The Irish standard., 1886-05-22

cape OF dis GRAD SurLOuG mapping 8DOuI
his ears
<sMay the Lord pity you, poor man, .
exclaimed Mrs. Motherly, gazing after
him till he turned the corner; 'smay the
Lord pity you.
ssAmen, y said the doctor, closing his
umbrella at she door, and retreating
backwards into the house; she's an ex-
troardinary individual
CHAPTER VII.
Mr. WEEKS BEGINS TO THINK IRELAND
NOT so VERY GREEN COUNTRY AFTER
ALL, AND RATHER UNSAFE FOR MArR1-
MoSIAL SPEcuLAT1oNs.
| Quitting the lighthouse, apparently
we'll pleased with his visit, Mr.. Weeks
threw his broken fishing rod on his
shoulder, and set out, for Crohan with
as much speed as his long, shambling
and slow habits would admit of. 1t
being already dark, and the distance he
had to walk some four good Irish miles,
and that over rough, mountainous
roads, he resolved to travel somewhat
faster than usual, i'll order to reach Gro
han before the family retired to rest.
| And here it should be remarked, that
the Harlwrindle family was q plain
and orderly family; q family, in fact,
guided by rule in every thing. They
never sat up later than nine o'clock, on
any occasion whatever. Even the night
Of MIR. Weeks arrival, as soon as the
deep toned clock in the great hall struck
the appointed hour, the seven sisters,
in the order Of seniority, rose up each
in their turn, and approaching their
American cousin, bade him good night
with a gravity OF department that we'll
became the high reputation they hail
long acquired throughout the parish for
unostentatious piety and evangelical
perfection.
This strict mode Of living was by no
means new to Mr.. Weeks, for he was
bred and born in the land Of steady
habits himself, and therefore could we'll
understand the value his cousins set
upon that particular family regulation
This consideration, added to the danger
Of being caught in the approaching
storm amongst the wild gorges of Ben
raven, prompted him to tax his physical
energies a little more freely than usual.
He had not proceeded very far, how
ever, on his journey. when he found his
rapid pace suddenly checked by o tall,
mufded figure, that rose up before him
on the road, and commanded him to
stop.
"Who's there?'' demanded Weeks,
coming to dead halt.
"a friend"
"What friend--Else Curly?'
''Ay," said the old woman, wrapping
her gray cloak round her head and
shoulders, and advancing from the rock
where she had been sitting 70 the middle
Of the road. ''Ay, it's me. I stepped
down to meet ye at yer up comm, TO
hear the news. Hem! what's the good
word, sir?''
ssWhy, all's about right there, I
guess" responded Weeks, grounding
his fishing rod, and resting his hands on
the end of it.
s'Plazed with your visit, / hope.''
<sWell yes-got along pretty Slick"
tsYe seen her?''
"Well, can't say saw much Of her to
speak off,
"But ye think she'll suit you, any
way?"
eyes, reckon SO; she's handsome
enough, but kinder skittish, ! guess. -
SO, av coorse; what else could ye ex-
pect at the first goin Off"
:.No, that's all right. Irish girls are
generally somewhat shy at the begin
ming. But I've no fear we'll bring her
UP to the hitchin post yet. y
"Humph!'' calculated Else, f'dont be
too sure O. that. Remember she has
the ould blood in her veins
stPsaugh! hunlbug! old blood!''
eye don't believe in that"
"Not 1; it's all sheer CANNON. y
ssHumph! see chat now! E'then, sure,
we poor crathurs down there always
heerd it said that the blood of the Tai
bots was as hard to tame as the blood of
the aigles.'
ssThe Talbots?''
ssAyn
Weeks. looking sharply in the old
woman 8 face.
s'The Talbots-why, musha, thin, did
we niyer hear tell i the Talbots?'' said
Else, eying him with very equivoeal
expression of countenance.
.sNo-don't remember exactly"
"Hoot! jog yer n1imery a bit-the
name is not so mighty scarce that ye
l>o.,l cfn,, p,-t NO rnatfor.