The Irish standard., 1914-03-07

Robert Emmett, whose mind was ma
turally romantic and at times even
melancholy, formed, while at Trinity
College, some remarkable friendships.
With Thomas Moore, Erin's poetic
son, there existed very close tie
which can easily be explained, but
his friendship for Richard Curran,
ugly, witty Richard of "f1fty faces and
twice as many voices" is not at first
so easily explained. Certain it is that
their friendship was true. These
young men were welcomed every
where in Dublin society, for they were
excellent company. At these gather.
ings Richard was often accompanied
by his sister, Sarah, of whom he was
justly proud. Robert Emmett soon
learned to love this gentle creature
and he very wisely kept the fact a
secret.
Sarah's face, though beautiful, was
remarkably sad. Her hair was very
dark, her skin unusually fair and her
eyes were violet blue, which, under
strong emotion, deepened to almost
black. There was an earnestness and
a dignity about her that attracted ev-
cry one.
To her lover, with his head full of
poetic fancy, she was the type of sor-
rowing Erin. According to such evil
dence as we have it seems that poor
Sarah's home life was most unhappy.
Her father, a brilliant ornament in
Irish society, whose wit filled the very
atmosphere with gaiety, became at
home peeyish, dismal and nervous,
When Sarah was IA her mother left
her home under circumstances which
broke up the family for several years.
Sarah made her home with friends in
Lismore. She had worshipped her
mother and was most sensitive about
the affair.
Her family had just gathered to-
gether again at the Priory of Rath-
farnham when she met Emmett, who
often called at the Priory to see Rich
ard. It seems that Mr.. Curran soon
took note of his visits. He knew of
Emmet's trouble at Trinity College
and of his connections with the United
1rfshmen, of whose policy Curran did
not at all approve. He therefore
warned his children against forming
too close friendship for their enter
tanning young visitor. He never
seemed to dream that Emmett had any
particular interest in Sarah.
She feared to inflame her fathers
anger, for since his misfortune he had
shown a marked resentment toward
his children, particularly toward
Henry and herself. She therefore
treated Emmett with a marked cool
ness. The young lover noticed the
change and fortunately guessed the
cause. For her protection he made
his visits less frequent.
About this time he went to France.
While in France he received his par
ents' permission to go with his elder
brother to America. But the sad,
sweet face of Sarah Curran and the
country of which she ever seemed to
him typical, called him back. He re-
turned to Ireland after an absence of
three years. How actively those years
were spent and to what purpose will
not be treated here.
During this time Sarah Curran had
not been idle. Time taught her to
know her heart better. She knew that
she loved Robert Emmett. Always of a
studious turn of mind, she now turned
to the books in her fathers library as
to her only friends. She acquired a
knowledge of history, political econ
omy and the principles advanced by
the various political leaders of her
day, and memorized numerous poems,
usually military in their nature. She
had wonderful memory, inherited
perhaps from the Currans of old, who
had been bards and historians or more
directly from her illustrious father,
who was SO gifted in that respect that
Byron said Of him, II heard him speak
more poetry than have ever seen
written"
Emmett again visited the Priory, but
now his visits were paid to the emil
nent Mr.. Curran himself. Many young
men came in homage to the great man
to receive his advice and to gather
wisdom from his learned remarks.
Little did any one suspect the growing
love between Emmett and Sarah Cur
ran. These unhappy young people
seemed to take it for granted that to
speak of the matter to Mr.. Curran
would ruin their chances forever.
DR.. Emmett died soon after Roberts
return from France and by his will our
hero received considerable money.
This he determined to use for the