Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-06-09

L.! the 'COl-
leen Bawll' at the Theatre Royal. He
had driven out in q trap; it was five
o'clock before he and his companion
made move to return, and it was a
question whether the mare could COW
er the distance in time.
"She can do it," said George D.,
as he fondly patted the sleek coat Of
his mare. "Ill bet three pounds to
one we are in College Green at six
twenty"
"I'd like to take that, yer honor"
said low, sweet voice, that seemed
to come from under the animal.
Rising from his STOPPING posture
and standing back he looked at the
beasts near fore-leg.
He was 1.-the boy of some twenty
years, dressed in ragged scarlet coat
and old black hunting cap, the cast
off suit OF some whipper-in. Under a
shock OF brown hair q broad, beaming
face defed delineation, for the features
were constantly on the move.
"What's the matter with her leg,
jack"
"Tisn't in tn leg, yer honor, it's in
the near fore-foot. watched her fav-
orin' it this whole day, and, more be-
token, it, very hot around the coro-
net. I'm afeard, Master George, the
creature has a touch OF the vickular. F."
ga touch Of the navicular! Pooh! A
touch OF your grandmother! What do
you know about it,"
81 know why the gentleman wants
to get to Dublin so airly, God bless
him." he added, touching his ragged
cap. "Wasnt in the gallery OF the
Royal last Saturday, and seen him
fish the Colleen Bawn out O. the wath.
en-"
| l threw the fellow half u sovereign,
and the parting CLEAN OF gratitude
that he shared between the coin and
: me was worth the money. 'That was
a queer figure, said l.
"He is well known about here" re-
piled my companion, "he's called
| Cantherin' Jack"
"Why is heculled Cantherin' Jack?'
"He lives under d hedge, and when
he spies a carriage full OF grandees
Jack unstrings his fiddle, receives them
with a wild dance, and will follow the
carriage for miles, never failing to get
| siXpence sooner or later from the
| party"
After driving for nearly twenty
minutes, the mare began to show the
cause Rof her uneasiness. There re-
manned no doubt the animal was lame.
This was very unfortunate, and be-
gan to measure anxiously the dis
tance to the theatre, and dismal con.
sequences OF arriving late. The Lord
Lieutenant had given command
on that night, and that means
he was coming in state, with his
court, in gala uniform, and escorted
| by a troop OF cavalry. On such
| occasio all Dublin turns out, and
every available seat in the theatre is
filed. My feelings were very un.
comfortable. The brave beast strug
gled with her pain, but at last and
rather suddenly, as if she had
concealed it's acuteness, she broke
down to a walk. Darkness had set
in, and the last milestone said sixteen
miles still lay between US and the city.
We were miles from the turnpike,
where might have got q conveyance
I looked at my watch-it wanted
twelve minutes to six.
could / hire a horse from one Of
the farmers in the neighborhood? Do
you know where we are7 Who lives
near the placer"
"Ihave no idea," replied my com.
panion, so dejectedly l had not the
heart to exhibit my despair. 81 dc
not know what to do or where We
are. Pm fairly at my wits end"
just at that moment, dark form
bounded across the ditch. and Can
therin' Jack alighted beside us.
"Long life to your honors. I was
afraid the craythur might not last
You are not angry, sir, bekase ! keI
an eye on ye," said he, apologising to
George for his presence.
"Don't stop to explain, "he replied
testify. "My friend must reach Dub
lin in fifty minutes. You know every
foot q the road, and every quad
ruped in the country. Can it be donei
Can you beg, borrow, or steal q
horse that will carry him to town.
Jack ran his fingers under his ragged
cap to scratch his head, "Well, to be
sure" said he, after a moments hest
tation. "there's only one chance"