Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-04-08
MI8cELLANEoUs.
A Queer Detective.

During one of the lesser rebellions
in Ireland, in the beginning of this
century, Shamus O'Brien, Young
man of good old family settled in
the extreme West, distinguished HIM
self so valiently as patriot that
the English government g wanted''
him for considerable length of time.
Shamus however contrived to get
safely off in trading-vessel, and,
along with some other patriots, took
refuge in America.
Some few years passed, and Sha-
mus was again wanted"-this time
in another and better sense however.
The O'Brien had been gathered to
his fathers, and the family ardently
desired that the long-lost heir might
return to his native land, but had no
idea how toset about finding it. The
motherw waited and waited, and longed
for her eldest born to come back. BY
degrees every one else forgot him
and BIurtagh, the next son, tall
STRIPPING of eighteen, in course of time
came to be regarded as The O'Brien.
But Murtagh thought frequently of
his eldest brother, and he at length
made up his mind to go out himself
to America and seek him. He re-
solved 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 Sha1nus was dead. On landing
in New York the young folks were
indeed puzzled as to how they were TO
set about seeking their brother. They
were 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 seasicl1 all the voyage.
and now appeared miscrably i'll, cried
like q baby for the old home and the
mother love and Kitty's sharp words
and the rest of the % home comforts
on the other side of the sea. One
morning the child sat with his dark
curly head resting dejectcdly on his
hands, while Murtagh knit his black
brows and set himself to think.
"Dermont, 1 have hit on it," he
cried. eagerly springing to his feet,
his keen grey eye flashing. Listen! 1
am sure Shanus is somewhere in this
city of New York. -
g And I am sure ke isn't" Dermot
put in fretfully. I" oh, Murtagb,
what fools we were to leave BaIly-
mackahony !"
g Well, we have left; so we may
make the best of it, and look for
Shanus. You wouIdn'tforsakc your
own brother, would you, Dermot?
My plan is that we look well in New
York before going farther. have a
grand plan now so dry your eyes,
and come with me-
{" But what is your plan?" asked
Dermot. ruefully looking out of the
dirty windows of the fifth-rate little
coffee-house where they had gone to
lodge.
Never mind yct," 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
hawlIer, stopped her, and began to
negotiate with her for the purchase
of her big straw basket. Apparently
the basket and its course canvass
cover were all murtagh required,
for he hastily tossed all the clay pipes
and reeds of cotton and papers of
pins and high-complexioncd Dutch
dolls into the old woman s apron, and
started off, with his purchase hanging
from his arm.
Dermot limped after, wondering
how the old battered basket, which
looked as if it had braved many a
" battle" and Z" breeze" was going
to help them to find Shamus. There
were no word to express his astonish-
ment, however, when on turning into
the next street, Aurtagh stepped out
into the middle of the crowded road
way, and putting one hand up to his
mouth in the most approved street
hawking fashion, sang out Justify
Dublin Bay herrings! Quite
fresh! Caught this morning. Her
rings -
Dermot walked along the path
nearly stumbling in his surprise. He
forgot his sorrow 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-ringsI Quite
freshl"
Presently Dermot began to find an
inexhausti5le fund of amusement in