New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-17

The census enumeration arrived at the tene-
ment Of the Cassidys early in the morning and
found the whole family at home He mentioned
his business. and Mr.. Cassidy said, 'Ah. you're
the cinsus man. are ye? I was lookn' for We
and I'm ready for We. Yen hnd"-
The census man had found a little trouble in
some Of the teneTents and thought that he saw
more of it, so he cut Mr.. Cassidy short. 7 sup
pose you know" he said. that IL you refuse to
answer any OF my questions you viii render
yourself liable to arrest?''
''Ye mistake me intinriGn." said Mr.. Cassidy:
IN put no obstacles in yer way. on the con-
thrary when I say lookin for ye, mean
I have me mind especially composed. and I'm
ready to give We the best answers in me power;
so let's both Of US trrigate our throats and then
Wen be ready for business Now, let's look
upon this as serious and go ahead"
What is your name?' asked the enumeration.
Mr. Cassidy thought for a moment and then
said: There can be only one answer to that,
so far cs can see; me name is James P. cas-
sidy"
What is your relationship to the head of the
famiy?"
'Ah, now" said Mr.. Cassidy, that's not
easy. Ye see. I'm the head OF the family me-
self, and I can't say all IN u minute what re-
lation I to meself. I'll have TO think about
it. Bein' the son of me father, Il might seem
l
boy in the family but me, and so I have no
brother; and bein' the grandson Of me grand
father. I might be me cousin; only then me
uncle would have to be me father, and he was
not that, and so 7 dunno
Don't trouble yourself about all that" the
enumerator said. You are the head Of the
family; that is all 7 want TO know
Me son." said Mr.. Cassidy, I'm distressed
to see you're not takin' that serious interest in
yer juties that's becOnin' in young man ap-
pointed for the public service by Billy Mack.
The question of me relation to meself Is not a
question 10 be settled offhand. And do We
tell Billy Mack that I'll give me sarious thought
TO it and let him know as soon as possible and
in the mean while do We so on 10 the next
question"
THE next question is your color, but hardly
need to ask you about that 7 can see that you
are white for myself" said the enumerator with
the attempt at popularity which he always made
when he came to that question.
But MI. Cassidy did not look upon the taking
OF a. census as a ocular matter GO slow there
nov, me son." he said. "Ye can see all right
that I'm white. but if I read the papers in
tiIigntIy this census refers to the first day OF
June and not 70 the day that's now at all
Am I right in that?"
That IS quite true said the enumerator.
Very we'll then" said Mr. Cassidy. That
same FIRST day OF June was last Friday. and
that day, as I reminder. 7 had the job Of putin
in a couple of tons Of coal, and the betther part
of the day 7 was more the color OF nager So
put that down, and don't be so sure you know
everything be the looks Of things. What is your
next question. now?'
The enumeraror felt that he was losing time.
so he put down MI Cassidy's sex by guess and
asked What was the date Of your birth?"
1T was in me mind all along" said Mr.. Cas-
sdy, that you'd be askin' me that question and
I've give some thought TO it. The question was
riz once before. I remember, in me fathers time
God rest his souI-and that same time me
mother was alive,-Heaven be her bed!-and me
mother was sayin' that was born a year afther
the famine and that would be the year rs, but
me father said that it was me younger sisther
that was born then, me not ben born till TWO
years after that which same would be the year
30 and 7 think me mother right about IT,
me sisther bein' younger nor me, as well re-
member be the fact that had the mindin' of her
when she was a baby, ana the Lord knows was
little more meself. and the more be token that
think me mother would be more likely TO be
right about it, be rason that it would naturally
make more OF an impression on her, as you
might say. than it would me father; and So
If you'u put down that was born in rs think
yen not go far wrong, and If ye do I'm sorry
but I've done me best"
The enumerator had been waiting as patiently
as he could and he now betrayed his trust by
emitting TO ask Mr.. Cassidy the month OF his
birth by putting down January on his own re-
sponsibiIity and by mentally reckoning the age
at last birthday hfty-two- Then ne asked;
What is your condition.?
If We was only taIkin' about to-day" Mr..
Cassidy replied we could see for yerself that
I'm as sober as you are; but it's not so easy for
me to reminder about the first day OF June.
That was Z Friday and I'd not be so likely 10 be
drinkin' as would if it was q Saturday; but, be
the same token I remember its bein' q Friday,
We had dshbaIIs for breakfast, and them would
give . thirst and I dunno if I would want TO
saw for sure''
I mean" said the enumerator, are you mar
say you're married" said Mrs. Cassidy.
speaking for the hrst time.
I'm married, said Mr.. Cassidy.
How many years have you been married.
asked the enumeration.
How many years Is Il we was married now
Mr. Cassidy asked his wife.
Twenty-Five" Mrs Cassidy replied
rs that all? I thought il was more
say twenty-five" said Mrs Cassidy
twenty-five" said Mr.. Cassidy.
What the place OF your birth?' the
enumerauOr asked.
The place OF me BIRTH" said MI Cassidy is
as hard q question the time OF it. He see II
7 knew just the time when was born then I'd
know the place be the same token Because in
the time bechune '4S and 90 me family moved
its place OF residence. n rs Twin in
County Kerry but in 80 Twin in County
Cork and so, II IL was the way told We before,
then I born in County Kerry; but If was
younger sisther then was born IN county
Cork, and il all depinds--
1T doesn't matter about the county the emu
merator said. An want to know IS that you
were born in Ireland"
All We don't want 10 know about the county.
don't ye?' said NJ. Cassidy. When you're as