The Irish standard., 1886-09-25

sent, actual breach of peace, but still II
was easy to see that something serious
was likely to take place before the close
of the proceedings. One individual in
particular seemed very busy amongst
the crowd, apparently giving orders and
i directions. This was woman Of tall
stature, wearing gray cloak, with the
j hood drawn over. but behind which,
Notwithstanding it's depth of shade, sew.
eral white elf locks were plainly visible.
The reader will at once recognize this
parsonage as our old acquaintance, Else
Curley, of the Cairn. Still erect and
1.-the as sapling, though the SHOWS o1
eighty winters had passed over her head,
she made her way through the throng OF
men and women, with step as firm as
when she trod the battle field on the
heights of MADEIRA, forty years before.
Nor had she lost entirely, either, that
imposing presence, which in her young
er days must have stamped her as re-
markable woman. Age, it Is true, had
furrowed her skin, and pinched her
cheeks with it's iron fingers, but the bold
forehead and the deep-set gray eye were
there yet, to tell of her resolnte and in
domitable will. As she turned from
side to side to deliver her commands,
the women and boys fell back and gazed
at her fear, and the strongest men there
shrank from her touch, as they felt her
hard, bony hand upon their shoulder.
Suddenly horseman appeared in
sight, cantering on from the direction of
Greenmount cottage; and instantly the
cry arose that Captain Petersham was
coming. Then the crowd began to sway
to and fro, the boys to jump from their
seats on the low wall, and the policemen
to shoulder their muskets. But they
were doomed to disappointed; for the
horseman, on nearer approach, proved
to be only one Of the captains grooms,
who riding up to the gate, beckoned to
the constable, and handing him war
rant, commanding him, in his masters
name, to execute it without delay.
Tne man seemed to hesitate for a
moment after reading the document.
s'The captains orders are that you
proceed to Crohan House instantly
said the groom, tsand bring the boy
into court.''
''Yes; but I don't feel at liberty to
quit my post" replied the constable.
'Our force is SMALL"
GAS you please said the servant; II
have delivered my orders; land wheel
ing round, without further parley, he
galloped back to Greenmount.
"Well, Thomas" demanded the cap
tain, meeting the groom at the door,
t'you handed the warrant to one of the
guard--has he gone to execute it?"
"No, sic; he seems to have scruples
about quitting his post.''
'.scruples! no, no! Is that the way
of it? Scruples! Look here, sir; ride
back, and tell him for me. if he don't
start within sixty seconds from the time
you reach him, I'll have him in irons
ten minutes after. Begone now, and
hurry back to report. :"
1.-THE scoundretl" he continued,
plucking off his sea cap, and rubbing
up his curly hair, as the servant rode
off; ''the sneaking scoundrel! I'll thin
off HE constables for him! By the Lord
Harry, he'll not involve me in his vii
lainies, if I can help it. It's most
atrocious. What! send q fine, gallant
young fellow like that to the hulks or
the gallows, because he loves his coun-
try more than his king? TIL be hanged
if do it, SO long as 1 can throw an OBJ
stacle in the way.''
Captain, said a voice behind him,
eff it's plain to yer honor
''Hilloa! who's here? What! Mrs.
Motherly-and still in tears? Come,
come, ge to your room, woman. and get
reconciled. Away You're as great a
fool as your master!'
sIndeed, then, that's the truest word
ye said yet, captain; for if I wasn't
greater fool, wouldn't stay with him.
But there's an end to it now, any way"
s'End to what?'
sI'll leave him; that's ALL"
sNonsense!"-
s'Indeed, then, I will, sir, I'll niver
sleep another night in this house. My
hearts been a-breakin with him every
day these five years, but it is broken
now, out and out. O, winastru, winas-
tru! and this is the thanks Tn gettin
after workin and slavin for him early
and late; night and mornin, every hour
since first darkened his doors. But
sure it is all past and gone now, any
way"
"Hold your peace, woman, and go to
your room instantly. MIR. Guirkie is too
good for you. Away, and thank God.
so ;t's little YER honor knows about.