Year: 1877

Attempts at the abduction of heir
esSes were then of more frequent oc-
currence than lover of Ireland could
desire. Mr.. Froude has made the most
of this blot on their civilization, but he
has forgotten that such outrageS were
not in those days peculiar To Ireland.


Mrs. Deiany relates 4 fagrant case
which came under her immediate no
tice. Miss MacDermot was 4 Con-
naught lady who with her sister had
inherited a large estate. They were
originally Catholics, but decided on
becoming ProtestantS. Their intention
was suspected, and their maternal un-
Gle, whose name was Finn. asked them
TO his house To dine, the distance not
being so great aS To prevent them from
returning home in the evening. They
had never had a quarrel with this uncle,
and could not well refuse the invitation,
though they would rather not have
gone. the eldest sister having rejected
an offer of marriage from Films only
son. After dinner they prepared To
leave, but the uncle insisted on their
remaining for the night. They refused
firmly but politely, and We're then told
that the chaise and servants had gone
home, but would return for them the
next day. Miss MacDermOt was much
frightened, but, n they had no redress,
she concealed her feelings, and they sat
down To cards. While engaged in this
way four men with masks rushed into
the room. The two sisters made their
escape into the next apartment, but
were followed by the masked men.
one of these seized upon Miss Maria
NacDermot. who had hid behind a bed,
but when he saw which he had he fiung
her from him with an oath, saying that
she was not the right sister. The pOT-
tion of the elder being double that OF
the other explains this ungallant pro-
ceeding. Miss MacDermOt was then
seized and dragged back into the room,
where her uncle was still standing by
the fire. He took no notice of her tears
and entreatieS, but allowed her to be
forced into the hall. where 4 crowd Of
Films friends and followers were As
Sembled. They set her on pillion be
hind the principle mask. She was q
tall, strong woman, and struggled -
violently that she succeeded in getting
of the horse. While they were en-
deaYoring to put her back again, she
managed to get the sword of one of the
men, for they were all armed with
swords and bludseonS. Then. like a
true Amazon,


Her back against a tree she bore.


And firmly placed her foot before,


and defended herself for some time. till
one of the gang ran a sword up her arm
from her wrist 10 her elbow. and Obliged
her to drop her weapon. Bein. no
longer able 10 resist between extreme
pain and loss of blood, she was taken To
Il cabin, where the cousin came in with
a priest and some others. The priest
told her that if she submitted To the
ceremony of marriage with Mr.. Finn.
she should De- treated with kindness
anu re- >lltCt. Nlt tttiiTtU size Npiid
rather die than marry one who had been
guilty of such outrageous conduct.
They tried To force the ring on her fin
ger, and the priest was proceeding with
the ceremony when the lady seized q
jug of milk which stood on a table near
and dashed it in the face of Ills Rev
erence." Some of the party coming ia
gave the alarm to Finn. saying in
that the country was raised
and in pursuit of them. More meS,en-
gers came To confirm the news. The
lady's arm was still bleeding prufusely.
and they carried her out and plunged
her up To the shoulder in bog, TWO
men being left to guard her. This sin
gular treatment stopped the bleeding,
but, though she was soon rescued, she
remained twenty-ouc days in great pain
and danger. Her sister had previously
escaped in time to give the alarm.
Some months after they came to Dublin
and read their recantation in DR.. De
lany's church.