The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1886-08-21
!" gu counted them at break Of day,
But when the sun set where were they?'

The goddess Of Charity whom men
worship now, how unlike thee she is!
Bold and proud, she walks with stately
step, and shuns the lowly cabin on her
way to princely halls. She extends no
friendly hand to the helpless and house.
less in the darkness of night, but waits
for the broad glare of MONDAY, to carry
her gifts to the market place. She
stalks along the public thoroughfares in
wanton attire, surrounded by followers
whom she attracts by the splendor of
her garments and the stateliness Of her
mien. She sets herself mp as thy rival,
modest, blushing child Of God. In the.
Haunting dress Of the courtesan, she dis
putes thy empire over the hearts Of men;
and, alas that we must confess it! she
gains the victory.
But, dear reader. fallen as the world
is, there are some true hearts to be
found i'll it still: some who, like Uncle
Jerry, will steal away into obscure
places to comfort the poor, and blush
like him to be caught in the act. So
was it now.
1t appears that Mr.. Guirkie, instead
Of going directly to Rathnullen, on lis
weekly visit to the old churcilyard, as
Mrs. Motherly had supposed, fell in
with the priest, on his way to visit the
widow with the 'sthree twins,' at Bally-
nlastocker, who was taken suddenly i'll,
and instantly resolved to accompany
him to the house.
AS Captain Petersha1n, with his party,
rode along, two horses, standing at the
Widows door, attracted his attention;
and or coming up, he recognized them
as Father Johns and Mr.. Guirkie'e.
AT once he made up his mind to invite
the two friends to CASTLE Gregory, and
accordingly dismounted for that pur-
pose.
On entering the humble dwelling Of
the widow, Of rather as he stepped on
the threshold, 81 sight met his view
which caused him instantly to draw
back. Uncle Jerry was sitting near the
fireplace, with his back to the door, and
80 intent at his occupation, that he
neither heard heard the captains foot
step, nor observed the shadow his per-
son cast upon the wall as he came in.
The latter, as the reader knows already,
was blunt, out-spoken, honest hearte0,
|rollicking country gentleman Of the old
school, and Kate, knowing his ways so
we'll, had been expecting every instant
10 hear his voice i'll high banter with
Uncle jerry; but, instead Of that, she
was rather surprised to see him steal
out again On tiptoe, with mis- hand raised
up in wonder, as if at something he had
Witnessed within,
q 'sWhut's the matter, c:sptain?' she de-
1nandel:' lis the widow defd?'
"Not that know OF; but such sight
as that [ haven't seen for years-come
down and behold it with your own eyes,"
and lifting her from the saddle, he es-
corted kes to the door of the cabin.
Nh. Weeks and the other gentlemen
OF the party, hearing the captin's words,
were instantly excited by a natural curl
osity to see what was going on, and
aliglted also.
Uncle Jerry was still intent on his
work He was rocking cradle Of more
than ordinary proportions, made Of
coarse wicker work. IN which the three
twins were soundly sleeping. On q low
stool beside him low his pocket hand
kercliief, which he had been using when
the captain frs5 saw him, and had only
laid down as the party came crowding
round. the door.
Gentlemen, J" said Kate, turning to
her friends and whispering her words
low, IT beg you'll retire. This is no
fitting scene for profane eyes like yours.
Away; and leave the captain and 1ae to
speak to him u
They did as directed /; and then Kate,
motioning the latter to keep his place,
stepped across the earthen floor with the
lightness OF bird, and stood behind
the watcher. She was about to touch
him on the shoulder with her finger to
make him aware of her presence, but
drew it suddenly back again, and waited
a minute longer.
In that short minute Uncle Jerry had
laid open his whole heart to her. She
could read it as plainly as book. In
serting his hand into the lining of his
great sealskin cap, he drew forth from q
secret pocket, which Mrs. Motherly had
tailed Ito discover, Bank Of ireland
note, and rolling it up into convenient
shape. took the hand Of one Of the
orphans, and wove it in between its
fuge1s. AS he did SO, a big tear
dropped on the hand, and Uncle jerry
took up his handkerchief to wipe it off.
"Holdp' sala Kate; '"let it remain