Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-09-11

I O'Tooles; and never a shindy between
them, for the Father stood at the door
with his big stick to see that all behaved.
There wasn't a soul in the parish could
touch him in a scrimmage. When no
one else could stop the fight at Thady
! O Rourke's wake, he went in and did
it; and there were near being wakes
for half dozen who crossed the Father.
| The O'BrcnS and the O'lOolcS sat
on opposite sides OF the room, as they'd
| done for a thousand years. | chose a
seat in line with Sheila, but when |
looked at her her face seemed to tilt up
more and more-thc sweet, pretty dear.
| told myself that it was good sign
when a girl doesn't turn her eyes to
man; but being in love, reason was
poor consolation to me,
"Well,' Father O'Sulivan began
there you are, my children. There are
enough Of YOU to last my time, I'm
thinking; but | don't know what my
Forty-seven manageable OBricns and
forty-thrce marriageable O'ToolcS; and
the church will soon come to and end
so far as I can see. III have to invite
regiment of soldiers here to court the
partners. Paris You've Travelled, Den
mis-, you scamp. When You were IN
Paris did you find more need to button
your wastcoat to keep your heart safe ?
Faith, your reverence said.
buttons are no use here My hearts
slipped out through a button-hole and
| daren't cross the aisle to chase It,
"Ah," said the old Father, travel
gives a man wit And we'd better be
laughing than crying, We'll, my dears,
| didn't call you here to blame you, but
what's on top of ones mind jumps out
and I've been thinking a deal lately OF
fine things that I'd do for the parish if
it weren't split in two. It's the trouble
that's sent TO humble me. Well. | know
what | can do for the children that have
sat upon my knee. And | haven't kept
one knee for the O'Tooles and the other
for the O'Briens. III share half of the
remains OF my legacy among the young
folk; and that's twenty-sevcn pounds
apiece And perhaps that's worth more
than a wife or a husband
The young people all rushed upon
Father O'Sullivan 10 thank him; ard
when their hearts were warm I stood
up and made my proposal,
Ladies and gentlemen" said "and
friends and enemies: ANY of you could
speak better than 7, but I take the
liberty because believe you'd like TO
hear the thought that's in my mind. The
, O'Briens and the O'Tooles have one
point they agree in. They pay their Toes
with interest. E. . Don't they pay their
friends :"
: There was a great shout, and 7 caught
Sheilas eye on me for the first time.
: could see she knew that wherever
( began I'd be ending with her.
We'll" I said, 1--WE owe Father OSul-
livan more than a bit of money-though
& that's multiplied ten times by the kind
! ness that gives it. We've been taking
Y kindness from him all our lives. We
{ paw our debts--O'Toolcs and OBriens
What are we going to do for the dear
5 Father"
/, waited for a long time; and Their
g old white-haired Cormac O'Toole go,
up. leaning on chair and making i
t tremble.
t "In this one thing" he said "I'n
2 willing to take counsel with the o.
| Briens. They are our enemies by nature
+ but nature made them gentlemen anC
sportsmen; and they will do fair by ,h'
E.st '"