Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-06-21

DuCkltU SlDOQ OF Lue early century. ~
the same period the opposition faction
was headed by Maurya O'Farrell, an
elderly widow, who, being an O'Farrell.
both by birth and marriage. naturally
cherished a double dislike for the Ma
ZONES. Her hatred was fully reciprO-
Gated by Shaemus Veg.
THE PEACENlAKER.
For years Father Walsh. the village
pastor, labOred earnestly to make peace
between the warning households, but in
vain. Shaemus Veg positively declined
20 meet Mrs. O'F'aTrsl half way in the
negotiations for peace; while the widow
was equally determined on the opposite
skle ~Father Walsh would have given
up the attempt in despair had not fate
came to his rescue by introducing Kathy
Ryan upon the scene.
Kathy Ryan was a baby and a re-
markedly plump and vOciferous baby at
that. Her father and mother were we'll
TODD farmer folk; but newcomers to
Ballycarney. For the latter reason they
had no ties OF relationship with the peO-
ple-truly singular fact in tbs Bally-
carney family. where almost every fam
lily is related or connected in some way.
near or distant, with every other. The
Ryans, having no kin in the parish.
asked Father Walsh to choose for them
suitable sponsors to aCteat the christen-
ing Of their daughter.
At this the good priest smiled hap
PLY and proposed the names of Shae-
mus Veg Malone and the Widow OFar-
rell.
Straightway 20 Shaemus and the wild
ow went Farmer Ryan. II was quite a
compliment in Ballycarney to be asked
to stand as godfather or gcdmother.
so that, since neither was told the name
OF the other sponsor, both leaders in the
O'Farrell-MalOne feud consented to be
present at the baptiSmal font Of Baby
Kathy. When the truth did leak out
they were too proud TO withdraw their
promises. being fearful withal that such
a withdrawal might be regarded as cow
ardice
The christening day arrived: and half
Ballycarney assembled 10 witness the
meeting between Shaemus Veg and the
widow But if Ballycarney expected
any undue display Of temper. or the
like, Ballycarney must have been Bit
terly disappointed. Little Kathy Ryan's
sponsors bore themselves with the Ut
most dignity. Not a single glance did
they exchange throughout the cere-
mony; and when, in the dhurchyard
aTterward Father Walsh tried TO use
the joint sponsorship as an excuse OF
making peace. they merely declined his
kind offices with thanks. and went theiy
several ways.
ITTTT II L ATVIIy-
Years passed. and Kathy RYAN grew
out Of the stage of babyhood into tbat
OF fiOwer-picking and blackberry hunt
ing. Throughout the intermediate time
she was certainly the most pampere1
infant as regarded sponsors. in all Bal
lycarney family. Neither Shaemus Yes
nor the Widow Malone had children OF
their own; so that they lavished a ire.
mendous deal OF affection on Kathy
Presents came for her from the county
town Of kilmOre. and even from distant
Dublin. Never had Balycarney farm.
ers' children enjoyed such marvelou:
dolls, such brilliant Noah'S arks. o.
such wardrobe Of clOakS. hoods ane
other garments. One day in each weel
Kathy spent with her gOdmOther. tn,
widow; and one with her godfather
Shaemus Malone. Her small mine
could not. as yet. grasp the nature o.
the feud; and she went happily enough
from one house TO the other. without
asking disagreesb.e questions. or max
ing the situation uncomfortable in til,
least degree.
One day when the sun looked dowr
with his kindliest smile upon the youns
corn in the valley, Kathy's mother tied
a sheltering bOnne. about the child's
head and sent her across the meadows
toward the farmhouse Of the Widow
O'Farrell. IL was pleasant in the mead
owns that morning There were grass
hOppers innumerable. whose intermit-
tent chorus seemed 10 set the warm air
aquiver Then there was a o0rncrake.
rasping out OStentatious expressions OF
happiness, from distant corner. Flow
ers grew by every Stile, and in the
streams small trout and sDeckled
"breaokeens" (Which is Bally-carneyeSe
for 'minnows' Cdarted hither and thith-
er in a fashion bewildering delightful.
Snail wonder was, it that Kathy de-