The Irish standard., 1914-03-07
Romance of Robert Emmett

revolutionary work which he and his
associates were contemplating. Every
detail of the conspiracy was known to
Sarah. Every move was considered,
changed and amended in ways which
were calculated to strengthen the
plans.
The story Of the failure of these
plans is we'll known, as is also the
fact that the uncomfortable crowd had
killed the good, the honorable Lord
kilwarden, the bosom friend of John
Philpot Curran. The fates seemed to
conspire against Emmett! Imagine the
statesman's anger when he learned
that his daughters betrothed lover
was indirectly responsible for the
murder of his best friend. What treat.
ment would that poor girl receive!
Emmett seemed to bring only sorrow
to those he loved most. Would she
understand that he had no part in the
deed? He must see her, explain the
situation and urge her to fly with him
or promise to join him later in Amer
lea, where they would be free.
He took refuge in house where he
had often hidden before, and by the
aid of the faithful Anne Devlin sue
ceeded in sending Miss Sarah a mum
Der of letters. Anne Devlin was a
milk dealers daughter, so in going to
and from the Priory she attracted nc
attention. But Sarah Curran hest
tated to take such step. She knew
how runaway wedding was looked
upon in Ireland. There had been one
scandal in the family. She, at least
would not bring censure upon it again
Poor, gentle-natured Sarah Curran!
how little she knew of the gathering
storm. Still the ardent lover fingered
when he might have made good his
escape, wishing that she would answer
her own heart and give him hope.
Then came the day of his capture
and the indescribable conduct of Mr.
Lenord M'Nally and DR.. Trevor, prison
superintendent, who, pretending to be
friendly to him, trapped him into Civ
ing evidence which they could use
against him. Emmett wished Miss Cur
ran to know of his arrest; she would
know what to do. He wrote a letter
which M'Nally promised to deliver to
the young lady but the letter was i'm.
mediately turned over to the govern.
ment, and the very thing he would
have avoided Representatives. Cur.
rams name was linked with his as
a conspirator. Sarah's room was
searched and Emmet's letters found
and carried away. Mr.. Curran was
called and questioned. He knew moth.
ing. His anger was unbounded.
Little by little they allowed the
news of the fate of his letters to reach
the prisoner. In desperate effort to
save the women he loved, he, Robert
Emmett, the soul of honor, offered to
plead guilty and to go silent to his
grave. He wrote a letter to Mr.. Cur.
ran (Which was given to him) releas.
ing the lawyer from the case and ex.
planning that he loved Miss Sarah,
that all advances had been on his part,
that she had given him no encourage.
ment, that she was entirely blameless.
The writing of this letter was an act
of chivalry greater than which there
is none in history. Through the influ.
ence of Mr.. Curran and the evidence
of the girls innocence shown in the
letter, Sarah was not arrested.
But here was their beautiful love SO
rudely brought to public notice! The
stress of it all was too much for the
poor Sarah. Her mind suffered and
during the trial and execution of her
lover and for long after she was un.
conscious Of all events.
Before the execution of Emmett his
jailors told him of the condition of
Sarah. They also told him of his
mothers death ten days before. He
fastened to write one letter, this one
to his brother and his sister-in-law
commencing to their tender care, poo,
Sarah Curran, should her father fail
to provide for her. This letter was
not delivered, but it was shown to Mr.
Curran, who indignantly remarked
that she would be taken care of, but
certainly not in his home. She found
a home among friends who did their
best to cheer her.
This part of her life is beautifully
told by the poet, Moore (who knew
her so well), in the poem, "She is Far
from the Land"
It seems that the time will soon ar.
rive when monument may be raised
to our beloved Robert Emmett. Some.
where upon it should be three figures
commemorating the three so dear to
him-his mother, his sweetheart, his
faithful servant.
Kate Meade in Chicago Citizen.