The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-08-31

the wall of the parlor. One can see
that his mother was a person who could
fact, Father Burke often said that he
was more afraid of her than of his
father. In the drawing room there is
a magnificent oil pointing Of Father
Burke, which cost E 500, and was pre-
sented to him during his American tour
by the Galway girls of New York. Miss
Burke informed me that her brother
was always fond of joke-a vein of
humor was in him which his mother
didn't always appreciate. In this con-
nection I may mention an incident 1
heard from a contemporary of his. A
ly on one occasion on some boys for
their frolicsomeness. Young Nicholas
Burke resolved to uphold the rights Of
free and independent town boys. The
next market day he assumed an air OF
Importance, and went up to the turf
market and told the victim to take
his load down and upset the turf in the
passage of such and such a house. The
turf seller did so, and gave a loud
knock with the heavy old fashioned
knocker, expecting payment. The
people were taken by surprise, and de-
clared they had never ordered the turf.
A chorus of gleeful youths disillusioned
the countryman, but enriched his vo-
cabulary. When one remembers that
kishis are unknown here. and that
ropes artfully tied, crossed and re-
crossed on the load keep every sod in
its place in a pyramid, one can measure
the ire Of the Moycullen vendor
When young Nicholas Burke left Gal
way for Dublin, he went by coach to
Ballinasloe; thence to Dublin by canal
boat drawn by horses. The latter part of
the journey took day and a night
and in all weathers was most enjoy
able, as there We're cushions in the
Saloon" and plenty of good cheer to
beguile the hours. Part of his studies
were gone through at Stroud, Glouces.
tershire. In those days the little boys
found great pleasure in, England ir
singing out after the Papists, but young
Burke from Galway gave them some
examples of muscular Christianity, sc
they christened him Brother Thunder
bolt. When still school boy he was
very fond of frequenting the law
courts Of Galway. to hear the lawyers
pleading. In those days the most dis
tinguished barristers of Dublin visited
Galway during circuit. He had par
ticular fancy for hearing one local ora
tor, who suffered from stammer, but
who when warmed. up to his subject
displayed wonderful oratorical gifts.
One of Father Burke's keenest re.
grets through life was that he haG
such an incomplete knowledge of Irish
Having left Galway at an early age
he lost the grand opportunity at the
most impressionable period of life Of
becoming acquainted with Irish as 6
spoken language. He often lamentec
his inability to speak Irish. Miss
Burke informed me that he was OF.
fered thousand dollars to sit in &
window in a street in New York while
the Irish procession passed. 1t is to b.
presumed that the enterprising Yanl
wanted him as in advertisement t.
call attention to his house. This ant
many such lucrative offers Father
Burke refused. When visiting Galwa,
he always stayed with his sisters anc
niece. They mourn over his early
death, and. although they pass theil
time in the pleasures Of literature
they still recount with emotion man,
instances Of the kindly disposition, the
noble-heartedness and fraternal devo.
tion Of their most distinguished broth.
er. He was a great friend Of the
Very Rev. Father Roderic Quinn OF
Oranmore. who was family connec.
tion of his, and was quite pleased tt
be able to show the family the work:
of Roderick Quinn of Sydney.
Sern,one ;n S$onn