Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-06-09
THEFT OF THE
KINGS WARRANT
Minion Of Royalty 0utwitted
by a Girl.

Mary O'iourke was typical Irish
girl-light hair with tinge Ut red In
it and complexion like ripe peach.
Mary lived in stirring times. when the
people were struggling to be free from
what they deemed the tyranny Of the
British sovereign.
OF one of Erin's partisans she had
heard n great deal, but had never seen
him. Dennis Shea was young rebel
taking an active part In the efforts to
throw of British supremacy and was
rapidly becoming leader. The gov
eminent was watching for some overt
act on his part that would afford an
excuse for his arrest and cOndemna-
ton for treason. But Of this the young
patriot knew nothing. gifted orator,
he continued to speak to his country
men Of Ireland's wrongs.
Mary lived in house with an Eng
lish family who were very bitter
against the Irish patriots. Donald
Trevor. the head of the family. was
pursy. red faced. rotund man-indeed.
a veritable John Bull. who didn't con-
ceal his opinions. One evening when
the mail coach stopped at the town
passenger alighted and asked for the
home Of Donald Trevor. 1t was point.
ed out to him. and. with his travelling
bag. he went to 1t and knocked. Mary
opened the door. and the stranger said
that he had been recommended to the
house to stop. since Mr.. Trevor was
stanch supporter Of the king. Trevor
took him in.
This especial treatment Of the stran-
ger made Mary curious to know who
he was The best way to learn WIS to
listen when Trevor and he were talk.
ing together. This was not very prac
ticable. but Mary kept her ears open
when near to the two men and knew
they were excitedly talking about
measures to hold the Irish in check.
Then she caught the name Shea. This
induced her to take the chance Of be-
ing discovered eavesdropping BY re-
naming behind screen when she was
supposed to have left the room. The
two men were excitedly discussing the
Irish cause. and she heard the stran.
ger say:
II have in my bag the kings war.
rant for his arrest. He will he tried
at the next assizes. and within
month after that be will swing"
This was quite enough for Mary.
She went to the strangers room. open.
ed his bag. took out a parchment. I'M.
folded it and saw the name Dennis
Shea engrossed in large letters. Tuck.
ing 1t under her apron string. she
closed the bag and. taking the warrant
to her own room. touched match to
it and burned 1t.
There is in the Irish people a love
for a joke which shows itself in the
most serious moments. Seeing pack
Of playing cards on table. Mary tool
them up and. placing the knave of
spades as the top card. she wrote on
1t. I'm diggin' your grave" Then she
went back to the strangers room and
placed the cards in the bag where she
had found the warrant.
This happened on the morning Of the
open his bag again till he arrived at
the place where he had been told be
would find Shea. The rebel was to
speak that evening IN the town square.
and shortly before the meeting the
kings messenger opened his bag to
take out his warrant. In its place was
the knave Of spades leering at him
no Afn hnI 81 no
low.
Here was pretty pass. The Brit
Usher was obliged to leave the Irish
rebel to talk his treason" without in.
reference. There was no use to hunt
for his missing warrant. for he had no
idea where he had lost It. and he did
not doubt that some sympathizer with
the Irish cause had destroyed 1t. He
must get another warrant. Hut jour.
ney to England in those days and re-
turn was not the simple matter It is
today. One must 60 to the coast over
muddy roads by the slow coaches Ut
that period. wait for a vessel to take
him across the Irish channel and near.
" cross England on a similar coach
journey to London. Then he must pass
over the same route in return.
There was nothing for the messenger
but this long trip, but with true Eng
lish persistence he started on his way.
The next day Dennis Shea received
a call from young woman who was
a stranger to him. She was Mary
O'Rourke.
"What can do for your asked Shea
"Go into hidin'."
Explain"
Mary told the story Of the stranger
who had stopped at the house where
she lived and what she had learned
about the warrant She had got thus
far in her story when Shea broke In:
"And you have come to warn me?
Noble girl!'
"There's no hurry for you to be part
in with your friends" she said.
"Why nOt?''
II stole the warrant. burned It and
put a pack Of cards in its place with
the knave Of spades uppermost. 30 that
when he opened bis bag bed see II
starin' at him."
This was too much for Shea. he
sprang for Mary, took her In bis arms
and covered her face with kisses.
Mary MADE no protest.
When the kings messenger reached
London he found that the king had
died during his absence. and the new
sovereign made a change In the Irish
policy And Mary In due course Of
TINA hxsca mo Mr0 Shea
None Perfect.