National Republican., 1885-04-25

lent after rains, winds before II, taking,
in a picturesque sort Of way. the course of
the present Ninth street. Several ropes
depend from the trec-boughs, forming
swings, where laughing lasses and sigh
ing swains rush through the exhilarating
air, glowing rosy red with the breathless
exercise. Others, male and female,
young and old. in conversation, sport, or
rest, grouping the hillside; tales are told
of the happy times gone or to come; many
with pipe in mouth, or can in hand, bar
ter all things for dreams. Thus till the
little bell of st. Patrick's, the un-
pretending church on the rising ground
near, summons to service, and the quaint
and curious Father Matthews looks
blandly over his devoted flock.
Perhaps two lambs yet linger by the
spring-the pastors call unheeding-un-
true awhile to duty, true to love.
That spring, where 80 many VOWS were
breathed long ago, still bubbles up its
pure waters, but now seldom seen, its
location being subterranean in an arch
under + street pavement, and only ac-
cessibe from the cellar Of the Masonic
edifice.
I enter again, in propria persona.
schoolboy now, and often at play with
my noisy follow students all over the
grassy square at present occupied by the
ponderous Department Of the Interior.
IAN over ." Not quite; for considerable
section of the public ground had long
been appropriated to private use by Tim
Murphy, his emphatic wife, Norah. and
their COW, pigs, chickens, cats, and dogs.
This interesting family, except the COW,
who was accommodated with an exclusive
toaathAr In harpnnnxy nnlar
tho one low roof of the shanty, which had
been designed by the united minds aud
erected by the welded hands
Of these enterprising settlers.
A rough, tumble.down fence,
composed of every material that could be
found in the neighborhood. defined the
claim. and within its charmed territory
flourished potatoes, cabbage, corn, and
other desirables. The dwelling itself, both
as TO manner and matter of building, WAS
A wonder aud continual study to myself
and merry associates; for broken boards,
bricks, stones, sheet-iron, tin, mortar,
mud, and know not what else, contrib
uted to its singularity. Yet 1t was the
home of the aged couple, and they were
happy there.
But the shadow comes to every door,
whether of cot or palace, and one day Tim
went HWuy w bhO plu
Ireland-from which he should never re-
turn, and the lone widow was almost
broken hearted, even for that poor and
nearly helpless lame companion.
Time, that stops for none of our sor-
rows. vet mysteriously soothes them,
went on, and Norah again found degree
of pleasure in the company left her, and
the duties OF household and garden.
Still, even these enjoyments were to be
threatened.
What did those mon mean with their
rods and lines and their instruments,
measuring over the square aud making
notes in little booksi They ap-
proach her habitation-one ventures TO
open the. gate. Broom in hand she
goes forth to confront the intruders.
1t il a party of surveyors acting under
the orders of the government. A build.
ing for public use is about to DO erected
here.
Norah, with many indignant words
and quick and vigorous applications of
tho broom, declares it shall not be SO,
"What! would ye tear down tho only
house | have in all this wurruld? The
house my own hands built, too, and my
old mans hands along with it-heayen
rst his spwi! An distroy the poor w.l'
dy's garden? An mlrther the innOcint
Gu~. an the pretty pigs, an tho rIst? Git
along wid ye, say!"
The storm was too violent; they did
git along" retreGting in u perfect panic.
Imm-dmtelv repairing To the Preslden-
tjal msnsiOp, they related tho strange
story to Cen. Jackson, who received II
wiih hCartv laughter aud advised tlem
To rry araiu on the morrow, Observing
hos.,ttOu among tho mun 10 comply Sitl
his sugqesbicn GibNg he herd ptJitiised
10 megl tbGm bimseli hext day alta certain
hour on the battlefield. He would see