The Irish standard., 1899-03-04

nAos'NA VI oASs W NhOsC SdSNIS TIC
paid no attention. 1--WE naught in my
purse to pay for this" he flung out
finally; NOR in my saddle-bags. either"
The woman chuckled without glce.
"Yet there was a gentleman came part
way with you," she observed. Look!
lie climbs the hill now"
"And he travels armed" said Fitzroy,
modify. MY pistol dropped yes,er-
day from broken holster while forCed
stream. How do | know he carries
aught worth killing man for?"
by his travelling armed" concisely.
Tut, Mr.. Fitzroy! do you conceive sir.
that because luck has hitherto been
with you in sending you towards and
unarmed travellers, who would willing
ly give up their purses to save their
skins. it will be so always? Truly, sir,
you speak like"
"a coward" said Fitzroy ~ am no,
one. but"-his face clearing little
"he who comes hither is coward, and
I may get off without bloodshed. In
faith, was born a gentleman, and even
in battle, where a man may kill and no.
hang forit, there would always come an
uneasy voice between me and my sword,
that would sound like cry of re-
proach from my mother or sister. Yet
have not seen either of them since was
lad of twenty. How, now, sir!" START
ing up as the shadow of man fell
across the doorway. "You have
changed your mind?"
~ come to crave your pardon, SIR"
said Duncan McDougall gravcly. and
to eat supper with you. if this good
woman hath aught to give US. Pardon
my suspicious. and give me your COM
pany for the rest of the road. for. in
truth. Lam afraid Of its loneliness"
He stood up rigidly. while Fitzroy
opened his eyes in unfeigned surprise,
and loudly recited long Presbyterian
grace. before he would take the seat in
dictated for him.
"a man of religion!" exclaimed Ftz-
roy. He had not intended to say IT.
aloud; but the performance of so dis
tincuy devotional an act in the pres
ence of a stranger was as astounding 10
him as it was unremarkable to the
Scotsman, who complacently replied,
his mouth full of bread and cheese:
"Officer of Ballantyne kirk, and a
man of peace toward all"
"Yet you travel armed" suggested
Fitzroy, doubtfully.
"a commendable means Of securing
peace. is it not, sir? hear overmuch
of these so-called gentlemen of the
road who kill man in haste and dis
cover his poverty at leisure, to have a
mind to ride unprotected when I am
travelling alone"
"Have you ever heard" asked Fitz-
roy, carelessly. "of one they call the
Irish Paddy who hath been making
himself somewhat officious in these
l,arts?" The Scotsman shook his head
The slow-creeping twilight hid the
slow-creeping red in Fitzroy's face, as
he said, lightly:
"Oh. we'll. these gentry practice for
gain. rather than fame, so tits not sur
prising you should not have heard of
him yet. Besides. he hath so far kept
his hands clean of blood. they say.
which saves a man a deal of notice
But may ask, sir. why tits you appear
TO grudge these poor fellows the name
Of gentleman. to- which many of them,
by birth at least. are entitled?"
"Because"-the speakers utterance
was still rendered ipdistinct by vigor-
Gus lnastication, while Fitzroy sat and
nnhappily eyed his food-"being, by
birth at least. personally disqualified
for that title. l, an honest man. be-
grudge it to a set of cowardly thieves
Twas long time since most of them
were born, and hold that their patent
of gentility hath expired. After all. it's
but bit of Judas-work, betraying
their harmless fellows for a few filthy
coins. Pah! am farmer and work
in the dirt all day, but would not
touch such money"
Hold. sir!" said Fitzroy, impetuous-
", while the old woman frowned in the
background. you are harsh, me-
thinks. I, too. am honest, yet have the
poor mans sympathy for him who
feels the world owes him a living and
the right to collectit."
"And T." disputed McDougall. "have
the poor mans sympathy for those
who. having by hard abor collected it,
desire to keep it. IT'S natural, is It
not?"
"You argue well, sir; yet there is
something TO say for highwaymen
sometimes Take the case of him I
Just spoke of, the Irishman they call
Paddy of the Roads, ~ris not man I
admire, nor would willingly stand in
his shoes; yet it's said that he was
fine. gallant lad ten years since, ruined
at cards by cheating gamester colonel
whom he could not denounce-'
why" said the Scotsman. "that I
call cowardice"
What mean you, sir! What dare
your" Fitzroy's hand was where SOL
diers carry their swords. He had
sprung to his feet and his voice echoed
Indignantly to the low rafters. IT will
not-tut. what vile temper I am in.
for that am crossed in a friendly ar
gument! Pardon me, sir; and laugh at
my heat as much as you wish"
But it was not laughter that looked
out in the steadfast gaze of McDou.
gall. who had laid down his knife and
fork. The two men were alone, the
woman having slipped QUITO fodder the
horses. In sickening anxiety Fitzroy
awaited the next speech, whose slow,
unchanged tones brought the breath
back TO his quivering body:
ct mvea1f r,o,v 1.o,, h2% - >.,11:.-