The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-08-26
MATT Ho0LIHAN'S VACATION.

outside the back door, waiting for the
| milk to cool before it should be strain
| ed Matt had been smoking the pipe Of
| twilight contertment, but now he re-
| leased the short clay stem from be-
tween his teeth and laid the dhudeen
on the bench beside him, uncrossed
his legs and stra igi:tened himself with
| the air of man to whose lot it falls,
after long bordering, to take some de-
cisive step.
mo; it don't seem as how twas GO
| in to happen" he admitted. Come to
| think of it, it's sort of hig under
takin' an, indade, I'm not in love wild
| it meself"
why, father, what's on you at ant
After thinkin' over it all these years,
an Dams got al 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. HocEhan was not in the least
concerned about her husbands change
OF mood He vas gentle soul, and
she had alwayH h*e.4 able to guide
him in paths CT Ter own choosing.
Moreover, the present undertaking
was one involving his own good for
tune, and she meant to tolerate no
foolish scruples which might interfere
with its 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-insp piilng West Cork
cliffs, had never seen it, aud ever since
his boyhcod he had cherished one dar-
ing plan; Scme day he would go down
to the shore and camp out there for
week. But the years had fitted past,
and the dream never seemed nearer
completion. At last his wife had
stepped into the van, and for days be-
fore the date of the expedition, Matt
had been solemn and tremulous, as
with joy. But now, nthe eve of the
great event, he held back from it with
an unde6ned notion that it was like
death, and he was unprepared.
But the good woman, of course, had
her way. On the fateful morning their
son-in-law, Dan O'Grady, and their
daughter, Abina, drove into the yard
on a cart ssee:fu.ly 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 a couple Of cats rubbed
against his legs; like him, they were
impressed by sense of the unusual.
We'll, slGn leath, Murty,' Mrs.
Hoolihan 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!" he called, and Murty loung-
ed 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 holi.
days. At noon they stopped; under the
shadow of an elm tree, and there they
ate lunch of pigs feet, cabbage and
potatoes, while the mare, freed from
her traces, placidly muched a gener-
GUS feed of oats nearby. Matt partook
of the good things but sparingly, and
with a preoccupied and solemn look.
Faith, father, you're attn like a
sparrow" remarked his wife. And he
answered;
"I'll go over to that we'll fornint
there and get mouthful of water.
drink more nor | ate when l doesn't
be workin'" But when he came back,
carefully bearing a tin pail brimming
with cool, clear water, his face ex-
pressed strong disapprobation, and he
smacked his lips scornfully.
THAT there water is as fiat as
pancake" he said. ''Begor, it's like as
twas come out O. cistern." He was
thinking with passion of loyalty, OF
the clear, ice-cold water at home,
which had never been shut out by
pump from the purifying airs of heav.
en-, but lay where the splashing bucket
and chain broke every day the image
of fern and moss. His throat grew
parched and dry with longing. When
they were within three miles of the
sea it seemed to them that they could
taste the saltness of the incoming
breeze; the road was ankle-deep in
dust; the garden flowers were glaring
in their brightness. 1t was a new
world. And when at last they turned
a corner, and came in view OF the
mighty sea, Mrs. Hollihan 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 it?" she
asked impatiently. 'ft's the seal"
"Yes, yes." said Eatt quietly; by
mebye, but I'm goin' to put the mare
up fust.'
"Well, l never!" was all Mrs. Hooh-
han could give utterance to under the
circumstances.
After the horse had been put up at
a neighboring house, and Dan O'Grady,
redfaced, with exertion, had superin'
tended the tent-raisins. Abina slipped
her arm through her fathers and led
him away.