Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-12-20
HIS Fathers Arrest.

lie III tn1i part Oi 1tciauu bSVSt"P"'N"'
ly known as lying west of the law, wa:
obliged, for certain reasons Of the family,
to come up to Dublin.
This he proceeded to do with due eau
ton. Two trusty servants formed an
advance guard and patrolled the country
for at least five miles in advance, after
them came skirmishiug body Of few
tenants, who, for the consideration OF
never paying rent, would have charged
the whole court of chancery, if needful.
Ny father himself, in an old chaise
victulaled like fortress, brought up The
rear, and, as / said before, he was bold
man, who would have attempted to have
laid seige to him.
As the column advanced into the enc.
my's country, they assumed closer or
der, the patrol and the picket falling back
upon the main body, and in this way they
reached the most interesting city called
Kilbeggan.
The sun was just rising in a delicious
morning of June when my father was
preparing for the road. A stout escort
of his followers were, as usual, under
arms to see him safe in the chaise; the
passage to and from which every day
being the critical moment of my fathers
life.
"It's all right, your honor" said his
own man, as, armed with a blunderbuss
he opened the bedroom door.
"Time enough, Tim," said my father,
"cose the door, for haven't finished my
breakfast"
Now, the real truth was that my faith
er's attention was at that moment with
drawn from his own concerns by scene
which was taking place in Il field beneath
his window.
But few minutes before hack chaise
had stopped upon the roadside, out OF
which sprang three gentleman. who pro-
ceeded into the field, seemed bent upon
something which my father could not
make out.
One with an easy, lounging gait, strobe
toward distant corner, another took an
opposite direction, while a third, short
pursy gentleman in red handkerchief
and rabbit skin waistcoat, proceeded to
open mahogany box, which, to the crit
ical eyes of my respected father was
agreeably suggestive of bloodshed and
murder.
"a duel, by Jupiterl" said my father
rubbing his hands.
Meanwhile the little man who offici-
ated as second, it would appear, to both
parties, hustled about with an activity
little congenial to his shape. And wha'
between swapping the pistols, examining
the fints and ramming down the charges
he had got himself into a sufficient per-
spiration before he commenced to meas
ure the ground.
The combatants had taken their place:
and the little man was leisurely retiring
to give the word.
Ny father, however, whose critical eye
was never at fault, detected circum
stance which promised an immense ad
vantage to one at the expense Of the 9th
er. In fact, one of the parties was Sc
placed with his back,to the sun that thu
shadow extended in a straight line tC
the very foot of his antagonist.
unfair, unfair !" cried my father
opening the window as he spoke and ad
dressing himself to him of the rabbi
skin. 81 crave your pardon for the in
terruption," said he, "but | feel bound e
observe that that gentleman's shadow j
likely to make shade of him."
"And so it is, observed the short man
"a thousand thanks for your kindness
But the truth is l am totally unaccus
toned to this kind of thing, and the affair
will not admit of delay."
"Put them up north and south" saiC
my father.
That brings me upon an eminence,
said the gentleman in blue. "lll b
id if I'll be made cockshot Of"
81 can't permit this" said my father
"Allow me-" So saying, he stepped upor
the window sill and leaped into the field
Before l can accept of your polite
ness" said he Of the rabbit skin, "may
| beg to know your name and position il
society ?"
Nothing more reasonable" said ml
father. I'm Miles 0'Shaughnessy, col
onel of the Royal Raspers."
"Col. O'Shaughnessy?" said one.
miles O'Shaughnessys" said the 9th
er.
"Of KillinahouIa castIe?'' said th'
third.