The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-06

his eldest son, Pat, 'since we had a
sthrohc of luck like this; and the best
of it all is that it is Martin Powers
wife that's dead and gonc-rest her
sowl!-Martin Power, of Ristheen. And
he likes his stuff as mild as summer
rain. You may as well hcave few
gallons of spring water into nun Der
six puncheon. Dye hear me. Pat?'
"Yes. SIR" answered the eldest hope
of the house of OReilly.
Don't make any mistake about the
ordhers, you numbskull. Forty gal
Ions of number six for Martin Power,
of Ristheen. Be careful not to send
any bill with it-he's awfully touchy
about his credit. He's rich as Craysus
and as crotchety as an overfed mule.
The other order is for Tommy Power,
of Knockneesha. Tommy's mother is
the corpse. I'd rather he sent his
money with the order, but we can't re-
fuse him five gallons on an occasion
like this. He likes his stuff with a
strong paraffine tang Rack his five
gallons out of mum Der four. Do you
hear me now, you blockhead?'
Il DO. sir.
II have to attend meeting of the
poor-law guardians at eleven o'clock,
SO let yourself and Denis get these two
ordhers off as early as he can to-day. -"
''All right, sir" said dull but dutiful
Patrick.
You can send Tommy Power. Of
Knockneesha, his bill. Charge him
twenty-five gallon-the regular
wake price-and the carriage: and
ask for the money at his earliest con-
venience, for he's a very struggling
man. I'll call in to Seaman, the tailor.
on my way to the workhouse, and get
him to hurry up with that new black
coat of mine, and let yourself and
Denis get pair of hatbands, for we'll
all have to follow poor Martin Powers
wife to her last resting place on Thurs.
day next The Heavens be her bed."
Thursday morning came round. and
shortly before ten o'clock O'Reilly shut
up his premises, intimating to the pub
lie by means of a crape-decorated card
affixed to his shop door that business
would be resumed at three in the after
noon, and requesting prayer for the
repose of the late Mrs. Martin Power.
Underneath this request was similar
one, written in smaller characters, for
the rcpose of the Widow Power, of
knockneesha
The spirit merchant had chartered
funereal-looking covered car, as the
day looked threatening. Besides, the
covered vehicle would have a more
solemn and respectful appearance than
an ordinary jaunting car.
The road to Ristheen was misera-
bly, bad road--a good hours drive dis
tapt from Killogue. There were 10
habitations-except few brol.en-down
cabins could be digpified with the term
habitation-for the seven long miles.
Not even a licensed half way house.
or shebeen. However, Mr. OReilly
calculated there would be an hour or
two to spare at Ristheen before the
funeral started, and there would,
no doubt. be ample time to discuss the
funeral baked meats-for Martin Pow
er was 1lahoolig farmer-and to wash
them down with some of the whisky
from the forty gallons.
Martin Power was one of OReilly's
very best customers. He had the name,
and deserved it, of being the most hos
pitable farmer Gin his own barony or
the next one to it." But with all his
hospitable qualities he was cursed
with dangerous temper; and on the
road to Ristheeu, paterfamilias O'Reil-
ly spent most of the journey instruct
ing his two dull boys as to their behav-
Tor when they would reach the house
of mourning.
eff l see the sign of smile on
either of your faces you will hear it
from me on both ears when we get