Evening star., 1901-05-11

companion behind him. "Troth, and yer
Just right: said he, replying to this imagi-
nary speaker. That's just what the young
brat has done-gone to Hughey Conaghans $
at the other en- of the hill. Well, were
sorry, Misther Conaghan.' said Hughey,
rising, that We put you to this bother, but
L suppose well nave to make the best of
our way to Hughey's an fax, it's no such
dinner he'll give what you and yer
good woman could provide for US.
"Hould on. yez,' said Billy, himself and
his wife interpOSing themselves between
the hungry men and the door. for the
though of losing the pay for dozen din
ners was sumner. 'Hould on. yeZ. If
yez just sit down for ten minnits Nancy
herell lay yeZ out a dinner that Hughey
COnaghan or wan belongin to him couldn't
hould a candle to- She'll wet a dhrop of
prime tay an throw some eggs an bacon
on the pan. an give ye as good as the
house can give ye in ivry way. An if yez
don't say yeZ have got a good dinner, an
that yeZ glad yez didn't go to Hughey
Conaghan's when yez are done, then call
me a liar.
''Ay, but" said Doherty seeming to hesi-
tate, consider the loss poor Hughey Con-
ashan1l be att
"Och, divil take him an his loss" said
Billy. What need yOuS care? Sure, yOuS
didn't ordher dinner from him."
well. I daresay that's true said Do
herty. An sure. afther all. of there's any
wee thing to be made out Of it, I'm sure
we would all wish it to yerself. Billy. afore
any other man in Doorin."
THANK ye. Thank ye. Misther Doherty,'
said Billy, profuse in his gratitude. ''Troth.
I'll give yeZ a rouSn' good dinner; an
when yez have finished, have a wee bottle
that I'll let yez know the taste Of"
In very short time Hughey and his
companions were seated around a table on
which Nancy had spread what proved to
be all that Billy had promised for it-''a
-ousin' good dinner" and no mistake.
Hughey. both by word and example. en-
couraged his companions to lay in a sea-
CT TO tl,< Ia
niggard's expinse." he whispered, they'd
make him pay for more nor he contract
ed for.
by my faix." said Hughey Doherty. as
he wiped his mouth and drew his chair to-
ward the fire for the purpose of lighting
his pipe, Il ate worse dinners than that
same in me time. Isn't it a marcy boys
that we didn't go to the other Conaghans?
as that Now, Billy. me man." said
Hughey, as he rolled the tobacco betwixt
his hands preparatory to putting it in his
pipe: Billy. me boy. don't you make no
mistake about it. but charge N1isther Nc
Gonnigle enough for that dinner"
"Oh. I'll watch that said Billy.
Let me seer! said Hughey, medtatively
IF We wor to ak me now what was the
laist man could. in common daicency,
charge for sch d dinner IS yer good wo-
man is afther layin' afore US. 1 would say
that II We wanted to put Misther McGon-
nigle onder a compliment ye might allow
yerself to be. at bit Of a loss, an only
AK tinplnce aich"
But. Misther Doherty," interposed Rillv.
who really was amazed at the entertain
ment being set down at such a to HIM
high figure.
o., IT know. I know. Billy conag CHAM" said
know, that ye couldn't at all afford to do It
at the money-nor one could onless
they stole the matayriels. But, sure, didn't
ye hear me say that ye might only charge
that If ye wanted to put Misther McGop-
nigie ondehr a compliment to ye an that
l knew ye'd be losin' by it? But 1 don't
expect we're goin' to be so foolish as to
lose by him: so ondher the circumstances
the very laist ye can charge him. SO as to
nave any wee profit at allan faith wee
profit it will be-would be a shillin aich"
"A shiliin' aich!' said Billy, opening his
eyes in astonishment.
,'Yis. shillin' aich. I see ye're aston
ished at 1t; an throth it's too little: it is
,ntirsly. ,,Is I know But still. Billy, said
an me McGonnigle is hard ould naygur
| about money. an If ye charged him any
more-though more ugh, by right I know, it's Is
plnce ye should be axin'-it's maybe some-
where else he'd be ordherin' the dinner mkt
time"
But. Hughey, ahaisger' said Billy.
what l name is that 1 thought that
twicet too much
Say that agane, Billy!" said Hughey in
his turn looking as amazed as Billy.
Well said Billy, deprecatingly "av
coerse I don't know what is the ragier
charge IN lhe town, Out tnought Shtllin
tWicet too much
'Twicet-too-much!' said Hughey, turn
ing around to his companions and punctu-
atins each slowly uttered word with q
| shake of his head. '"rwicet-too-much!
Ha, ha. ha. ha! Boys. are yea listentn' to
wnat Billy says? Twicet-too-much! A
shilin' man, twicet-too-much. The best
of bread. butther, an tay, with rashers AM
eggs. an dhrap Of as rals stun az ivir I
tasted to wash them down. Twicet-too-
much! An we attn as much as would
feed a score Of pigs for q fortnight. Look
at Long Andys waistcoat! Do We see him
burstn the buttons OF it, the 9iutton
swelled himself so much. An then to
charge that man shillin', Billy-poor,
simple NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. twicet-too-
much: Why, Billy. man, ye're as good as q
play
Och. all right. then! AL right~ said
Billy. as all in the house Joined in the
laugh at him. Sure yous knows best, IN
charge whativir 10 plaisin' to ye"
Yes. sartinly." said Hughey. - shilitn.
man Is too mortal little. But seem
- saved afore-fha nixrard cR n m.n IN