Year: 1878

'Will you never give up those trips,
Terrence 1t is so lonely staying here
nights, and. besides. L am fearful that
some one will break in and rob the
house and murder us all. Inever say
my prayers and go to bed without
trembling for my own life and that of
the children and the little woman
hung upon the arm of the strong man
begged him with fearful eyes to give
up his wandering life THAT of ped
ler) and settle down.


'As soon as have gathered enough
together TO buy me bit Of ground or
what would be better still to emigrate
to America, that blessed land of free
dom. where. as the song says, There's
bread and work for all and the bright
sun lie always shining, I'll gladly give
up carrying the pack, for it is no easy
job at the best.


only think of the money you have
In the house, now, dear husband -
surely there is enough to take US across
the sea-you and and the children,
and Bridget, too, if she likes to go.'


Bridget was the servant girl who
helped the wife of the peddler and was
her sole companion when he was
away, and her eyes snapped with ap-
parent delight when she heafd the
proposition. But she said nothing
and the master continued:


1T is true for you, Kathleen, that I
have matter of hundred pounds or
so which shall leave you to take care
of, and If have.good luck this trip l
promise you to either remain at home
or go to America, bless her. It's a
good friend she has been to Ireland
and many is the poor soul she's kept
from starving. So take good care of
the gold and the children, Kathleen
You and Bridget--untilI come back >
and he kissed his wife and bright
eyed, curly headed babies, gave Bridg-
ct the good bye, shouldered his pack
and strode stoutly away, whistIing
merrily.


His heart was light. his form strong,
he had none of the fears of his wife
and was looking forward jOyfulIy to
tho time when he wauId have a littls
home, "a pig and a..cow and a patch of
of potatoes that would belong to him
self alone, and over which no hard
hearted steward or nonresident land
lord could claim control, although he
would willingly pay his tithes to the
chu rch.


Terrence O'Brien was a peddler by
profession, and what was called fore
handed man. His family consisted of
the good wife, two children, boy of
scarcely three years, babe and the
girl of all work-Bridget. At the
start of his married life he had rented
little cottage that stood in a lonely,
out of the way place; although he
had increased his stores, he had re-
tanned possession of 1t on the score of
economy.


A brave, athletic man, and one who
feared nothing human, he could not
understand the terrors of his wife,
Kathleen-in fact, gave them little
thought. Besides robbery was a
thing almost unknown among the
peasantry, and who would ever dream
of his having large amount of mon
ey in his wretched cabin? But IL
was not his custom to do so. Usual
ly he deposited 1t in a secure place.
So he gave the matter no further
thought than to promise himself that
this should be his last journey (if he
did as well as he anticipated and
trudged around, flatterfng the rosy
checked girls into purchasing finery
with which to dazzle the eyes of their
beaux at the next fair.


With Kathleen, however, it was far
different. AS the night began to draw
near and the wind to creep around the
corners of the cabin. and whistle
down the chimney with a mournful
sound, she bethought herself of the
sovereigns her her husband had left
and taking the bag In which they
were kept, from the little cupboard |
over the fire place she carefully tuck
ed it between the beds, remarkfng at
the same time, to Bridget, that no
one would ever think of looking for
it there


No. was the reply. 1t would be a
smart man, shure, that would be look
in under the childers to find gould


The tea over, for they were early
sleepers as well as early risers, the
girl requested that she might te al
lowed to pass the evening with her
sister, who resided about q mile dis
tsnt, and the anxious wife and moth
er, although sorely 10th to do so, at
length consented, insisting upon an
early return.


But you will be back early, Bridg-
et?'


'Av coorse 1 will that same. But
don't be after frettin'.' And the girl
departed.


The lone woman busted herself as
best she might until late hour. but
the girl did not return. In fever of
anxiety, she watched until fully an
other sixty minutes had passed, al
though it appeared to her like half
day, and then considering it useless
to remain up longer. sought her own
pillow, after commencing herself to
Him who is the protector of the wild
wv, and the father to the fatherless.
But she had not closed her eyes be-
'ore there was a loud rap upon the
loor.
is that you, Bridget she asked