The Irish standard., 1895-11-23
MOTHER WIT.
Patsy ,Costigan Used to Good Advan-
tage For His Friends.

-
lad made use of his mother wit when the
occasion presented itself. He became the
hero of company of soldiers and event
ually secured for himself position which
now enables him to support, very COM
fortably, dependent mother and sister,
and offers as we'll an excellent oppor-
tunity for him to rise to a higher sphere
Of life and usefulness.
Patsy Costigan came over from ireland
about ten years ago with his father, who
was known as the "handiest man in
all the County Of Cork with shillelah;'
his mother and several younger Costigans
and settled down in the lower East side
of New York.
Patsy was only 6.years old at the time,
but Immediately set about earning some
money for the general support Of the
Costigan household. His father, true to
his prediction for club, soon found a
position on. the police force, and was in
a. fair way to make a good home for his
family when, in an unfortunate moment,
he succumbed to the temptations of an in
viting "gin milf and became hilariously
intoxicated. In this condition he came
into collision with g. rapidly moving cable
car and received injuries from which he
shortly afterward died.
The story of the Costigan family from
then on is only one OF a myriad of similar
ones to be- found among the poor families
of the East side. In the course of few
years the Costigans numbered but three,
the main support Of whom devolyed upon
Patsy. .-.-
The bright Irish lad worked day and
night in the various places Of industry i'll
the metropolis, now backing boots, again
selling papers, or doing odd jobs in lower
Broadway and in Wall street, all the
while acquiring a reputation for quick
wit, muscle and pluck.
Thus he continued eking cut precar-
ious but rather adventurous existence
until few months ago, when by for
tuitous and laughable incident his for
tunes received an unlocked for change
and Patsy became the chief topic Of con-
versation ON the street
When the national guard Of New York
state went into their annual camp last
summer at Peekskill Pat went along. He
conceived that military life would be q
welcome change from the busting life
down in the city, and SO when the Sew
enth regiment s.dandies' pitched their
tents on the high plateau above the Hud-
son many OF them who did business in the
"street" recognized the expressive plucky
features Of Pat Costigan. and good rea-
son they had to thank a kind Providence
that the Irish boy was with them.
One of the strictest rules in a military
camp, as any moderately we'll Informed
persons knows, is that one which requires
everybody to be in camp when "taps'
are sounded at 10 o'clock in the evening.
One night near the end Of camp week
more than dozen members OF the Sew
enth regiment boys found. themselves in
the village OF Peekskill near the hour Of
midnight They had been having good
time; had forgotten all about taps reveille
and everything else pertaining TO mill
tary life, and only became alive to their
situation and realized in what a desper-
ate plight their recklessness had placed
them when it seemed too late to remedy
it. TIC get by the sentries- at that time
was impossible: they would be caught in
the attempt and mayhap shot if they per-
sisted in trying it. To get back to camp
in the morning meant, certainly court
martial with an almost inevitable dis
missal and attending disgrace.
At the moment of their deepest despair
Pat Costigan appeared on the scene, and
on being told of the predicament gave a
hearty, reassuring laugh.
"Shure, boys, that's nothing to cry
over,' he said. eff you trust me I'll
steer you into camp in ji1fy and not a
soul will be the wiser
Most of the soldiers took the promise
as "chaff,' but all were willing to catch
at the least straw Of hope and swore they
would make it worth while for any per-
son who would guide them into camp.
Pat strolled down the street come dis
lance until he fell in with a. German
band.
Il say, Dutchy" he asked Of the lead
en-, who had his cornet packed away in
case. dyer want to make a few sheckels
tonight"
'tUad Wy shouldn't I sometimes, ugh?'
replied the leader, with a look of assent,
even hav not so much as made Won cop
per dis night ....-.
"Wen, them said Pat, follow me. Fol-
low my instructions, Germany. and III
out you in the way of making some mon.
Don't you know that only six miles over
here there's two thousand soldiers in
camp who haven't heard any music for az
week? Why you're dead slow
was it,? Lead off u1d We viii follow
Back they went and joined the soldiers,
and the whole company, after a silent
march along the creek which skirts the
high abutments of the camp, finally
reached the rear OF the encampment.
''Now Dutchy," said the guide, q want
you to obey me in everything / say, Sc?
When L call forward march right up to
that bank and straight on through the
woods. You will probably see some guy
with gun who will yell at you TO halt.
But don't mind him. He's just eInoosin
himself. When call out to play, strike
up bully tune and you'll see every body
gunnin out TO t'row money at you.
Sure enough when the band approached
the picket line they were challenged AMI
before the half-dormant sentinels had
brought their muskets to shoulder this Or
der was given to play. 1t is not easy to
Imagine the confusion that would ensue
in a military camp when a German band
enters at midnight, playing in biaring.
tones Two Little Girls liz Blue, The
sentinels became entirely delnoraHzed
and forsook their posts. officers and men
tu1nbled out of their berLhs, thinking
their last day had come, and the dozen
culprits found ample opportunity amid
the general confusion TO slip i'll and help
Dust the German band Amid indignant.
protests and promises TO play Home,
Sweet Home if Two Little Girls in
Blue" was teo stale to suit the soldiers
taste. the poor leader and his comrades
we're pitched into the creek and fastened
on their way with the prick of a bayonet.
It's an i'll wind that blows nobody