The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-02-08

Eou goodbye and good luck"
"Goodby, Mr.. Thompson; if ever
you come to Ballina, you'll find real
I'D Irish welcome if Shamus Regain is
alive"
The Vessel Docks.
When the Emerald Isle came in
gen of the Allondia whose eyes never
wandered from the fast approaching |
shore. Others were looking anxious
ly at the waves for some threatening
signs, but this man never turned his
glance from the land. When the
cross crowned spires of Queenstown
Cathedral, the first sign that greets
the returning eXiles eyes, were dis
tinguished in the distance, a tear glis-
tened on this passengers check as he
dotted his hat and murmured: THANK
God for bringing me back to dear old
Ireland" And when the Allondia
locked, Shamus Regain. was the first
to run down the gang plank to the
shore.
All that day Regain rambled through
the streets and shops Of Queenstown
like a lad let loose from school, He
was up bright and early the next
morning, however, and the rising sun
found him seated in the smoking COM
partment of train bound for Cathna-
mon.
AS the train sped through town and
nearer to his old home, Regan's heart
BECAME lighter, and he chatted gaily
with guards and passengers. The
train arrived at Cathnamon, about ten
miles from Ballina, at o'clock in the
afternoon, and as the road did not
pass through Ballina, it became nee
essary for Regain to procure some
other conveyance to carry him
thither. ,
do you know OF anyone in town
who would be willin' to drive me to
Ballina tonight" said he to the land
lord of the tavern.
worthy, ''for ivry conveyance in the
town was taken by the boys who went
to Castelar, this afternoon to line in
the Patrick Day parade"
But, man, tomorrow is Patrick s
Day, and l want to be in Ballina to-
morrow if | have to walk to get
there"
"Bedad, sor, it's walk yen have to-
unless We ride in Maloney's ould cart
which same is the only thing on
wheels in the town"
where does this Maloney live:
Has he horse?' inquired Regain.
Yell find his house down beyant
the mill, and he owns a crature We
might call horse, if We don't care
| what We say
do We think he would drive me tc
Ballina if | paid him we'll for it,"
whether he'll get We to Ballins
with that bag O. bones av his, bedat
l can't say, but if ye pay him enough
he'll surely try
Regain soon found Maloney ant
| succeeded in obtaining his consent tt
drive him to Ballina Maloney's con
veyance proved to be even worst thar
! the landlord had pictured it. The car
was one such as is ordinarily used b.
| Irish peasants, but it was SO old ant
rickety that Regain looked at it dub
| iously before climbing to his seat
The horse was a decrepit, spawned
| creature, that looked as though an,
breath would be his last. He proved
| to have some strength left, however
for when the driver cracked his Will
he set Off at a good clip.
Your horse is better nag than hi
looks would show" said Regain to thu
driver, an old man of about siXty-fv'
years. at is just seven o'clock now
at what time dofyou think you can sc
me to Ballina?''
"Well, sor," said the driver, if, thu
/ cart holds out we ought to be Their,
afore half past nine. ! don't mistrus
Daniel, but | have me fears av tn,
cart"
The cart jolted and bumped over thu
rough road and Regain chung to tn
| seat and tried to distinguish familia
landmarks along the road But sine,
| there was no moon this was impos
sible And as the motion of the car
was not conducive to conversation
! the Journey was pursued in silence
When they we're within two miles o
Ballina the drivers fears proved to b,
well founded. For as they crossed al
ususually rocky stretch of road some
thing cracked, and Regain found him
! self on the side of the road, willis
Maloney was trying to calm Daniel
! who was beating a tattoo with hi
heels on the front of the cart.
! "Shure your Honor'll ride no furthe
! tonight for it's the exile that's BROKE
and it can't be mended at all, at all,
said Maloney with rueful look at thu
/ remains of his vehicle.
| And how am | to ge+ to Ballina? 2
asked Regain.
Faith, sor, tbs sorry | am but vel
J have to walk the rest av the way. Blu
| shure, your honor, it's only two miles
and ye'll be there afore tin o'clock
"Well, I suppose I'll have to make
the best of bad bargain. Here's /;
/ guinea for you, Maloney, and the mex
time you go driving with traveller:
make sure of your axle.