hither, comes my love.
See, oh see the good ships nearing,
Her white wing spreads, like Noah's dove;
My home the ark where he, endeared,
Shall rest, awearied,-oh my love
Rest, awearied,-oh, my love-"
The last notes of the refrain hoated away
seward down the breeze, followed by the beau
tiful and expressive glance of the fair
songstress, and methought l heard a gentle
sigh accompany them t. their wishcd-for desti-
nation. My host broke the silence by saying
THANK you, my dear, it is very beautiful
song"
''Mr. Mervyn," said Kathleen, "Mary tells
| us you are musical, and speaks in raptures Of
| your violin playing; wish we had asked you
| to bring your instrument this evening,-we
| shall not forget to do so next time. But you
sing, too, we are told; will you favor US with a
| song"