The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-08-29

mote south, or rather southwest, or Ire
land, round which nature has thrown to
the north and east earthworks OF such
formidable magnitude as TO defy the
invasion of an iron civilization.
In all directions landmarks lie savage
mountains and gloomy passes fencing
in a country too poor 10 tempt even the
sharp avidity of Irish land-hunger. Sea-
ward. the unresting Atlantic frets
against a bleak and rugged coast;
abrupt bare rocks beat stubbornly back
the angry waters; and few indeed are
the days when the roar of surf may not
be heard fun mile inland. Facing
slandward, the hills rise in dreary Wild
erness OF tumbled powders. thinly in
.terspersed with lines of green and rus
set as quagmire. or a narrow stretch
OF rustling why bog-grass. clutch at ex-
jstence Above, the powders disappear.
and the barren hills are crowned with
coarse-grained granite peaks, weather.
beaten TO the west into a ghOstly white,
but black with lichen 20 the east and
north. Depressingly gloomy and agrees
sively inhospitable, the marvel is that
life, human or animal, could pick up any
existence In such a land.
But even GIenbaragh has its popula-
zion: and In the hollows and valleys of
The hungry spurs were sheltered small
holdings cleared with infinite care by
MISREPRESENTATION generations, who from
the sheer conflict with nature had come
out victorious, though with but few
Spells and not unscathed. The severity
of the fight for existence showed itself
in dreary hOpelessness, and faculties
too numbed to grasp such newer prob
lens OF civilization as had penetrated
even to the wilds of Glenbaragh. But
It must not be supposed that such hold
3ngs were numerous. Half-a-dozen
might perhaps cluster in an embayed
tavine; then. as the hillside stretched
dnsheItered to the winds. mile two
would lie without break in the lifeless
tnonotony, until a further cleft or pro-
jecting headland afforded shelter.
After just such stretch of Wild uncul-
tivated slope came a group Of three small
farms, poor enough in soil. and TO a
farmer from the midlands or north con-
temptible in extent. but in this desolate
region accounted prizes of the highest
value; for Glenbaragh with its meager,
Il-fed population starving in scarceness.
Judged by a very different standard from
that of the prosperous farmer of many
deep-soiled, weil-drained acres. In hon
est truth these three plots We're miser-
ably unproduc,ive and poor carrying a
Seant[ crop or wei potatoes LOO often
swept away by disease. or affordinS
meager supply Of coarse grass TO half
dozen sheep and one or two gaunt cows.
Yet even this in Glenbaragn was wealth,
and consequently D0uOhoe and the two
Sullivans were envied their unapproach-
able prosp erfty.
OF these three holdings two were oc-
cupied by cousins. both Denis Sullivans,
the one. after the odd custom of that dis
trict and for distinctions sake. being
In sac n.rff- ~
as Denis Fox No tribute 10 MS superior
intelligence was intended by the affiX; il
was rather derived from his ruddy com
plexion and thin red beard
These holdings of the Sullivans lay 10
the uppermost or right-hand side Of the
road; while that Of DOn1hOe was on the
left. stretching to the waters edge. hi.
house facing the entrance 10 FOX's farm
Beyond all these the road took a sudden
turn 10 the right, and vanished behind
mass Of boulders DOnohoe's house,
small matched cottage. as were both the
others, overlooked the road: while the
cabins of the Sullivans lay more remote
under the shelter Of the hill. two or three
hundred yards distant from the highway.
In addition to these holdings the Sulli-
van cousins had until lately been joint
Henants IN neighboring turf-bank,
which, being the only dry bog in the dis
trict, was regarded a valuable posses
sion. But il had not prospered In their
hands, chiefly, it was said, because Of
Denis Sullivan's shiftless, unthrifty ways;
and the tenants having failed 10 pay rem
for over two years they had been evicted
from possession. The same careless lack
Of energy had told upon Sullivan in his
farm-hOlding. in so much that he had
been glad TO pay off his most pressing
debts by parting with a portion of the
land 10 his more active cousin. OF the
three neighbors DonOhOe was the least
liked; a man Of few words, grave and
abrupt in manner, he lacked the easy
going joviality of Sullivan and the hearty
straightforwardness of Fox. Silent, re-
firing, energetic, ne forced TO the full the
gifts from natures unwilling hand, and
committed the objectionable sin of pros
pering where others failed; and so II
came that DOnohOe was the new tenant
of the coveted burbank.
1t was Patsy Quin from Glenbaragh-
More who first brought the news of
Donohoe's installa ton. Fox was in the
shed behind his cabin pihng up the last
few turfs remaining from the spoils of
the bank bitterly rancOrOus over his
loss, when the boy dashed in. OCH
begor, but it's we'll to take care av them
for not many more yen see. Wen all
be goin' to Mr. DonOhoe wild our hats
in our hand" said he, determined that
the story should lose nothing in the tell
ing.
Don't be botherin me wild yer chatter
Get out now, like good boy, before 1
hurt We"
Sure, Fox. didn't We hear the news?
at last, and that he'll never stop till he
gets yer bit of a farm here too. bad luck
to him for land-grabberi And. begor
the cuttin must be a tidy good thing,
for they tell me the ould man laughed
out for once in his hfe.'
Fox Strengthened himself with a start
"What's that yer sayin', boy? Spake
plain. or hould yer tongue for a foOlw
plain, is it snapped Patsy. nettIed
'DonohOe has got yer cuttin, We lazy
Tout: and fool yerself for not houldin'
D good thing between yer two hands. Is
that plain?"
For an instant Fox stood staring, his
fingers plucxing and crumbling the turf
he held; then change came over his
face that awed the boy into silence.
Slowly he dropped on his knees. and
fumbling at first blindly. then with an
awakened purpose in the turf-heap. he
drew an Old-fashlOned twO-barreed gun
from its hiding-place. Lifting Ii to his
lips. he soiemnly kissed IL on the rusted
hammer and then, mumbling TO himself
Rugged It to his breast as he swayed
backwards and forwards. strolSing the
tubes the while. Then the mans mood
changed and ne sprang 70 his feet ges-
siculsting madly. his dazed eyes rolling
in their sockets. and the muscles OF his
face twitching in the Wild excitement.
Frightened at the passion he had
evoked. Patsy Quin edged noiselessly TO