The diamond drill., 1921-08-20


shop like one whose living depended
on II Some phIlanthropic ofilcai
had started the idea OF workshop,
and the officials had given me best Of
the prisoners chance 10 learn trades
and make a little money before they
went out into the world. All that
Dyck had earned went 10 purchase
things he needed, and to help his fes-
lov prisoners or their families
Where was be nowf The gap be-
tween the old life OF nonchalance. fri
volity, fantasy and excitement was
as great as that between heaven and
bell. Here be was. after four years
OF prison, walking the highway with
two OF the humblest creatures of Ire
land. and yet. as his soul said, two Of
the best.
Stalking along In thought, he sud-
denly became conscious that Michael
and Christopher had fallen behind
He turned round.
Come on Come on with me-
But the two shook their henda
ITS not fitting. you a Calhoun Of
Piaymore = Christopher answered.
We'll, then. listen TO me- said
Dyck, for he saw the men could not
bear his new democracy. I'm hun
CRY. In four years haven't had a
meal that came from the right place
or went TO the right spot Is the lit
tie tavern, the Hen and Chicken. on
the Llffeyside. still goingi mean
the place where the seanhen and the
nferchant-ship officers visit"
Michael nodded.
"Well, look you. Michael--get you
both there. and order me as good q
meal OF fish and chops and baked
pudding as can be bought for money.
Aye, and I'll have bottle OF red
French wine and you two VIII have
what you like best Mark me. wen
sit together there. for we're one of q
kind rve got TO take to a life that
fits me, an ex-Jailbird, man that's
been In prison for killingl"
There's the kings army" said
Michael. They make good officers In
H."
A strange. half-sore smile came to
Dyck's thin lips.
Michael" said he, "give up these
vain illusions. I was condemned for
killing man not In fair fight can't
enter the army as an officer. and you
should know II. The king himself
could set me up again: but the dis
tance between him and me Is ten times
round the world and back againl No,
my friends. what is In my mind now
Is that I'm hungry. For four years
I've eaten the bread Of prison. and
It's soured my mouth and gnlled my
belly. Go you 20 that inn and make
ready good meal"
The two men started 10 icnve> but
old Christopher turned round and
stretched hand up and out
"Son OF Ireland, bright and btack
and black and bright may be fhe pic-
ture OF your life, but see for you
brightness and sweet facee, and music
and song Its not Irish music, and It's
not Irish song. but the soul of the
thing is Irish. Grim things await you,
bat you will conquer where the eagle
sways 70 the shore, where the white
mist fees from the hills, where heroes
meet, where the hand Of Moyrn stirs
the blue and the witches fee from the
voice OF God. There Is honor coming
10 you In the world"
Having said his say, with hand out
stretched, having thrilled the air with
the voice OF one who had the soul of
prophet. the old man turned. With
head bent forward, he shuffled away
with Michael Clones along the stony
street.
Dyck watched them 60, bis heart
beating hard, his spirit overwhelmed
II was not far he walked, yet every
footstep had history. Now and
again he met people who knew him.
Some bowed little too profoundly.
some nodded; but not one stopped TO
speak 10 him, though few among
them were people he had known we'll
IN days gone by. Was II the clothes
be wore, or was II that his stnr had
sunk so low that none could keep IL
comPanyf He laughed 20 himself In
scorn.
At the door OF the Inn no shifted
the dinner Michael had ordered.
"Man aliye!" he said as he entered
the place and saw the two men with
their hands against the bright fire.
There's only one way 10 live and
that's the way I'm going to try"
-Well. youll not Try II alone. SIR, II
you please snid Michael. -rll be
with you, II may"
"And Ill bless you as you gn- said
Christopher Doean.