The Irish standard., 1886-06-26

from the mountain, and then proceeded
to give the details Of the capture.
| Whilst the bailiff thus endeavored to
quiet the apprehensions of the females,
Weeks stood stock still in the center Of
Il curious and wondering group-his
hands thrust down as low as he could
drive them into his breeches pockets,
and his eyes wandering round and round
in search of some one to recognize him
but alas! the faces he saw there were all
strange faces to him
1t was some time before the bailiH' 8
repeated guarantee of his prisoners
sanity of mind and peaceable dispo-
sition could induce the females to re-
turn to. the dancing room; and when
they did, each fair one, as she entered,
WAS seen to cast fearful glance at the
tall stranger, and press closely by the
side of her partner Last came the lit
lie fiddler, looking twice as big as when
he fled through the window but mo-
ment before, and swearing all kinds Of
anathemas against the bailiff and his
prisoner for exposing his instrument to
the rain.
Still, amid all the noise and hustle,
Weeks stood there as calm and solemn
as an undertaken. He was no longer
excited-that state Of feeling had given
way to calm, contemptuous, silent in
a1gnation. He felt precisely as an un-
fortunate Irish Catholic feels in New
England. when arrested for robbery,
and happens to reflect he is the only
stranger in the township, and without q
friend to say word in his favor. But
we must not stop to moralize; we can
only say,-to borrow line from the
poet
1--WE have seen such sights, but must not call
| to mind.''
Suddenly, however, Mr.. Weeks at
tention seemed to be. attracted by the
entrance Of an active, curly headed,
humorous looking fellow, wearing a
rabbit skin jantily set on the side of his
head, and supporting q laughing, dark
haired girl Oh his arm.
"Say, hold on there, you," cried
Weeks, at length breaking silence, and
motioning to the new conner.
| The individual made no reply, but
hastened to escape further observation
by esconcing himself behind door in a
remote corner OF the room.
:sLook herep' persisted Weeks, break
ing through tie group, and holding out
his hand in token of recognition; ''look
here!--how do, old feller? got into a
sorter snarl here, and glad you turned
up to see me out.
| 'sMe!"
Why, yes--you,re Lanty Hanlon--
ain't you?"
cay, that's my name"
Cali right; I knew you by your cap
as soon as you entered. Welt want
yon to clear up mistake. This here
baihff, or constable, or whatever darned
thing you call him, has arrested me for
stealing g steer, up thereaway-ha, ha!
and won't believe I'm Mr.. Ephra1m
Weeks, no how you CAL fix it,"
s'Mr. Ephraim Weeks!'' muttered our
friend Lanty, slowly repeating the words,
and looking up in affected wonder in the
mans face; ''Mr. Eprai1n Weeks--you're
q stranger in these parts. -
"Why, what dye ,nean?'
"No offence in the world, only you've
the vantage Of me.'
'<Adyantage! How's that?''
"Why, + don't reminder iyer to see
you afore"
'You don't, eh? Look at me again."
81 do.''
"Why, darn ye, hain't ye seen me
every day this month past?''
"Me! bedad, may be SO. Where
ahouts, if it's a fair question:
CHOW, you go to grass said Weeks;
'tyou know me as we'll as know my
self"
/ "Faith, and that same mightn't be
much to brag of aither."
"Why, tarnation t'ye, hain't you sold
nae two dozen flies, last Thursday, at
Kii,drum Pf,nd9,'
II sell you flies? Ha, he, ia! Why,
upon my conscience, my good fellow you
mns5 be ravin."
"Well, therel' exclaimed Weeks, look:
ing at the imperturbable Lanty as if he
could run him through; them drawing a
Ay-hook hastily from his pocket, he
pulled it open, and holding the flies be-
fore Lanty's face, demanded to know if
they were of his dressing or not.
s'Mine-begorra, it wudn's be aisy to
tell that in the state they're in now. any
way"
'sLadies and gents,'' said Weeks, ap-
pealing to the bystanders. "I vow I
bought these flies from this here fellow
1oet Tl,urolou And 1rl,,+,o r,ora ho