The Irish standard., 1902-12-13

A bright, genial sun shone over the
wild, rock-bound coast scenery of Der
rynane, as O'Connell looked forth from
his mountain home by the billowy sea
on that October Sunday morning. He
looked over the splintered peaks of his
beloved Kerry mountains, and, after
returning, heard the morning mass in
his private chapel in the house. He
was sitting at breakfast, when he was
told "a man, who appeared to have
come long way, desired to see him."
O'Connell saw from his window that
the man had arrived on horseback; and
the steaming flanks, the dropping
head, and chest tlecked with foam, con-
firmed the servants notion, that the
man had, indeed, come Il long journey.
The rider was at once admitted into
the library. Addressing O'Connell, he
said: Il left Cork last evening at five
O'Clock, and 1 rode ninety miles to see
you, counsellor The friends of the
prisoners yet untried for the Doneraile
conspiracy sent me for you. If you
don't undertake their defense Doherty
will hang them all. There's hundred
guineas for you, and if you come
they'll be safe; if not, they'll all be
hanged"
O'Comell was not proof against this
compliment, which expressed such
confidence in his professional skill.
Though half century had sped since
he was born, he was hale and vigor-
GUS. He accepted the retainer and
promised to start at once for Cork.
Burke then expressed his wish to go
with the good news, but O'Connell i'm
plored him, in compassion to his horse,
if not for himself, to take food and
rest. In case that Burke might reach
Cork before himself, O'Connell wrote
a short note to the prisoners attorney,
informing him che would attend to de-
fend the remaining prisoners, as fast
as horse could draw him." and then,
after a few hours rest, elated at his
success, William Burke commenced
his return journey. Eager looks were
cast on the road to Kerry, from an ear
ly hour on that Monday morning.
When Burke was deserted, the ques-
ton, "What news, William" came
from many tongue. The response,
HnSrnnna11 1,o in, ~
elected shout that rang through the
morning air. 1t was taken up in Black
pool, and reverberated through
Georges street, and echoed from Pat
rick street, the Grand Parade, and the
South Mall. The joyous news pierced
the barred dungeons, and awoke hope
in the oppressed hearts of the prison
ers awaiting their trial. The fathers,
sons, and brothers, wives, mothers and
sisters, fell on their knees and thanked
God that their dear ones would yet
again breathe the free air of their na-
tive fields.
Faithful to his promise, O'Connell
was quickly on the road for Cork. He
selected gig as the lightest mode of
conveyance, and drove through the
glorious scenery Of the picturesque re-
gion, which never impressed him more
than on that night journey, by Killar
ney and the banks of the Lee. O'Con-
nell described the contrast between the
solemn scenes through which he passed
that night, and the stern realities of
the following day in these words: "At
ten O'Clock that morning. after that
glorious feast Of soul, alas, found
myself settled down among all the ras-
calities Of an Irish court Of justice"
Shortly after nine o'clock on that Mon
day morning, the Goth of October,
1929, the judges, Baron Pennefather
and Judge Torrens, took their seats on
the bench. There was considerable
dependency among men of all classes,
from the news that Protestant cler-
gyman, named Going, was inhumanly
murdered on the previous day near
Templemore, in Tipperary. 1t was
thought this savage murder would In
fluence the minds Of the jurors, who
ought to judge coolly, and to hear i'm
partially. When the judges took their
seats, four men, Edward Conners,
well-dressed, respectable-looking farm
er, Of large stature and herculean
build, Barrett, Wallis and Tyrell, all
decent-looking men, were placed at the
bar Of the dock. Conners looked
around him with an unembarrassed
air, while his companions seemed not
quite so much at their ease. The at
torney for the prisoners, addressing the
judges, said: MY lords, an express
messenger has just brought me let
ter from Mr.. O'Connell, informing me
he will be in Cork this morning, being
retained for the prisoners. pray your
lordships to postpone the trial Of these
men for short time, as 1 am sure
he will be here presently" After
brief consultation, Baron Pennefather
said: "We cannot delay proceeding
with the trial, as there is really so
much to be DONE" While the jury was
being sworn, Mr.. Mccarthy, the coun
sci for the prisoners, endeavored, as
much as possible, to create delay, being
anxious that the prisoners might have
the benefit of O'Connell's adyocacy.