New-York tribune., 1898-12-11
that wan an the other. and flln' t
wee kettle to have Il boiled and, sing

with nice meay spuds. Condy Sheeran, say
asain"-with the tone OF one anticipating. but
dcfying contradiction-"I say again. II would
be a comfort an delight 10 ye to have some
clane. smart. and Industrious woman body
about the house that would have yer happiness
at heart: an say 1t would cheer the heart in
ye many day yc otherwise bring cowr heart
Until a cowr an miserable kitchen"
Every point and every shade Of the picture
Ellen called up Coniy vividly in the blaze;
and for minute with the delights Of 1t. he was
too overcome to express himself
THRU thrue-thrue." he at length said slow
ly and conyincediy; ITS every word thrue as
gospel Ellen McGroarty"
"A cousin. aunt. or n frien'. then. ye
should have" Ellen said as she eased the wool
with vigor.
but that's Just what can't have. Barrln'
me Aunt Mary that's married on Seumain
Throwers Of the Long Alt-and she can't come
haven't frien in the wurrl. barrin' in Amir
ky again. an them that goes till Amiriky."
Condy went on thoushtfully, "'ill not in a
hurry come back till Irean' an hardships for
nothin' betther nor to keep house for a Door.
good-for-n -nothin divl OF lonesome bachelor
lake me-"
Ellen. politically ignoring his plea Of
friends. went on: There's fifty things about
house man can't do an won't do"
Cant do and won't Io-cxactly"
AN the house, sooner or later. goes to rack
doesn't go to rack himself
Thank God he may: it's gospe! thruth. Ellen
McGroarty. But. as | saycd. l have neither
aunt fricn' Of womankin'."
Ellen affected not to perceive the bait. and
went off a new tack. where it would be Con-
dy's duty now to follow. For n womans part,
now. IT IS a different matther" she said There's
rneself, now. an I'm Twin alone gon' on four
years Qtl be four years again Our New Years
Eve, the llth January, since me poor father
rest his soul.-died)- -gon on four years, an
find can manage bravely."
Condy guped. In minute. with an almost
pitful appeal in his tones he said All but.
now, it's not the thing for a woman either. no
more nor man"
We'll. no, no. suppose It's not altogether the
thing" she said. conceding a strong point
mo; it's no more right for woman to be
alone than for man." Condy said. feeling
ground again.
well | suppose. Msther Sheeran. when wan
looks at it in that light"-what light Ellen meant
wasn't exactly clear. for COndy did not seem
10 throw any dazzlingIy new light on the subject
by the particular brilancy of his argument
when wan looks on it in that light. sartintly
/ SUPPOSE II isn't"
'sartintly it isn't" Condy said with conf
donce; its mortal lonesome"
"Ay, lonesome it is; ard Ellen shook her head
, at the wool she carded.
AN there's nfy things about farm woman
cant do an wont do" COndy said with i'll
suppressed triumph, turning her own argument
upon her.
wei. yes" one who forced to ac-
An a mans a mighty handy article to have
knockin' aroun a house" said Condy.
"Yis man is; | give in to that"
"Ye don't know when. or for what ye need
him"
'Thrue for ye enough. Mlsthcr Sheeran'
"An' a woman's farm an stock isn't cared for.
| OF fed. or half looked afther-can't be--Nhere
, there isn't runt OF Il man"
Indeed, an there's no lie IN that" Ellen ac-
knowledged, with the tone of one on whom light
dawning.
Then. Misther sheeran." she resumed laugh
ingly looking up at him. Il suppose wen have
to give in; wan Of us Is as bad off the other?"
That's just it," Condy said. "But"-after a
slight pause-"it needn't be So"
We'll" Ellen said with clever stupidity Il
have sartintly been thinkin. of hrin' thorough
good man-thinkin' OF it for months back A
hired man is just the very thing need"
"A hired man." Condy said slightly losing
heart again, isn't, afther all. the thing"
We'll sartntly, .1sther Sheeran when wan
looks on it in that ght"-for the mysterious
light once more opportunely manifested itself to
Elen-"a hired man isn't the thing either. Still,
I'm thinking, Misther Sheeran. I'd recommend
dim oul woman; that's what you want when "
haven't any frlen' Of yer own to keep house
fer ye."
NO III not hire a woman The fact is"-and
he looked steadily at Ellen. who had her head
bent unnecessarily low over her work-"I am
in notions Of marryin'. IL I could SCOT mesef
in a good woman, an that she was willin'."
"Oh, now! Faith an, Misther Sheeran I
think ye could SCOT yersef aisily in the parish.
There's many fine bouncin' girl would be hap,
py to become Missis Sheeran il they only got
the chance"
Il want no bouncin' girls; I want a steady.
respectable, sensible daicent young woman. an
I'll have no other"
We'll. l can't say but you're right enough
thcrc-if there's such to be foun In the par sh."
There is SUCH then"
"Ohi Then. I'm sure. II ye find such young
woman. an that she has sense. she'll think
twicet. Misther Sheeran. afore she gives ye
No"
"'Thanky-thankyi An think II I'm not
tallin' liberty. that what you want is to marry
n steady, sensible man, thatll take care Of ye.
an of yer little farm an belongins."