The morning times., 1896-06-21
A Lucky ............
~: Good ::::..
................ Child.
~>~~>>>>>>>>>>>>
by GERALp FIREMAN

Between the Malones and the O'FarrelIs
there existed one OF these feuds formerly
SO common among the Irish peasantry.
Far back In the local history of Ballycarney,
1t was said, an O'Ferrall had betrayed a
Malone to the English. A second version on
the vendetta's origin was that generations
before Malone had been suspected of
| purloning certain hens, ducks and other
| poultry from the 0'Farrell farmyard. Which
| ever account was the true one, the fact re-
| mained that, beyond the memory OF the
| oldest inhabitant, the O'Farreils and Ma
lones had been at odds. Indeed. but for the
| humorous schemes and kindly withal of the
kew. Peter Walsh. tile families might have
continued foes to this day.
1t come to pass that the head OF the
Malone household was one Shacmus Veg,
or little James," a wiry, argumentative
old farmer, who still wore the antiquated
knee breeciies and buckled shoon of the
early century. At the same period the Op-
position faction was headed by Maurya
O'Farreli, an elderly widow; who, being an
O'Farreli. both by birth and marriage,
naturally cherished double dislike for
the MalOnes. Her hatred was fully recpro-
Gated by old Shaemus Veg.
For years Father Walsh, the village pastor,
labored earnestly to make peace between
the warning househ holds, but in vain Shae-
mus Veg positively declined to meet Mrs
peace; while the widow was equally de-
terniined on The opposite side. Father Walsh
would have given up the attenIptin despair
had not fate come to his rescue by iDtroduc-
ing Kathy Ryan upon the scene.
Katby Ryan was a baby-and a re-
niarkably plump and vociferous baby at
that. Her father and mother were we'll
to-do farmer folk; but ne wcomers to Bal
lycarney. For the latter reason they had
no ties of relationship with the 1 eOple-
triuy q singular fact In the Ballycarney
family where almost every family is re-
lated 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 act at the christening OF their daugh-
ter
At this the good priest smiled happily;
and proposed the names OF Shaeinus Veg
Malone and the Widow O'Farrell.
Straightway TO Snaemus anu tne widow
went Farmer Ryan. 1t was quite a com
pliment in Baliycarney to be asked to
stand as godfather or godmOther; so that,
since neither was told the name OF the
other sponsor. both leaders in the 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 withdrawal might be re- |
garded as cOwardice.
The christening day arrived, ard half |
Bailycaruey assembled to witness tine meet |
ing between Shaemus Veg and the widow. |
But if Ballycarney expected any undue dis |
pia y of temper or the ike. BaiiycarDey must |
have been bitterly disa ppointed. Little Ka- |
thy Ryans sponsors bore themselves with |
the utmost dignity. Not a single glance did |
they exchange through the ceremony. and |
when in the churchyard afterward. Father |
Walsh tried TO use the joint sponsorship as
an excuse OF making peace. they merely de
cIined his kind offices with thanks. and
went their several ways.
Years passed, and Katby Ryan grew out !