The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-02


 Ten days passed before I again saw the Major. Immediately upon his return it was late afternoon when l heard or it--I determined to take my evening walk out the long street toward ms pleasant home and call upon him there. This I did. and found aim In a whole some state of fatigue, slippers and easy chair, enjoying his pipe on the piazza. Of course he was overfowing with nap py "reminiscences of the hunt-the wood waterecraft-boats amhnshes -de- coys. and tramp and camp, and so on without end but l wanted to near nm talk of eThe Wild Irishman' and think, too. now, that the sagacions Major secretly read my desires all the time To be utterly frank with the read CT I will admit that l not only think the Major divined my interest Tn Tommy but I know he did; for at last as though reading my very thoughts. he abrutiy said. after a long pause. in which ne knocked the ashes from his pipe ana re filled and lighted 1t: Well, all l know or The Wild Irishman' I can tell you in a very few words-that is, if you care at all to listen?" And the crafty old Major seemed to hesitate.
 Go on-go onl'' I said, eagerly
 About forty years ago resumed tho Major, placidly. "in the little, old un- heard of town Karnteel, County Tyrone, Providence Ulster, Ireland, Tommy Staff ford--in spite of the contrary opinion or his wretchedly poor parents-was tortu- nate enough to be born And here. again, as I advised you the other day, you must be prepared for constant surprises in the l study of Tommy's character
 "Go on,'' said, I'm prepared for any, thing"
 The major smiled profoundly and con tinued:
 "Fifteen years ago. when he came to l Ameriea--and the Lord only knows how he got the passage money-he brought his widowed mother with him here, and has supported, and is still supporting her. Besides' went on the still secretly smil- 1 ing major. "the fellow has actually found time, through all his adversities to pick up quite a smattering of education here and there"
 Poor fellow I broke in, sympathiz- ingly, what a pity it is that he couldn't have had such advantages earlier Tn lire and as l recalled the broad brogue of the fellow, together with his careless dress. recognizing beneath it all the native tal- ent and brilliancy of a mind of most un- common worth I could not restrain a deep sigh of compassion and regret 1 The major was leaning forward in the gathering dusk. and evidently studying my own face, the expression of which, at that moment, was very grave and sol- emn I am sure. He suddenly threw himself back in his chair, in an uncon- trollable burst of laughter. "oh, l just can't keep it up any longer" he ex- claimed.
 Keep what up?' I queried, in per- feet maze of bewilderment and surprise. Keep what up? l repeated.
 Why, all this twaddle, farce, travesty and by-play regarding Tommy! You know I warned you, over and over, and you mustn't blame me for the deception never thought you'd take it so in earn estr' and here the jovial major again went into convulsions of laughter
 But I don't understand word of 1t all" I cried, half frenzied with the gnarl and tangle of the whole affair. What 'twaddle farce and by-play,' is it any l how?' and in my vexation l found my self on my feet and striding nerVously up and down the paved walk that join ed the street with the piazza, pausing at last and confronting the major almost petulantly: Please explain said, ] controlling my vexation with an effort.
 The major arose. Your striding up and down there reminds me that little stroll on the street might do us both good. he said. Will you walt until l get coat ana hat?'
 He reioined me a moment later, and we passed through the open gate, and saving, Let's go down this way he took my arm and turned into street where, cooling as the dusk was, the nick naples linind the walk, seemed to throw a special shade of tranquility upon us.
 s'What I meant was"-began the major, in low. serious voice-"What l meant was-simply this: Our friend Tommy, though the truest Irishman in the world, is A man quite the opposite everyway or inc character he has appeared to you. All that rich brogue of his Is assumed. Though he's poor, as told you, when he came here his native quickness, and ms marvellous resources, tact, Judgment' business qualities-all have helped him to the equivalent of a liberal education. His love of the humorous and the ridiculous Is unbounded; but he has serious mo- ments as well, and at such times IS as digniied and refined in speech and man ner as any man you'd find in thousand. He is a good speaker, can stir political convention to fermentation when he gets fired up and can write an article for the press that goes spang to the spot. He gets into a great many personal encount- CTS of a rather undignifed character, but they are almost invariably bred of his innate interest in the under dog, and the fire and tow of his impetuous nature
 My companion had paused here, and was looking through SOnie prihleu Shps in his pocketbook, "I wanted you to see some of the fellows articles in print, but I have nothing of importance here-only some of his doggerel as he calls it, and | you've had a sample of that. But here s a bit of the upper spirit of the man-and still another that you should hear him recite You can keep them both if you care to- The boys all fell in love with that last one, particularly hearing his rendition of it. So we had a lot printed. and I have two or three left. Put these two in your pocket and read at your | leisure"
 But I read them there and then as eag- erly, too, as I append them here and now. The first is called
 SAYS HE.
 sWhatever the weather may be-" says
 "Whatever the weather may be, It's plaze if ye will, an I'll say me say supposin today was the winterest day Wud the weather be changing because
 ye cried
 Or the snow be grass were ye crucified? The best is to make your own summer
 says he,
 tWhatever the weather may be-" says
 "whatever the weather may be!
 "Whatever the weather may be-" says
 he
 "Whatever the weather may be. It's the songs ye sing, an the smiles ye
 wear
 That's a-makin the sunshine everywhere: An the world of gloom is world of
 glee,
 wid the bird in the bush, an the bud in