Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-15
NOM
A STORY OF THESE TIMES.


see how any landlord in Ireland can spake
of it without a blush. Ye can talk. there's
no doubt, but words go for little; and the
fact is, I've got no rent to pay ye."
His tone conveys the idea that he has the
rent, but deliberately refuses to pay it.
You will bring it on Monday, or shall
evict YOU" says the Squire, quietly. you
hearp
Il hear" says the man, with an evil
frown. But We can't have it all yer own
way now NIisther Desmond. There's others
have voice in the matther."
II don't care for innuendOes of that sort,
Or for any insolence, whatever; only mean
you to fully know that | must live as we'll as
you, and that therefore L must have my
rents"
Il knowwell enough what we NAME" says
the man, with increasing insolence. But
I'd have you to know this, that maybe be-
fore long yen whistle another time There's
them / could mention, as has tn .ir eye up
on We, am will keep it there till Justice is
done"
Meaning, until | give up Coole ITSELF"
says the Squire, with sheer.
SAY, eUe1 that, it may be-" says the man,
with answering d afiance.
You dare to threat N me?' SAYS The Des-
mond, throwing up his head haughtily, and
drawing some step- nearer 70 his tenant.
Il only say what is likely to prove truth
before long" returns the man, sturdiIy, not
giving in an inch. ''That Well have no
more tyranny, but Will have blow for our
rights, If we swing for it,
''YOu can shoot me when and where you
like" says Desmond, with a Shrug. But
am afraid it will do you no good"
1T will be lesson to the Others" says
the man, between his teeth.
At this The Desmond rises slowly. and
ringing the bell, calmly pares his nails until
q servant comes in answer to his summons.
AS Mr. Brian to come here for a mo-
ment, nc says, calmly, not lifting his eyes
from the fourth finger of his left hand upon
the nail Of which lie is just now employed.
Brian lounging in, in few moments, his
uncle pockets his penllnife, and, waving
his hand lightly in Donovan's direction,
says, gravely,-
This man, Donovan, will be one of your
tenants, some time, Brian, '-plainly, he has
forgotten all about his determination to
marry again, and so dispossess his nephew
OF COo.c and other things, or else one glance
at Monica's portrait Gn which she had APP
peared so N1ltiEC her mOther) has done Won
ders; lit is therefore as well you should
learn his sentiments toward his landlord,
especially as he is apparently the mouth
piece OF all the others. 0blige me, Donovan,
by repeating to Mr.. Brian all you have Just
said to me-
But the man is far too clever a lawyer to
commit himself before a third party.
II have nothing to say" he answers, sui
lenly, but this, that times are hard an
money scarce, AMI
1--WE will pass over all that. 1t is an old
story now; and, as YOU decline to speak, l
Will just tell you again, | intend to have my
rent on Monday, and it | don't shall evict
you"
'Ahl as you evicted Ned Barry last
month, throwing him on the open road,
with his wife beside him, an a baby not a
month old
'NonStnsel the child was six months old,
and Barry was better able to pay than any
tenant | have, and more willing too until
he was tampered with. lie has proved he
had the money since, by paying sum to
Sullivan yondcr for board and lod ring that
would have kept him in his own house for
twice the length of time he has been there.
know all about it; | have made is my bust
ness TO find it out"
we're mighty well informed entirely."
says Donovan, with wicked sneer.
III You can't keep a civil tongue in your
head, you bad better leave this room" says
Brian, flushing darllIy and making step
toward him.
WHO are yOu t. Ordher me about?' says
the man, with a fierce glance. "Ye're not
my master yet, can tel We, an maybe ne
RCDCr lUjiJ be-
Leave the roOm," says Brian, white with
RAGE, pointing impcrious.y to the door.
Curse vel" says the man; yet, warned by
the expression ON Brian's face, he moves in
rcbc lious manner to the door, and so dis
appears.
They are the most unpleasant peaSantry
In the WOr d" says the Squire, some hours
later, the words com ng like dreary sigh
through the clouds of tObacco-smoke that
curls upward from his favorite meerschaum.
He and Brian and Owen Kelly are all sit
ting in the library, the scene of the late en-
counter, and have been meditating silently
upon many matters, in which perhaps Love
has the largest share, considering his vO-
tareS are two to one, VIII II the Squire most
unexpectedly gives way to the speech afore-
said
81 wonder, says Bran, dreami'y,-it is
very lat, and he is in gently, kindly,
SOmnolcnt state, born of the armchair and
his p.pe,-'I wonder if one was to give i'll
to them entirely, would they be generous
enough to"
If YOU can't talk sense" interrupted his
uncle, angrily, don't talk at all. | am sur
prised at you, Brian. Have you seen or
noticed nothing all these years, have YOU
been bind to the state of the country, that
you give sound TO such utter trash? Pshaw!
In, = IN 81
me-"
But suppose one was to humOr thnm,-I
am not abiding to You, my d ar George" to
his uncle,-"I know You have humored
them conSiderably,-but | mean landlords
generally; would not peace be restored?
That fellow Donovan to-day was beyond
doubt imperinant to the last degree; but of
course he meant nothing; they would,
should think, hesitate, in their own interest,
before falling foul of YOU"
You don't understand them as l do"
says the Squire, slowly.
Il still think peace, and not war, should
be instlled into them" says Brian. "Too
many landlords are harsh and unyielding in
an aggravated degree, when little persua-
sion and a few soft words would smooth
matters. They, OF course, are visited with
Ile leNclSe Oh the League, WnIISO SUCH as
you escape
These complacent words are still upon
his lips, he has had time to lean back n his
chair with the languid air of one who has
given to the world views not admitting of
contradiction, when 4 sharp whrrng noise
Is heard, fclowyd by crash of broken
glass and The dull thul Of 4 bullet that has
found its home in the wall right opposite
the Squire. Right opposite Brian toe, for
they mad been side by side With Owen Kelly,
tor, unately not q vitc, but very nearly, op-
post.
+ 7 moment nobody quite knows what
has happened, so sudden IS the thing; and