The Monroe journal., 1921-09-09


In prison be had read. thought and
worked much. They had at least done
that for him. The attorney general
had given him freedom to work with
his hands, aud 20 slave In the work
shop like enc whose living depended
on Il. Some philanthropic Official
had started the idea Of a, workshop.
and the officials had given the best Of
the prisoners chance 10 learn trades
aud make a little money before they
went out into the world. All that
Dyck had earned went TO purchase
things he needed. and TO help his fel-
low prisoners or their families.
Where was he nowi The gap be
tween the old life Of nonchalance. fri-
yolity. fantasy and excitement was
as great as that between heaven and
hell. Here he was. after four years
II prison. walking the highway with
two OF the hunhlest 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 heads.
"lt's not fitting. you Calhoun Of
Playmorel" Christopher answered.
-well. then. listen 10 me-" said
Dyck, for he saw the men could not
bear his new democracy. I'm hun
CRY. In four years I haven't had a
meal that came from the right place
or went 10 the right spot. Is the lit
tie tavern. the Hen and Chicken, on
the Liffeyside, still goingl ! mean
the place where the seamen and the
workmanship officers visit"
Michael nodded.
well, lock you. Michael-get you
both there, and order me as good a
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 will have
what you like best. Mark me. well
sit together there. for we're one Of
kind. I've got 10 take to a life that
fits me. an ex-jailhrd. man that's
been in prison for killing"
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. | was condemned for
killing man not In fair fight. | can't
enter the army as an officer. and you
should know Il. The king himself
could set me up again; but the dis
lance between him and me Is ten times
round the world and back againl No,
my friends, what is In my mind nov
Is that I'm hungry. For four years
I've eaten the bread Of prison. and
It's soured my mouth and CALLED my
belly. 60 you to that Inn and make
ready good meal"
The two men started 10 leave, but
old Christopher turned round and
stretched hand up and out.
"Son Of Ireland, bright and black
and black and bright may be the pic.
ture Of your life, but | see for you
brightness and sweet faces, and music
and song. It's not Irish music, and it's
not Irish song. but the soul Of the
thing is Irish. Grim things await you,
but you will conquer where the eagle
sways to the shore. where the white
mist fees from the hills, where heroes
meet. where the hand OF Moyra stirs
the blue and the witches flee 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
a prophet, the old man turned. With
head bent forward. he shufiled away
with Michael Clones along the stony
street
Dyck watched them 60. his heart
beating hard. his spirit overwhelmed.
II was not far he walked, yet every |
footstep had a history. Now and
again he met people who knew him.
Some bowed q little too profoundly, |
some nodded; but not one stopped to
speak 10 him, though few among |
them were people he had known well
In days gone by. Was II the clothes
he wore, or was II that his star had
sunk so low that none could keep II
company? He laughed to himself In
scorn.
AT the door OF the Inn ne smiled |
the dinner Michael had ordered.
"Msn alive" he said as he entered |
the place and saw the two men with
their hands against the bright fire.
There's only one way TO live, and
that's the way I'm going to try"
-well. you'll not try II alone. sir, II
you please" said Michael. an be
with you. II may"
"And III bless you as you 60" said