Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-03-18
MATT HOOLIfiAN'S VACATION.

twilight contentment, but now he re-
leased the short clay stem. from be-
tween his teeth and laid the dhudeen
on the bench beside him, increased
his legs and Strengthened himself with
the air of a man to whose lot 1t 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 a sort of hig under
takin': an, indade, I'm not in love wild
1t meself"
why, father, what's on you at ann
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, AZ
he rose to carry the milk pals into the
kitchen.
Mrs. Hoolihsn was not in the least
concerned about her husbands change
of mood Fe was gentle soul. and
she had always been able to guide
him in paths of her 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 It's results
For Matt, although he had lived all
his life within thirty miles of the
ocean, where it beats in correct and
ceaseIess rhythm against the feet OF
the lofty and awe-inspiring West Cork
cliffs, had never seen it, and ever since
his boyhood he had cherished one dar-
ing 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 van, and for days be-
fore the date of the expedition, Matt
had been solemn and tremulous, a.
with joy. But now, nthe eve Of the
great event, he held back from ii with
an underlined notion that il was like
death, and he was unprepared.
But the good woman, of course, had
her way On the Hateful morning their
son-in-law, Dan O'Grady, and their
daughter. Abina, drove into the yard
OH a cart, cheerfully suggestive Of a
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 a sense of the unusual.
We'll, Sian 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 louns-
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 il life would be all holi-
days At noon they stopped under the
shadow of an elm tree, and there they
ate a lunch Of pigs feet, cabbage and
| potatoes, while the mare, freed from
her traces, pfacidly muched = 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
sparrow," remarked his wife. And he
answered;
''Tu 60 over to that well fornint
there and get a mouthful Of water |
drink more nor | ate when | doesn't
be workin'" But when he came back,
carefully bearing a tin pail trimming
| with cool, clear water, his face ex-
pressed strong disapprobation, and ne
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 a passion of loyalty, or
| 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 sadness of the incoming
| breeze; the road was ankle-deep In
dust; the garden flowers were glarlng
| in their brightness. 1t was 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 Mats eyes were fixed on the
mare before him. He looked pale,
Father, won't you look at it?' she
asked impatiently. its the sea!'
Eyes, yes" said Lat quietly; by
mebye. but I'm goin to put the mare
up fust.''
"Well, / never!" 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 O'Grady,
redfaced, with exertion, had superin-
| tended the tent-raising, Abina slipped
her arm through her fathers and led
him away.
| Come, pa" she said in a whisper,
me an you's goin' to climb over ON
| them rocks"
Matt went, and when they had pick
ed their way over sand and pools to
| headland, where the waters thunder
ed below, and salt spray dashed up in
mist to their feet he turned and looked
| at the sea. AS he fa, ,d it Ms eyes NIL