Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1912-08-08
Where He
Was
On St. Patrick's Day In the
Morning
BY NORA B. SHEA

4
rick's day, 1863 in Ireland. The moon
was at the full and shone with unusu-
al brightness Dennis O'Oonohue, a
young man Of twenty-five, mounted on
a black mare, was trottlng on road
between Killarney and Tralee on his
way to ball at the latter place Sud
denly catching sight OF light some
distance from the road, he drew rein
and thrust his hand in under his waist.
coat to pull his watch from his fob.
1t was not there, and he remembered
that he had left 1t at home.
Now, what he wished his watch for
was to note the time that he might de
eide whether to attempt something
that popped into his head at seeing the
light referred to. In the house where
it shone lived Eileen Mavourneen, a
young girl whom Dennis would have
gladly wooed had he been permitted 10
do so Dennis was inclined to be a
trine Wild, and Eileen was warned by
her parents to have nothing to do with
him.
Nevertheless the young man was es-
pecially attractive TO girls. He was
tall and 1.-THE, and mass OF light curls
fell down over his shoulders. Tender
hearted to fault, 1t was suspected
that for the benefit OF others in dis
tress he had trespnssed on the Inv by
taking purse ON the highway. The
O'Grady. rich landowner. had been
stopped one night on the road. and later
one OF his tenants, poor woman for
whose eviction he had given orders,
paid the rent In coins, one of which, a
pocket piece, The O'Grady recognized
as having been taken from him by the
highwayman. The story got abroad
that Dennis O'Donohue, sympathizing
with the woman. had robbed the land
lord and given the money to his ten
ant TO save her from eviction That
the robbery had taken place for that
very purpose was true, but Dennis
O'Donohue had nothing TO do with IL.
1t occurred to Dennis that he would
love TO take Eileen with him TO the
ball at Tralee Her father and mother
were elderly people. and IT was their
custom to 20 to bed Mt O'Clock every
night 1t might be possible to take her
with him and bring her back without
their knowing of her absence. The
hour was about 8. but he did not know
whether it was little before or 4 little
after o. lie dare not go before ana did
not like TO lose time by going too long
after.
While he was celebrating he heard
the sound of horses hoofs coming from
the direction of Tralee. He would
await the riders coming and ask the
time. A man on horseback drew near,
and when he came up Dennis said in
mild voice:
II beg your pardon for stopping you,
sir, but would you tell me what o'clock
IL ISL"
Dennis back was to the moon, while
the horseman faced it, and Dennis rec
ognized The O'Grady. The OGrady
hesituted The voice sounded like that
Of ODonohue, by whom he believed
he had been robbed. Dennis horse was
restless and, turning, exposed Dennis
face TO the mool. The O'Grady thrust
his hand under his coat as II 10 take
out his watch, but instead drew PTS
toll and. pointing II at Dennis head said;
1T is time for you TO move on, Den
mis- O'Donohue. and | would advise
you TO go to one Of the American colo
nies. for If you ever appear in Killar-
ney again III bring you up for high
way robbery Twice IL once too often
for you TO rob the same person"
With this, still covering Dennis with
his pistol, he urged on his horse, leav-
ing Dennis standing In the road mute
with establishment Dennis knew at
once that this evidence against him,
taken with the suspicion OF another
robbery would convict him of being a
highwayman, and that meant either a
long Imprisonment or death, He
thought Of taking The O'Grady's ad-
vice and, riding over to Cork, take ship
for Virginia. Instead he concluded
TO ride over to see Eileen and tell
her what had occurred This would
lessen the blow TO her, aud she could
explain the matter to his father aud
mother.
The hour now made no difference to
him, SO he put spurs to his horse ana
on reaching the gate threw the bride
rein over picket and went up the
walk 70 the house. Tiptoeing on u
the porch, he saw Eileen sitting alon
in the living room. A tap on the win
dow arrested her attention, and, turn
ing, she saw Dennis face against the
pane Putting her finger to her lips.
she went softly TO the door and led him
into the room
what is it, DennisT' she asked.
alarmed nc his rueful appearance.
Have your father and mother gone
10 bedT' he whispered.
Eyes"
Dennis told his story, finishing by
saying that he saw no hope for him
but to go TO Virginia Eileen's coun
tenance fell at this She stood thinks
ing
why don't you prove an abb, Der
nisg' she asked presently.
AN allbI?"
ayes. The magistrate win have