Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-08-07
MATT HooLIHAN's VACATION

"Shure, 'tisn't aisy to believe we start
off tomorrow, is it, fatherg" asked Mrs.
Hoolihan. Matt and his wife sat to-
gether on the washing bench outside
the back door, waiting for the milk to
cool before it should be strained. Matt
had been smoking the pipe of twilight
contentment, but now he released the
short clay stem from between his teeth
and laid the dhudeen on the bench be-
side him, uncrossed his legs and straight
ened himself with the air of man to
whose lot it falls after long pondering
to take some decisive step.
NO; it don't seem as how twas goin
to happen he admitted. Come to
think of it, tits a sort of big under
takin'; an, indade, I'm not in love wild
it meself"
why, father, what's Oh you at all?
After thinkin' over it all these years, an
Dams got all the things made up, and
all! You must be crazy"
'Aisy," said the farmer gently, as he
rose to carry the milk pals into the
kitchen.
Mrs. Hoolihan was not in the least
concerned about her husbands change
of mood. He was gentle soul, and
she had always been able to guide him
in paths of her own choosing More
over, the present undertaking was one
involving his own good fortune, and she
meant to tolerate no foolish scruples
which might interfere with it's results
For Matt, although he had lived all
his life within thirty miles of the ocean,
where it beats in correct and ceaseless
rhythm against the feet of the lofty
and awe inspiring West Cork cliffs, had
never seen it, and ever since his boy
hood he had cherished one daring plan:
Some day he would go down to the
shore and camp out there for a week.
But the years had fitted past. and the
dream never seemed nearer completion.
At last his wife had stepped into the
ya3, and for days before the date of
the expedition Matt had been solemn
and tremulous, as with joy. But now,
on the eve of the great event, he held
back from it with an underlined notion
that it was like death, and he was UNI
prepared.
But the good woman, of course, had
her way. On the fateful morning their
son-in-law, Dan 0'Grady, and their
daughter, Abina, drove into the yard
on cart, cheerfully suggestive of
wandering life.
At length Mrs. Hoolihan had com
pleted her packing, and Matt took hold
of the reins. The hired man stood lean
ing against the gate, chewing bit of
straw, and couple of cats rubbed
against his legs; like him, they were
impressed by a sense of the unusual.
swell, Sian leath, Murty,r Mrs Hooli-
han called over her shoulder, and Matt
gave the man solemn nod, and drove
out of the yard. But they had not
gone far before he pulled up.
"Whoa!o he called, and Murty lounged
forward Don't you forget them cats!
Get up, Biddy!" And this time they
were gone,
As they advanced on their Journey
they became vaguely excited; they be-
gan to feel as if life would be all holt
days. At noon they stopped under the
shadow of an elm tree. and there they
potatoes, while the mare, freed from her
feed of oats nearby. Matt partook of
the good things but sparingly, and with
preoccupied and solemn look. /
Faith, father, you're attn like al
sparrow remarked his wife. And he
answered:
.1'ii go over to that we'll fornint there
and get mouthful of water | drink
more nor | ate when | doesn't be work
in" But when he came back, carefully
bearing tin pail trimming with cool,
clear water, his face expressed strong
disapprobation, and he smaeked his lips
scornfully
''That there water is as fiat as pam
cake" he said "Begor, It's like as twas
come out o. cistern." He was think
ing, with a passion of loyalty, of the
clear, ice-cold water at home, which
had never been shut out by pump
from the purifying airs of heaven, but
lay where the splashing bucket and
chain broke every day the image of fern
and moss. His throat grew parehed and
dry with longing When they were
within three miles of the sea it seemed
to them that they could taste the salt
was ankle-deep in dust; the garden
1t was a new world. And when at last
they turned a corner, and came in view
of the mighty sea, Mrs. Hooihan faced
her husband in triumph.
There father" she cried. There
it's"
But Matt's eyes were fixed on the
mare before him. He looked pale
Father, won't you look at =" she
asked impatiently. Its the seal"
Yes, yes" said Matt quietly; "byme-
bye, but I'm goin' to put the mare up
fust."
well, / neveri was all Mrs. Hooli- |
han could give utterance to under the |
circumstances.
After the horse had been put up at |
a neighboring house, and Dan 0'Grady, |
redfaced, with exertion, had superintend. |
ed the tent raising. Abina slipped arm
through her fathers and led him away |
Cons, pa" she said in a whisper. |
"me an yous goin' to climb over on
them rocks
Matt went, and when they had picked |
their way over sand and pools to a |
headland. where the waters Numbered /