The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-10-04
The Irish Seer,

The Irish Seer.
Squire Ormbsy's pantry was broken
nto and robbed of n largo amount of
aluable plates. Mr.. Ormsby distrusted
he police and publicity in theso cases,
and his wife prevailed on him to send for
Patrick o Rafferty,, tho village seer.
That worthy came, and heard the
story. Ifo looked ut tho lady and gen
tleman, and his self-deccption began to
noze out of him. To humbug his hum
bic neighbors was not difficult nor dan
gerous, bnt to deceive and undeceiye
and disappoint his landlord was quito
another matter.
He put On humility, and snid this was
a matter beyond him entirely. Then the
Squire was angry, and said bitterly.
mo doubt he would rather oblige his
neighbors, or n shopkeepcr who was n
stranger TO him, than the man whose
land had fed him and his for fifty wears !"
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; ho would do
his best.
mo man can do MORE" said Mr..
Ormsby. "Now, how will you proceed /?
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 ali
the servants peeped at him.
"What next ?" 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 q rump-steak 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
seer's mind"
When the first pipe and pint were to
GO to him discussion took place between
the magnates of the kitchen who should
take 1T up. At last the butler and the
housekeeper insisted on the footman TAX
ing it. Accordingly he did so.
Meantime Patrick sat in state dieestinp
the good food. He began to feel physi
cal complacepcy, and to defy the future:
he only regre tied 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 rs Madeira.
Says Patrick, looking at the pipe.
''That's the first of 'em.''
The footman put the things down
FATHER 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 tho butler with
a scared face, and snid, "I won't 20 neal
him again; he said I was one."
''Nonsense r' said the butler {" I'll
take up the next"
He did SO. Patrick gazed in his face,
took the pipe, and said. soto voce.
"ihis is the second;" then, very re.
gretfully, "Only one more to come"
The butler went away much discou.
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 third
pipe and pint, and wore propitiatory
smiles.
''This is the last of 'om," said Patrick,
solemnl y, and looked at the glass.
Tho housekceper went down oil in q
hutter. eve are found out, wo are
ruined" said she. "There is nothing to
be done now but Yes thcro is wo
must buy him, or put the comether on
nim ncforo he sees tho master"
fntriclt was half dozing over lis last
iPpo! when ho heard rustic and n COM
motion, and 10 three culprits on their
knees to him. With that instructive sa-
Gaclty which was his one real gift-so he
underrated it he said, with n twinkling
eyo: 3
"Och, thin, you've como to make q
clano briet of it, the three Chrischin var-
tues and haythcn graccs that We are, Ye
may save yourselves the trouble, Sure
know all about it,"
eve see you do. Y'are wiser than
Solomon" said the housekeeper. "But
sure ye wouldn't abuse your wisdom to
ruin threo poor bodies like us2"
Poor !" cried Patrick. 'Ts it Door ye
Sui G"lL yourselves Ye ate and drink like
rT,anIng ,iaIl cooks; y'are clothed in silk and
i,i''nn US and broNdcloth, and your wages
,S III III pocket money and pin. money. Yet
Fe must rob the man that feeds and
butler. a - oiieo the
"H0 "s9"kes Ike q priest" said tho
d