The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-03-18
Her Irish Blood
A Story For St. Patnck's
Day
BY NORA DUGAN

who had no country. for she was born
on the ocean when her parents were
coming over from the Emerald Isle.
They had settled near city, but
Kathleen had grown up to be seven
teen years old without ever once set
ting foot in it.
Dennis 0'Bryan, Kathleen's father,
though he was loyal to the home of
his forefathers, had become stanch
American Kathleen did not seem to
be especially patriotic for either Ire
land or the United States.
whats the matter with the glrl?"
Dennis said to his wife. II tell her
stories about Ireland and the fights
the Irish had with England, and she
takes no interest in them. Then ! tell
her stories about the colonies strug-
Cling for independence, and she cares
no more about them than the others
Faith. it's because she has a ma
ture, of neither. She was born on the
water"
II didn't think Of that" said the ia
thor.
Atoms comes two young fellows.
who catch their breath when they
look on Eathleens fair face and rosy
cheeks. One of them is George Car
penter, young man whose forefa-
theirs came to America as colonists.
the other Mike Donegan. who came
ever from ireland with his parents
when he was too old to forget his ma
tive land. Carpenter worked with his
father on neighborlng farm. which
the latter owned, while Donegan was
a painter in the city. Donegan had
come out to paint O'Bryan's house.
had seen Kathleen and been captured
by her beauty. Carpenter had played
with her when they were children.
Mr. and Mrs O'Byan would hav,
been pleased to see their daughter take
up with either OF these young men,
who were both Industrious, saving and
Of excellent habits. but the girl, though
she liked them both, seemed to enjoy
the company of one as much as the
other.
(which do you think she prefers y
.
ing his pipe out of his mouth.
Neither"
do you mean that she won't have
either of 'em?"
mo. She stands between 'em. TIL.
one is pure American, the other pure
was born midway between Ireland and
American"
O'Bryan put his pipe back into hi.
mouth with a sigh. He wished his
daughter had been born on one CONT |
nent or the other. He didn't like this |
Nevertheless the rivals kept on each
with bis counting. George. living near /
by. had the advantage. He would come |
in often in the evening and sit with
Kathleen by the open fireplace in the
living room. She seemed to enjoy his /
visits, but he never got any farther
with his suit Mike would come out
from town Sundays and spend the
whole day with her. doubtless to catch /
up with his rival, but 1t never devel-
oped that he was the gamer.
Some of his friends in the city learn
ed about his country love and that he
was making no Roadway beyond his
rival and twitted him about 1t.
Just you wait" he said It'll l get
ready to plunge. I'm an Irishman
and through. and I've got an
American to beat. An American is a
good even going party standing be-
tween the English and the Irish in
The English are the artillery
Of an army. the Americans the infan-
try, while the Irish are the cavalry. If
] m going to win the girl at all I'll car
ry her off before she knows what I'm
1t wasn't long after this that st.
patriek's day came along, and Mike
invited Kathleen to come to town and
see the procession. Kathleen. who
was glad of the opportunity, accepted.
Mike engaged a window in house oc
cupied by plumber friend of his and
on ST. Patrick's day installed Kath-
leen there. He was to head the
paintcrs. and as soon as he had pro-
vlded for Kathleen he went to his
room to put on his fnery, chapeau
with feathers and green sash.
Kathleen did not have long to wait
before she heard the stirring strains !
Of martial music. 1t approached. and |
when the grand marshal and his aids !
came caracoling along, followed by four
men carrying big Hlbernian banner,
Ill the Irish blood in Kathleen's fair ..
bosom welled up with pride for the
of her ancestors. From that ,
she was filed with an en- !
.husiasm. which every society. each +
headed by a band, enhanced. Finally I
llong came Mike riding at the head O
If the painters. Kathleen waved to g
him. and Mike, digging his spurs into {
his horses TANKS. made him dance for
III he was worth. If there is any !
hing that will move the heart of a :
Iimple girl of full Irish blood it's to ]
zee handsome young man on a !
horse on st. Patrick's day.
Mike had provided a peculiar spur ]
or his right heel. which he used to /
UGH advantage that his horse gave a 9
nnge, and Mike Intentionally landed
n the pavement. He lay still till he
vas picked up and carried to the side
walk. In a few minutes Kathleen :
aoda har uov fhrnugi, tho aroxud apd