Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1896-07-25

pRhtlim McCaul was not IN parucu-
rood humor as he strobe along the
alsh mountain path whistling n fac
N tune between his teeth and cutting
a0elv at the wayside brambles that
Nered in the sharp east wind, which,
oropriately enough, was heralding
renten season down the famous Gap |
Dnnloe.
Judged from Mr.. McCaul's standpoint,
situation was tantalizing one.
<.c he was, man of "a, with tidy
put by, snug farm and no incum-
sance whatever, actually unmarried
lis blessed Ash Wednesday eve, and
kely to remain so during the coming
months, all owing TO the unreason-
5leness OF one Thady O'Ratferty'
hose daughter, Mollie, Phelim sought
marriage, the negotiations having
zen broken off that very evening for
0sitively the last time
Had phelim been trifle older, or
zfle more philosophic, he would have
robably told himself the disappoint-
ient was simply blessing in disguise,
ut. being still young and not at all a
Philosopher, he chafed fercely at the
rolten match and heartily cursed Mr..
fDatferty as he went.
Absorbed in bitter reflections, he did
OF hear the approaching rattle of gig
shcels behind, and it was not until
ricndly voice had thrice shouted his
anne from lungs rendered stentorian
Nv mountain air that Phelim knew he
.sd a fellow traveller on the road. Thus
hallenged, he faced around and rec
,Qnizing his interlocutor as an ac-
lraintance named Lanigan, who rented
farm a mile or so from his own place,
anne to halt.
"Terrah, Phelim, boy, where are ye
,oin' at that rate this hour o night?'
tslSed the newcomer, accommodating
lis horses pace to that of the young
nan as they moved forward together.
Sure, 1 thought tits down colloquing
With Mollie O'Rafferty ye'd be this min
lit instead of flynn all over the country
Ike thistledown-"
''That's all off now" replied Phelim,
mlkily, not well pleased at Lanigan' 5
observation, but too true an Irishman
20 resist the temptation of chattering
about his own affairs. THE name little
olaggard of a father wouldn't give a
penny more than 200 quid with the
zirl, and he after as good as promisia'
800 fortnight ago, an l KNOWN lac
lad 500 lodged in the bank il Killar-
neyl"
s'Is il truth ye're tellin' me-"
"Oh, divil recave the lie, an divil re-
cave the ha'penny more he'd advance;
an /, after swenrin' to his face I'd not
marry any girl under 5Oo!"
fright ware. like your sperret-
aSure if 1 did, I'd be disgraced foI
srer-lavin' meeself down like that an
there's no fear me wife 'ud respect me
either"
.iOh beQob, suppose he thought thai
rs We were dacent ye'd the soft vein II
e too" commented the other, cracking
whip. ..'I suppose he believed tina
Miss Mollie was at the convent tol
ear an could play the pianny, TIT
lead 'ud be turned on yer shoulders.
s.Fnith. then he never made a bigge
mistake in his life," retorted the re
acted sutton. knitting his short, straigh
hhows. "there's not such a differ be
fsyken wan girl an another as all thai
&, 'twould take a kecner man tina
ady Rafferty, to fool me anyway
mself an his daughter, the cross
yed--"
II don't wonder at yer feelin' hurt
nterposed Lanigan smoothly, as h
eined up, for they had reached spc
..here the road branched off in ditferer
Vreetions. shut never say die, there
good fish in the say as ever we
caught, an if ye're willin', we can SIT
BE- married man this very Shroye!'
phelim laughed bitterly. He was
no mood for wOoing now.
81 have three daughters yonder'' pu
<ued\the other, pointing in the directic
.Ashe undulating uplands rolling ava
to tho heights beyond where the "a
ple moHntain scared into the deePeniT
twilight. "an' they hear tell Of you IN
lin. though l don't know if any OF e
met YOU lately, for they're great stay-f
homes. but they have all wish for yo
AMI don't think 'twould be hard for
a. mt the come neither on any OF Ell
40 Il we're in earnest, Phelim McCa'
come along with me this blessid mimi
an IN give you the pick of the thr'
M I'll send across for father PatO'Ha
hes only a couple of fields away
Nell buckle We in a jiffey, since t
time Is so short"
phelim's darkening brow cleared
i,ftle; natural cunning was struggli
with wounded. pride, and that sho
4iehted longing for swift revenge viii
.npels many rejected wooer TO fiji
himself away upon the first girl
meets. In order TO enjoy the trium
II what Is usually but a Phynic victc
pride won.
an go,' he cried suddenly, WHEEL
tound; sine father, God rest his SO
often said We were dacent man,
sirt the whole parish knows there is
the dirty dhrop in any OF vel"
@Riqht you are, me bouchal," respo