The Macdermots

I c THE MACDERMOTS

BALLYCLORAN,

l MB. A. TROLLOPE.

VOL. III.

LONDON: THOMAS CAUTLEY NEWBY, PUBLISHER, 72, MORIMER --ST., CAVENDISH . Sq. 184'7. -J'

THE

MACDEBMOTS OF BALLYCLORAN,

CHAPTER I,

AS story-tellers of every description have, from time immemorial, been considered free from thoae nicetiee by wl~ichall attempts in the nobler clames of literature me, or should be restrained, WCI cousider no apology necessary for requesting the reader to leq over with us the pace of four montha ; but still, before we continue our- talo from that date, it mill be as well that we should give a short ‘ outlino of the principal events which produced tho state in which the oircumlstances of the Mucderrnots will then be found, and we VOL, m. B

Y are sorry to say that they were not such W -; 1 could ofer much coneolntion to them. It mill be remembered that Pat Brady WM commissioned by hia master to take Uasher’s body to the police station at carrick, in Fred. BroWn’B gig. This commission he promptly performed, and also thnt of restoring tho gig to its owner ; and after having thus completed his master’a behests like n good Hervmt, ho paid B visit on his awn account to Mr. Keegnn. Although it was late, he still found that active gentletnan up, and gnvo him a tolorulbly accurate account of what had hnppcnod nt Bnllycloran, adding that the young lnaetcr had gone off to join the boys, nt lasto tlrnt’t3 what he mpposed he’d be nf‘ther I~ow.’’ As soon as Kecgan’s surpisu was :l littlo ribatad, ’ he perceived that the affir would probably act a~ x stapping-atone, on whicl]* ho might walk into Bdycloran aven sooncr than 110

had hitherto thought to do, and whcn, SIIono OF BALLYCLORAN. 3

~f the jurors at the Coronervs inquest, on the next morning, he saw that poor Lamy had evidently fillen into absolute idiotcy, and heard that Thady hnd, in fact, escapedz he instantly determined to take auoh legal. steps on behalf of his father-in-law wodd put the property under his management ; and this, accordingly, he did. The proper steps for proving the old man to be of un- sound mind would have been attended with very great expense ; inatend of doing this, he got himself made receiver over the property, md doternlined to arrest Larry, which, in hi^ existing state, he conceived he ehould have no ciifficulty in doing. Here, however, he found llimself very mucl1 mistaken, for nothing could induce the old man to leavc his own room, or ao muoh as allow the front door to be unlocked. Mnry Bmdy still continued to attend l~imovary day, returning homo to her Iluebancl after sunset, and she found him very n3 4 THE MACDERMOTS easy to manage in every partionlar, ELB long as he waa allowed to have his own way in this. He had quite lost the triumpbant feeling which led him to boast in the streets of CRP rick, after leaving the inquest, that he had escaped from Flnnnelly's power, and that he would never have to pay him nnothor farthing ; for now if be heard a strange step, ho fancied it to be a bailiff's, ancl if there waa the slightest noise in the house, ho thought that an attempt was being made to drag him off by violence. It was a Iniserable eight to seo the old man, thin, wan, and worn ouf, sitting during that cold winter, by a €mv sods o4 turf, with the door of his own room ajar, watching the front door, from morning till night, to see that no one opencd it. Beforo Clnistmas he bad his bed brought down into the aame room, in order that ho might not be betrayed into the hands of his enemies in CYTS OF BALLYCLOW. 5

the morning before he \.va8 ap, and from that time no inducement could prevail on him to Peave the room for a mornont. During this time his poverty was very great, the tenante had been served with legal notices to pay neither to him nor to Thady any portion of their mnts, and consequently pro- visions wem very low and very scarce at Bal- lyclornn ; in fact, had it not been for the kindness of father John Tony, Mr. McKeon, and Coundlor Wobb, whom property wm od- joining to R:lllycloran, Lnrry would have been starved into a surrender. Mr. Webb went so far na to interfere with Mr. Reqpn, and to poht out to him that in all humanity he . should stay his proceedings till after Therlp'6 trial, but ICoegan replied tbnt he was only acting for Mr. Flannelly, who waa determined to have the matter settled at once ; that all bo wanted waa his own, ahd that bo had drctddy waited too long, to be expected ta wait longer.

i 6 THE NACDBXMOTB

When Keegan found that Larry Mmderrnbt in spite of his infirmities, was too wary to be caught ; he endeavoured to bribe Mary to open the door to bis emiaaariea, srad to bc-

J tray &e old man, but though Mary was very fond of money, she was too honest forthis,

I and she replied to the attorney by telling him, that for all the money in the bank of Carri&, she wouldn’t be the one to trate the odd blood that way,” and Larry aonecquently still held out at Ballyclorsn, living on the chance prosents of his friende, who sent him at one time 8 few stone of potatoes, at another a pound of tea, then a bit of bacon, or a few bottles of whiskey ; this Isst, howevtsr, was confided to Mary, with injunctions not to allow him too frcquently to have recourso to the only comforter that was loft to him. Though Ireegnn failed to gain admieaion into the house, and not boing abLe to get tho proprietor into his hands, could not put himself into dmlute possession of the estate, atill he could c10 That he pleased with the IandH, and he was not long in availing himself d’the power. In January he served notices on dl the tenants that unless the whole ap pears weh paid on or before the end of the next monih, they would be ejected, and to many of those who held portions of the better part of the land, he sent summary notices to quit on the first of May next following. These noticea were all served by Pat, who assured the tenants that he only performed tho duties which he had now undertaken that he might look after Mr. Ihzldy’e interests, and &E, as he said, there could be no use in life in his refusing to do it, for av’ he didn’t another would, and the tenants would be no betther, und Be a dale the worse.” These things by no means tended to make Keegan’s name popular on the estate, parti- oulady at Drumleesh, where tho tenants but ill propared to pay their rent by small portions at t~ time, were utterly confounded at 8 THE MACDERMOTB

the idea of having to pay up the arrear8 in a lump ; but Pat assured him that although they were surly and sullen, they gave no Bigne or shewed any determination of having reomme to violence, or of openly*rebelling against the authority of their new Imd- lord. Pat, however, knew but little of what W~R going on amongst them now. Although they found no absolute fault with the arguments mbich he used for acting on Mr. ICeegan’s behdf, still he soon discovered that the tenants had withdrawn their confidence from him, and that they looked upon him rathor as the servant of their now tyrant, than as the friend to whom they had bcon accugtomod to turn, when they wanted any little favour, or extended time from their old master. 110 had moreover discontinuod his vieits to Mrs. Mul- ready’s, and had for a long time aocn nothing of Joe Reynolds and his set, who spo~zt;meet of their time in Auglmashol, or nt any rata

Y KOTS W? BALLYCLORAN, 9 awny from Drumleosh. Pat therefore really - know but little of the feelings to which Mr. Iieegan’s rncasures had given rise, and come- quently managed to deceive his master very eRectually. Joe Reynolds had been altogether unable to account for Thady’s sudden disappearance from Augbucubhel ; at first he thought he must Bnve been talren prisoner by aome of the police, whilst ronrning about in the neighbourhood, and although he ultimately heard that father John and he llnd gone together to Counsellor Webb’s, still he neyer could learn how Thady had fallen into-the pri~st’~ bands. Joe, however, did not forget that Thady had done what he considercd the good scrvioe of ridding the country of Ussher, and he swore thut he would repay it by punkhing tho man, who in his. estimation was robbing Thady of hie right and his property ; he had long since dccltlrod at Mrs. Mulrcady’s, aa W0 are alrvnro, that if Thady would come over ~6

d 10 9€iE MACDERMOTS and join his party, Keegan should not come .opon the estate with impunity, and he WBB now determined to keep his word. Eeegan, trusting to the wsurmce of Pat, that the tenanta were all quiet and peaceable, at length began to go among them himself and had, about the beginning of Pebruary, once cw twice ridden over portions of the property. About five o’clock one evening in that month, he was riding towards home along the little lane that skirti Drumleesh bog, after having seen as much of that delectable neighbourhood as a man could do on horseback, whcn his horse was stopped by a man wrnpycd in n very large frieze coat, but whosc fucc W~B not concealed, who asked him, LC could he Spake to his honer about a bit of land that hc was thinking of axing nftker, whon th man that was on it was put 0% as he heard War to be done.” As the man said this, be luid his hands on the bridle, and ICognn fGarjng from thiB that something WBB not right, pur his hand into his coat pocket, where his pis- t018 were, and told the man to come np to him at Carrick, if he wanted to say anything, and not to stop him on the road that way ; the man, however, continued, nv’ his honer wouldn’t think it too much throuble jiet to comedown for one rnouent, he’d point out the cabin which he meant.’’ Eeegaa was ROW Bure from the mank continuing to -keep bis hand on the bridle, that Borne injury to him was intended, snd was in the act of drawing hie pistol from hie pocket, when he

knocked altogether from off his horse by 8 blow which he received on the head with a large Btone, thrown from the other side of . oue of the banks which ran dong the road* The blow and the fall completely stunned him, and when he came to himaelf he was lyjng on, the road ; the man who had stopped his horse was kneeling on his chest; ; a man whose fme was blackened, wa8 holding down hie two feet, and a third, whose face had algo

* 12 THE MACDER~OTB OF BALLYCLORAN. 13 eion on him, and obtain for him the means of oonveyance to hi8 home. h a short time Eeegsn fainted from loss of blood, but the cold frost soon brought him to his senses ; he got up and hobbled to the nearest cabin, dragging after Ehthe mutilated foot, which still attached itself to his body by some cartileges, which llnd not been aevercd, ancl by the fragments of his boot and trowsers, and from thence reached his home on a country car, racked by pain, which the jolting of the cdr, und the sharp frost did not tenc. to nssunge. At the time of which we are writing, about .th first week in March, he had been entirely unable to ascertain any of the party by whom he bnd been attacked. The men were Dm Rennedy, Joe Reynolds, and Corney Dolan ; of thcse, Joe alone was personally knowu to Kccgan, nod it \va8 he who hnd used the axe with such fpll cruelty ; but he had been SO oornpletoly disguised at the time, that ICeegm 'i 14 THE MILCDERMOTS

had not in the least recognised him. Dan ~1l8 the man who had at first stopped the horse, and he being confident that Keegan had not even heard hia name, and that he wa~very unlikely ever to be in any plsoe where his victim could again see hin1 ao as to know him, had not feared to stop the home, and address its rider without any disguise. This act, which was origiaally proposcil and finally executed more with the intent of I avenging Thncly, than with any other purpo80, ei was the most unfortunate thing for him that couId have happened; for in the first placo it made the magistrates and the govormncnt imagine that tho country was in a disorderly state generally, and timt it was thorcforo no- cesary to follow up tho prosecutions nt the m

Assipes with moro than ordinary vigour, and Ct in the next place, it made Keogan CIctorrninaI se to do dl thnt ho codd to 13ecur0 T€]aJy'@ conviction, for ho nttributod his horrible mutilation to the influence of the Mecdormota, IOTS OF BALLYCLORAN. 15

and especially to the young man's vengeance. Other things had also occurredduring the four mouths since Thndy had given himself UP to the authorities, which had determined the law officers of the Government to follow up Ussher's murderer with all severity, and obtain if possible a conviction. The mm who had been sent to Mohill in Ussher's place was by no means his equal either in courage, determination, or perseve- rance, atill it had been necesenry for him to follow to a certain degree in his predecessor's ateps, especially as at the time illicit distilla- tion had become more general in the country tl~nnit had evor been known to be before. A nlan IlaLned Cognn, who had ucted very suc- c~~sFUllyas a ~pyto umher, also offered his services to the new officer, by whom they tyerc accepted. This man had learnt that

pothecn WEM being made at Aughacashel, and dressed in the uniform of one of the revenue 16 THFj UCDERMOTS !n Kennedy's This is to giv’ notis, Captin Id Abraham, Furster, av’ you’ll live and let live, and be 3. in superin. quite an pacable-divi1 a rmon is there, why Lumpers, ancl you need be afeerd-but LV’ go on among the lin, sitting ba Leatrim bogs--as that bloody thundheriag --not a gruh ruffin Umher, by the etarnzll bleesed Glory, atillation wm you wu1 soon be streetched aa he war-for I foiled and the Leatrim boy isn’t thim aa wu1 put up with and Joe had it.’’ pmeditated, lain that the This was only one of many that he reoeived it out, hd --and these, togethor with the fertility of his er was. Co- firat attempt--a tremendous stoning which he lome, but an and hie men received in the neighbourhood of eit to Augha. Drumhnmbo-tho bnrning of Cogon’s cabin, ground, and and the fitte of his predecessor, totally fright- ime to escnpe ened him; and he represented to the head ofioo in Dublin that the country ~v.vnsin such was Fostor, a state, that he was unable, with the small I lotters, and body of mcn nt his command, to carry on hie business with anything approaching to security. These things all operated much aguinflt the "I", P

t OF BALLYCLORAN. 19 power to accompliah his purpose. He had

learnt from Brady that he had been pr’pyseil at +W/ ‘ D meeting at Mr. Mehan’s, between Thcdy, Joe Reyno1ds;and some others, and at last got from him, that at that time threats had been pronounced against Usaher, to which Thady had nt ally rate liistened; and thnt he had

agreed to go down on B future occasion to I Mrs. Mulready’e to settle various mutters, ancl 7 talce certain oatha, and thatthe principle /l&-,- matter to bo there discussed, was to le Ussher’s fato, Brady, at first, had been unwilling to di- vulgc the whola of this to Mr, ICeegan; for, though he fblt no hesitation in betraying his old muster, he was not deeirous to be the lncmns of hanging birn ; but Rcegun, by o to ICeegan’e dili- degrecs, got it all out of him, and bribed so

ns aoon after hia , high that Pat, at last, consented to como for- o daclare anythirrp, ward at the trial sud swear to all the oiroum- bpe the punishment . etarms nbove rumtioncd; and tho attorney 1 evq offort in hi9 lost no timo in informing the eolioitur, who 20 THE MACDERMOTS

W~Sto conduct the prosecution on behalf of the crown, what this witnesa was able to prove. All this was sad news for Father John, and his friend McKeon, but atill they would not despair-as long as there was life there waa hope, and the strong conviction which they both had that ‘I’hndywas in fast not guilty, made them think that when all, the circturr- stances of the case wore brought fairly out, any jury would not fail of looking at it in th 881118 light as themselves. They talked the matier over and over again in McKeon’s parlour, and Tony occasionally almost forgot hia punch in hie anxicty to put fbrward and make the most of all thosa points, whioh he considered to be in T’Lady’s fhvor. It was not only tho love of justicc, his regard for the family OE the Macdermots, md fathor John’s eloquence which Elad enlisted MolCecm 80 thoroughly in Thdy’s intorest, though, no doubt, these throo things hsrd grsst weight 'J

OTB OB BALLYCLORAN. with him ; but his own personal predilectione had also B great share in doing so. The three leading resident gentlemen in the neighbourhood were Sir Michael Gibson, Mr. Jonas Rrown, and Counsellor Webb, they were the three magistrates who regularly attended the Petty Sessions at Carrick, and a8 they usually held different, opinions on all import and subjects relative to the locality in which they resided ; so all their neighbours n wore by one af them, condemning the other two as little better then fools or knaves. Sir Miohnel was by fu the richest, and bvould, thorefore, naturally have had the greatest number of followers, had it not been that it was usually extremely difficult to find out what his opinion \.YBR. Hewas neither a bad aor B goad Innillorit-that is to say, his land wns selclorn let for more than donble its value ; and his ngcnt did not eject his tenants ns long a~ they contrived not to encrease the arreara which tbcy owed, when he undertook the 22 TEE MACDERMOTS

management of the property ; but Sir Michael himself neither looked after their welfare, or took the slightest care to see that they werc comfortable, On the bench, by attempting to agree with both his colleagues, he very gennerdly rnannged to express an opinion different from either of them, and as he was, of course, the clmirman, the decision of the bench were in consequence frequently of a rather singular nature; however, on the whole, Sir Michael was popular, for if he benefitted none, h0 harmed nonc ; and he was considered by many a ade constib tutional man, with no flightly ideas on any side. Jonm Erown was hated by the poor. In every case he would, if ho hac1 tho powcr, viait every fault committed by them, with tho eevercst pennlty awarded by tho lnw. He was II stern, hard, cruel man, with no eyrnpnh thy for any one, and was actuntad hy the most superlative cmtompt for thc poor, from whom OF BALLYCLORAN, 23 he drew his whole income. He was a clever, clear-headed, avaricious mm; and he knew that the only means of keeping the poor in their pretlent utterly helpless and dependent &te, was to deny them education, and to oppose every scheme for their improvement and welfare. He dreaded every movement which tended to teach them anything, and when he heard of landlord8 reducing their rents, improving cabins, and building schcols, he would propheBp to his neighbour, Sir Michael, that the gentry mould soon begin to repent of their folly, when the rents they had reduced were not paid, the cabina which they had nlade comfortable were filled with ribb6n- men, and when the poor had learnt in the schools to disobey their masters and landlorda. Sir Michel never contradicted n11 tbis, and he would probably have become a second Jonas Brown, and a much more injurious, because BO much more extensive in his inter- Geta, were it not for the counteracting influ- v

24 THE BlACDERMOTS

enoe of Counsellor Webb, who was in all his opinions diametrically opposed to Mr. Brown.

Mr. Webb waa as clear-headed, and it much more talented man thqn his brother magistrate -he was, moreover, 8 kind-hearted landlord- ever anxious to ameliorate the condition of the poor-and by no. aeans greedy after money, thong11 he was heither very opulent nor very economical; but, nevertheless, with

, all these high qualities he w‘as hardly the man most fit to do red good in a very poor and ignorant neighbourhood. €Ie was, in the first place, by far too fond of popularity, and l of being the favourite among the peasantry, !i and, in the next, he had become so habituated 1’ d r; . to oppose Jonas Brown in all his sayings and doings, that he now did so whether; he was right or wrong. If a lac1 were brought before _i the three, for 8 row at a fair, Sona3 would send him to the treadmill-the Counsellor would send him about his business-and Sir i Michel was thus left in the disagreeable pre- .

1 ’! ‘ i

OZ’ BALLYOLORAN. 26

dìcnment of not knowing what to do with him. Jonas Brown would have had the whole country in prison-Counsellor Webb would have thrown open the prison doors-and Sir Michaelwould have alternately done both. Joma Brown abused the poor-Counsellbr Webb flattered them--and Sir Michael between the two, at last learnt that the only place for him C was to hold his tongue. Thady’s case had been much talked of in tho country, and the rival nmgistrateq of courae, held diametrically opposite opïnions respecting it. eronas Brown had declared, at his own table, that cc unless that young manwere hanged there would be an end to anything like law in the oountry, his being the Bon of B landlord made it ten times worse; if th0 landlords themselves turned ribbonmen, and taught the tenants all manner of iniquity ; and thlaw didn’t thon interfere, it would be irn- posaiblo to livs in tho country ; he, for one, VOL. III. C

l 28 THE NACDERMOTS

,should leave it, Here had a most pmise- worthy servant of the Crown--n mm who had merited the thanks of the whole country, by the fearlesa manner in which he had performed his dutiee, Here,” he mid, IL had thie man been murdered in cold blood by n known ribbonman, by one, who, as he understood, had, a few days before the murder, conspired with otfiere to conmit it; and yet he wns told there were B pack of people through the countrp. .priests, qnd popularity huntere, who mere not only using their best endeavours to Bcrem the murderer, but who absolutely justified the deed. By G-d, he couldn’t understand how B num, holding the position of a gentleman, could so far forget what he owed to hie country and himself as to dirty bis h:~ndewith such a filthy business as thiu, however ahrd his general opinianu or politics might bo ; as for the man’s sister, that wae all a got up story Bince the business. Every one lrnow that the family ha3 been trying to catoh the young )T S OF BALLYCLORAN. 27

man for the girl; she had been allowed to W& with Captain Uavher at all huura, night and day ; and he was now doing no more than walking with her where he was basely murdered by her brother. As for him, (Jonas Brown,) he hoped and trusted the murderer would be hung as he deaerved.” The purport of this piece of after dinner

eloquence WZLE duly conveyed to Counsellor Webb, who fully appreciated the remarks about the popularity hunting gentleman, who was dirtying his hands; up to this time these two mon, though differing so wildly from each other, had still kept up a shew of courtesy between them ; but Mr. Browu’s remarks altogether put an end to it. Couusellor Webb never again addressed him in friendly tcrms. 13c did not, however, in t he least relax his effort8 on Thady’a behalf, or express less strongly his opinion on the case. He told Sir Michcl one morning in Cnrrick, after some c3

L’, i 2s THE 1MnCDERMOTB public meeting, at which all the gentry of tho neighbourhood had beenpresent, and where ‘ many of them, and among them Mr. Brown, were stancling by, thnt he had lately beeu giving a great deal of very ololre attention to that very distressing alse of young l!Ir. Macdermot, he thought it was the most melancholy and heartrending cme lm had ever known. It was proved beyond pmaibility of doubt that Umher was eloping with the young man’s sister; it seemed now to be prctty certain that the girl WU hernelf nbsolutoly senseless ut the time the occurrence took place ; he believed she had changed her mind, or got frightened, or what not ; it wanow a known fact, that she waa being dragged senselea in the man’a arms, when Macderlxmt attacked him; and WLLSa brother to atand by and look on at such 8 sight 08 that, and not protect his ? , sister, and puniah the miscrcnnt who IVBB endeavouring to diahonor her ? wnra ML Mao- i dermot to turn hia buck upon tha affair, and B QF BALLYCLORAN. 29

feave his siater to her fate beoause, forsooth, the man who did it was a revenue officer. Let UB bring the matter home to ourselves, Sir

Michael,” he continued, 6c suppose you E~W that gay young Captain ,Jem Boyle harrying through the demease at Rnoekailrum with OR^ of your own fair flock in hid arms, violently carrying her of& wouldn’t you not only knock hirn down yourself, if you could catch him, but also set dl your people after him, begging them to do the Batne 3 of course, you would; aud what trmre has this young man done P unfortunately 110 struelr too hard ; but that, sltho’ we may deplore the circumstance, shows no criminality on hie part ; but only the &trong indignation which he very properly felt. As to the cock and bull story of his being a ribbonman, no man of sense could entertain it ; it appears that a few nights before tho occurrence he went to a tenant’s wedding, and unfortunately took a drop too nluch

punch-that hail been many Igood mnn’a caw c---

30 THE IKACDERNOTS OF BALLY CLOltAN. 31 among n lot of at the time. I must say," continued the le, nonsensid Counsellor, that should the poor young m'nn Ins, whom tho? fall a victim to the falso evidence which I am hat Umher wae aware private malice, and wretchedly viidiotive I am told, by feeling will supply, then the baaest murder BB, tbnQ it WM will really have been committed which ever name wa~lmOW .disgraced this country. X don't envy the

L drunk, he pra- state of mind of any gentleman who can nother drinking look forw ard with a feeling of satisfaction to oourm, navet the prospect of that poor youth's being hanged TM sober; and for protecring hie sister, merely because the ruel enough to aeducer wna in halnits of intimacy with himself

1 to believe, for or his family." on he attded Mr. Brown left the meeting, taking no irn- Mscdormot ww nlediute notice of the Counsellor's Phillipic, 8 prameditatod it wag not, however, because he did not com- jditated idee& pruhond the latter part of it, or that he meant I, that it wm by to overlook it. ppennad to be hi Sir Michne1 WUELmuch distreeved in making ,le might juat M up his mind findly on tho subject. It was re- It off tho ntfoxc ported, lmvevw, soon after the meeting above ' he was in gad &uh,l to, 110 had stated to some of hia mom 32 THE UCDEIGMOTB

immediate friends and admirers, that ‘l he considered it highly diacreditable, he might say disgraceful, for any of the more respectable classes to give any countenance to the illegal meetings, which he was afraid were too general through the country, and that there was tob much reason to fear that the unfortunate mm in prison had been guilty in doing so ; but that there could be no doubt sthat every one wag justified, he might add, only performed his bounden duty, in protecting the femalee

of his family from injury or violence.” , Counsellor Webb’s allusion to the bare pos-

sibility of a captain in B marching regiment, marçhing off with one of his own flaxen-haired . daughters and- her thousands of pounds, quito opened his eyes to the lntter truth-ad if Sir Michael had any €eehg, one way or the other, it was rather in Thndy’s favor. ’ Now Tony McKeon was a tenant both of Sir Michael and of the Counsellor 5 he ala0 held land from other laudlords, but be had no OF BALLYCLORAN. 33 3TS wnnexion whatever with Mr. Brown : he was not nt all the sort of tenant that Jouas ap- # proved of; for though he always punctually paid his rent to the day, he usually chose to have every thing his own way, and would take no land except at a fair rent and 011 a long leese. Mr. Webb, however, was the chief friend and principal ally in the country. Sir Michael was altogether too grand for him, for Tony had no idea of being a humble dependent ; but Mr. Webb would 'occasionally corna and dine with him--and often asked him in return. Mrs. Webb too was very ,civil to his wife and the girl+dways lent them the Dublin pat- terna for their frills, frooh, aud other frippery -nnd aeliim drove into Druum without cR1lin-g- The consequence wag, that the Counaallor was a man after Tonp'a own heart --though they were of different religions, they had, gcnerally epealsing, the anme ioliti-

aal feelings and l opiniona-tho same philan- c 5' 34 THE MACDERMOTB thropical principles-nnd the same popular prejudices; and after o few geara intimacy in each other’s neighbourhood, Mr. Webb well knew where to find a powerful recruit fur any service, in which he might wish to onliet one. When, therefore, McEeon heard that JonaB Brown had declared thnt he wished Thdy might be hung, and when he also heard from

his friend that he WRS moBt anxious to do sil in his power to save him ; he had two strong additional reasons for exercising ,211 his encr- gies on Macdermot’e behalf. Tony could not probably be fairly considered RS z mm pcccu- linrly amenable to reason - but ho was thoroughly open to the influcnce of irnr~ul~e- and consequently having once taken the Mac- dermot’s hy ihc hand, he fought tho battle of all the family, ns though they hnd 1~mltl~c oldest and most valued í‘riendt~ IIQ had.

He declared that if any QI~CSpnIco ill of Feemy’s chabocter, he should tnakc it pcraond with himeelf; that he waa ready, willing, and i OI? BALLYCLORAN. 35

moreover determined to quarrel with any one who dared to apply the opprobrious name of murderer to Thdy--and he had even been heatd, on one or two occasiones to etand up for Larry himtdf, and to declare that although he might be a little light-headed or so, he wits still a d-d deal better than those muddy-minded blackguard8 at Garrick who htd driven him to his present state. Such was lhe stato of affairs with regard to Tbdy about the beginning of March. At this time F'cemy was atill v~ryfir from well. She htd uemr left her yoom since the dal7 that Mrs. McICcon had brought her Imme from Currick. Por a long tirue she had re- muinCrci in bed, allmoat without speaking-eat-

ing but vary little --falling f'rorn one lo W fever into another-continuuily sobbing like a child -iicquently hytiterid-2nd yometimes allnost delirious. The doctor, however, had assureJ Mrs. McKoon that she was not dangerously ill, :in¿¡ that though dm lull dod~tlesdreceiyd a THE MACI)XRMOTS

great shock, she would probably, ia time, recover from its effects. After Christmaa ahe had apparently got EL IÍttle stronger-for she would sit up in her bed-room for a few hours in the day ; but still she would talk to no one.Mrs. HcKeon en- deavouredmore than once to lead her to the subject, which she knew must be nearest her heart, thinking that if she could be got to speak of it, she would be relieved; but in vain. In vain she tried to interest her in har brother’s fate-in vain she tried to mnke her understand that Thady’s safety-that hie W- quitta1 would, in a great degree, depend on her being able to prove, at the trial, that at the time when the occurrence took place, she was herself insensible. She shuddered violently at the idea of being again questioned, and declared mith sobs thnt she should dio if ahe were again dragged to thnt horrid placa. When Mrs. McKeon sakcd her if shc wouldn’t make a atruggle to savu her brothor’a life, she

+ KUTS OF BALLYCLORAN. 37

remained mute. It waa evident that it wag for her lover that she was still grieving, and apparently got a that it was not the danger or ignominy of uld sit up in her L Thadp’s position that so much afflicted her.

IblolCeon, however, conceived it * to the day ; but atill, II Mm. be i* Mrs. MoKeon em her duty to persevere with her-and, at laat, 1 to lead her to the told her how wrong it was of her to give way ust be neareat hm in such a manner to a grief, which was in its could be got first stage respected, but that it was her duty relieved; bue ia now to turn lrer thoughts to the brother, who .derest her in hor owecl his danger and his disgrace to his desire tried to make her to proteot her. fety-that his 86 Feernp answered her only with tears ; and legree, depend OR on the next morning told her that she had de- the trid, that nt termined to return to Brcllycloran, aa she CB took plaoo, sha thought she would be better there at home e shuddered, via- \M1hcr fither. again quaationd, To this, however, Mrp. McKeon wouldn’t ’ she should dis if= consent, nnd Feehy was told that the doctor that horrid pho, hacl forbidden her to be moved. She wag ler if she wouldn’t , tllercforc, obliged to remain sratiafied for the brother’s life, ah@, present, n8 she had no means of escaping

,;i’F

‘8 . ,l$ 1 .*c . c

b 03' BBLLYCLORAN. 35) ahd he2 daughters ; and she made up her mind that Peemy should at once hnve hez wish and return to Bdlyolorsn. But then, suppose she was miscakea in her surmises-or even, if they were too true-how could ahe turn the poor girl, weak, ill, and miserable out: of her house-and send her to &R empty un- provided barrack, inhabited by an 'infirm, idiotical old mm, where she could receive nune of that attention, which her aituation so

l Y l :,!

,I 8 'E 40 TEE MACDERMOTB herself on her bed sobbing most violently,. ad fell from one fit into another, till Mrs. McKeon was afraid that she would herself with the violence of her emotion. At last, however, she declared that the accusation brought agabat her wm untrue-protested on her moat solemn word and honor that it W~S not the case-and ended by saying how thank- ful she was to Mrs. McEeon for her kindnese and protection, but that Bhe muet now beg her t to dlow her to return to Ballycloran. Feemy's denial of the charge against her was so firm, und ao positively made thnt it very much shook her friend's suspicions, though it did not altogether remove them- when Beemy begged to be sent hqme, she told her not to agitate herself nt present-that they would dl see how she wna in a day or -two-and then speaking zt few kind worde to her, left her to heraelf. Mrs. McKeon at first thought of telling her husband exactly what had pamil, nnd agking OB BALLYCLORAN. 41

I violently,. and ber, till Mrs. him what she ought to do in the caBe ; but would ohoke then it occurred to her, that if her fears were unfounded, and Feemg's protestations true, it I emotion. At the accumtion would be unkind of her to give rise to so injurious a report even by mentioning it to her -protested o4 or that it waa husband, and she determined for a time to say nothing further the subject. ng how thank- on r her kindneee t now beg her .oran. ;e against her made that it ,'a suapiciona, :move them- home, she told present-that 3 in a day or kind words to of telling her I 3, and asking 42 THE MACDERJlOTl

CHAPTER II.

ON the same day thnt Mrs. McICeon liad haif her painful iuterview with Feemy, fkther John had come to dine with her 11ualmncl for the purpose of canvassing with him some of the steps necessary to be taken before the time of Thady's trial, which was now fast appronohing. The Judges were to come into Carrick in the first week in April, and it now did not want 5t full month to that titnc. They had long since determined to employ &tra (I'M& ley for the defence. Mr. O'hhlloy \ma a barrister who had for som ycms gone th0 Connaught Circuit, and wna not only tho most talented man upon it, but in rmny res- *F% OF BALLYCLORAN. 43 pects wm coneidered one of the most able lawyerrs in Ireland, Counsellor Webb bad advisedabove dl things the services of Mi.

O'MJley should be secured, as it was II, case in which his power of argument, and pas- sionate eloquencc would be peculiarly likely to malre an impresaion on a jury ; and he had n consequently been retained. Mr. Webb, however, had explained to father John that to ensure. the full services of this able advocate more than a, fee was necessary. It was ne- cesmry, if possible, to enlist his feelings and bis sympathy with the side he was to take, and induce him to believe that his abilities were required to protect innocence and not to shelter guilt. For this purpose it was decided that father John should himself proceed to Dublin-see 'Mr. 0:Malley-give him M acournte nn account us possible of all the facts of the case--mako him undcrstand the strength of all the evidencc which would be 44 THE MACDERMOTS

brought against the prisoner, both as to the abeolute fact of the deed, which admitted of no doubt, and as to his previous conduct at Mrs. Mehan’s, and also to explain exactly the circumetances under which the deed had been perpetrated, and the truth Ba far 89 it could be learnt and proved, as to what had taken place at the meeting alluded to, u The two were now sitting over the firc after dinner. Tony’s daughter had loft the dining-room, but the mother remained to hoar the wisdom whioh should fall from the mouths of the two men, wham ehe most loved and respected, and perhspg dao, ooczleiondy to take a sip from the tumbler of her own tem- poral lord and master.

cc ‘well, father John,” said Tony, cc indeed I’d go with you willingly-I’d think nothing of the time or expense, and I’d like tho fun, J know you’d be better without me- I’d never the gift of the gab like you-p’d OF BALLPCLOItBN. 45 make the chap underatand more in half m hour, than I could in a week of Sun- dEbY8.”

c’ I don’,t know much about that,’’ replied the priest, it’s a plain story we have to tell I take ít, and any plain man might tell it ; but perhaps there’s but little use in the two of us going, and as I want to t3ee my brother, and bave the most time to spare, it’s fittest for me to undertake it.” c‘ Of course it is, father John,” said Mr. M’Keon helpmate, who could think of Tony’s leaving home at such a time RB this, and he with above twenty horses at work about, at one place or other.”

CC Well then, I’ll go myself-I’ve no horsee an the ground, and I must trust mento loolr after the flock L have got by himself for a day or two ; to-morrow is only Tuesdq if I start to-morrow I’ll be down again on Priday or snturaay at latest.”

‘6 YOU know you’d have to make an ap- 46 THE MACDERMOTBt

pointment with Mr. O’Malley, perhaps a day or two before yon saw him, still I &oL.ld think you might be back by Saturday ; but what harm--sure Cullen could say rn30888 by himself one Sunday in the year.”

*C So he could for the matter of that ; but it’s not so easy as you think to be saying maas at eight in the morning, and again at twelve, and both without eating a bit in the world ; however, he’s not the man to grumble if he had to do it every week in the year.”

(6 Is it Cullen P” srricl Tony, Cr faith I think he’d sag ma38 dl the morning, and taUr: Toli- tics all the evening, if he’d be let, only ho should get EL drop to wet his whistle botwecll the whiles ; bo dad for a talker Culleu beata all the world, if he’u once set n-going ; I would any horae in my stable Lad so good a wind, only the paco ie slow, and the motion ao d- d awkwtwd ; but come, father John, you’ve beca sipping that phse of sherry tiil

l OF BALLYCLORAN. 47

my henrt’s cold to see you ; makeyourself a tumbler of punch, mm.”

cc Come father John, do,” said the lady, ‘‘ the water’s hot, and you Bee I’m drinking myself.” Bather John, unahle to withstand the force of 80 good an example, did as he waa bid, and then continued- ‘‘ But what did the Counsellor say about the expense, Mr, IdclCeon P It’ll be a heavy penny before it’e dl paid, and 1 shouldn’t like to go too far in Dublin before we know faith X think whence the oash’ll come from.”

6‘ 1-10 aoted like a trump then, as he dways does ; no sldly shnllying, or anything of the kind. I-Ic said he was ruther short of the mopusees hilnsclf nt the moment ; but he told mehe’d 11utdown t-wenty pounds with a heart and n hdf‘, if I’d advance it for him till May, whorl his rcnte corne round, and I could pay myself, anil he desired me particularly, father ~~l~~,to teIl you le woL~lan’t allow YOU to 48 Tl133 MACDERMOTS

be at any expense in the matter, ELI^ that if a further sum were neceaamy, he would upp ply it wherever it came from”

CC NO,’’ said father John, Mr. Webb baa

proved himself P kind heartid ~12111, and

good Christian ; but 1’11 not be 80 bad 88 that either ; 1’11 not let all the expense, or the greater portion of it fall on him. I pledged myself to the poor fellow, when I firat left him in the prison, where he now is, that, if 1 sold every chair and tablo that I had, he~houldn’t want all the asvietame which money could procure him, and I’ll not now put the whole weight on another man’a shod- dera, thougb God knows I’m poor enough myself; hut I’m not quita so bad ne that ; there’s my brother in Dublin, he’a nt3 rich ns B Jew ; I’ve nevcr yet asked n penny from him, and 1 don’t think he’ll refise mo now tho 1 .v loan of twenty poundg-or for the matter op that the gift dl out-when I tell him what it’s for- I shouldn’t be happy if 1 didn’t 03’ BALLYCLORAN. 49 somehow or other tsko my own share of the burdcn when I promised so much.” I ilon% doubt but you’re right, father John, and if the butter-merchant in Capel- street will corne down with the dust, 80 much the better-& man who has sold ao much butter ought to be soft hearted ; he ought to melt at IL tale of aorrow’like a firkin of his own goods on an August afternoon, and the Inilk of human kindness in his bosom should be churned into the butter of charity, and melt out now tbt it ie required, in the shape of hard cash nnd good notea.” (‘Nover mind Mr. Iceon, I don’t .see but wbnt buttar-selling in Dublin is as goad as farming at Drumsng if a man can make the rnonay by it,.”

CE And ZI deal better,” said the lady, Cc for there’s no rent to conle and eat up all the profit, and no temptation beaides to wnste gow MO- ncsy when it is made with horsaa and reacas, and all such nonecase m that.” T-OL, nt. D 50 THE BIACDB~MOTS

C( That’s well,” said Tony, cc corning fram her, when everyfarthing that the mare won at Carrick the other day went to buy a new car and harness for her and the girls ; if it hadn’t been for Bob Gaper and Playful, Heaven knows when they would have had either.”

Cc Oh they’d been promised long ago-lonq before Playful was bought-for the matter of that beforeshe was born 1 should think-I believe the old car wm the ono your mothor went to Chapel on, the Sunday after you were christened.” Only listen to what she aays, father John ; would you think now to hear her talk that she’s had as many m three or ibur different cara, if not new a8 good m new, since ahe W~B married ?”

- (C Yea, and they went a~ they c:zmpI, in aome horrid handiaap or other, and now the one I’ve got is decent and propor to tuko tho girls out on ; I expect some fiue moruina to CRMOT8 OF BALLYCLORAX. 51

’ony, cc wming fi(rra% hear c there’s a servant in the yard with Mr.

; that the maro wbtl , Sor~lebody’scompliments, and wanting the car went to buy a that ML McKeon parted to his master last

and the girle ; if 8 f night, and probably bearing some broken* aper and Play€& down raw-boned, horrid looking animal in its :y would have bad place.”

“ There you wrong me; tny morst enemy can’t say I ever parted with a good article, after paying ready money for it. However, to return to busineas, father John, Counsellor Webb will give twenty pounds, and you and the tender-hearted butter dealer will do as much. Well, in apite of what Maria, says about the bad times we farmers have of it, I’ll do the same-tlat’ll be sixty-that’ll go near the mark, I should think, father John.” Why, yes ; I should think that ought to be enough 5 but it must be all ready money ; ,if you pay down twenty pounds out of your own pocket, will you be able to advance the other twenty for Mr. Webb q’’ D3 cc I think 1'11 manage both," said McIhrn, cc 1s it Tony 3" said his wife. H~'B89 rich the bank, father John, if one only knew where he kept it." It was then agreed that father John should 3tart on his journey to Dublin on the morrow, and wherever the secret coffers in which Tony kept the unlimited wealth of which his wife ;tccused him, he managed nt my rate to put into the priest's hnnds, before he 16ft him, forty pounds, composed chiefly of dirty, greasy, well worn one pound and thirty-shilling notes, which had been cut and joked, remcut and rejoined, till it was imposaible to decipher more on the face of them than the large round letters which denoted their value. They, however would be as good in Dublin, and a gpeat deal more convenient than the cleanest paper thnt ever left the bank of Engltmd, suid were received by father John with gratitude and thanlrfulnem McICeon followd OF BALLYCLORAN. 53

Bis guest to the door, and when they were out in the little garden said- cc I didn’t chose to mention ít in there before the mistrose, but na sure as I’m standing here, this qffair of poor Thady’a ’U lead to more than we were thinking of.” Why, what do you mean?” AB BuTe aa I’m alive there’ll be aome quarrel between Webb and old Brown.” You don’t mean they’ll be fighting or duel- Zing with one another.” Paith I don’t know ; you know that Jonas Brown, and be il-d to him, begging your pardon for cursing, father John ; but that fellow’s enough to make R cat curse ; you know how inveterate he’a been a11 doqg against young Mscdermot, saying he wislled to t3ee him hanged, and all that. Well, there was a meeting on Saturday, at Carrick, and it nppoars, for I waan’t at it myself, that Webb gave him a, tremendous cut about what ho’d micl, before Sir Michad and all of theIn, 44 THE MACDERMOTS

and serve him right too. Now, it Beems tbwt old Jonas is terribly angry, and they were telling me at Carrick that he had declared,

I that if Counsellor Webb wouldn’t give it to !U 114. him in writing that he didn’t allude to the Bron-n Hall family, he’d have him out on the ßod. Now, the Counsellor would t3ooner cut his hand o$ than write Q lie for any man-much less for Jonas Brown --and he’ll think as little of going out with him as you do of saying your prayers, and by tle lord he’ll shoot him too, for he’8 able, and when Webb’s in earnest he’s not the mm to be trifled with.” Pray God we may not bave any more bloodshed ; isn’t that young man’s death enough to rise out of a vain girl’s folly without dd men and magistrates falling out and fighting.” ‘‘ Come now, father John, don’t ta& no1p Bense. As for old men, Webb isn‘t much older than I am, and T hope I’m not too old BALLYCLORAN. TB .u OB 65

DW, it Beems that $0 fight if a man asks me, and a8 for being a , and they wlsxol magietrate, I can’t for the life of me see whF he had declared, a mngiatrate’s to be insulted with impunity ddn’t give it to more than any other mm-not that I: want to

1% allude to the see the two men fighting-though if Jonas LVO him ont on did get an ounce of lead in his arm or his or would maef leg, I can’t say if I’d grieve muGh ; but good 3 a lie for any bye, father John, I won’t keep you any kown -and hdH longer ; let us Bee you a8 soon as you get pith him 8s pu back, and dan’t let the attorneys be too hard and by the lard upon you, and mind, father John-mind yon able, and wl~m pitoh the blarney well into the tenderahearted

tho man to be i. Butter-merchant.” With thesc last worde McKeon retnrned into his house, and father John walked briskly home to lis cottage. The next morning, at about seven o’clock, he was to be men 8 tanding at the Croas-rod, whero the lane from hie hous4 joins the mail coach rond, about a mile on the Dublin side of Drumsna, waiting for the coach from Boyle, and Pntsey was also there with his carpet bag. F;c ather John was mufled up with coats, kand”

I t 66 THE MACDERMOTS

kerchiefs, and leggings, till he seemed a8 broad as he was long. The air was very aharp ; there had been a Lard frost for a morning in March, and the pools of water in the ruts and on the road were covered with thin ice. In spite of his walk there, he was very cold, and yet he W~Bso muffled Ire could hardly move. 130 began clapping his hands, stamping his feet, taking short turns on the road, and in a very little time got rather im- patient at the delay. Why, Pataey, the coach muat have pnsskd.” Ah no, yer riverence, it aine.”

cc Then it’s very late.”

cc No it aint, yer riverence, it won’t bo lloro this long time.’’

This put father John 8 littlo more out of temper, for in hie anxiety lm had been u and dreesed Bom time before Putsey had been ready to take chargo of his bag, clnd 210 had rated the boy, declnrod that ho s110ulti O8 BALLPCLORAN. 57

Wo late, and that it would all be his fault, fatsey, however, who knew well from experience the exact time the coach usually passed the spot where they were standing, waa now enjoying lis revenge at having been drawl2 out of his bed, by seeing hia pastor and master vainly eudeavouring to keep himself warmI and splaahing himself dl the time, by stamping on the csackling ice beneath hia feet.

cc Why what do you mean boy, not beíng here for 8 long time ?” said father Jolm, pulling out his watch, cc why they told me in Drumane, nt the agent’s, that half-paat t3evm wag the time, and it’s ton minutes pst that now. I: think the conch must have passed.” cc They always do be telling people twenty minutes before the time, yer riverence, fix fear tho coach ’ud be too 8hmp upon ’em9 and thcn, what with stopping there :ml coming to thia, it’s mostly paat eight when it’a here.” D5 58 THE MACDERMOT8

Father John began wzslking backwards and Igill. fcrwarda strenuously, up the lane and dow- by tb the lane, kicking his feet, and rapping hisa will hands, and in three minutes more, he looked John at his watch ; then he stood still for two positi minutes, and again appIied to the watch, Patst walked about €or a minuto and a half, and a8 WI again did the same thing, each time having hew to unbutton his great coat and under coat, rntt and with rpuch exertion lug the watch out of it 1 his fob, replace it, and button up again. JO11 Patsey, I’m Bure it’s passed.” I: Not at all yer riverenoe ; you’ve ten mi- fath nutes good yet.” min ‘‘ Good, you fool, what do you mean by poli good ? it’s anything but good.” I’ Patsey, however, with his bare feet, uncol roo vered head, thin, ragged trowsers, find tattered jacket, seemed to think it very good fun, nnd bs apparently kept himself quite warm, by jump- fol ing from one foot to the other, as though IIC h5 were diligently working at an imaginary tread- ad OF BALLYCLORAN. 59 mill. However even when a man is waiting by the road side in winter for a coach, time will at last pass away, and just na father John was beginning to make up hia mind positively that the conch had passed by-that Patsey was deceiving him-and that he might aa well go back to the cottage to breakfast, he heard the sound of the horses’ feet and the rattle ofthe wheels on the road, and at length

it pulled up at the Cross-road, and father I John prepared to mount. Down jumped the guard, an old friend of father John’B, and having succeeded in cranl- ming the bag into the already crowded boot, politely begged his reverence to mount. c‘ Buk where am I to go John-there’s no are feet, unCo. room behind 3” ra, nnd tattered Indeed at the first glance any body would good fun, and have enid father John wa3 in the right of it, P varm, by jump- for on the guard’s soat there wore two besides

I as though be himself-both burloy-looking men-not oi‘ the nagiriqry treda soft$ colnprcssible flabby genus, but large, E

atrong, bony men ; you would aooner get a19 be inch by pressing against a stone wall, than m bp squeezing against the sides of such rocky- h,i looking individuals ; on the opposite seat there were also three people ; on the outside there was a dirty-looking traveller--rr pig-jobber by trade-apparently as sullon and 8s obstinate as any of the swine whom it was hie busineee to buy and sell ; then a goadnaturod, fat gentleman, in a, vast blue cloak ; from his face, you might have sworn ho would have donc aqthing to accommodate a fellow-traveller,

he looked BO soft-so yielding, and so modest ; but what could he do ? €10 was eightaon stone weight, and might hove almost acted Falstaff without stuffing ; the third wm a fe- male, with a sharp, rcd noso, a cotton UM- brellg a basket-full of buna, aud a child abaut; R i¡ five years old, who, for tbc salcc of tho frcc seat, she had converted into a bnljy, mil pur- pod carrying in hor hp, though hatwoon Boyle and Drumma, she had oontrivod protty OF BALLY CLORAN. 61 laearly to wrap the Boy in the goodnatured LUI'S cloak, ant1 to transfer at any rate half his weight, on his unresisting knees. The front of the coach w11a also quite full ; on the box was the Captain from Boyle-the owner of the Riokie Wickie, going up to the steeple chase, smoking cigars furiously, audl detailing to the coachman the certainty with which he should have won the Carrickrace last October, if the gentleman from Galway hadn't disappointed him. Behind him were two gents talking loud, with flash great conta, nowish silk, hats, vast chokers, and most com- plete assortment of a11 travelling appurte- nnngea, mackintosh capes, oil-skin caps, and hairy galouhea ; any one at all used to the rond could have morn to their genua, without looking at the tin boxes with leathern strape which were loaded on the coach behind them; they wem conmercial travellers-knowing fellows-first rate judges of whiskey-cbaps determined to make themeelvea at home, and f

men on the whole, whose soft side it would be rather difficult to find. The remaining eeata were filled by two young gentlemen going up to Trinity-the elder, an old stager, who flattered himself he knew Dublin well-one well known at Burton Bindon's-a great drinker of bottled porter at Judes-a dab at billiards and rackets-a girer of loo-parties- a reputed favourite with the girl behind the counter at the cigar-shop in Nassau-street, altogether a second Frank Webber in hie own opinion, was successfully endea~ouring to eradicate from the mind of hie younger cousin the excellent precept with which hie parents had crammed him, previously to sending him up to college for the ,first time. IVeU might father John aslx where was he ' to go ?-but John the guard was a man above trifling difhdties-a rrmn not to be diacon- certed by my red nose, umbrella, or preco- cious baby-a mm whom a braco of F&&'# or L legion of pig-jobbers W odd not frightan- OF BALLYCLORANI 63

one who, to oblige such a friend as Mr. Magrath, would have attempted the impracti- cability of compressing the sternermateriale of which the two big, burley, boney Sligo traders, who sat on the same seat with himself, were composed. I ‘‘ Get up Mr. Magrath-we’ll find ram,”

he whispered, ‘c get into my seat till I pack some of thatlive lumber a little closer-it’s astonishing how much flesh and blood can be put into a small compass if its well packed. All right, Harry-go on.’! And father John sat down in the Guard’s seat while he began hie arrangement, thrustinghimeelf in among their unwilling legs. cc Corne, my friend,” said he, addressing the

pig-jobber, CC that iron bar won’t hurt YOU- malce a little room-by the wayyou’re sit-

ting, you want as big a seat $9 the Lord May- or’s chair.” cc I can’t go no furder-’I’m up to the rail? cc Oh, but you must go furder.” 64 THE MACDEUOTB‘

CC I didn’t pay for my seat to set a top .of a bon bar like that-and be pitched on my head the first time the coach 8waye.” Then to the fat gentleman.

U LVLight I trouble you, air-a little further to make room for this gentleman 3”

‘6 Why really if I could-but I’ll try,” and the fat gentleman made himself a little more uncomfortable, though he seemed greatly averse to harasa his neighbaur the pig-jobber,

cc If you’d just try the weight of your cha- raoter against that rather untnoveclblc gentleman to your left, you can’t conceive how amenable to reason he’dbecome. Just, sir, lem slightly on hi6 shoulder-he’ll not take it amiss-& few stone of humnnity well applied has a beautiful effect in convincing a man of his temperament.” The fat gentleman did partially aa he was bid, and obtained a few incha from the vonder 6f ‘swine. (‘Now, madam, if you and your pretty

- ‘I OF BALLYOLOFUN. 68

little babe could contrive to squeeze-a trifle nearer ta this gentleman, I’m sure yodd find him IL very pleasant neighbour.”, The lady’s nose grew redder-her face uglier-and she only answered by rattling the cotton umbrella-taking a fresh hold of the provision basket-hoving B bit more of the free baby intu the fat gentleman’s cloak, and preparing far dire war with her new neighbour the priest. Thank you, mn’am, that’e very kind ; if all travellers were a’s gracious and accommo- dating as the ladies, we guarde ahould hava no trouble. Now, Mi.. Magrath, as the lady with the little infant ia so good as to make room for you next to ber pretty self, you’ll hrtve the most comfortable seat on the mach.” And father John, relinquiding the guard’e post, endeavoured to place himself in an io- terd of about three inohes between the red- nosed woman and the iron bar. It’s all nonsense, John ; you know I can’t

G I

p 7, .;, ‘ I II. 66 * TEE MACDERMOT9 c ait here-l’m not one of the lean kind myself.

Heavens and earth,” he exclaimed, 8s the coach gave a jolt over a stone. c‘ 1’11 h off in a minute-have you any room inside.”

CC Not enough for this pretty little babby in arms. There’s Minor Biddulph and his three daughters from beyond Ballina going up to Dublin to look for husbands ; there’s none at all, I’m told, to be got in Co. Mayo since the Clare Militia went out of Cmtlehar.” cc Well, any how, I can’t ait bere.” cc You don’t try, sir; you’re afraid of being too dose to this pretty lady-only try-allow the centre of gravity to have its due weight and preponderance, and you’ll aoon find you are very comfortable.’’ The absolute necesaity of the CS LA^ had itcl effect on our reverend friend; he bad paid for his seat, and he must go on; and what was more important still, he musn’t fall off, if he could help it ; ao setting himself solnewhat TB I OF BALLTICLORAN. 67

.sturdily to work with his left shoulder, elbow, and hip bone, he, at last mmnged to drive her of th0 cotton umbrella still further into the fat side of the gentleman in the cloak, who was thus forced to employ the enormow vis- inerti= of his own maus against the pig- jobber, and compel that respectable but some. what unaccommodating member of society to reduce himself to B compass more befitting hia humble appearance. “ Laws, 8ir-thern’a not manners as I: understand at d,” said the lady ; cc the poor child ’II be killed between you.’’ I hope not, ma’am,’’ said the guard, I trust not-*hank God he looks pretty atrong- is he weaned yet-the pretty little fellow.” The lady gave a look of unutterable acorn --and the red-nose scintillated with wrath -ah W~Ea maiden, and the prseumption tkut she should perform the offices of mater- nity to a lump of a boy of five gears old was 68 THE MACDERMOTS enough to disturb her virgin pence of mind, and ruffle her usual tranquillity.

66 The child’s not my own, sir-you knew that before-it’s a, brother’s wife’s child BB I’m taking back to it8 parents. 1 wish I’d never see’d the coach to sit here upon nothing and be squeeged this way.” I beg ten thousand pardons,’’ continued the guard. cc I really thought the lovely bog had been your own ; and so you haven’t yet experienced the comforts of matrimony ; but you’ll not be long 80.” cc There’s very little comforts here any way, married or single, I wish you wouldn’t crush my bonnet, sir. Can’t you put your arm no where but round my neck 3” This was addressed to father John, who, by way of getting rid of his arm, had put it behind the lady’a shoulders on the luggage.

cc Gentlemen,” ehe oontinued, ‘6 in public conveyances ought to hep their arms to themselved’ OF BALLYCLORAN. 69

c’ I ’beg your pardon, ma’am ; I redly don’t intend to inconvenience you,’’ replied the priest, cc but you see I must put my arm some- where.” The guard could not help laughing at the accusation against father John, when she added, still more ifritated bp his merriment. That’s all very well, sir ; but i don’t choose to have no embraces from no strange gentleman-whether he’s a gentleman or not -so talre your arm out- of that.’’ And she accompanied the dedaration with a punoh at the priest’s ribs with her elbow, which nearly sent him off the coach, This put all the party, except the pig-jobber and the lady herself, into a rom of laughter, in whioh father John, though bIuahing mdet nt the scandnlous insinuation, could not but join. cc Well, Mr. &-lagruth,” said the - gunrd, cc after that you’ll never be able to show your “i 1. faco in Drumsna apiin. Do you really mean r, 70 THE MACDERMOT&

to say, ma’am, that this gentleman wag em- bracing you ? Well, Mr. Magmth, who’d have thought it of B man of your profession P” They had now reached Dromod, where they changed horses ; and where the red-nosed lady asked the ostler, (she was too much offended

to speak to the guard,) for IL glass of water. Thia was given to her ; and she then lugged from her basket a very suspicioua looking bottle, and having carefully emptied about half

the water on father J01111’8 trowsera, poured into the remainder a very considerable qum- titp of some light-coloured fluid out of the bottle, observing that the water wag so bad in these country parts, that one ought not to drink it pure. Whether in its purity it might be objec- tionable or not, she evidently thought it very fair tipple, when mixed, for she swallowed the whole with very little difficulty, and restored the bottle to the provision btdcet.

I Ah,” said the guard to fatter John, as OP BALLFCLORAN. 72 'r'

they were preparing to resume their sent. (6 I thought there was stronger colouring in that nose than what the wind put there. You may take my word for it, there was a pint of whiskey in that bottle when ,&e got on the coach at Boyle ; and I wouldn't give much for what she'll have left of it, when she gets to Dublin." On they started again through one of the uglieet, if not the very ugliest part of Ireland, in fast, a more uuinteresting road than that from Bqle to Dublin it would be impossible to find. The country is moetly flat and un- productive-the bogs numerous-the villages poor-the gentlemen's ,residences few and far between- the .t;owas dirty--and the prospects barren. The first idea that strikes a stranger an passing through this portion of Ireland is astonisl~mcntthat Erin &odd llave had the cpithct grcon applied to it-for certainly in most of the ccntral counties, it is, generally speaking, W brown B country m ever the eye 72 THE MACDERMOTB rested on. On, however, the Boyle coach rattled, and the pasaengers, just at present, thought but little of the want of agreeable objeots to the eye, for at Longford, the next stage, they were to breakfast, and after travelling for four hours on a frosty morning visions of eggs and beefsteaks, ten and tonst afforded, the view to whioh the attention of most was exclusively turnad. They passed by Roorkey, then ZI quiet little village, with an old bridge over the Shannon, but now bus.tling with Shannon commissioners and their Ber- vsnts-young engineers, carpentors, briclc- layers and labourers, busy at their work, disturbing the sleeping river with thoir pilea, coffer darns and masonry-through Newtown ForbeA, with its beautiful and deserted dcmesne -by the Longford Artillery barracks-and at Ia~tthe horses stopped at their well-known appointed spot’before Sutcliff’e hotel.

Such n rush RB there WUB then into tho cofce-room; the Sligo traders were on tho eound m soon as the coach had stopped, determined that on leaving Longford they would not have to regret the expenditure of the eighteen-pence, which their breakfast would cost them; but quick as they were the commercial gents beat them in the race, and had their backs to the fire and their coat tails over their arms before auy one else was in the room. The Sligo traders were,however, first at the table-it was food and not warmth they had to pay for, and in an incredible short space of time each of them had about a pound and a half ofham on his plate before him. The University gentlemen were not backwards either, and called for their food with such voraoity that the waiter rushed into the kitchen demanding furlongs of toast, acres of beefsteaks, and pyramids of eggs.

CC Waiter," said the gallant owner of Rickie Wickie, when the six above-mentioned travellers had about half cleared thetable, VOL. TIT. E 74 THlG MACDERMOTS

6' what ia there for breakfast, waiter-damn it -1 gee nothing-do you call this breakfast ?" cc Tea - steaks - chops - ham-beef-and eggs, air," said the rapid waiter in a breath. cg Hot steaks in h&' a minute-better ait down, sir-only twenty minuteB-take tea, sir 3" And 'the sporting Captain was absolutely obliged to Bit dawn an$ drink tea out of, the Same pot which had supplied the Sligo truder; Father John and MF. Biddulph, -the Bal- lina Squire, were also *warmly at vork-not being so fastidious as tho Captain-they found tea -steaks-chopa- ham- beef and eggs, sufficient, .and not. HO greedy a~ the others, they saw no necessity in choking themsdves. The fou* femalea now carne in, and clustered round the fire ; females travelling in stage eoaches never eat breakfastmon always do if they have eighteen-pence to pay for it-sometimes even W hen they bave not-from this 1 am led to believe that fernalei genorally are OF BALLYCLORAN. 75 more powerful than the nobler BOX in resisting atrong temptation, and "Iknow none rstronger than that of a good breakfkst after travelling four hours on o cold March morning. ,Our friend, however, with the cotton umbrella, which, with her bdet, she still pertinaciously kept with her, evidently did nqt deapiae th0 comfort which mitable refreshment afforde to the inward man or woman; for having obtained the choap luxury of a glaas of water, and having again had recurrence to the calum- niated bottle, she, together with her charge, set to work at the buns. The urchin bellowed lustily for tea; but his aunt instead of gratifying BO mawkish a taete, dosed him with grog -no doubt remembering that if y.ou.trainup a child in the way he should go, he will not depart from it in hie old age. During all this time the fat gentleman had been endeavouring to warm his fingers without disturbing any body, ancl hiling in that; had regaled himself with sundry cups of tea- E3 76 THE &LACDERMOTB and slices of buttered toast, under the influ+ ence of which his face had become a little lem purple than it bad heretofore been ; and he mas juet giving father John some of hie im- pressiona on Ireland, for he wa8 a touring Londoner, when the guard announced that the horses were putting to ; out rushed the COI- legiane in a trepidation lest the horses that were out should be off without them. Slowly and deliberately begm the commercial gents to button their coata, and arrange their leg- ginge. The Sligo traders took a last, large desperate cut at the half consumed loaves of bread to make up the last pennyworth af the value of the money. The three rather ancient Miss Biddulphs bundled into the interior, followed by their father ; father John and his fat friend toddled off together, and the red-noaed lady, eagerly swallowing the last drop of her precious grog, and hastily repacking the buns and the bottle, seized hold of the basket, the boyt I v,

77 ?B OF ßALLYCLORAN. and the umbrella, and hurried out to see‘ what favourble arrangement she might make in obtaining a more comfortable seat for herself and her possessions. ‘‘ And have you got PO ladder, young man,

for ladieo ?” l ‘‘ A ladder, marrn, is it-why thin there is a ladder, but it’s shuk mostly.” ‘‘ And how am I to get up ? do you think I’m going to step up on that wheel there-no such thing-you must get me a chair.”

cc John,” said the ostler to the guard, who

now carne cut, c( here’s a lady whnd wants z chair, she’s afeard the wheel an’t sthrong enough to bear her weight.”

(6 I’m very sorry, marm, we haven’t a ladder, but if you’ll alEow me, you’ll be up in half B moment.” And the guard proceeded to lift her up bodily by. the waiat ; unfortunately at this moment father John came round to get his m&; and the modest maiden now suspended 76 WE-UCDEBHOTS mid-way between the coach top and the gronnd, screamed out- cc Now, air, ifyodl go away, I’ll be obliged, for I don’t want none of your attentiom- it’s very hard a young woman mn’t keep her own lega to herself in public-but the likes of pou muet come Bpying at them.’’ Her modestynearly occasioned her total discomfiture ;for the guard wae t30 overwhelmed with laughter that he all but dropped her- however, ah0 was landed at last, and deliber-t ately aeated herself in the middle seat, which had been occupied by one of the Sligo traderg. Then there was her dear duck of a darling to be handed up, and her preciouabasket, and her cotton umbrella.

cc You might have left that op the coach, marm, with perfeat safety,” said John, as he handed up the rattling antiquity. , I don’t know,” rejoined the lady, cc these light fingered gentry as manages the 0819~0 irr too fond. of making off with what ain’t theis own, when they find anything of value about on coaches. I knowe their wpye.” By this time father John,.the fat gentleman, and the pig-jobber were up,, and the twa fmders, with their jaws still at full work, began to wend the ,wheels.

“ I’ll throuble pou, miefhsess, to,get QU^ of that, W’ you plaae-that’! my plpoe.” Ie it me, sir? I thought my gentleman as WBE a gentleman would give up his place to a lady on zt coach.’’ cc Faith-I don’t know much about that- $he ladies go inside mostly, I believe-so, av’ you plaze, I’ll throuble pu,to move.” The lady, olutqhed her umbrella, ‘but didn’t move-and the .Sligo naan of rnuaçlf: put h+ brswny hand oz1 her shoulders to lift her out of the place. cc Guard-guard,” shrieked she, cc I looke to you for protection-I look to you to protect me from this ruffiantake your hands off mes

c 80 TEE MACDERMOTS

Bir-I’m not accustomed, sir, to be pulIed about by any common fellow like YOU ’’ Nonsense owld girl ;out of that, and take yer own place-it’ll be long enough before 1 touch yoa there.” cc Guard, I look to you for protection, if 1 sit over there-1 beg your pardin, gentlemen, for mentioning it-but if I sÎt over there, P how 1’11 be sick--I alwys womits with my back to the osm.”

cc Perhaps Rir,’’ intcrposed John, Lb zt~the Xady’s stomach Beema to be a little delicate, you’ll give way this once ; maybe she’e not quite in health this morning, and you’d find it a little inconvenient if she was overtaken with one of those disagreeable fits.” (c Dilicate be d-¿l,” anmered the Sligoman, IC av she’s afeard of being sick, md don’t want to ‘ womit’ as she calle it, she’d botter lave the sperrite alone-out of this, I say-1 mane to have mg plaae, 11 tell go--m toddle.” ‘8P BALLYCLORAN.

c This allusion to the innocent bottle in her private basket utterly exaeperated the lady ; she jumped out of the seat, and flounced into the fat gentleman’s lap, throwing her nephew into father John’s armg.

‘c You nasty, vile, low-born ruffian, to offer proteotian, if X to put your nasty, filthy hands on me, you ?&n, gentlamon, main debased oreture. You to t& of sperrits, % over there, X that is drunk morning, noon, and night, when womit8 with mg. you gets it for nothing ; you think I don’t know you, Mr. Mooney-do you ?-can you tell me the price of red herrings in Sligo-eh Y you vile, filthy creture you.”

‘C It’s you that are a lady, a’nt it 3’’ said her adversary Romewhat irritated by the allueion to red herrings, c( it’s you that have a dilicate atomach ]-faix the gintlemnn you’re sitting on is a dale more good-natured than I’d be, nv auch a rantipole jade RH you stuck hereelf down on my kncee.” Thc war oontinued far three or four miles,

till ly degrees the Guard quieted the GOD E5 tending parties, by persuading the man ta hold his tongue, and by allowing tbe woman to scold till she ,was tired, whioh soon occurred whb she wa8 no longer answered. The latter by degrees resumed her old place next to thoughc, father John, tranaferring the boy alternately diffiren to him and to her fat neighbour on the other side. She did not, however,. fail to turn a oautious eye from time to time to the priest, town to counteract any of the amatory intentions on his part of whioh Bhe seemed to be in suok continual awe. They now reached Edgeworth's Town, and the guard pointed out to the Englishman the residence of the autborose of whom Ireland - may well be so proud ; I doubt if any travel that road, however poor or uneducated they may be, without looking with some degree of interest to the house where Maria Edgeworth is still living, and where alle has pasaed tho greategt part of SO long and ao valuable a life. Then they passed through Rathowen, Mu17 OX BALLYCLORAN, a3 lìngar, and @negad, places conepicuoua for their dirt, remembered only for-the number of beggplrs by which they are inhabited, across the Boyne ao celebrated in Irish history, though in thie spot only a murky stream, very different from the magnifioent river which at a few miles distance across the same county is able to bear the wealth of nations into the town of Drogheda, through Enfield and Ki- aork-mieerable ~pecimenvof the poverty of Iriah towns--and within a few yarda of the College of Maynooth. To what wrath and sorrow-to what indlg- nafion and vexation has that word lately given rise in the minda of the truly orthodox mem- bers o€ the Church of England. In that oollege is tp ba implanted the seeds, all tho piety which ie to foster and instruct the reli- ,gious feeling of Ireland-which is to restrain the vice and animate the virtue of thirtytwo counties, and which not only is to do it, but which does it ; whgtever reli&u,fl iytruption 84 THE MXCDERMOTB

the people of those counties do get, is from Blnynooth ; but yet how horrid is it that its students should be fattened by the oontribu- tions of Protestants, and that the wealth of the orthodox shbuld be squandered in enabling them to sleep in separate beds. It is now pretty generally admitted that we cannot convert these staunch Romtmists to Protestantism-that they will adhere ta their old tenets and principles, and that they are likely to remain in the errors which they love so well-nay more, it is pretended hy many that they are re-converting ue-that if nny essential movement is being made by either party, that it is the Church of Rome, which is advancing. Prieets, therefore, of the Xoman persuasion are, it is to be presumed, necessary, and yet it ia considered better to have untaught, or poorly taught clergymen among the paor, than men, who, by having their minds opened by the proceRa of a more liberal education, will enter on thoir dutiea

i L 03' BALLYCLOBAN. S5 with abated prejudices, and enlightened feelings. It is alleged that the priests of the present day are dangeroua men-enthusimtw political fanatics and Ligota ; if it is ao are theae faults most likely to be found in an imperfectly, or in highly educatedcharacter? if in the former, sure the more that is done for the priests of the next generation, the less likely are they to be imbued with the crirues which are now attributed to their pre- decessors. After leaving Maynooth, our travellers passedunder the walls of Carlton, the mag- nificent seat of Ireland's only Duke, through the pretty village of Liexlip, pretty enough ta give the lie direot to my former declaration that the road from Boyle to Dublin would be found all barren. The Liff ey at Leixlip is a beautiful river and the salmon- leap above the town is fully worthy of all the picnio parties which Dublin aonda forth to fish, eat cold lamb, and drink cold punch on 86 THE MACDERMOTS.- ita margin ; but now when the coach rattled Over the bridge it W~Edark ; it was past six Q’çlock, and in spite of the work they had performed at Longford, the whole party were looking forward with impatience to reaching the gas-lamps of the metropolis, and encountering the pleasures of dinner. The Lady had,by no means discontinued her vigita to the, bottle in consequence of the ill-natured remark made by the herring-merchant ; she evidently scorned any auch pusil- lanimity. At Mullingar she had refreBhed herself, and again at Kinnegad, at euch, of thoee places obtaining, as 8h~had done before, the loan of n glass of mater ; but after that, actuated, no doubt, by a dislike to give un- requited trouble to the waiters and ostlers dong the road, she lifted the bottle to her lipa au occasion required, and took the liquor neat, and by the time that the coach had passed Leixlip, it aeemed highly ’&$probable / from her situat.ion, that ahe would soon com.. Oli' BALLYCLORAN. 89

I mence carrying into exeoution the threat 'which she made at Longford, whilst battling for. the seat which her uncourteous adversary would not give her. The care of the child she had entirely re- linquished to the fat gentleman, who had been toa good-natured to repulse the unwel- urchin, and who had in oonsequeaoe mbjeoted himself to a degree of martyrdom, not to be conceived by the hard hearted, in allowing the boy to atand wedged in between birr ownlegs. She had long since ceased to shew fear at the proapect of father John's embraces, and waa continually making efforts to lay her head lovingly on his shoulders, which he, less humane than the other neighbour, aa often declined. Still, however, she rotained the umbrella, and every time he hoiated the brown straw bonnet from his arm, she rattled the loosewhalebones, and gave the guard an angry, drunken stare, 88 much as to äny, ahe knew what she mae

doing 8s well as any one, and thnt she didn’t mean to bear no insinuations from nobody? They passed through Lucan, Palrnerstown, and Chapelizod by the Phoenix wdk, and un- ‘der the huge mile-atone which bad taste and ten thousand poundu, some five and twenty years since erected, in honour of the Duke of Wellington, affording, probably, the inatame in which the largest aum of money and the mor& taste, were allied together in constructing the ugliest and most unmeaning record of illustrious deeds.

cc You go along the quays, don’t you, John f” ‘‘ Yeg, Mr. MagrZtth; answered the guard, cc mill you get down there ?” ‘‘ Yes, if you please--nt; the end of Capel- i” street ; you can give me the bag uut, can’t; you, without going to the office ?‘’

I OF BB~;LYCLORMT. 89

Ir Certainly I will ; will you be wanting a cab P” Oh no-it’s only a, few doors I have to walk-I’ll carry the bag myself.” .can, Pa1meret;awq And they were the quayg passed mix walk, and, uw now on the Four Courts, that busy scene of Irish &h bad taste and by wit and Irish love of Iaw, and ‘soon reached L five and twenty the point where father John was to leave his honour of th@ fellow-travellers. He gut down gladly from ling, probablg, the seat, where he had been long enough to est aum of mons1 become throughly tired of his companions, allied togather ia gave hie shilling to the guard, and started 3 most UP~BDD@ off for hia brother’s the butter-seller, with his bag under his arm and a good appetite. We bave not space to follow the coach to Dawson-street, to see what wag the fate of the red-nosed lady and her possessions, or how the coachman failed in his attempts on the pockets of the Sligo traders, nor to haar the gratitude he expressed, when the Captaie re- warded with a treble fee the attention he had 90 THE MBGDERXOTS paid to. dl the circumstances connected with the birth, breeding, qualitíea, and performances of Eiokie Wickie, &E we must return to father John, and ascertain what success he - had in opening the heart and the purse-strings of his brother in Capel-street. OF BALLYCLORAN. 91

CHAPTER III.

WHENfather John left the coach he walked on, surrounded by applicants for the capet bagL and a gratuity, Will I be getting it thin yer honor. ?”

ICThin I’ll carry it to the other eide of the oit; for yer riverence for two-pence.”

Sbure thin I’ll take -it all round the county,>. for a penny.”

Cc The lies of yer riverence thin wouldn’t be demaining yerself by carrying yer own porkmanty through the town.”

Cc Musha thin yer honer’s riverence, I’m the poor boy that all the jintlemen knows, ’tick- lerly the clargy-won’t I be getting it ?”

d 82 THE MACDERMOTS By the time, however, that the lot had nearly succeeded in wrenching the bag fiwm his hand, father John had reached his bro- thër’s house, and disappointed them all by rushing from their clutches, bag and all, into the shop. Ris brother had been acquainted with his intention, and consequently the family were hot surprised at his arrival ; out carne the butter-man himself from behind one of the counters, with his greasy apron still about his loins ; out carne the butter-man’s wife from behind the other, with a huge pinafore covering her extended bosom and capacious front, and out rushed, from the inner parlour, the butterman’s young fry to welcome their unde with greasy fingera and unctuous kisses. There was certainly a great savour of the trade about father John’e relations ; but still they were not only his nearest, but ae far W he knew, his only relations, and they were very dear to him. The name of fatlor, bro- OF BALLYCLORAN. 93

eher, and uncle were pleasant in his ear, and although the family, such aa they were, very probably were not such as he would have, chosen as his friende, they still had sufficient sterling quditiee among them, to make hi fully satisfied with them as his kindred. His brother loved him and always made him welcome ; his sister-in-law was as warmly attached to him, nod was continually scolding him for not coming up to Dublin, and scolded him when he was there €or going away again, and the caresses of his little nephews and nieces were so fur difkrent from anything he could ever enjoy ia his own cold,deeolate home, that in spite of the reminiscences of the strese which their fingers were sure to leave OR his new black coat, he always entered his brother's houae with pleasure and left it with regret. He was soon seated at i& dinner, with his brother on oneside, mixing hot brandy and waterfor him, and the wife on the other,pouring out tea, for

' 99 a TBE~JMACD3RMOTS it waB eight olclook before he had weshed his t hands and face, got the cold out of his toes, and ehaken hands and kissed the party’often enough to be able to eit down in comfort, cc Now, John take that-that’s the stuff’ll drive the cowld out of you-never mind the tay till by and bye,” said the brother.

Ir A cup of tea’s the best thing in life after a journey-tnke my advice, John, a, cup of tea’s the surest thing in life to warm you,” said the &ter-in-law.

IC Will I give you another tatoe, unde

John 3” said one brat, cc Won’t I be helping you to some gravy ?” bawled B second, and suiting the action to the word nearly cap- R sized B spoonful of grease into th0 priest’s lap. CCDoesn’tunole John wnnt a bit more bread ?” suggested I third, who on the spur of the moment nearly cut his finger off in hi3 llospitable intentions to supply the wants of hig ravered kinsman. AB mon aa his more pressing wants were , OT8 OF BULYCLORAN. 96

aupplied, and the children bad been, after many eolicitations, at length somewhat sternly dismissed to bed by their mother, with a kind blessing and warm kiae from their uncle, father John at once begm to open to hier brother the chief purpose which -had brought him up to Dublin. ‘‘ Tom,” said he, I’m going to do what 1 never did before to you or to any man, and what, 1 hope, I shan’t aoon have to do again-I’m going to ask you to lend me some money.” Tom was o man who loved hie money-much butter had he to sell monthly before be could add to the stock which he was lying by rte a

I provision for his age, and that of Sarah, the wife of his bosom, and for the maintenance of the little Tornlings and Sallys, who would have at Borne future time to be turned out from the pnr6uts’ nest ; selling butter by the. pound, half pound, qurtrter, pound, and pennyworth, he had found no very easy labour, and 96 THE MACDERMOTlg

that which a man wins with the sweat of hinr brow ia dear to him-his face therefore became rather elongated at the intelligence, and he assumed somewhat a bok of woe. I hope it d’nt much John, for times is very bad, and butter is fell a’most to nothing at all.” (c TOtell the truth I’m so little accustomed to borrowing, that I don’t know whether you’ll call it much or little; but the worst is I don’t know when I shall, or if ever I shall, be able to pay it. back agai’n.”

cc That’s a bad way o€ borrowing, John.” cg May be it is so-may be it sounds too much like begging ; but at any rato you shan’t any I deceived you about it.’’

cc That’s thrue any way-but still lending on them terms won’t feed ~lrman’s family.” Come, Tom, I don’t think you’re so badly off 813 that-if you were, I wouldn’t nsk you for thsum T want. Indeed, proasing m is the necessity for which it ia requid K . l,‘ I

IERMOTB OF BALLYCLORAN. 97

wouldn’t ask it if 1 thought you’d ever feelt t he loss.” Tom, the butterman, knew well that his bok of woo. brother had built himself a somewhat more than ordinarily nice cottage, in hid own ,pariah --and he was not aware whether the said cottage had get been paid for-when his brother told him that he mastwantingto borrow money, it vary naturally occurred to him that the sum he wns to advance,and which it aeemed he was expected to lend -without any chance of being repaid, was to pay the builder -md the idea that he was either to rob his be it souada tpo eatate at one blow of three or four hundred pounds-or else to refuse to accommodate his I loved and venerated brother, awiously disturbed his equanimity, he watched hie head, and atirred his punch, fidgetted in his chair, and began to look very hot and oily. Ah, m for that, John, a man with a family like me can’t bave a loss, and not fed it-and pretty dm,rpIy too. I’m awe J thought we’d VOL. m. F 98 THE BUCDERMOTS

never get over it, when Stiggine, sa used to keep the Waterloo, failed, and let us in for two hundred and forty-but, come, out with it -let ua hear how much it is-and we’ll see how far we cm go.” Why then, the BUM I want is twenty pounds.” Tom waa greatly relieved-if his brother had aeked him for half-a-crown before the horrible idea of the cottage had got into his head, he would have thought aa little about it. Twenty pounds I why man alive, you frightened me out of my life the wny you began. I thought it was to be five hundred at least, you pulled euch a long face about it, and that you know would be very serious with a baby coming every year.” cc Now, Mr. Mag,” for by this tender &p- pellative did Mrs. Magrath always address her husband. Now, Mr. Mag., how can you my any such scandal-wasn’t Minnoy fourteen montha when baby was born--and isn’t Jack

I OP BALLYCLORAN- ’99 the full thirteen months older than MLnney- and I’m sure baby’ll he above the year, when the next comes-that’s if I’m right-and I believe you’ll own I’m seldom much out; in my c~lculations.’’ cc They come quick enough anyhow to make a man look sharp about him-if he dont wkh them to run about with naked backs and empty bellies. Ah, John, you happy fellows eaczlpe a deal of cares, which we married meLl has to go through.”

Is I don’t think you’d change with me-and I’m sure you’d be wrong if you would-it was only just now, when I ~awthe children all round you, I waa thinking what a happy man you were. Sarah must be giving me one of the boys some of these dayH, to make a priest of-and I long promised one of the girls to keep my boum”

Cc You shall pi& and ohoose, John-when they’re old enough-you shall pick and choose -they’re dccont good children-though they B3 100 THE MACDERMOTS are so troublesome-1 don’t know well what I’d do without them.” cc Do without them indeed, Mr. Mag.--& precious father of a family you’d be without any children,’’ t‘ That’s thrue, my dear,” answered the butterman, cc but enough’s m good oa 8 feast, they my.” Well; Mr. Mag., and whose fault is it if you’ve got too many, I’d like to know if it’e not your own.” and 1 cc Faith then, Sarah, I can’t say, unless it’e ‘t I yours.” tima1 c( But to return to bu sin es^," said the priest, cg can you let me have the twenty pound, I’m wanting 3 for I must settle that at once.” Twenty pound,” said the butterman, now tay Iaatl in the height of ‘good humour, ‘c of course I ;I can in 8 jiffey, or forty either, if you vvanted it, John,” and he put hie hand affeotionatdp on his brother’s knee, cc it was only when OF BLLLYCLORAN. 101

YOU put it into my head that it was hundreds you werewanting, that I began thinking of the brats, that are fast asleep in their beds by this time, God bless them-so that’s settled- at least, it will be when you’ve got the rhino, and you shall have that to-morrow morning, if that’ll do you-and now let’s be cosy-it’s nigh two yema sime you put your feet under the table, and now you are here, we’ll try and malm you comfortable.”

IC What in spike of times being so very bad, and butter down almost to nothing l’’ cc Oh, bother butter now -and as for the times-there’s no time like the present, they aay-ao, Sarah, let’s have something hot for supper-what with the children playing, and what with the cowld, and your wishy washy tay slop, John didn’t get a bit at all yet, at laste, not a bit that’d do him any good.” And now, the question of the money being 80 satisfactorily settled, the three proceeded as Toll1 said, to make themselves cosy-and very

c, 102 THE MACDERMOTS cosy and comfortable they were--from the supper which Mrs. Magrath pl#ovided--and the quality of the brandy and whihy, wlioh were on the table, one would have said that the depreciated state of trade in the Irish me- tropolie, respecting which th0 patriots made 80 many, and auch grievous moans, had not at any rate yet affected the butter business ; for there appeared neither atinginess-nor yet very close economy in any of Mis. Magrath’e family arrangements ; and though, doubtless, the worthy master of the house had, as he had asid, Ioet two hundred and fifty pounds by that villain Stigging of the Waterloo, no one would have said, from his appearance that night, that he had my immediate prospect of the horrors of bankruptcy himself. After supper, father John told them tho purpose for which he wanted the twenty pounds, and thoy both expressed great sympathy for the unfortunato young man and his aister, and yet the good citizen would not ap-

J COTS OF BALLYCLORAN. 103

prove of hid brother’s expending twenty pounds on TLady’s defence.

c‘ It ain’t that I begrudge the money, John, that I’m lending you for your own pleasure ; a8 long 8s you were pleased I didn’t care if you pitched it into the Liffey-but it do mxn a

pity to he giving ’m much money to them scoundrelly lawyera. If the young man didn’t murder the other young man-why he didn’t -and surely the jury wouldn’t hang him, i€ he’s innocent, because you don’t pay twenty pounds to a mm in 8 wig to tell them so.” cc But you aee the government will pay an-

other man in 8 wig to get up and tell the jury that he is guilty-and, therefore, if we Can’t get some one to tell them he is not, may be tl1ey’ll believe the first fellow they hear.” What, and hang n man because he was protecting his eister, and killed another fellow by 8 rap on the hend-not if I was on the jury they wouldn’t-but haven’t the young man 104 THE MACDEBMOTS property of his own--or his father-it’s vel-y hard any way you should have tu pay twenty pounds to protect an innocent man.’’ Father John did not tell him that not only he, but twoothers likewise, were giving eimilar sums for the same purpose, ae thnt w-ould have made thematter less oornprehensibla to his brother, so he dropped the subject, and con- tented himself with reflecting that he hac1 not had his journey to Dublin for nothing. On theneat morning he started at about ten 02cloak to adon Mr. O’MnlIey, the barrister-that gentleman lived in Clare-atreet- and on knocking, father John wa8 informed by the servant that his master would not be disengaged before two ; ho had, therafore, the whole morning to ka,but in n town such as Dublin, which 110 visited but once in every,two or three years, thnt could sot be diffxcnlt. It was a holyday, and there would be maso al; twelve o’clock in Marlbro’ Street, he would . i

OP BALLYCL’ORAN. 105

go there. SO he returued along Leicester- atreet, ancl Nassau-street-not the Nassau- street of the present day, since it has been thrown open to the gardens of Trinity College, end nmcle one of the handsomest streets in Europe-but the Naasau-strect of ten years since, when it was as narrow, dirty, orowded and disagreeable as any large and throsged thoroughfare need be, through the bottatu of Grafton-street, between the gates of Trinity and the famous statue of pious, glorious and immortal Willy-under the splendid portico of tho bank, by fm the finest building in Ireland --down Weetmoreland- street, over Carlisle Bridge, und up Sackyille-street till he reached the foot of the splendid pillar, with which Ireland has testified her admiration of Eng- land’s naval hero. The taete which has been disgla,yed in erecting the pillar in this megnifi- Gent street to Nelson’s honor, must, it is pre- sumecl, be teken in atonement for the atroci- QUd pile of gigantic stones with which th F5 106 THE ~UCDBRMOTB

Duke of Wellington had been disgraced in the Phoenix Park. It wag now nearly twelve, and he turned down Ede-street into &laxlbro’-street, and entered the chapel. The square cold look of this building always failed to inspire him with that religious awe, which the long aisles, pointed cross, and beautiful arches of the con- tinental churches had long years sinue 00 frequently and ao strongly generated in hia bosom --and before the service began he could not but regret that they had not a St. Peter’A, a Notre Dame, or a St. Gudule’s in Ireland, where the zeal and faith of the multitude so richly merited such a prize ; but when the service was being performed, and when he observed the devout submission with which the enormow congregation of poor there assembled, attended to their religious dutieB, he . could not but reflect that what they wanted in edifices they made up in faith, and that I OP BALLYCLORAN, 107 they gained more in sincerity than they lacked in wealth. In Europe there is no country where the religion of nome is so sincerely trusted to, and acted on as in Ireland. In France it now, where it exists, servea for little better then amusement. In Spain so long its etrong hold -its enthusiasm has all but perished, and the church even now is fighting against itself. In Italy, even in tho Papal States, it ie considered rather a~ zl gorgeous pageantry than as a religion sent from God for the guidance of . mankind. In Flanders it bears the neareat remnblance to the warm fidelity of Ireland- but even there it is among the women that its etronginfluence is to be found. Rarely in either of these countries one finds men of du- ciation believing in, aubmitting to, and guided by the religion which they possess, and allowing that by that only can they regulate thoir COLI~UG~in this world, and hope to meet E& vation. in thc next. I-

108 THE UCDEBIKOTEI

Such is the case though in Ireland-the people have a real though sincere belief in their creed-whether they act according to íta tenets or no-whether they are good or bad they no more doubt the truth of the doctrines they have learnt than they doubt their own existence. I have met no Romanist Irishman who would expressthe remotest doubt aa to any portion of the doctrines of the creed of‘ hie church-miraculous and difficult to believe as they are-and it is this unahaksn belief- this firm sincerity of trust which has kept Ire- land so faithful to her church, through all the frightful means which have been talcen to convert her.

When mass was over, fathor John retracecl I his steps to the lewyer’g and was.lucky enough after kioking his hcele for about an hour in an anti-room to obtain an audience of the tuan of business. Mr. O’MaUey wa8 sitting behind n huge- table covered with papers in & kack’p&lour

d I =Y

OF BBLLPCLORAN. 109

of the house. He was a emall, dark, swarthy mm,with small bright eyes, large black eye- brows, and I quantity of very black hair. The upper part of his -countenance would have given him m austere stern look, had it not been for the good-humoured Ismile which continually played around the corner of hie mouth. The Reverend Mr. Magrath, I believe,” anid the lawyer ; ‘‘ I presume you have done me the honor of calling respecting that lamentable case at Garrick.’’ Exactly so,” sdthe priest, astonished to find that the lawyer knew hi8 business so well. Yes-Messrs, I3sll and Tomkins mentioned your name when they handed me the first instructions-and my friend E.Webb, of Ardrnore, has written, explaining some of the oircumstances of the case somewhat cur- sorily-and informing me that I should have -the pleasure of seeing you-you are interested, I believe, Mr. Magrsth, in the matter, and

ri‘ 1 l0 TflE MACDI3RMOTS

Webb tells me that you are very sanguine in the hope of an acquittal.” Indeed I: am, Mr. O’Malley--and it ie on that account alone that I have come up to Dublin at present-my object is to learn from you whether I have good grounds for being sanguine in that hope-or whether the cir- cumstancea oonnected with this unfortunatc event are such ae to endanger tho life of uly poor young friend, who is at present in Carrick

gaol. ” cc That is a question I may be better able to answer after I have hoard from you the full particulars of the case-but 1 should surmise from the fact of a man of your character and prdèssion, feeling BO warm an interest on behalf of the prisoner, that there must bc features in the cage greatly to palliate tho deed which, I fear, there is no doubt the young man committed.

cc Not the slightest doubt, Mr. O’..Malley- not the slightest doubt on earth--und Mr. Mao- OF BALLYCLORbN. 111

dermDt, the young mm himself, I mean, has particularly begged that no attempt may be made to give rise to auch W doubtthat his defence may not at all rest on the point whether it was he that absolutely killed Captain Umher -for he openly avows that it was-but on this-that from the manner in which the deed was done, it was evidently not his premedí- tated intention to cause death-and that the circumstances and provocation which led to the attack, were fully sufficient to justify him in inflicting such punishment on the man now dead, :M ha would probably be able to inflict 011 a mm with a &tout stick, the instrument

, which, a8 you are aware, WRB used.”

(C I see-in fact, I nearly heard as much from Hall, the attorney, though not exactly

a8 YOU put it, I understood from HaIl that Macderrnof wished to justify the deed, under the plea that he was avenging, or preventing a presumed rape-a violent attack 011 his eister.” *

a 112 THE MACDERNOTS Not at all, Mr. O’Malley, not in the least to justify the deed-but to justif’y that which accidentally - caused the deed.

IC Exactly-exactly--as you’re a Connaught man, Mr. Macgrath-I’m very glad you’re in the ohurch, and not in the law-if you were

R barrister, no one on the circuit would have a chance against you. But now before I go into circumstances of the fact itself, I must get QU to answer me one or two questions- and in the first place I must earneatly beg pou-as I should desire the young mart hinlself were I talking with him-not to czonceal from me any portion of his real conduct, however criminal it may have been. As I believe Mr. &Iacdermot’s position in life was respectable- nncl especially as he &ems to have been, nay,

I may add, to be personally 1~ friend of your own, I am sorry to say anything which, on his account, may hurt your feelings-but there may have been much that was very wrung- in the eye of‘ the law very criminal-in hiB rs OB BALLYCLORAN. 113 conduct-and yet he may not in intention have been guilty of the crime for which he i8 to be tried-but you must remember that I cannot hope to conceal that from the jury, which my client conceals from ’ myself. I cannot expect to influence their miude on a subject, with the whole circumstances of which I am not myself thoroughly acquainted.”

cc Certainly not-but there is nothing to conceal. Thady, thnt is Mr. Mncdermot,

wishes to conced nothing-all he wants is to m have the very truth-the very bottom of the truth laid open-the influence he wishee you I to u~eon the minds of judge, jury, and all, is i to show them from absolute facts that ho is no k murderer. It is not only to awe his neck from the rope-but dao to shelter hia ohnrac- ter and name from the ignominy, with which too many are already willing to defile it, that my friend is desirous to aoquire the full weight of your energies and ability. You said just now thnt he waa once my friend - that

i 114 TliE MACDERMOT8 perhaps he might still be so. H I werfyot more warmly his friend now, than I evedime been before, I should be ashamed of lnydf- for I am surely convinced that no crirn; has placed him in the situation, in which he now is-and whether acquitted or convicted-mhe- ther disgracefully hung, or restored to his nf- flicted family, I shall always be equally certain of hie innocence.”

cc I am glad to bave to endeavour to defend a client of whom you think so well; but do not allow your kind feelings too blind you, or to blind me to, we will eay-any follies he may have committed, or our blindness may occasion him to pay n heavy penalty for them. If, as you say, there is nothing to conceal, his is, comparatively speaking, an easy caso to conduct; but I was afraid that there was much which we ought, if not to conceal, at any rate to endeavour to render doubtful. In the first place is he not, or was he not n ribbon- mau ?”

I, rom OF BALLYCLORAN. I15 Decidedly not.” cc Had he not joined some seoret sooiety 4’’

cc Never. I’ll tell you, if you’ll let me, the whole and absolute truth about that.” ‘‘ 1’11 not only let you, but I’ll particularly beg you to do so ; but I think it fair to tell yob, in the first place, that the crown solicitor is prepared not only to prove, that the young man had joined some such society-but also that in one of the meetings of that society, Umher’s death waa canvassed and decidecl on ; and, moreover, thnt the prisoner was preaent at thnt meeting, took B strong part in that dis- cumion, and warmly concurred inthat cleci- aion.”

6‘ Impossible, Mr. O’MaIley 1 it is perfectly impossible that anything Gan be proved which is so absolutely falac.” Well, X have told you wha-t the other side is prepared to prove ; whether they will suc- ceed in doing so is mother question ; and now will you tell me what means me have of dis- 116 THE MACDERMQTB I proving any of these things-that ia, getting more credible witnesees, or witnesses equally so, to disprove that, to which the Government witneases will, as I tell you, most assuredly be prepared to swear.”

6‘ He never joined any auch sooiety, Mr. O’Malley, on my word, as a man and a servunt of God.” Now, Mr. Magrath, you’re losing the character I gave you 8s a lawyer. I am ready to admit that he did not do so-nt any rate I am eure you feel confident that he didn’t ; but tell me now, were you in a jury box, what weight would you give to an unsupportod AE- sertion, such z1~that you just made-why it would not have the slightest influenoe on your verdict. It is proof we must II~VO. €Io is innocent till proved guilty; but wlmz proved guilty, he will be held to be so, unless WO again can prove him innooent.” Must his life then be awom mvay by villains and perjnrers-men whoso reckless IQTS I OF BALLSCLORAN. 117

malice will, I f’ear, induce them to swear anything.’’ cc I hope mt-if the motives whioh bring the crown witnesses into the box axe such na you state them to be, we mag, by adducing proof8 of certain concurrent circumstances, invalidate their evidence, even though we may not be able to bring up other witnesses to swear directly that the testimony against the prisouor is false-we may know that the man or men giving that evidence or are unworthy of that belief, that they were themselves guilty parties now enc1ep;vouring to acreen tlmmsclvee, or we may provo from their own mouths a portion of their own words to be false ; but at present I am talking on n subject with wkich I am but imperfectly acquainted,,and with the whole details of whioh I should be intimate.” Mr, O’Malley then searched among the papers ou the table till he foupd the one he

_*Y 118 TEE UCDERMOTB

required, and continued looking rapidly OVC~ the pages ofthe document he held.

6‘ Wasn’t this young man prment at a country wedding on Thursday the 16th of October last.” (c He was at tbe wedding party certainly.” ‘c Well, now will you tell me exactly your version of what occurred there as far as your friend is concerned ?” Father John then told him as concisely as he could the exact facts of that evening, as he had eince learnt them from Thady : he told him that Thzldy had certainly spoken, previously to that evening, of joining aome illegal meeting which certain of the men in the country were in the habit of holding at Mohill ; and he exd plained how he had been tempted to do thiu by Brady, aftor the insult which he Lad undergone from ISecgan. That he had cotlsequcntly met some of the party at Mrs. Meeharh on the night of the L againa it appl OF BALLYCLORAN. 119

wedding-that he had there got drunk-and had now no exact recollection of what had taken place-but that McGovery had over- 16th of O heard a portion of what did take place at that meeting-and that it wasaccording to him that Reegan was threatened and not Umher. Well now,” said the barrister, at thid point, that’s something like ; was this McGovery one of the party ?”

cc No, he was not-he was endeavouring to overhear what them men were talking of-as he suspected them of plotting aomething.”

cc But can he swear that he overheard all that was anid 3” He oannot do that.”

CF But he can awear that Keegm methreat- ened.” cc He cm swearthnt he overheard something about Keegm and a bog hole.”

U That’s very vague-and would tell more agaimt UB than for ua-for this Reegan, who it appears was threatened with some injury 120 THE MBCDEEMOTS

at that very meeting, has since been mutilated on Maodermot’s property. I am afraid we muat leave him done-it wouldn’t be safe to put him in the witness box.” cc But, Mr. O’Mdey, although I believe there mere some aenseless threats uttered; surely the fact, which this man-and indeed which I could prove, that Thady Macdermot was drunk at the time-would show that Uasher’s death could not have been owing to thofie threats.” c‘ In the first place I tell you it wouldn’t be safe to put MoGovcry in the box at all-in the second place, I fear you could only prove he was drunk after the meeting, and not at it ; thirdly, his being drunk at it could be no excuBe far his voluntarily going to it, a8 that man Brady will prove that he did-for he pro- miaed to do so ; and lastly, if the jury believe that he did go to that meeting with the inten- tim of plotting the murder of the man, whom he afterwards killed, they oould not-no jury couId look on the fact of his being intoxicated while there as any point, not if it were proved beyond doubt that he were as drunk as Ba,c- chus. No, Mr. Magrath, who were the other parties at that meeting. Do you know any of the other men? the men concerncd, I mean 3”

L‘ I know who two of them were.” Very bad clxmcters, I suppose?” ve bean owjjqp cc Why certainly none of the best.” Whose tenants ?” Both tenants of old Mr. Macderrnot.”

cc That’s bad ; but this Brady was n tenant of theirs too. What are thcse men’a names?’’

cc Joseph Reynolds, and Corncy Dolan.” And ML O’Mdloy wrote the two names down. Now Mr. Magruth, suppose without any referauce to this affnir--a month, we’ll say, before the wedding had you been asked which bore the best character, this Brady, or either of thcw mm,which ahould you hnvo mid 3” fOL. III, a 122 THE MACDERMOTS

cc Oh, Brady decidedly.” Then you think that you would have sooner believed, and consequently thnt a jury would aooner believe him than either of these men.”

icI’d as soon believe the devil now aa I would Brady. 1 know he’s prepared to perjure himself.’’

cc Ah, my dear sir ; but the jury won’t know it; they’ll go upon character, you should cn- deavour to judge as they will be likely to do; both these men are despernte characters, I suppose ; which now is the better of the two ?”

cc Why, really I hardly know which to say is the better-I think Reynolds is pcrhaps tho worse.” Wdl, that’s arriving at the aame conclu- .sion by different means ; do you think wo ctdd get this Dolan into a witness bok, and get him, when there, to c( ntraúlct Brady’ atòry ?” OF BALLYCLORAN. 123 Redly 1 don’t know-but we can try. 1 think that before that he’ll most likely be in jail himself.” ‘‘ However, if wa get him me may very probably be able to hvalidnte this Brady’a evidence--at any rate he will be a aafer cnrd to play than McGovery-those sort of wit- neems always stick to the prisoners, and t1m.1gh he mayn’t be believed, and probably won’t be, he’ll serve to shew at any rate,that there are two sides to a story; but now Mr. Mngrath, didn’t Mccdermot receive secret Signs or passwords at this meeting, or take an illegal oath, or in short do some of those

T which I ta sttg thing which in the eye of the Iaw constitute ía por11aps the joining an illegal Society.”

66 r& received no secret eigns or pass-mords ; be to& an oath not to betray the men mho were wit11 him ; but na the meeting P~Snot )held in the usunl place, they refused to give him the sccrct signs. He was to have met thcm at thcir usual rendrzvous, and then have a3 been initiated. Had he done this-had ho kept the promise which he maile in the moment of his anger, or in the meclaess of hia intoxioation, they might have brought it up against him now; but when he did not do this-but, instead of doing SO, refused to have any further communication with theae men, I cannot aee how any Jury could consider that he was one of their party, or that he could have been leagued with them to perpetrate any such act as Ussher’s murder.” It’s a bad business I’m af1-aid-a moat unlucky business-for I have no doubt that there was no real conmotion between his joining that meeting, an illogal act in iteolf, and the death of tho young inan ; thoro can be no doubt that Lis joining ill that lnocting was an illegal act, and in the state in which the County Leitrim now is, it ia one whioh a jury will not be likely to overlook; dirln’t he join these very aamc men after he Ilad done the act ? Didn’t ho immodintely go to theh OF DALLYCLORAN. 125 haunts and remain with them for some days ?” (‘ He went to the house of that Dolan we were apealring of, and remained with him, or ah some biding-place to which he took him for two days-then he gave binmself up.”

cc It was a most unlucky folly, both his joining the meeting before Uaher’s death, and his associating with these men after it. The way in which it will be put before the jury will be fatal, with the Country in suoh a disturbed etatc-his killing the man wag nothing. It is the man’s death, which I firmly believe to have been accidental,joined to his own criminal conduct, in which he was, doubt- leas, guilty-guilty a9 a man ; but doubly guilty aa a landlord ; it is the two combined together which will render the fight so dee- perate.”

CC But do you mean to eay there’s no hope, &Ir, O’Mulley Y’ No, I don’t say that ;but I do aay ther.e is 123 THE MACDERMOT$ great danger. I'll tel you what we must do; 1 fear me must give up the question of the illegal meeting ; it ia useless to attempt to disprove that he was at such a meeting ; but we muet shew that nothing which could have taken place at thet meeting could have in- fluenced hia conduct, or have had any connec- tion with the man he had killed-we mu& separate the two oircurnstancea, which tlle other party will uw dl their efforts to unite- we ,must shew that at any rate no definite preiooncerted plan has been proved to' have beenarranged, and put ít to the jury that hie guilty participation in one crime cannot afford any grounds for presuming him to be guilty on another ; and now, Mr. Magrath, with re- €erence to the deed itself, I must beg you to an~werme a fern questiona with th0 Barne sincerity, as those I have already put to you." Mecd I will, were he my brother,. and if he were, I couldn't Iove him better ; but if he were, I would faleify nothing to screen him,” We shdl then be al1 right, for if I know# the whole truth on the principal. subject, we can at any rate make the best fight the matter’ admita of-now I believe there is no doubt the sister bed, agreed to elope with Ussher.” I cc None nt all, I’m sorry to s~y.”

1 Nor that her father had altogether ap-: 5 proved of their acyuaintwnae.”

cc So he had ; but then you must remem- i UIBD’S II’2 ber the atate of theold mind. He is

L a compIete idiot ; the coroner considered him P t so completely so, that he would not take his evidence. Jnrlecd he wouldn’t have given p any ; he put the prayer book in his pouket when they offered to swear him.”

CG That’s very true ; but they say that hie Beneea were, unitnpaired till he received the double ehcok of hearing of Ussher’s death and hi8 sod8 guilt.

(C But you ‘shouldremember, Mr. O’Malley THE MACDEHMOTB

that though the father approved of the acquaintance as far as an idiot could approve

of eyidenoe that Thady entirely disapproved

So much the worm ; don’t you me that would be only proving the premeditated cause of the deed-wouldshew that there was LL dislike between the two men, and give a cdouring to the story of the affair having been planned ; now 8 great matter4 my my the chief matter-hnngs on this point ; what Raa Miss Macdermot doing---in what position waa she---and in what situation, both a8 to the body and mind, at the moment that Umher was struck 3”

ICThat ia very difficult to ascertain accu- rately ; there itj no one able to give any evidence on tbe subject except the young lady herself; and you may easily suppose that her memory of the moment ia too confused to enable her to give L correct aooount of it, be- E HBfOT8

aide8 it, is all but impossible to get her to aped on the subje&.” “ I suppose she won3 hesitate tu speak when the object is to save her brother’s life by telling the truth.” ‘‘ You’Il find her a very dificult witness;

&e is, and has been so ill ever aime , the occurrence, that it has been all but irnposaible to ape& to her.”

c‘ Hhe must come forward at the trial, Mr. Magrath... she must speak there, or we shall be loat ; what she said nt the coroner’e inquest was worm than nothing for our side. The question is, was she fainting or in a fit, when her brother first mw her, and was Ue- aher in that state dragging her off p’’ cc I a111 Bure he was ; whether at the morneut ehe had repented or hesitated, or had for any reason refused to go with Umher, or whether she bad, from apprehension on seeing her brother, fainted, it is impossible to eay, unless &c can tell heraelf ; but when Macdormol;

G5 130 THE MACDERMOFA1.

first saw ber, Uasher was apparently in the act of raising her bodily from the side of tho road, not by the hand, or by the arm, but by the body, so that Mscdermot at first thought that the man he saw WBB dragging some inani- mate object; it was only when Umher spoke that he recognised him or his aister.”

LC That is young I Macdermot’s own version ?” cc And the true one I’m sure,” replied father John.

‘6 I dare sap... I dare say ...but then you know a prisoner cmprove nothing for himaelf; if we could get that proved.. .if we could merely get it proved that the girl was fainting, or insensible at the moment, I think we ooulcl justify the deed, and bring hiln off stiIL” cc Thore is no om but his siator Peemy could prove it, but 8s certain 88 I stand hore EO it W~EI.” ‘‘ She uuat prove it, sir.. .she must prove DF BALLYCLORAN. 131

it. Good Gocl, do you menn to tell me, with her brother’s life at stake, that she’ll hesitate, and that, when the original fault was all her own. If he is hung ... and he will be unlesd she Baves lh...his death will be at her door ; tell her this ; if it is necessary, tell her that the world will say so...tell her that she must come into oourt and tell the truth,” cc Indeed I will ; all that persuasion ...all that commands cm do, shall be done ; bnt I few at tho moment she’ll fail you, should &e faint in the court...tlmt’s what will happen.”

ICI’d not mind that ; we’d wait if it was from day to day, till tho judges left the oourt, though she fainted fifty times, if we could at lagt or at Grat but get it from her on her oath that she had refused to go with the mm, or had hesitnted, or that violence was uscd to her, or thnt sho had fainted, no jury could convict him ; but if they arc left, to suppose that Uashcr and the girl were going 132 THE llddCDKLiMOT6 quietly together down the avenue, and that Macdermot, whom they will presume to have been there designedly, in this state of thinge knocked the man down with R bludgeon, and when down, despatched him with the amue instrument ; there i8 not a jury in Ireland but would find him guilty.”

(c But Mr. O’MJley, it is evident that ho was not there designedly, and that he had no previous knowledge that Ussher was expected to be in the avenue at the time 7” cb How ia it evident I€ it is really evident, it can be proved in evidence.’’ I3e had gone out to look at the horw, and on returning to the house heard thc aound of gig whcels ; he merely thcn remained bcfore the housc sn~olcing till he llenrd tho wheels atop at the end of the avenue.”

cc Mere assertion, Mr. Magrnth ; vory good between man nnd man, but nmro bronth in IL court of law, loss men than that, for it ROUX~ be idle breath, and when a counscl has ro- i, and that courae to idle stories, it’s all up with his me to haw client.” e of thingr Ir But surely the onus probandi ahould be Idgeon, and with the other side ; they should prove that 1 the ame he wu there by design ...not we that he \ryas Ireland but not.”

cc Sure enough if they had to prove the deed ; but that is already done to their hands ; if the deed were one which is usually or not. uncoru~nonlyn justifiable one, then they should prove that circumstances rendered it in this ,llyevident, invtnncc unjustifi;dAe ; but in such an act as causing ilenth, und thnt by a violent attack, t he horses, the presumption ia, that the deed is unjusti- 1 the sound fiable, and it is then for th motor to proye ined bcforg that in his yeomliar case circumstanoes existed, the wheoln which render his cmdifferent from others of the kind ; for instance, were I to brain yon in vesy good tllis room with thc poker, if 1 could prove breath ín a thnt st the tiwe X did so, you wore strangling ~r it would my child, I sboulJ bc justificd ; but if’ I could sel has re not prow it, of COU~BC1 should te held as a 134 THE MACDERMOTS

murderer, It would not be for the crown solicitorprosecuting ne to prove that you were not, stranglingthe child. If I made up n the story that you were doing ao, it would be for him or his counsel to shew that I hnd not brought reasonable evidence to convince the-jury that you werecommitting such an act. This may be B stronger case than ours at present, but the reasoning ia the same ; our client has killed this mnn by, a9 it appears, two violent blows on the head ; it also np- pears that he struck an unreaiating man who was not conscious of hispresence ; this, un- accompanied by other circumstances, would be murder ; we ought now to endeavour to find, and moreover to prove, that circumetances do exist, which give the afliir another oomplexion. If we could shew that he was in the avenue by accident only, it would prove that he could not; have premeditated the deed ; but this I: take it we cannot do. It seem that st any rato his sister had told OF BAZLYCLORAN. 135 a servant that she meant to elope, and that Ussher had told a friend of his that he was going to talre the girl off; both these facts will come out at the trial, and it will therefore be difficult to convince a jury that the young man could not have heard of their Ihn. We cannot, therefore, prove what seems to you to be so very evident ; we must rest on the fact that Ussher was violently carrying off B fainting girl, and the girl must prove-must be made to prove-that she was either insensible, or that she wae being dragged may by violence-that is,” he added, if the fact be so-and it must be your business to preparo lier to come into court with u, iietertninetiou to awe her brother’s life-if she can do ao by swearing to thtruth.” But if she should dia-suppose she were to die Lcfore the trial ame on, must ber bl*other thcrofore be found guilty and be hung ?” IS 6 THE MACDERNQTS

Her evidence might be taken in the shapo of an attested information, if she were thought to be in imminentdanger ; but such a document would only be admitted in evidence in case of her death, or on the sworn certificate of a medical man that it would be impracticable to bring her into court.” Would it not be best, in any event to get her evidence in that way. I am sure alle would break down under a cross-cxami- nation.’’

c( Never mind the cross-examination, if she doesn‘t break down under the direct ; the more confusion she shews ne to thc event, thc more likely will a jury be to be convinced that she was insensible at the time. If I can once get her ta say that she had fainted before the blow was given-that sho was insensiblo when her brother came up, I can make enough of thnt I think, to acquit him. No, she hacl better, if pomible, come into court, Thc dudgo will be very unwilling to admit the evidencc

, OF BALLYCLORAN. 137 of auch a witness, except coming from her own mouth ; YOLI must bring her into court, Mr. Magmth, if you wish to gave 'your fkiend'e life."

cc With God% blessing-1 will do what I am able ; but I fear she will be difficult to manage ; she is thinking more of her lover that is dead, than her brotherthat has so deoply perilled himself to save her from dis- honour."

" If that ia the case-if it's ill-will towards her brother that you're afraid of, she shall comc into court, and the truth ahall be dragged from her, though she fainted fifty times ; molceher thoroughly understand that if she hopes ta be treated with lenity, she must give ber evidencc oheerfully, or at any rate firlnly. Tallring of that, my examination of her will be the cross-examination ; you may be BU~Othe other aide will bring her forward to prove that she had left the house for the purpose of eloping ; now cm you tell. me, 138 THE MACDEBHOTS Mr. Magrath, whether Umher had made my arrangements for his marriage with Mias Mt~c- dermot, *or whether it was expected in the country that he intended to marry her ? my resaon for asking is this, that the case will seem strung against our client if his sister were on the point of marrying, whereas if he were carrying her off without any Buch intention, the jury will be more apt to look on the act as one done in the justifiable protection of the sister. As far UB the real guilt or innocence goes, Usslm’s intention can make no difference, but nevertheleas if I could arty without probability of contradiction that there was no intention of marriage, the Jury, who will all have eisters or ddughters, will listen to what I say, sd though the Judge will expose the fallacy of the argument, it will still have its weight with them.” As God is my judge I believe b~ Ilad no thought of ever marrying her; thcy my he told Ilia friend Mr. Brown 8s much.’’ OF BALLYCLORAN. 139

Which Mr. Brown 3” Mr. Fred, Brown. It WRS he who lent him the gig to carry Feemy off.’’ ‘c Very well, then I’ll know what to say to Mr. Fred. when I seo him. Is he a witness, I wonder, on the other side-I suppose he ia, for they’ll want to prove that Umher had talked about the elopement, and it nppenm he told him-at my rate we’ll summon him, he’ll prove that there was no intention of marri-’ age-this will be clap-trap--but I fear this ia a case in whioh we must use chp-trap. Now I’ve ono more question to ask, and then I’ve donc: you said aome timo aime that Mac- dermot’s life was to be aworn away by villains and purjurers. It was too strong an expresd sion to be used anywhere, except among friends ; but, nevertholess, though your energy and benevolent feelings towards your par- ishioner may mako you look on thinga with colouroil oyeß, I still few that there may bc 140 THE MACDERMOTS

mme ground for the charge ; what .i8 the interest or what the vindictive feelings which will adduce false evidence against our client? and what falseevidence will they bring “p ? Just give me the carte du pays, Mr. Magrath, that I may know how to shape my questions in court ; who ia Mr. Macdermot’s enemy P” The attorney in Garrick, Mr. Reegnn.” What Hyacinth Keegan, as big a schemer as ever stood upright in Connaught, which he never did, for he never did anything upright yet. But tell 11 lewhat’s the quarrel bet wecn them ?” Father John then described the exact rela- tion in which Mr. Keegm stood iO the Bdly- doran property, thatwhilst taking temporary possession of that property he had been mutilated, and that attributing his miefortune to the Macdermots’ influence on the property, he had been using every eflort to Becure Thady’s conviction. IIe also explained that o 1 OF BALLSCLORAN. 141 I t Pat Brady had been Thadyb confidential + servant, and that it was he who had lured him on to talk of Ussherand Keegan, and had 1.’ prompted him to join Reynolds and the others ak with the prospect of avenging hirnaelf upon fa them by the aid of these men; that this Pat 3, Brady was now Keepn’s servant, and that he was the witnees who was to prove that his former master had been at me of th-ë illegal meetings nt Mrs. Meehan’s, and had there and at other times uttered, or at any rate listened to, tbreats against Usaber.” cc Then this Brady,” said Mr. O’Mnlley, is himself B ribbonman or a terrpalt, or a white- boy, or a b6y of aome denomination, he must be a member of these secret societies.” cc Oh, there is fio doubt on earth of that.” c‘ Well, I think I’ll make something of him, and Mr. Keegan tao ; of course we must summon him, BEI he will not probably be wanted on the other side. I think I under- stund the general bearings of the case now ;

i E‘ 142 THE MACDRRMOTS. any other particulars I want, the attorney will ferret, out for me on the spot; st any rate, Mr. Magrath, you may be sure we will do our best,and I trust in God we mag bring him through. I perfectly agree with you, that he contemplated no murder; in fact,that he is not a murderer." cd Indeed he is not; if there is a inan with a kind heart, in County Leitrim it is Thady Macdcrrnot ; great sorrow, and almost unen- durable calamities at last drove him into one folly; he immediately repented of it ; if he is to fall a victim for that, he mill indeed be to be pitied."

Cc I trust he will not-I trust he will not- if at the last we find every thing else fails UEI, we must go back to what you said at first ; if we cannot justify the deed-we aust not cx- actlyjustify the accident which led to tho deed-but attribute the dead to accident; we might at any rate bring it to mnnslaughter, and it would then depend on the judge to OF BALLYCLORAN. 143 name the punishment. Let me see, the circuit goes to Roscommon first. It will come on before Baron €-Iamilton--a bad judge for a cause like this-a stera, cold mm-there’s no reaching hi8 feelings-but as clear-headed BB

Solon, and as just a8 Aristides.” It distresses me much, Mr. O’Malley, to see you think so badly of it ; I see you think it will go very hard with him-you have no hoyes.”

c‘ Don’t aay ao, for indeed I Lave ; it isn’t the judge but the jury that we’ve to look at ; wo must hava no Torios on the jury-they’d think the death of a revenue officer high treason at least-we‘ll have twenty objections you know without cause-and as many as we plense with-it’ll be a great thing to get EL f‘nvounhlo jury-and don’t my that I’m without hope ; you know a doctor always makes tho worse of n paticnt’a diuease, to magnify his own skill in the cmc-you mag be sure 144 THE MACDERMOTH we lawyers do the same. But in truth I’ve strong hope ; but at the same time I wouldn’t have you or the young man’a friends in genera1 to be too confident, for though I bave hope of success; I cannot but feel that there ia great danger of failure.” One word more, Mr. O’ Malley, and 1’11 not take up more of your valuable time. If my friend ahould be convicted, and condemned, would there be any chance in an aplleal to the lord-lieutenant 3” cc Of that, in the ordinary course of things, you must be as good a judge 8s myself-but I ahould say there would be noue-the country ia in eo deplorable B state-and the offences in it during the last few months have been of SO bhck a, die, that, although it is known that his lordship is inclined to the Ride of mercy, where he dnrea to exercise it, I fear that were young Macdernnot condcmncd, he would be obliged to let the lnw take ite coume. The 03’ BALLTCLOBAN. 146 public press would be 80 againut him, and the opposition would make such a handle of it on the other sido of the wuter, that I don’t Chink at present he could venture to respite a criminal, whose conviction was obtaincd on auoh evidences as that which wo brought forward in tho present case; you see the state of the country is entirely attributed to those eecrct societies-and the strongest point against ]abc- dcrrnot ia that he, in the position of a landlord, had joined them. No, we must got n vetdict, if possible, and not tb pardon ; and now good morning, Mr. RiIngrnth ; of COUX’BC you are aware we shall want you at the trial as to oha- ructor and all that 3 but you‘ll receive a sum- mons in regular course. Good bye, till the trial, and my lnst worde to you are, do not be too seuguine ; but yet do not dcapair.” MI..O’AJnlley intcodcd his last words to be words of‘ conlfort ; but thy were not confident el1ough to do uwuy with thc impression which

VolJ. 111. 11 146 THE UÁCDERMOTS

the whole of the conversation bad made on the priest's mind; that Thndy's danger wa5 much more imminent than he had thought it to be. Although father John hnd been anxious in the extreme before, it was. the anxiety of excite- ment which he had felt; till he had entered the lawyer's house he had in fact felt confident of Tkady'E acquittal ; he now not only doubted it> but all but despaired of it. Mr. O'Mulley had shewn him 50 ruany things which had not struck hiln in the r3amc light before, and which aeelnecl to ahew too plainly that there was I1arclly ground for hope. He walked about Dublin till it was dinner- time endenvourbg to rally his own ~pirits- but it was in vain--atld when lie returned to Capel-street ho WRIJ unnlh to join tho children's play, or to oonvcr~ein his usual manner with his brother or sister-in-law. 13e had promised to remain at any rate the next

Iday with them-which he did ; but he \.'FM as 03’ BALLYCLORAN. I47 ~~t?lal~~bolyand ’unreasonable as he had been the previous evening ; at length, after dinner on the Thursday, his brother began to upbraid him. I

“ Why, John,” asid lie, this Macdermot is nothing to you; and though, if he’s innocent, 518 YOU my, it’s all very well you’re trging to f f get him off, and all that ; it ain’t no great compliment to your own flzsh and blood, whom YOU didn’t aee for so long, thinking BO little of tkcm, and ao much of him as is, as I say, nothing to you. I monder if I was going to be hanged, whether you’d take on sa for ue?” cc All, Tom,” answered his brother, ‘‘ you’ve your wife-you’ve your children-I have no nearer ties round my hearth, and in my home, than thosc of my flock, and of them a11 he is the dearest to me. Hia miseries have made . P hilu dear to me, his sorrowa have made him ;ta my aon to me; do not begrudge me my love for him, or the tears I must shed at fate * u3 148 THJE MACDERMOTS so horrid and undeserved as that which awaitrs him.” On the next day, Priday, father John returned home by the game coach ; but he cIaw no one that evening, to whom he Eould com- municate hi6 bad nema, OF ßALLYCLORAN. 149

MILJONAS BROWN wm in n towering paeaion, , when he left the meeting at Aich he had listened to, but had not ventured to amwer CounseIlor Webb’s remarka respeoting Thndy Macdermot, and the suppoaeed intimacy botween Uasher,and the inmates of Brown Hall. Ho had so openly expressed bis wish that the young man might bo capitally punished-und this joined to the fact that Ussher Ilad not bom a8 intimate at any .othor house m he had becn at Brown IIaIl, could leave no doubt on t110 mind of any one who had beer1 present, that Webb’s allusion had bcen iotenilcd for him. His fir& impulse was to chnllcnge his foe at once ; but his ardour on that point soon cooled a little, and he came to the con- clusion of sleeping on the matter, or, at my rate, of drinking a bottle or two of wine over it with his sons. As soon 88 the servant had withdrawn after dinner he began his grievance.

c( By G-cl, Fred., that ruffian Webb is yassing.al1 bounds. He%not only forgotten the opinions and notions of a gentleman, but he has lain down the umnners of one too.” cc Why, what has he done now 3 With all his queer ideas, Webb can be a gentleman if ho pleasea,” said Fred.

cc I muet say,” snid George, cc the Couneel- lor’s a d-d good fellow on the course, 1 don’t care how seldom I Bee him anywhere else.’ ’

IC I don’t know what you may call being n good fellow or 8 gentleman,” replied the fatGer, but I know he insulted MB publialy, and that in the moat grosa way at the mooting nt 03’ BALLYCLORAN. 15 1

Carrick this morning, and that before half the country. I don’t know whether that’s your

-ide&I of acting I like R gentleman or a good

*, fellow.” I It’s what many a gentleman, and many a good fellow has done before him,” said George,

‘I but if ho has insulted you, of course he must apologize-or-do the other thing.”

cc What, let it done 3” rejoined Fred. m cc No, fight-and that’s what he’s a deal the most likely to do.”

CC Be d 4,” said old Brown, hut I think both of you aeem glad to hear that your father% been insulted ; you’ve maither of you

8 grain of proper feeliug, or that’s not the way you’d take it.”

CC It’s with a grain or two of gunpoder,

rd tuke it,” said George, CE and I’d advise pou, father, to do the same; a precious deal botter thing thnn good feeling to settle a11 insult with.” But you’yc not told us what it’s a11 -.

152 TEE MACDERMOTS

about 3’’ said Fred. ; c‘ what wa8 the quarrel about Y’ Quarrel ! there was no quarrel at all in the matter--I couldn’t quarrel with him for I wouldn’t ape& to him. It wm all about that infernal friend of yours, Frcd., that Ussher, I wish he’d never darkened this door.”

cc Poor devil,” answered Fred., cc that’s no me abusing him now he’s dead. I suppose the row wasn’t hie fchdtD” It was about him though, and the lorn blackguard that murdered him. Wcbb was talking about him, malring a apeech in the public-room, taking the‘ fellow’s part, as I’m told he’s always doing, and going on with n11 the claptrap Btory about protzcting his sistw, as if every one in tho country didn’t khow that shdd been Umher’s mistrass for months back ; well, that was all nothing to me-only he’ll be xightly served avhon he findu every man on his estate has become B ribbonman, and every other tenant ready to turn mur-

3 U OF BALLYCLORAN- IS3

derer, when he’s asked for his rent; but this wasn’t enough for him-but at the end of the w.rhole he must declare-I forget what it waa he said-but something about Usahor’s Intimacy h-ere-that it was L shameful thing of me to be wishing on that account that this Macdernmt slmuld be hanged, na he deserves.” ‘‘ Did he aotunlly mention Brown Hall ?” asked Fred. ‘f NO,but he put it so that there could bo no mistake about it ; he said he didn’t envy my atatc of mind.”

cc Well, tell him you don’t envy his. I don’t think you oould call him out for that,” said George. By henvons you’re enough to provoke a mint,” continued the fhther, cc cnn’t you believe me, when 1 tell you, he mw!e as diroct a out at Brown Hal1 8s he could ; because I can’t repcnt all his words like a newspaper- By G-d the pluck’s goue ouf of the a -6 154 THE HACDERHOTS ’ country entirely; if REI much had been said to fatbIer, when I was your age, I’d have had the fellow who said it out, if he’d been .the best shot in Connaught*”

’ 6s Don’t say another word, father,” said

George, IC if that’e what You’re after, I thought, may be, you’d like the fun yourself, or I’d have offered. I’d call him out with a heart 1 and 8 half; by Jams there’s nothing I’d like ayc better. Nay be I’d be able to make up a to 1 match between Diamond and the Counsellor’s Y o’u brown mare, when it waa done. He’d be a II little soft, would Webb after auch a job a8 that,’and wouldn’t etnnd for 8 few pourdy clifœ ference.” ‘‘ That’s nonsense, George,” said the father, a little mollified by the 60dd dutiful offcr. 1: don’t want any one to tukc the thing off my hands. I don’t want to be shelved that W~L. but I wish YOU to see the matter in ita right OF BALLYCL0RA.N. 155

solent, Fred, in fact, he mid what I don’t mean to put up with; and the question is, what had I better do?” c‘ 13e didn’t say anything did he,” asked Fred, c‘ with your name, or Brown Hall in it ?” ‘‘ No, he didn’t name them exactly.” cc Then 1 don’t think you can call fur an apology ; bwritehim a civil note, and beg him to say that he inteudecl no allueion to you or your family in what he said.”

cc Z’red.’~ right for once,” said George, that’s all you can do as the matter stands uow-if he won’t say that, call him out and hnvo done with it.”

cc I’ve no wish to be fighting,” said the filthor; in fact, at my time of life I’d rather not. I wae ready enough onca, but I’d eooncr settle it quietly.” B‘ ci Why, there’s no contenting you,” nn-

owsrod Frcd; cc just now nothing Eut piatoh 156 THE MACDERMOTS

and coffee would do for you ; and then yon were in a passion because one of us wouldn’t take a challenge off for you at once, without knowing anything about it-and now you’re just the otlm way ; if you don’t like the bu& ness, there’e George will take it off your hand$, he sap.” By G-d you’re a fool,” mid the €ather, because I don’t wish to put up with downright inBult, and be called a poltroon all ruy life, is that any magon why I should go out to be shot without thinking about it ?” After a considerablc quantity of gquabblillg among this family pnrty it was at Inst dcoitled that a civil note should be sent to Ardrnm, in which Mr. Webb sllould be dodirod to state that 11e had made m allusion to Brown Hall; accordingly n Bervmt; on horecbnolc was de- patched on the Monday morning with the following miaeive :-- OF BALLYCLOIIM. 157

CE Brown EIdl, cc Sunday Evening.

Mr Brown presents his m compliments to Mr. Webb, and begs to inform him that certain expressions which fell from him 'at the mooting at Cerrick on Snturhy respecting the murder of Captain Umher, have Buen thought by many to have had reference to the family zt Brown Nall. Mr. Brown fds himself assured thnt Mr. Webb would not so fhr forget himeelf', as to make any such allusion in public to a ncighbouring gentleman and mngistrate ; tut as Mr. Webb's words were not certainly 'singular iu their reference to Captain Useher'a intirnaoy with some family in the neighbourhood, and BB many conccive that they were directly pointed at Ihwn Elnll, Mr. Brown must beg Mr. Webb to givc him his direct asaurance in writing that nothing tvhiclz fcll from him waa 158 THE XACDBRMOTS intended to apply either to Mr. Brown or his family.’ y To W. Webb, Esq., Ardrum.”

Mr. Webb was at home wlzon the servant arrived, and only detained him two minutes, sent him back with the following answer :-

cc Mr. Webb presents his compliments to Mr. Brown, Mr. Webb regrets that he cannot comply with the rcqucst macle in Mr. Brown’a letter of yestorday’s date.” (‘To Jonas Brown, Esq., ‘cBrown 13alI.’’

The corlclave st Brown T-11111, on reccipt of’ thia laoonic cpistle unanimously ~Irlclareclthat r OP BALLYCLORAN, 189 grown or b~ it W~Stantamount to a .declaration of war, and that despeiate measure8 must .at : once be adopted. ‘‘ The md’a the only $$ce now, father,” wid

George; L( by heavens I like him the better the somant for not recanting.’’

TO minuten, ‘‘ He’s a oursed good , shot,” said Fred. us wer :- IC would you like to, send for Keegan before you go out?”

‘CIGxganbe d-d,” said George, “ but k!orning. have Blake by, for he’ll wing you 8~3 sure as R/poaeP.” Mny be not,” said Fred., “Webb’~a d-d good shot in a gallery ; but may be he wont allow fcr the wincl on the sod; but it’ll be as well to have the mwbonee.” NO fear, OC your legs, governor, for he’ll fire high.. .the shoulder’s his spOt.-.pu may always tell from n man’s eye, where he’ll fix the sight of a pistol. Webb always 10oks up. If his tool lighte alittle he’ll fire over y GU.’’

c‘ Yes, he might,” said Fred, cc or take pu , ’160 THE MACDERMOTS

un the head. ..W hioh wouldn’t be SO pleasant.. c I’m not particular. ..but I’d betier run my chance myself with R chap that fired low.”

‘4 There you’re out,” answered the brother;

‘6 the low rshot’s the death-shot ; why man, if pudid catch a bnll in the head, why you’d get over it, if it was in the mouth, or cheek, or neck, anywhere but the temple; but your body’s all over tender bit3 ; may hcaven always keep lead out of my bowels ...I’d sooner have it in my brains.” The futher fìdgetted about very uncnaily whilst enduring these pleasant remarks from his affectionate children, which it is neodlees to say, they made for his particular comfort and amusement at thpresent 1nomolL.nt lust he lost his temper, und exoluimod :. .. D- your brains, you fool ; I don’t believe you’ve go$ any ; what’s t110 use of the two of you going on tbnt way-you that were never out in your life-I tcll you when a man’s standing to be fired at, ha doesn’t know 03’ BULYCLORKN. 161 nine times in ten, whether he fires high or ’low ; who’ll I get to go out with me?’’ c‘ Yee nncl take your measage,” said Fred., you’ve a deal to do yet before you’re snug home again.” Well, who’ll I get to go to him 3” Why wouldn’t I do ?” suggested George. George at any rate had the merit of being a good son. ‘‘ Nonsense,” said Fred, if the governor got shot you’d be considered a brute if you were cool, and a naan should be cool then.”

Cool,” said George, cc I’d be as cool at3 a cucumber.”

Cc Nonscnae,” said the father, cc of course I couldn’t go out with my own son ; there’s q ’heobald French; I ment out with his cousin just after Waterloo.”

cc 130 can’t shew-he’e on his keeping-he’d be nabbed before he was on the ground.” Then I’ll have Larkin-I’ve known him aince I R boy.” 162 THE NACDERMOTB

m cc ][larkin%.too old for that game now-he’d be letting them have Webb up with his back to the Bun.” Murphy, of Mullough, he’s used to these thinge-1’11 rJend over to him.” ‘c Murphy’s up to muff; but since the affair of the bill he forged Dan Connolly’s name to, he% queerly thought of; it wouldn’t do at all, governor, to send any one that Webb’s friend could refuse to meet.”

I cc I’ll tell you, father, *who’d be proud of the j,ob-and he’e quite a gentleman now, since ha got an estate of his own--and that’s Cgntby ICeegan ; it’d be great fun to see him stepping the ground, and ho only with one foot.” . cc Ry Heaveng, George, you’re R barn fool ; must you have your ¿l-d joke, when I’m talking ao seriously T” Upon my soul, then, if it wore myself, I’d send for ICeogan ; he’d think the compliment EO great, he wouldn’t refuse, and it’d be such a joke to see him on the: ground with his crutches. But if you don’t4ike.the attorney, send to Fitzptriok.” : cc 1%’~ so young,” said the father, he’d do

very well for I either of you-; but I’d want some one steadier.’’ cc Besides,” said Fred., cc Webb and Fitz are

bosom friends ; I wouldn’t 8 wonder if Fitz were Webb’s friend himself.”

c‘ I tell you, father, I Majar Longsword’s exactly the boy,’’ eaid George, send to Boyle for him ; he wmte to get a name in the country, and the job’ll justssuit him.”

cc You’re right for once, George,” mid Jonas,

‘I Longsword’s just the mmthat will angwer.”, And accordingly it was at last deçided that Major Longsword was to be the honoured individual. H[o had dined once or twice at Brown IJd, and thercforo there ww como excuse for cnlIitlg upon him; and n note was aocordingly writtcn to him, with a great deal of blarney about his station and experience, P 64 THE MACDERMOTB and the inexpediency of entrusting affaire of honour to inexperienced country gentlemen. This had the effect of immediately bringing hm over to Brown Hall, .and on the Tuesday morning be was deapatched to Ardrurn, to make what arrangements he pleased with Mr. Webb for his second. To give Major Longsword his due, Mr. Brown could not have made EL much better choice, for thoagh he was a disciple of that 6Ch001,which thoroughly entertained the now antiquated notion that the world-that is, the world of men in broa4 cloth, oould not go on without duels, or pretence of duels ; still he waa one who, as a second, would do all in his power to prevent an absolute effusion of lead. He wae a great hand at an a~~ology,and could regulate its proper degree of indifference or abjectness to the exact state of the case ; he could make it almost satisfactory to the receiver, without being very diangrecable to the giver ; he could twaddle about honour for ever OF BALLYCLOW, 166 without oa~~singbloodahed, and would, if pos- Bible, protect a mm’s reputation and body at the same time. He started on his mission of peace with the determined intention of returning with aome document in hiß pocket whioh would appease Mr. Brown’s irritated feelings, and add mother laurd to the wreathwhich he con& dered his due as a peace-maker. He was shewn into Mr. Webb’s parlour, where that gentleman soon joined him, and he was not long in making known his businem ; Major Longsword plumed himself on his manners in such embaasiee, and to-day he was perfect.

‘c Now, Mr. Webb,” he continuedafter Q long preamble, cc of course X am not to judge of‘ tha propriety of mywords you may think fit to uae ; but, I am afraid I must admit in this case, n somewhat-I must say a somewhat unwarranted allusion was made to my friend-auch I can assure you is the general opinion ; now, if you will allow me to say a8 much, I think, I‘ cannot but think, you were right-perfectly righ t-in no t disclaiming such an allusion, having once made it; but I trust, indeed I feel confident, that a man of your acknowledged genae, and general character as

a, man of the world, will not object to give me a line.. .a meres line will auffice ..addressed to myself ; 3. wouldn’t ask you in such a matter to write to Mr. Brawn..,a mere line, just stating that you regret having said anything in gour fervorwhich ohould hurt any one’e feelings ; the matter you know is now in my hands, and I pledge nlysclf that shall suffice ;

I really think such ZL, brzgatellc 8s tbat cannot be objootionable to you ; were I in your place, I can assure you, Mr. Webb, as a L~QUof honour, I ishvuld bc dolighted to do the same.’ ’ c* Were you in my plthe, Major LongaworcI,” replied the Counsellor, you would, no doubt, act with more “decision than I shall do; but OF BALLYCLORAN. (167 without wishing to say anything offensive to you, I may as wcll I assure you nt once that I will give no letter to any one on the subject.” cc But, Mr. Webb, you cannot deny or justify the dueion-the very pointed al* lueion ?” 1 certninlg ahall not deny it ;!indeed to you, Major Longsword, I have uo objection to acknowlccigo it.”

cc And yet you’ll not just state your regret-in a note to myself mind-why, Mr. Webb, you can’t but regret it-you can’t desire bloodshed.”

cc Indeed, Major, I do uot regret it. Your friend coneidercd hirnself at liberty to accuse me in private-not by name, but by allusion, RB you any, of certain feelings and opinione derogatory to me. I have retaliated in public. I believe now you mill own that I consult

your convenience be& by telling you that - Major Macdonncl, of Tramore, is my friend 168 THE MACDERMOTS in this matter. Ho will make all arrango- ment8 with FOU for the immediate termination of this affair."

CC I shall bo prod to see the Major, but still let me hope, Mr. Webb, thnt this little affair may be arranged-as a magistrato, and as a man, I may say, not exactly in your pre-

miere jeunesse.' p

LC As L magistrate, and as a man not exactly, aa you say, in my premiere jeunesse, for I was fifty yesterday, let me asr3ure you that if Mr..Brown intends to call me out, I shall go out-if he intenda to let mo alone, I shall Le better pleased to be let alone-as for a, word, or a line of retraction or apology, I will not give it."

c' But, Mr. Webb-"

cc Forgive me for interrupting you, but allow me to suggest that any furthor remtuka you may have to make OIL the subject had better be made to my friend, Major Mac- donnel." I OF BALLYCLORAN. 169

" Would you allow me to put it to you in another light 3 Suppoee now" cc Major Longsword, the idea of being uncourteous to any man in my own house ia particularly grievous to me ; but with your pardon I must say that I oannot continue this conversation with you ; if you wiU dlow me the honour of considering the remainder of your visit one of compliment, J shall be proud to encrease my acquaintance with a gentle- mm for whom I entertain 80 profound R respect., ' The bafled Major was obliged to take the hint, and himself off, and have rsoourse to his. brother Major. Major Maodonncl received hia viditer with a very long face, assured him that his principal had left him nothing to do but to arrange the mooting, and that however willing he might be to agree to paoifio meam auree himsolf, he had no power to do 80. The Boyle Mnjor, howevor, found a more willing lirstenor in hie oollongue thnn in the Gown- VOL, SIT, 1 1’10 THE MACDERMOTS

sellor, and made many eloquent dissertations ; wl-iole but it was all to no purpose-he was obliged of not1 to return to Brown Hall, signtdly defeated capa-, ne he felt himself, and with the tidings that man’s

I a place had been ngrccd to, and that the mede ’ meeting was to take place at eight, A.nx., the tourxìii next morning. and tl I had really hopcd, Mr. Brown, to llnve great been able to settle tlh little matter amicthly, Fred. indeed I had no doubt about it ; but l: [nuet early, say a more imprnctionble gentlcmnn to deal warm with than Mr. Webb, it mas never my lot to father meet upon such an occnsion.” he ine The Major dincd at Brown Hall, and could and i not but atdmirc the solicitude which the two gruve aons expressed for their father’s Rafety, und there, the filial manner in which thcy cornforted there him ; during dinner he was somewhat silont an to and moody ; but when he got to his wino he Til

recovered his spiritß, and socnzed tolerably ROSCl comfortable. Indeed he conductcd himself Carri nondcrfully well, considcring that during the a milt 03' BALLY CLOBAN. 171 whole eveuíng Fred. and George would talk of nothing but trepanned skulls, false knee- caps-cork legs-bullets that liad come ont of uenk backs ten years after they had entered mn'a bellies-surgcon's lmives -pincers and tourniqucts-- willa-attorncys-leacen cuffina, auil thc family vault. Gcorge expressed a great ilcvire to go and sec hie parent shot-

Frcd. said that eight o'clock W~EÎao damnation corly, or ela he'd bc happy -George was so warm in his sdioitude, that in spitc of his father's declining this mark of his nffcction, ho insistcd on attonding hiru to ihc ground, und it vas only wkcn Major Longaword gravely assured him that if' kc, George, tyas thcro, he, Mtljor Longsrnord, would not be there too, that the anxious son tvils prevailed on to give up his projcct. Thc d"tbir was to come off in the County

"ruscon~wnun,about :L mile and a haIf from Carrick, at th cdgc of a Emdl copse, about R luile on thc loft-lmud aidc of tllc Boyle road. 13 172 THE UCDERMOTB

A message had been conveyed to Doctor Blake to be near the spot with the different instruments that had been ao freely named on the previous evening. At the hourappointed, the military Major and his friend arrived in the Brown Hall chariot, and a few minutea afterwards the ex-military Major and his man appeared on the Counsellor’s car. Had my one walked about the ground with very 8mu- tiuiaing eyee, he might have espied Dootor Blake snugly ensconced under a bank with a cigar in hia mouth, and a alrralll mnhogany b,ox lying at hie feet. The onrrittgea had been left at a few hundred yards distant, and the two servante, well knowing what WBS going to happen, diecussed cosily and leisurely the chance they oithor of them had of carrying home a dond master, “Faix, Barney,” add the:Brown Hal1 whip,

IC I believe wo etands e baddiah ohance, they do be saying the Counsellor’s mighty handy with the powdher ; would you plazo to trr a OF BAJLLPCLORAN. 173

blast this could morning ?” and he handed him F. his pipe.

cc And thank ye kindly too, Dan ; it’s 8 mighty cowld place ; why thin it’s thrixe for YOU. The masther ia handy with the powdheq more power to his elbow this morning.” ‘‘ But wishen now, Barney, did he iver hotmany now to your knowing-did he shoot ’BM dead 3 I wonder whcther Mr. Fred. will bo keeping in the chariot-he’s more taste in the gig WRY, I’m fearing.” ‘‘ Why thin, the Counsellor mayn’t shoot him dead-that ie, av he béhsvee hisself-and don’t have no blusthering ; was old Jonas much afead, now Dm.” Afead, is ìt t the Divil wouldn’t fright him; maybe after all it’s the Counsellor ’11 be hot first.” 011 in bourse ho may,” said Barney, oh mdm, mushs wirrasthrue, how’d I ever be looking the mirjthreas and the young ladies in tho €ace, av I waa taking him home dead anil 174 THE MACDERNOTS

buried ae he’s likely to be, aV he don’t hit that owld masther of your8 in the very first go 0%’’ and thnt the man’s air of triumph at his master’s shooting Jonas Brown, t~r11dto despondency as the idea struck him that the Counsellor might be shot himself; but he man cheered up agnin at a brighter reflection.

IC But that’d be the wake, Dan ; my 1 there’d have been nothing like that in thc counthry, since old Peyter waa waked up st Casteldtoy, and not then-not a man in the county but would be there, nor 8 woman neither, and signs on, there’a not mother in- the counthry at all like the maather for a poor man,” At this moment two shota were hoard. ‘c Virgin Mary !--there they are at it,” eaid Dan, cc now they’re oncot began in nrnest, they’ll not lave it till they’re both dond, 01‘ there’s a grain of powdhor left. Bad coss to them Majors for bringing thim togother ; couldn’t they be fighting theyselIes BV they OF BALLYCLORAN. 175 plazed, nnd not be setting the real gentry of the counthrg at each other like fighting cocks ?” cc I3ad they much powdher I wonder, Dan ? Was thcre n dail of ammunition in the carriage 3” B’aix there wnr so ; that Major, bad luck to him, had his own and Master George’s horns crammed with pomdber, and as many bullets in a bag under his coat-tail na he could well nigh carry.”

cc Thon they’re one or both ns good 813 dead ; they’re loading again now, I’ll go bail ; och ! that I’cl thrown the owld horse down corning over the bridge, ant1 pitched the rnaather into the wathcr ; I’cl be a dai1 readier getting him out of tl~nt, thnn putting the life into him wlml 118’8 had three or four of them bullets through his skin.” It’e thruc for you, Barney,” said the good- naturcil Dun, nnd as Mr. Fred. couldn’t well IJC turning ax1 mvld servant likc me off the 176 Tall MACDBBMOTS place, av he didn’t keep UP the chriot, I wish it mayn’t be the Counsellor’s luck to be first kilt, for he’s as good a man as iver trod.” In the mean time the two Majors paced the ground with a good deal of official propriety, loaded the pistols, and exchanged a quantity of courtesies. cc Not so agreeable an occasion m when we Isst acted together in the field, Major Macdonnel ; I’d sooner be clearing the course for my friend’s horse, than measuring the ground for his fire.” True indeed, Major’ Longsword-true, indeed ; don’t you think you’re putting your friend a leetle too much under thß shack. I don’t know ...p erhaps not,.,but a foot gr two off the treeB gives a more equal light I think. .. that’s it.’’ ‘‘ I: believe we’re ready now ...eh, Major 3’’ “ Quiteready, Major. We’ll have it over now in two minntes.,’ OF B-GLYCLORAN. 1’77

“ I “y, Major,” and the other Major whispered, cc Blake’s just under the small bee& there, I hope you won’t want him.’’ ‘c Thmk ye, Major, thmik ye...l: hope not.”

ICAnd, Major, there cm be IIO necessity for a second shot, I think. ..eh ? Brown won’t want EL second shot, will he ?”

‘‘ Not at all, Major.. .not at all. m ma trifling thing like this ...we’ll have it Over now in a double crack, eh 3” True, Major, true ; put your man up, and I’ll give the word.” And the Majors put up their men with great dextority.. .and the word wna given. They both fired.. .each at his adversary. ..but each without attempting to cover the other. Brown’s ball whiatled harmlessly away without approaching within my dangerous proximity of the Coun- Bellor’s body.. .but not so, Webb’s. ..it was very evident Jonas was hit, for his body gave 8 spasmodic jerk forwards, his knees bent under him, his bead beclame thrown beck somewhat r5 178 THE MACDERMOTS over his shoulders ...he did not fall hiInself..# but his hat did. ..he dropped his piatol to the ground ...and inserted both his right and his left hand under the taile of his coat. Mr. Brown indulged a notion, whether cor- rectly or not I am unable to my, but one which I believe to be not uncommon, that by presenting his side instead of his front to bis adversary's fire, he exposed ,fewer vital parte to danger, nnd if destiny intended- him to be wounded, he certainly, in the present instance, was benefitted by doing so, for he received the bullet in perhapi the lernt dangerous part of his body.

Mr. Brown was R &ont, compact man, wcll developed and rounded in the fuller pnrls of his body ; he piqued himself' somewhat on the fair proportions of his nether rum.. .he wm also somewhat of a ilslndy..,and hnd couc out thie morning, as, I believe, wns the custom on such occasiom, nearly full dressed ; he hl an a black dress coat, black waistcoat, and black well fitting trowsera ; and as he turned his side to the Coumsellor, he displayed to advantage the whole of his comeiy figure. But ala8 its comeliness was destined for a ticue to be destroyed. Mr. Webb’s fire gassed directly under the tails of bis coa.t...the ball just traversed along his trowsera about a foot beneuth the waistband, cutting them hnd his druwcrs and ahirt, as it were, with a knife, ancl wounding the flesh in its oo~~rseto the depth of perhaps the eighth part of an inch. Dircctly Major Longsword perceived thut Ilia man WB hit, he vociferoudy cdlecl for Bluke. F’ro~rl the position whicb Mr. Brown as-

sunled 011 receiving the fire, it m8the general trpinion of all the party thut he wits not uor- tally woundcil. Blake wal~ immediately on tho ypot, and loat 110 timo in eupporting him.

IC IYhure id it, Mr. Brown, wlwc is it 7 Cm you titand? Cnu you wulk? Allow me to support you to thLank.,.you can gct B seat 180 THE MAaDERBIOTB there.. .we must sit down at once. My dear air, the first thing is to get you to B comfortable seat.”

cc Comfortableseat, and be d-d to you,” was the patient’s uncivil reply. c‘ Go to hell, I tell you,” as Blake continued to lift him,

cg J’m well enough ;S I cm walk to the carriage !”

My dear sir,” continued the dogtor, IC the ball must be in your [email protected] aap rate allow me to discover where it ib.”

cc Ball be d-d, I tell you,” and he hobbled a little way off from his tormentor ; the portion of his trowsers on the part affectecl an- noyed him sorely, when he attempted to wallr. ‘‘ Permit me to hope,” said the Counsellor, coming up. Permit me to hope, now that this affair Beema to be over, that pu arc not serioualy hurt; had you not better allow Doctor Bltke to ascertain whether the bullet still remains in you...had you not better sit down.’’ OF BALLYCLORAN. 181 Bother Doctor Blake, sir,” said Mr. Brown, with his hands still under his coat tails. ‘‘ Ah ! I see now,’’ said the Doctor, stooping down, ‘c I aee the wound, I think...it’e bleed- ing now...and I think I may guarantei there’s no danger. ..allow me one minute, for the ball may be lodged,” and he proceeded to lift Úp the tails of the coat. ‘‘ Doctor Blake, if you touch me again,!by G... I’ll kick you ; when I want you, I’ll send for you. Major Longsword, will you do me the honor to accompany me to my carriage.. ugh, d...n it.” This last explanation WRB occasioned by his renowed attempt to walk; he managed, however, at last, to get to his carriage, and in that to Brown Hall. Major Longsword, who accornpnnicd him, declared afterward8 to his brothor oficers at Boyle, that Mr. Brown’s efforte to support himself by the arm atrapa in

the carriage were really disagreeable to wit- “

E ness. He got home safe, however ; and hug11 he was not competent to attend to his public duties for some considerable time, (for instance, he was obliged to declare himself unable to take the chair at o meeting in Carrick, held for the purpose of opposing the indigent ...Far- mers’ Irish Agricultural Improvement Society) it is believed he was not a great sufferer. The Brown Hall livery servant was, soen in the chemist’s shop the anme morning, asking for a yard and a half of dinculun~, which was supplied to him, and a new pair of‘ dress trowsers somewhat fuller than the last ordered from the tailor. Doctor Blake was not called in, for Mr. Brown found himaelf, with his sw1.d xssiatnuce, equal to the cure of tile tvouncl he had’ received. OF BALLPCLORANI 183

CHAPTER V.

TUEdny after thnt on which father John returned from Dublin, he saw both Mr. Keon and ttrc Counsellor, and explained to them as 21onrly as he could all thnt O’Mdley had said to him. Though they were both greatly in- tcrestecl on Thady’~account, they did not feel the Banle intense, constant anxiety, which nom quito opprcssed the priest, and moreover trusting more to thcir own judgment than he did,

thy WC~Cnot BO inclined to alter their pre- conceived opinion, and they both zrsmred f;!tller Johtl thnt they wcre still quite sanguine 25 to Th:lcly’s acquittal; this raised his hopes agnin a ]iftle, but ncrertheless, from that time 184 TUE MACDERMOTS

till the trial, he waa so absorbed by his strong feeling on the subject, that he wa,~almost totally unable to attend to the usual duties and employment of his life, It W88 decided that Mr. Webb should use all his endeavours and to obtain tidings of Corney Dolan, and mer- the tain whether, in the event of his being sum- K% moned, he would be able to give any evidence de respecting the meeting at Mm Meehrtn’s, whioh would be of use to Tbdy at the trid. In this he was successful, and he learnt from that respectable individual that he could swem that Ussher’s name was not mentioned at all. It must be owned that Mr. Dolan’s manncr was not such as to inspire the Counaollor with any great admiration for his veracity, and his opinion in this re~pectwas strengthened when the witness added cc that by Garra ay his honor thought it’d be any use in life to Mr. Thady, he’d swear as how he was asloop all. the time, or for the matther of that, that he OF BALLYCLORAN. 185 was out along wid de gals dancing the livelong night.” It was with difEculty that Mr. Webb made him understand that he waa only to swear to what he believed to be the trJuth, and that if he told a single lie in answer to the numerous questions which would be asked him, he would only be endangering Mr. Msc- dermot’s life. Father John undertook the more difficult task of explaining to Beemp That it was she was expected to do at the trial, and of making her underatand that her brother’8 life depended on her making an effort to give her evidence in the court clearly and firmly. On reaohing Drumsna he was much distressed to find that she WBB no longer at Mrs. MoEeon’a. For two days after the conversation which bad passed between that lady and her charge, in which she declared her suspioions that Peamy was encient, the latter had made a great: offort to recover her health, or at any rate the nppeslrance of health. She left her bed 186 THE NACDERMOTE!

earlier in the morning than alle hd mr done €or the last five months ; she dresseil herself with great care, and, for alas MW. McReon’s suspicion was but too true, fidateneil her dress with a most dangerous determinn- tion to prove that the charge was unfounded. Patiently she endured all the agonies which this occasioned her during the first day and during the whole evening, till t he lmuse was

1 at rest and she was secure frorn being again visited ; on the next morning she went eo far ad to come down to breakfast, and to undergo

Tony’s somewhat rough congratulation 88 to ber convalesceme without betraying her mf- ferings ; after breakfast, when he WQB gone out, she again opened tho subject of her return home, and begged Mrr. McICeon to allow her to have the car to return to Bnllyclornn. Mm. McKcon again put her off, telling hor that it would be mcessary firvt to consult the doctor, and thnt he would llot be lilccly to call till the following day. In the afternoon

i OF BALLYCLORAN. 187

Mr. McICeon, with Lyddy and Loney went out for a drive, and as Feemy wag apparently

80 much better, they asked her to accompany them, but this she declined.

“ It’s aa well for her not to go out before the trial,” whispered Mre. MclCeon to her daughters. Poor girl, she’e a great deal, n great deal, indeed, to go through yet, indeed she had-a very great deal to go through- n very heavy atonement to pay for her folly and her crime.” As Soon as the car was gone from the door, she hurried up stairs, put on her bonnet and cloak, took a letter which she had already prepared, ancl opening the door of Mrs. BIcReon’s own room, put it on the table ; she thon crept noiselessly down stairs, opened the front door, and passed into the street, without ]laving been seen OP heard by either of the servants, who were alme left with her in the houso. Tho following is the letter, which, to P

188 TIJE MACDERMOTS

her great grief and aurprise, Mrs. McICeon found on her table when she returned :-

cc DEARMRS. MCKEON, It ia because I know you’d never let me go back to Ballyclorsn, that I’ve now gone away without telling you what I was going to do, Pray don’t be angry with me. Indeed I‘m very unhappy ; but I should Le worse if you were to be angry with me. I’m only S bother and a throtlblc to you here, and l havn’t spirits left even to let you see how very much obliged I am to you for all your throuble ; but indeed I am in my heart, my dear Mrs. McI

When Mrs” McHeoa found the letter on her roturn, sher waB greatly vexed ; but she could do nothing-dm couldn’t go to Bdlym oloz(an and feto11 Feomy by foros, Tho fahe- hood with whioh tho XQttarooncluded WYEIBnot

P P90 TH$ MACDERMOTB

altogether divbelieved ; but still she feit by no rueana certain thnt her former suspicions were

not true, and if BO, perhap, it JV~Hbetter for all parties that Feemy should be at homc. She determined to call at Ballyclornn when Feemy might Le suppoaed to have settled herself, and content herself for the prescnt, with hearing from the girl who came for the clotl~sthat she had got home safe. When father John called on the Saturhy, she talked over the subject ne fully with hial aa she could without nllucling to the mattcr respecting which she was 80 much in doubt. He dcclared his intention of sceixg Foemy on the following MOI~~Y,auCl of epedcing to her strongly on tho subject of thc trial which was BO soon coming OD, and hc boggcd Mrs. McICcon to do tho ame aftcrwnrcls, perhapa having become latterly used to Ilor interference, Peemy nligllt bear from her what shc hnd to be told, with more ptbtience hn she would from himself. ‘B OE’ BALLPCLORAN. 191 L ehe felt by no L ‘‘ Indeed I will, father John, but do you be uspicions were gentle with her-she’s broken hearted nom- W~EIbetter for you’ll fiud her very different now from the be at home, hot-headed creature she wae before her aorrow lydoran when began,”

have aeftled cc I fear Bhe is-I fear she ia-but &fis. the present, XcICeon, hashe ever shewn R feeling of re- came for the gard--a Fpark of interest, for her noble bro- e. ther ?-it’s that so annoys me in Feemy ; I he Saturdny, could fcel for her-weep for her-and forgive lly with him her with all my heart-all but that.”

I the matter cc Ah, father John,” answered the lady, ‘Cit’s ch in doubt. not for me to preach to you, but where woulcl g Peerny on we all be nt the last, if our judge should any crpeaking to to USI, c I can forgive you all but that.’ ” f the trial God forbid I should judge her-God t he begged forbid I should limit that to her, which I so er warde, m much need myBelf; but isn’t her heart hardened sed to her against her brother ? oh, if you oould hnve n her whcrt Been him as I have done this morning-if you ience thas could believc how softened is his heart; ; he had never much false pide in it-it is nearly 192 THB MAUDERMOT8 all gone now-if you could have henrd how warmly, how affectionately he asks after the sister thnt won’t mention his name; if you could know how muoh more anxious he is on her account and his father’a, thon on his own, Feemy’s coldness and repugnance would strike you m it does me ; I’m afraid her chief aorrow ia still for the robber that would have destroyed her, and has destroyed her brother.” Of course it is, father John, and ao it should be ; I’m 8 woman and a mother, then take my word respecting a woman’s heart ; no wife oould love her husband more truly than Feemy loved that man : unworthy as he wm, he maall in all to her. Would it not therefore, shew more heartlessness in her to forgot him that is now dead, than tho brothor who killed him ; of OOU~SQEhe loved him batter than her brother, ae every woman loves the man she doos love better than all the world ; how om sha forget him ? Bs gentle OP BBLLYCLORAN. 193 to her, father John, and I’m sure she will do what you desire,” Pather John promised that he would comply AhMm. McKeon’s advice, and he was BE good a8 his word. On reaching the hall-door of Mrs. McKeon’s house, Feemy looked cautiously about her, but seeing that no one belonging to the home W~Bin sight, Ehe passed on through the little garden into theatreet. She pulled her old veil down over her face, and walked OD. through the village as quiokly 88 she could ; abe felt that every one’s eye was on her ; that ali the country wag looking at her ; but she had made up her mind to go through it all, and sbe persevered. The laat time she had been out of the home, was the day she had been taken from Ballycloran to the inquest ; that wag zlr horrid day, but the present seemed worse ; she had now a greater eorrow than any of‘ whioh she was then conscious, and she had to bear it uloae, unpitied and uncom- VOL. IXX. n 194 THE MACDERMOTS

Wà0 80 forted, Indeed, her only rest, her only reepite , from absolute torture was now to consist in partion being done, and yet bad aa the present was, sat dol there was a .worse ; ahe felt that there was a and thr worse in store for her. She already antici- her eu8 pated the tortures of that clay, when ahe was un would again, be dragged out from her resting- at a t plscs before th6 eyes of dl,mankind, and would ' placed ia tlze very middle af the. orowd, oon- once F spiououa above the rest, to be stared at, bank b bullied, and questioned horridly about thut paaaant dread subject, which,it even xaoked her mind offered to think OK Would she be able on that long, an ago1 long day--claya for what sheaknew-to COW man o? ced her. dume from all who would bo locking she w.3 at .her, and to bear in patience the agonie8 there i whicb, it would be necesslary for ber to en.. ssEiGtam dure,? She walkod on quiukly, and was soon directlj out of Drumana, end in the lane lending by nôt1tp the cottage to Ballycloran, By the time &e bruthm had walked half ,a mile, ,she wns in 8 dresdful of losi heat,,.although it wa~atill in March, for rthe noeded OP BALLYCLORAIT. 195

SO weak and ill that her exertion, in pro- portion to her strength, had been immense, she sat down by the side of the road for a time, and then continued, and then again sat down ; her 'sufferingswere 80011 BO great, that she was unable to walk above two hundred yarda at a time, and she began to fear that lshs would be utterly unable to get to 'the house ; oncewhen she WZLB sitting panting on the bank by the road side, oneof the labouriqg peasants recognised her--saw she was ill-and offered to get her a country oar ; oh, what an agonising struggle she made to answer the man cheerfully,when she assured him' that she wm quite well-that she was only sitting there for her plessure-that she required no assistance, and that she should walk home directly. The mmwell knew that she wa8 not there for ber pleasure-tbat whilst her brother was in gaol, her father on the point of losing his ,property, she Wa8 weak, and needed reet ; but he 88W that ehe nvobld E3 I96 THE XACDERYOTS sooner be alone, and he had the good tact to b leave her, without pressing hfs offer for her 1 accommodation. At length she reached the avenue, and had to pass the pot where she sat so long on that fatal night listening for the sound of her lover’s horse, and watching her brother 8s he stood swinging his stick before the house, she shuddered as she did so, but she did walk by the tree itself where she had then ,ant shivering, and at last once more stood on the step of‘ hcr 0 father’s house. The door was fastened inside, and she had to knock for admittancethis she did tbrec times, till she thought she should have fitinteil on the flags, and at laat the window of her , own sitting-room waa raised, nnrl Mary MCGO- very’s head was slowly protruded. Feemy was Eitting on tho low stone wall, whioh guarded the side of the flags, as she heard Mary my in a sharp voice- ’‘ Who’s that ?-and what are y0 wanting KOTS OF BALLYCLORAN. 19’7 here ? Oh 1: by the mortial8, but av it aint Miss Feemy herself come back I declare.” And Mary ran round, and began drawing thß bolts of the front door. Up jumped Larry at the unwelcome sound, from his accustomed scat by the fire.

cc What in the Divil’s name are ye afther ? What ‘arc ye doing ? Ye owld hag, will ye be letting the ruffiansin on me ?” and he caught violently hold of Mary’s gown to drag her back, bofore she had accompliBhed the liberation of the rusty bolts. Now go in sir, and sit down,” said Mary.

U Go in sir, will you-1 tell you it’s yer owu

daughter and no ruffian whatever. , Drab the owld man, but he’ll have every rag off the back of me. Don’t, I tcU you, it’e Xss Feemy ; will you be asy now ?-do you want to ‘hew mo stark naked 3” ‘c Como away, woman, I: tell you ; don’t I know Feemy’s gone dl away from me ; ahe’ll 198 THE UCDERMOTS niver, niver come back; it’s Keegan and his hell-hounds you’re letting in on me.’’ By this timeMary had accomplished her object of undoing the door in spite of the old mm's exertions, and Feemy entered weary and worn, soiled with the road, and pale and wan in spite of the hectic flush which reddened a portion of her cheek. cc Father,” ahe said when she saw the old man standing astonished and atupîfied in the hall, ‘:..father, don’t ya know me-won’t ye Spake to me 3”

Cc Why thin, Feemy, ia it yer ownself in anest come Back again, and where’s per lover ? the mm ye married ye knowwhat war his name ?--why don’t ye tell me 3 Mary, what’s the name of the Captain Beemy married 3’’ ccA.ay,air, asy-como in thin,” and Mary led him into his own room, and Feemy followed in dence with her eyes draady filled with tears.

L i .--

OP BALLYCLORAN. 199

“ Where’s yer own husband I thin, Feemy dear? Dasher, 1 main-Captain Umher-it’s he’d be welcome with you now, my pet,” and he begm stroking hie daughter’s shoulders and 5i back, for she had still her bonnet on her head. cc Thadp’s not hete now to be brow-beating him and teasing him-it’s we’ll be cornfbrt.tabIe i, now the cowld long nights-for the captain ’11 i be bringing the whiskey and the grooai’ee 5 with him, won’t he, dnrlint-and -Thady, the blackguard’s out dong wid Reegan, and athey can’t get in tbrough the door, for it’e always looked,” and .then turning to Mary, he mid,

CC why don’t you put the locks back, you d-d jade? do you want them to be oatching me the firat moment I’m seeing my own darlint girl here 3” Bemy could not; say word to her father: hie perfect idiotcp, and the mamer in-ahich -he referred to Usaller quite zzpaet ,her, and abe eat down aaii wept (bitterly.

(6 What alils you, pet F”’I continued the old 200 THE MBCDERMOTEl

man, U whntl aiIs you, alinna? they shan’t touch him, dear-there you Bee the big lock’e closed now-he’ll be safe from Thady now, darlint.” cc Oh, Miss Feemy,” said Mary, he’s quite beside himself now--say now, air, asy, and don’t be talking such nonsense-don’t ye know the Captain got kilt-months ago-last October ?.’ cc Eilled-and who dared to kill my darling’s husband 3 who’d dare to touch him 3 why wasn’t; he here ? why wasn’t he inside the big lock ?”

‘c Why, don’t you know,” and Mary gave the old man a violent ehake to refreeb his memory ; don’t you know Mr. ‘Shady kilt him in the avenue ?” ‘‘ May his father’s ourm blistller him then --may-- but I think they wor telling me about that before-eh, Feemy?” he continued, with a eigh, cc WBn bad time I’ve been having of it with this tipsy Woman since you Were

T UP BALLYCLORAN. 202 gone ; she don't lave me a moment's pace fruun moruing to night-bad 'ceas to Ler, but I wish r~hewor well out of the house. I'll have you to mind me now-and you'll not be bawling and shaking me as she does ; but she's always dLrunk," he added in a whisper. Feemy could beur this no longer; she W~A obliged to make her encape from the room into her own, in which she found that Mary hail tuken up her temporary ravidence durillg so

1nuc11 of the day, u8 &e could spare fiou

Bawling at, I and sllalciug poor Larry. At dinnur time, sho again went into her fdther's room, but Le took no farther notice of her, than if' she had bcen there continually for thu last four months. He, indeed, grumbled at hia dinner, which conaietod of nothing but pota- tom, some milk, and au egg, and he scolded Bcslny f'w having no meat; after dimx she niixod him a tumnblor of punoh, for there WUB atill a little of Tony's whiskey in the house ; ad,whether it was that she made it strongcr K5 202 TEE IKAC!DEBYOTS for him, and better than that which Mary McGovery was in the habit of mixing, or that the action to which he had been for ao many yeare accustomed roused Borne pleasant memory within him ; when he tseted it, be said-

16 Heaven’B blessing on you, Feemy, my daughter-may you live many happy years with the man you love.” Feemy soon left him, and went to bed, and . Katty, who had been dispatched to Drumsna, returned with her mistrese’s small box, and a kind message from Mrs. McKeon : cc Her kind love to Misa Macdermot, she hoped she hail felt the walk of sorvice to her, and she would cdsome time during the next week.”She had asked no questions of the girl whi& could lead her to imagine that her mistreeds departure from Drumsna had been unexpected -nor had ah0 Haid 8 word to her own servants whioh could let them suppose that she was surprised at the circumstance. For five or six days Feemy remained quiet OF -BALLYCLOBAN, 203 at Ba~ydoran-~pending the gkeater part of her time in her own room-but ..taking her meals-such as they were with her father-she had no books to ,read, and she wag unable to undertake needle work, and ,she pmed the long day8 much BB her father did--sitting from breakfaat till dinner over the fire, medí- Ming on the miseries of her condition. There was this difference, \however, between them- that the old mm felt a degree of triutnph st his suocessful attempts to keep out his foee, whereae Feemy’s thoughts were those of un- mixed sorrow; she had great difficuliy too in inducing Mary ta leave her alone to hepdeIf- had that woman had the slightest partiole of softness h her oompoaition, anything df the r tenderness of woman about her, Feemy would have made a ooaficlnnt of her, and her present aufferings would have been imrneasurabIy de- areased; but Mary was, such an iron creature -60 loud-ao hard-so equable in her temper 1-40 impenetrable, that Feemy could not bring herself to tell her tale of woe, which other.. mise she would have been iempted to diaclose. She, had, therefore, the additional labour of keeping her secret from Mary’s prying eyes, and Mary wae nearly as acute as Mrs. McKeon.

Abou t nom, on Monday, Peemy WRS horror- struck at being told by Katty that father John waa at ille back door asking for hor.

LC Oh, Ilatty, tell him to wait nwhile-my ??mill,can’t you-do, dear.”

cc Why, Mim, I towld him as how YOU ivar up, and betther, thank God, since you war l~orn~.” There was evidently nothing for it but to 8ee the priest ; but she insisted on his not being shewn in till she had dressed herself, and she again submitted herself to those agonies whioh ahtrusted, for a titno, would hide her disgrace, which she knew, at last, must become known to all. Whon thia was done, uhe seated heraslf on the sofi, and

c plucked up all her courage to go through the painful converantion which she knew she wm to endure. She did not rise as he entered, but remained on the sofa with the hectic tint on her face dmoat suffused into D blush, and her hunda clasping the calico covering of.the cushion, as if from that she could get mure strength for endurance.

Father John shook hands with her as' he seated himself by her; the tem came into his eyes as he observed the sad change which BO short n time had made in her, the floah bad fallen from lier face, and the akiu now hung loose upon her cheek and jaw bones, falling in towards the mouth, giving her that lean and care-worn look which misery BO offen produoes. Her hculthy colour too had all fled- part of her hco was of a dlnll leaden paleness, and hough there was B bright colour round her eyes, it gave her any thing but an slppearanoe of Ileslth, She looked ten years older than when

I -* y------

206 Tm MBCDERMOTES he hgd men her laet. No wonder Mm. 3)/lcKeon pitied her 80 deeply; she appeared Loue; f r even .Wore pitiable than h.er brother, who WELS awaiting his doubtful fate in gaol-though with nervous .anxiety,,still with unflinching courage. I am glad .to hear you’re better, Feexny ; Mrs. McKeon thinks QU a great deal better.” cc Thank ye, father John, I believe I’m well enough now,’’ Thgt’g well, then, but you must take care of yoareelf, E’eemy ; no more long walks-you should have waited for the car to come home,

that day ; &fra. McEeon’s not the least angry, s if you are more at ease here than at Drumana, she’s glad for your sake you’re here now, and she bide me tell you how sorry she ia she didn’t give you the cm the day you asked for it !”

c‘ Ob, father John, Mrs. McKeon’s been too kind to me. Indeed I: love her dearly, though OF BALLYCLORAN. 207 I could never teIl her so ; give her my kind love; I never thought I she was m kind a woman.''

1 will, Feemy. Indeed, I will; , ahe is a kind woman -and it will please her to the heart to hear how you speak of her ; she sends you dl manner of lovers, and Lyddy and Louey too, she ia aending up a few thinge for you too. Patsey'll bring .them, just .till affairs are settled a little ; she wishes me to tell you she'll be up heraelf on Thrlrsday ; ahe wouldn't come before, for ahe thought you'd bo better pleased to be alone a few days." c' Tell her not to come here. This is no plaoe for her now-they never open the front door now-this ia no place for any one now, but j& father and me, but tell her how I love her. I'll never forget her, no, not in my gravo." But I've another message for your Feemy 1'' 'C Is it from her ?" (6 No, not from her-wo11 as she loves YOU- it’s from one who loves you better than she does-it is fiom one who loves you better than any ever did, filince your poclr mother died,”

. Feemg raised her eyea, and clasped her hands, as she listened to father John’s words, and marked his solemn tones; no thought of Thady entered her mind-but aome indefinite half conceived idea respecting Ueshcr --that he had not been killed-that he had come to life again-that mme mysterious miracle, euch as she had read of in novels, had taken placc ; and that father John hnd como with Bolne blessed news, wbich might yet reatore her ta happiness and tranquillity. The illueion was but for a moment, though during that moxnont it completely took possession of her -it was as speedily dispelled by father John’s conolu- ding W orde- ‘‘ I mean from your brother,” Feemy gave IL long, long sigh, m she Imrrd the word-to tell the tru$h alle wished for 110 measage from her brother-he had robbod her .-- 02 BALLPCLORAN. 209 of every-thing--ehe couldn't think of him but with horror and shuddering. cc He sends his kindest love to you. I told him you were better, and he was ao very glad to hear it. Tho' he ha8 many-heavy cares uf his own to bear, I have never seen him, But he asks after your health with more anxiety than he thinks of his own prospecta. Now you are better, Feemy, wont you send him aome measage by me-aome kind word, which may comfort him in his sorrow '' Feemy was no hypoclrito-hypocrisy, though ahe did not know it herself, was distasteful to her; she had 110 kind feelings 'for her brother, and she did not know ham to make the pre- tenco which might produoe kind.r.'t;vordR, md ahc remained silent. cc What not a word, Fecmy, you who spoke "'1 ao well, so properly, so affectionately, but now of that good friend of youra-have you not a word of kindness for a most affcationate brother P'' 210 THE WACIIERMOTS Feemy still remained silent.

cc Why, Feemy, what is this 3 don’t YOU love your own brother?” She said nothing in reply for a moment or two, and then bumting into team, ehe ex- daimed-

(6 Don’t scold me, father John-don’t : scold me now, or I shall die-I try to forgive him- I am always trying -but why did he-why did he-why did he-” she wae unable to finish her sentence from the violence of her sobs, and the diffioulty of uttering the ‘words which

should have concluded it. I She meant toleay, .why did he kill my. lover T” Don’t agitate yourself, Peemy--l don’t mean to scold you. ..I don’t mean even to vex you more than I can possibly help ...but X must speak to you about your brother...I aee the feeling that is in your mind, and I will not blame you for it, for I: believe it is natural, but I beseech you to pray that your heart may be softened toward8 your brother, who instead of repugnance, deserves fiom you the warmeet affection...but though I will not attempt to control your feelinga, I must tell you that you will be most wicked if you allow them to interfere with the performance of your duties... you how your brother’s trial is coming -on, don’t you 3”

‘c Yes.”

LC Wednesday fortnight next is the day fixed, I believe. ..you know you will have ta be n witneaa P” cc I believe ao, father John.”

U Certainly you will,..nnd I wish you,now n to listen to me, that you may know what .it ia that you will have to do then. In th0 firnt place you will be aaked, I presume, by one gentleman whether you were willinily eloping with Captain Ussher?” Foemy shuddered ae the name was pronounced, and of course you must answer that truly ...that you were doing 80. ..then another gentloman will ask you

+ 212 THE MACDERMOTS whether you were absoIutely walking off with him when the blow was struck which killeil Captain Umher; and, Feemy, you must also answer that truly. Now the question is, can you remember what you were doing when the blow was struck? tell me now, Feemy, om you remember ?”

cc No, father John, I remembor nothing, from the time when he took me by tho arm, as I sat upon the tree, till Thady told me he wa0 dead, I remember nothing..,if thsy kill me, I can tell them nothing.” Peemy dear, don’t aob so..,that’E all you’ll have to say ...nerdy say that. .merely say thnt you were sitting on a tree I Were you waiting for Captain Usshcr there ?” ‘c Yes.”

cc And that whilst you were there you daw Thady ...isn’t thnt ao?” cc Yes.” And Umher thon raised you by tho arm, and then you fainted ?” 2

‘l I don’t know’ what happened to rne...but 1 heard nothing.,.and saw nothing, till Thady lifted me from the ground, and told me he was derad.” That’s dl, Feemy. Surely there’s nogreat difficulty in saying thne.. .when it’ll 8ave your own brother's life to pay ao...and it’s only the truth. ..you can say RB much in court as you’ve just edd to me, can’t you ? Mrs. McKeon ’11 be there with you. ..and I’ll be there with you. You’ll only have to say in court what you’ve just said to me.” I’ll try, father John; but you don’t know what it ie for one like me to bo talking with ao mnnp horrid faces round one ...with the’ heart dead within ...to be asked such horrid questions, and every body listening; I’ll do as you Lid me ; I’ll go with them when they fotch mcl..but 1 know 1’11 die before I’ve said all they will want me to my.” FathJohn tried to comfort and strengthen her, but &o was in great bodily pain, m3 he mon aaw he had better leave her,; she had at any rate shewn him by her amwerfl to hia questions, that the evidence she could give would be auch ars would most tend to Thacly's acquittal, and, moreover, he perceived from her manner, that though the feelings which Fhe entertained towards her brother were of&most painful description, she would, nevertheless,not be actuated by them in any of the answers she might give. On the Thursday following, Mrs. McKeon and one of ber daughters called at Ballyclorsm, feflbhs her, and in spite of the bars and bolts with which her dmin the front door was barricaded, they contrived to make their way into Feemy'e room. She remembered that father had told her John be ded that they would cull on that day, and she was thereforeprepared to receivethem, Mm. McKeon brought her some little comforts from Drumana, of which she was sadly in want, for there was literally nothing Cat Ballyclornn, but 'what was supplied .by tho oharity of the three who pitied them in their miafortunes, and among other things two or three volumeEl from the library; she waa very kind to hei, and did and anid al11 in her power that could in any way console the poor girl. Though father John had been gentle in hirs mnnnerg, and had eudeavoured to abstain from saying anything hard, Istill Mrs. MolCeon was more successful in Ber manner) of explaining to Feemy what it was that she would have to do. She pro- mimd, moreover, to come to Bsllycloran and fetch her, and to remain with her and support; her during the whole of the painful time that she would either be in the court itself, or waiting in the neighbourhood till she should be oalled on to give her evidence. She did’ not allude eithor to the manner in whioh JE’oemy had loft Drumsna, or to the suspicions whiob she had formerly expressed. Her whoh object waa now to rcliovo as much as possible the dwpondemy and misery 80 plainly pic- tured in the poor girl's face. As she put her arm round her peck, and kiaeed her lips Feemy's heart yearned towards her new found friend with a kind of tenderness ahe had never before felt-it was a8 though she for OnCe experienced a mother's solicitude for her in her sorrowa, and she longed to throw herself on her knees, hide her face in friend'a lap, and confess it all. Had aha been alone with her Bhe would have done so, but there sat Louey in tho 881110 room, and though her conduct to Feemy had been everything that W~B

kind, she felt that it was not a8 if she had been

abaolutely alone with her mother, B~Ccould not at the ame tirne confcss her disgrace to two. Mrs. McKeon want away, uftor having strongly implored Peemy to return with her to Drumsnn, and remain there till the trial was over ; but this she absolutely rofused ta do- t

L and at bt it WCtB settled thah Mrs. Mc'l.icon P.p OF BALLYCLORAN. 217

Elbould come for her on the morning on which the trial was to como on, and that she ahould hold herself ready to attend on the day that she might be called for after the commencement of the assizes. The time now wore quickly on. When Mra. MoKeon called, it had only wanted a fortnight to the firet day on which the triol could take plnce--and as it quickly slipt away, day by day, to tbat bourn from whid~no day returne, poor Feemy's sorrow nnd aSfonies bc- came in overy way acuter. At laut, on the Wednesday, the day bohre that on which ahe was to bo, or, at any rate, might lo fetched, sbc was in such n &aie that she wns unable to aupport herself in D chair. Mary McUovery - would not loavc her for n mornoni; ; thwoz111an ruonnt kindly, 'hut her presence wan only na niictitionnl torment. She worried and tor- turcd lhmy the whole day; she talked 'to hor, intcndiag to comfort her, till she was SO bowildercd, that a110 could not understand a VOJJ. III. L 218 THE MhCDfiliMOTS. word that was said, and she kept bringing her food and slops, declaring th4t there was nothing like eating for a sore heart, that if Ussher wm gone, there were still a8 good fieh in the 8ea a8 wer were caught, and that even if Thsldy were condemned, the judge couldn’t do more than transport him which would only be sending him out to a better country, and “faix the one he’d lave ’a bad enough $r man and baste.” About sevea. in the evening Feemy was BO * weak that she fainted. Marry was in the room at the time, lifted her on the sofa, and when she found that her mistress did not immediately come to herself‘, she began stripping her for the aake of unlacing her stays, nnd tllurs learnt to B certainty poor Beemp’s seorct. Mary had a great deal of dmwd common seme of the coarser kind ; sho felt thnt howcvcr well inclined she might bo to her mistrese, she ahould not keep to heradf tho circumetnnce thnt she bad jurJt learnt ; she knew it was her OF BALLYCLORAN. 21 9 dutg &S EI woman to make it known to some one, and she at once determined to go that evening to Mrs. MolXeon and tell her what it was she had discovered. As soon as Feemy had come to herself, she got her into bed, and having performed the same friendly office for the old mm,she started off for Drumsna ; and having procured R private audience with Mrs. McHeon, told her what had occurred. Mrs. McReon waB not at all surprised, though she wa8 greatly grieved ; she merely mid.. . cc YOUhave done quite right, Mary, to tell me, but don’t mention it yet to any one else ; after all this affair is over, we’ll Bee what will be Lest to do. God help her, poor girl; it were almost bettershe should die,” and a6 Mary went down stairs she called her back io her. Take my silk cloak with you, Mary ... tell Miss Macderrnot I’ve sent it, because she’ll be so cold to-morrow ...and Mary,” and S3 220 THE MACDERMOTS here ahe whispered aome instruction on the stajrs, mind I shall come myself for her ..,but let her be ready as may be there mayn’t be a minute to spare.” Pather John WBB certainly right when he mid Mie. MoIZeon had a kind heart. F OF BALLYCLORAN, 22 L

CI-IAPTER VI.

ANDnow the assize meek in Carrick on Shan- non had cornmcnoed, and all wag bustle and confusion, noise, dirt, and dietraction. I have observed that 8 strong, determined, regularly set-in woels: of had weather uaually goes the circuit in Ireland in company with the judgee and barristers, making tho business of those who are obliged to &end even more intoler- able than from ita own nature it ia always Bure to bc, And BO it wa8 in this caee. On Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Baron Hamilton and Justics Kilpatrick entered Carriok OR Shannon, ono after the other, in the company .of tho 13iglz Sherig and a tremendous ahower, 222 TEE MACDERMOTS

of rain, whichdrenched the tawdry liveries of the servants, and gave a, most uncomfortable appearance to the whole affhir. The grand jury had been in the town since Monday morning-settlingfiscal business- wrangling about roads-talking of tolls- checking county cesses-and performing those various patriotic offices, which they would fain make the unitiated believe, require so much talent, induatry, and energy; and a8 they were seen etep2ing over the running gutters, and making the beet of their may through th0 splashing streets, their physiogno- mies appeared ominous of nothing good to the criminals, whose casea had in the first instance to come before them. Every lodging in the town ia engaged, bods being let, sometimes three in a room, for the moderate sum of R guinea enoh for the week. The hotels, for there are two, aro c1.owdod from the garrots to the cellars. Happy the man nt euoh a period, who, enjoys ICI bed-room OF BbLLYCLORm. 223 which he cm Lsecure with a key-for in other cages the rightful goslsessor ia not at all unlikely,

011 entering his own premises, to find three or four nomowhat rough looking strangers, perhaps liberated jurors, or witnesses jmt escapecl from the fangs of a counsel, sitting in most undisturbed ease on his bed, eating bread and butter, and drinking bottled porter ; some huge fiwmer with dripping frieze coat squatted on hie pillow, his towel Elprend 8s table cloth on the little doa1 table, which hm been allotted to hin1 as the only roceptucle for his jug, basin, looking &LM,brushes, trnd every other article of tho toilof, und Lis curpet bag, dreasing gown, and puutaloons chucked unceremoni- oudy into corner, off the chair8 which they lxacl occupied, io make way for the damp friends of’ the big farmer, who ia eeatGd on the bed. This rnau is now drawing a cork from a bottle of portsr, the froth of which you are quite eure from the manner in which the mm holds the bottle will chicfly fall upou the sheets be- 224 THE MACDERMOTS tween which you are destined to sleep, unless some h&’ drunken ruffian, regardless of rights of possession and negligent of etiquette, de- posits himself there before the hour at which y011 may think good to retire to reat. Fruitless and vain would it be for YOLI ta endeavour to disturb such I n party, bet ter lnck up your bag, &ova all thinge not for- getting your brushes ; and as you are a witness yourself in the ingenious manner in which the great, barrister, Mr. Allewinde, is endeavouring to make that unfortunate and thoroughly disconcerted young man in the witness box, swear to a point c~nnletricnl~yoppoflite to another point to which he hm nlrcady sworn at the instigation of counsel an the othr aide, and thereby perjure himself. Never mincl the bustling of eager, curious countrymen; never mind those noisy numerous policemen, with their Sunday brass-chained onpa, push on through them dl, make your way into the centre of the court-go down there right OP OF BALLYCLORAN. 225 to the lawyers’ benoheenever mind the seats being full-plunge in-if you hesitate, look timid-aslx questions--or hang bnck-you are lost, thrust out, expelled, and finally banished with ignominy into the tumultuous sea of damp frieza ooata, which mstuates in the outer courtbut go on with noise, impudence, and full face, tread on people’s toea, and thrust thorn back with cc by your leave,” and ‘you will fiad yourself BOOU seated in direct view of the judge, counsel, witness and prisoner. You will be taken for an attorney, or, at my rate, for an influential court witness-if you talk somewhat loud, uni1 frown very angrily in the face of the ta1h.t policeman, you may by the ignorant even be taken for a barrister. In ht, into court you must cornethere ia no other place open to receive you. The big room at ths hotel, in which we have been tllrco titnos on such different occasions; The long big room where IklcICeon presided over ao IJ5 226 TEE MACDERMOTS many drunken spirits-where poor E'eemy made her last arrangements with her lover at

the ball-and where 80 soon afterwards she W~Bbrought forward to give her evidence touching his death, while his cold body was lying dead on the table before her; this long big room is now set apart for yet another purpose. The grand jury are to dine there, and already the knives and forlra we laid out upon the long deal table. The little coffee-room, so called, though w hiskey-room, or punoh-room, or porter-room would be much the more appro- priate name, unlessindeed there is B kind of Cr lucus a non lucendo," propriety in the appel- lation, is full nearly to suffocation. There is not an unoccupied chair or cornerof B table to be found. Large men half wet through-reeking- smelling most unwholesomely m the rain &earns up from their clothes, are keeping the cold out of their stomachs by vsriouls Hpirituous OB BALLYCLOBAN. 227 appliances--the room is half covered with damp straw, which has been kicked in from the passage-the windows are cloaed, and there is a huge fire burning on the other side of that moist mass of humanity. On entering the room you feel that you breathe nothing but second-hand rain--s sojourn there you find to be impossible-the porter drinkers are still in your bed-room, even OD your bed up-stairB- what are you to do i? where are you to go ? back home you cannot. You have 8 aummons in your pocket-you have been unfortunately preseut when Mr. Terence O'E'lanagan aqueezcd the fair hand of Miss Letitia, Murphy -faIseMr. Terence O'Flnnagan would not come to the scratch when required-fair Mias Letitia Murphy demands damages, and you must swear to the fact of the hand having been squeezed as aforesaid. Who can tell when the C~SQmay oome on. Rumour come3 from the Clerk of the Peace, Town Clerk, OP aome other Clerk, who sits them in pride of place always conspicuous under the judge% feet, whispers that Letitia Murphy, spinster, iß coming on next. Attorneys’ clerkahave been round diligently to dl witnesses, especially as it seems to yourself, warning you that the important hour is at hand-that on no account may pou be absent, ao much as ten minutes walk from tbe court. Vainly you think to yourself that it can hardly be of suoh vital import that you, her fatl~er‘afriend, aaw little Letty Murphy’s hand ensconced one evening in the brawny palm of that falso .Lothario O’E’lsnagm-yes, of serious import is it-if not to Letty, or to TerencG-yet to thnt faca- tioue barrister, MP. O’Laugher, who, nt your expense, is going to allluse the dull court fop a brief half-hour, and to yourself who aro abont to become thc laughing stock of your county for the next twelve montha. It ia, therefbre, evident that pou cannot leavo the filthy town with its running gutters-tho filthy inn wit11 i€~stcarny stinking atmosphere, and bed-room OP BALLYCLOUN. 229 porter drinkers for good and all, and let LO- thmi0 O'E'lanagan, Spinster Letty, Lawyers Allewinde and OLaugher, with Justice Eil- pdti~k,hk ih matter by tiiernaehea their C own ~tly,but thsi you mwt, Willy nilly, in spite of min, crowd, and ofFensive smell stay tmd help to settle it with them. Iato court tllerefore return, unfortunate mitnesg other shelter have you none-and pow being a man of strong ncrvca, except when put into a chair to LO stared nt by judge-bnr-grand jury- little jury-attorney-galleries, &c., &c., you can pual,. gour way into a seat, and lieten with attention to the quiddities of the legally eru- dito Mr. Allcwindo, as on behalf of hia client he ingeniously attempts, nay, as he himself tdtcrwerds boasts to the jury, succeeds in mnking that disconcerted young gentlelnan in tllc witmm clmir cornmit perjury. Mr, Allewinde is a most erudite lawyer- ho baa baen €or many yeare employed by the qowu in its prosecutions and with' great SUC- 830 THE MACDEnMOTP8

cess. He knows well the art of luring on an . rtpprover, or crown witness, to give the information he wants without asking absolutely leading questions-he knows well how to bully a witness brought up on the defence out of his senaes, and make him give evidence rather against than for the prisoner -and it is not onIy witnesses that he bullies, but his very brethren of the gown. The lmrristers themselves who are opposed to him, nt any rate, the juniors, are doomed to bear the withering force of his caustic remarks.

c( No, redly, I cannot suffer this-witness, don’t aas~erthat question. The learned gentleman must be aware this is irregular-my lord, I must appeal to you. Stop, stop, thnt cm noyer be evidence,” and so onth un- fortuuate junior, who fondly thought that with the pet witness now in the chair, he would be surely able to acquit his client, finds that he can hardly frame a question, which his knowing foe will allow him to a&, and the groat

k rs OF DALLYCLORAN. 2311 Mr. Allewinde convicta the prisoner not from the strength of hia owh case, but from his vastly superior legal acquiremonts. How mnaterly is he in all the points of‘ his profession as evinced in a Criminal court. With what becks, and smiles, and wreathed nods,” he passes by his brethren on the prosecuting side, and takes hia aeat of honour. How charmingly he nods to the judge wl~enhis lordship lays down the law on some point in con- formity with the opinion expressed by himself. Mow rapidly he throws to the wind the frivo- lous exouses of some juror wishing to escape the foreseen long night’s confinement-how great is he on all points of panels-admieaable asud unadmiasable evidence-replying and not rcplying-how thoroughly he kuowa the minute practice of the place--how he withers my attorney who may dare to spent R word on Lis own behalf, whilst asking questions of a witnoss 0x1 behalf of an otherwise uade- fended priaoner, how unceremoniously he takes the word out of tho mouth of the, in hie 232 THE MACDERNOTS opinion, hardly competent junior barrister who is with him-h3w Demosthenio is his language when addressing the jury on the enormity of agrarian offences-with what frightfúl, fearful eloquence does he depict tbe miaeries of anarchy, which are to follow nonpayment of tithee rents nnd taxes, and with what energy does he point out to W jury that their own hearths, homes, and very existence dcpend on their vindicating justice in the instance before them. I&. I&. Allewinde was never greater than in the case now before the court. A young farmer of the better class had hen sorvod with some disagreeably Icgnl document on RC- count of his non-payment of an arrcm of rent. ; he had at the time about twcnty acres of un- ripe oats on the ground for which t116 nrrenr was due ; and he also tlald othor ground fo~ which he owed no arrear. , On ascertaining that a distraint was to be put on the ground which owed the rent, he attendod there with

.-I' OF BALLYCLORAW. 233

B crowd of countrymen, and would not allow the bailiff to put hia foot upon the lands ; the next day the bailiff came again with police in numbers at his heella, and found the twenty sores which had yesterday been waving with green crops utterly denuded. Every blade had been cut and carried in the night, and was then stnckecl on the ground on which no difltraint could be levied. In twelve houm, . and those mostly houre of dadmese, twenty acrw had been renpcd, hound, carted, carried, uncwted, and stacked, and the bailiff and the policeman had nothing to seize but the long, green, unevan stubble. Why the whole country must have been there-the field must Imve been like a fair- green the whole night-each acre must bave talcen nt least six men to renp-there must hava been thirty head of oattle, of one sort or other, dragging it hope, and there mast have been upwards of a hundred women and childran binding and loading. There oodd p 834 THE MACDEIIMOTB

I at any rate be no want of evidence to prove the fact. One would think so, with two or three hundred people with their tools, horaes, and card; but yet the landlord determined on prosecuting the tenant ; there wag not a person to be found who had seen the corn re~noved- not one. In fact people who had accn, ar3 the bailiff had, the corn covering the broad fielcl one day, and the same fielJ bare the next,

began to think that the faot waa not BO, and that the miraculous night's work was a fable. It wa8 certain that the bailiff hail been de- temed from entering on the ground, but it was also certain that nothing but words had been used to deter him ; he hail not been atruck or even pushed ; he had only been frightened-and it seemed somewhat plain that his faint heart only had provonted him from oompleting his seizure--oithor that or aome pecuniary inducement. Things were going badly with the bailiff, particularly when in answer to MrB OZaugher, he had boen obliged to oonfess that; on tho morning on r

OF DALLYCLORAN. ash a which the seizure should have been mude he had taken-athrifle of sperrits--a glass, perhaps-yes, maybe, tr\o-yes he had taken two-three, suggested Mr. OLsngher with a merely raised eyebrow ; he couldn’t say that he had not taken three-+òur ? again enquired Mr. O’Laugher ; he didn’t think hc had tnken four. Could he swear he had not taken four ? He would not swear he hadn’t. He would not even swear he bad not taken five-nor

even six, 80 conscientious a, bailiff was he, but he W~Bnearly sure he hadn’t, and would swear positively he had not had seven; whereupon Mr. O’Laugher most ill-naturedly put down

his morning dram at three quarters of S pint, and a~kedthe unhappy bailiff whother that quantity was not sufficient to make bim see a cro~of oats in an empty field. It was going badly with the landlord and bailiff, and well with the energetic, night-working, fraudulent tenant, and would have gone well with him, had he not determined to make assurance doubly sure. A young mm had been dining out, and had returned home at twelve o’clock on the night of the supposed miraculous reaping ; he had at that hour walked home along the lane which skirted the field, and had seen no mm- heard no noise-nor perceived either reapers, cars, horses, or any signs of work ; yet he had passed the very gate of the Gold through which the corn must bave como out, had it come out at dl. Such was th0 effect of this young gentleman’s evidence, whep he was handed over to Mr. Allewinde by Mr. O’Laugher, with a courteous onquiry of hia brother whether he wished to ask that gentleman any questiona, which maanEmred in the affirmative; and the young gontlemnn begm to tremble. *‘ Mr. Green, I think your name i,” bogan Mr. Allewinde. OF BALLYCLOßAW. 237

LC Yes air.” Ancl then it appeared that Mr. Green absolutely remombered the night of the 12th Sep- tember ; had heard the rumour of the corn having been removed, but had not observed it growing there, when he went to dinner ; had dined at the house of the prisoner’s father, about a mile beyond the field; had certainly passed the vefy field ; could positively swear he wna perfectly sober ; was certainly not carried By drunk ; had not observed the field oapecially ; coulcl not say he had lookad at the field as he pnsscd ; had heard’ of the bailiff’s retreat thnt morning ; did not think to look at tho ground where the mob had been ; did not observo tho place ; will pmitively awear ha hod nothing; was not walking in his sloep ; could not swear whether the oats were stunding at the timo or not-whether the gate was opon or ahut-wlwhher or no men were in tho field, only he aaw nonc-believed it was moonlight. 230 THE MACDERMOTS

CC Why man ! what did you see 3” a8ked Mr. Allewinde.

U Nothing particular.’’

#C Had you your eyes open 7” No answer. ‘c Now by virtue of your oath were pour eyes open ?” No amwer. cc Come, Bir, T must, and will have an answer ; on your solemn oath were your eyes open when you walked by that field ?” At last after various renewed qaeationa the

witneEs says cc No.”

U Did you shut them by accident ?” After that question had been sufficiently often repeated, the witness again said No ; he had been blinded,” and in the same way it was at Isst extracted from him that his ears Ilad been stopped and hia eyes blinded, and that he had been Icd along t?le road by the field, that kc might be able to awoar thnt he had pasaed the placo during tbe night see ‘aeked without either seeing or hearing what WEM at the moment taking place there. : Oh that miserable witness I one could swear from the glassy look of his ayes that then also, during those awful queetiona, he h were your could Ree nothing ; tho sweat rolled down his miserable face. That savage barrister, $lb

winde, appeared to him EI a devil Bent direct from tho in fernals, for hiu exprees behoof, have an an- 80 unmercifully did he tear him, and lacerate le your eyes 3 P” him ; twenty times did he malre him declare tiestions the his own shalrne in twenty different ways ; oh ! whit 8 prize for a clever, sharp, inge- nioua, triumphant Counsallor like Allewinde, that wiclrod false witness, with his shallow, de- tected device. FIe played with him like a cet

does with n moum-now letting him go for 5t moment, with thc vain hope that he w?ns to escnpo-then ngnin pouncing on him, and giving him n frcsh tear, till at last when the young man was delsired to lenve the chnir, one wns altlmost inclined to detcst the ingenuity of the 240 TEE MaCDERBIOTB

ferocious lawyer more than the iniquity of the false witness. This case was now over ; the bailiff again held up his head ; the landlord gained his O&UB~; the farmer mm sent to prison, and the blind and deaf witness sneaked out of town in shame and disgrace. ‘11’his came of not letting well alone. The Wednesday waa now ndvzlnced, and it

mm settled that there would not be time for ’ the great murder caae, as poor Thady’ a affair wag called. Besides Mr. Allewinde wag also to conduct that, and he wanted some rest after his exertions ; and a9 he malkcd out with triumph, aome minor cases were brought forward for diwposal, and Mr. O’Laugher rushed into the other Court to defond Terence O’FIamgan, before Mr. Justice Kilpatrìck, against the assaults nmdo upon hiB poclcet by ’ that wi1Iow;wearing spinster, Letitia Murphy. In ruahed allat, all the loungcra from tho OF BALLYCLORAN. 241

other place ; in auch a, place as Carrick-on- Shannon, a breach of plcornise of marriage Onse is not an every day treat, and consequently the weary, listening all the morning dull and wretched, are determined to make the most of it. Counsellor O’Laugher runs his haads through his dark grey hair, opens wide &a light blu0 oye, pulls out the needful papers, from that bottomless bag, and though but the other moment so eignally defeated in the other court, with sure trust in his own re- eources prepares for victory. The case is ‘soon stated. Mr. Terence O’FIanagm, with five hundred a-yew, profit

* rents, out of the town and neighbourhood of Maonhamilton, hm, to the palpable evidence of ths whale and next baronies, been mekipg up, as the phrase goes, to Letty Murphy, for tho last six months. Thie has been no case of Bardell v. Pickwick, but a real downright case of love-making on the one side, and love made . on $he other, Letters, too, have been written, ‘t-at. m. M 242 THE MACDERMOTS

and are now to be read in court, to the great edification of the unmarried jury, and amusement of the whole nssemblage, and the de- ceitful culprit han gone SO far a~ to inform the father, Murphy, that he has one thouaand pounds saved to settle, if he, the f'uther, has another to add to it. All these things Mr. O'Malley puts forward on behalf of the in- jured Letty, in his opening speech, and then proceeds to bring evidence to prove them. In -the first place the father giveehis evidence, and is cross-examined with great effect by Mr. O'Laugher ; then the letters are read, and arc agreed by all to be very :d%ctionate, proper, sgreenbla lovc=lcttera; there is no cross-questioning them, for though anewerecl, they will not answer, kld our fricntl who cs- taped but just now melanclloly from the porter- drinkers in hia bed-room, is brought forward to prove the lova-makings of the delinquent. All Mr. O' Malley's quogtions ho mawem with great readiness and fluency, for it WRB b ERMOT4 OP BALLYCLBRAN. 243 for the purpose of answering theln that he came forward. He stateo without hesitation

that love-malring to R considerable cxtent has beep going on ; that to his knowledge, aod in his presence, most particular atteutions have been paid by Mr. Torence to Miss Letty ; that they heve sat together, talked together, walked together, and whispered together to

suoh 811 extent, that in his, the witness'8 mind, they had fur some time past been considered to be :L rcgularly engaged couple, and that, moreover,, he had lhaelf seen Mr. Terzrlce O'Flanagan squeezing the hnd of Miss Letty. Ihving tlcclared so mudl on behalf of the lady, ha also was hendcd ove19 to Mr. O'Luugher to bo made to say what ho could on behalf of tho gentloman.

In auswer to different queetiom, lx stated , that 110 wsla 8 middle aged gcntlemun, about f'0rty-a bachelor muving in good society- Buffioicntly so, to bs acquainted with its uaagm, was in the hnbit of finding himself in M3 244 TliE MACDERMOTS company with ladies -married ladies and single-confessed, after Borne interlocutions, that he did prefer the company of the latter, and that he preferred the good-looking to the plain-the young to the old ; would not &ate whether he had made up his own rninqon the

subject of matrimony, and had zt very strong objection to inform the jury whether he was engaged ; wae his objection insurmountable 3 yes it was, whereupon it was decided by the - court that the witnese neednot anawer the question, as he could not be called OP to criminate himself. He had, probably,however, been in love ? suggested Mr. O’Laughm ; wouldn’t say that he had. A little smitten perhaps ? Perhapa he had ; was, perhaps, of a susceptible heart ? No answer. And ao- customed to Cupid’e gentler wounds ? No answer. Hadn’t lm usually in his heart a prepossesvion for 8ome young lady 3 Mr., O’Laugher must insist on having an answer to this question, and 88 it was absolutdy ne- OF BALLYCLORANm 245 oessnry the juzy should know the nature of a witness's temperament, whose evidence waa chiefly one of opinion, and not of facts, how could they otherwise know what weight to give to his testimony ? Hadn't he u~uallya prepossession in his heart for some youpg lady il There was a great den1 of hesitation about this question, at leaat he. W~Bgot to inform the jury on hie oath that he usually-in *.' fact always-did entertain such L prepossession; was he not foad of conversing with the lady who for the time mightl be the ohjeot of this feeling 3 €10 supposed he ma- of walking with her P No, ndt partioularly of walking with her. Did he never walk with bis loved one ? Re didn't think he ever did, except by accident, Weren't such happy accidents of frequent occurrence ? They might be. 'Weren't they gratifying acoidentB when they did ocour 3

Why, yea ;Jhe supposed they vere. Then he was fond of walking with his love& one ? Why, taking it in that way,*he supposed he 24 6 THE MACDERMOTS

WM. Mr. O’Laugher auppoeed BO too. Did he never whisper to thig loved object ? No never. What never P Never. What, could he swear that he had never whispered to the present object of his adoration ? He had no object of adoration. well, then, object of love ? He had no object of love-that ia, he wouldn’t say whether he had or not. He thought it very hard that he ahould be aeked all these questiona. Well, then, object of prepossession. Could he swear that ha had never whispered with the present object of hie prepossession 3 Never-except in church-thnt was to my, he couldn’t tell-never exccpt in church-never walk with her exccpt by ncci- dent. Mr. O’Lnughcr surmieed thnt the witness was a very oautioue follow-quite nu old bird-not to bo caught with clmK Did he never sit by her ? Sit by who 3 By the object of his prepossession ? He supposed he might at diunor, or at 8 party, or at a concert or a ball, OF BALLYCLORAN. 247

cc What, ait by the object you love best at a concert, and not whisper to her between the tunos-and you a Connaught man,'' sai(ï Mr. O'hugher. '' Come, mend your reputation a little-wasn't that a slip you made, when YOU seid now you'd never whispered to her nt a concert ? Perhaps he had at, a concert. Woll now I thought so-L thought by your complexion you wouldn't sit by a pretty girl, and tak,e no notice of her. Did you never squeeze n girl's hand while you were whisper- ing to hcr ? He couldn't remember. Now on your oath did you never squeeze girl'a hand ? He might have done so. Did you never put your mm round girl%waist P At last the ,witness owned he might have donc even that. And now, one question, ancl I've done. Did you never kias a girl 3 No an- SWOT. Conic, that'e the la& ; after all you've owned, you nccdn't haggle at that ; out with it man ; it must come at last. Did you never a kise n girl ? Alas for the sake of morality the

,, ? , "L,

Ir 248 THE UACDERMOTS

witncas was at length obliged to own that he

had perpetrated the enormity. ‘c And,” asked Mr. @Laugher with a, look of great surprise,

U were you never proceeded against forda- mages ? Was an action for breach of promise of marriage never brought against you 3” No, never, the witness had never been in auch a predicament, ‘( What never? You who havedeclared, I won’t say unblushingly, for herrv0~1knowe you ham brushed enough about it, but openly, and on your oath, that you hame always some different object of affection with whom you walk, sit, t&, andwhisper, whose hand you squeeze, round whose waist you put your arm, (a crime, by the bye, never imputed to my dient,) whom you even confess that you kiss, and yet you sit here secure, unassded,’ un- solicited for damages, unmngaged as you lead us to suppose. What are ‘the fatl~ers and brothers of Connaught doing to let such I\ hydreheaded moneter aa thou near their doora

r, OB BALLYCLORAN. a43

--such a .wolf into> their sheep-pens3 Go down thou false Lothario. Go down thou ~~I!OUSTurk, and remeimber that a day of retribution may yet come ,$or youreelf," The unfortunate witness hawried out of court-ran through the pelting rain to the inn l-warnmed his brutahes and pantaloons iuto the carpet bag in spite of' damp3,fiamers,,and burly port;er drinkers-paid a guinea for the bed in which he had never slept, and hiring a post-car, hurcied from the scene of his d'1 g race regardlees of tho torrent8 which were falling. On the Waduesday morning, for it bad been forgotten till thena a, ßummona waa served on Hyacinth Eoegan to attend 88 II witness at

Tbady's I trial, on the prisoner's. behalf, PB he - warn living in the town the service waa quite in aufiCient time, and there waa no possibIe meam by which he could avoid the disagreeable duty whioh wm thus imposed upon him. ,He WBB much nanoyed, however, for he felt that there were no queetione, which he could be M5 250 THE UCDXRMOTS

asked on the subject, which it would not annoy him to anewer. Fe had been out but littic since the day on which he had bean SO savagely and whai treated at Drumleesh-indeed he had not been to bimsc able to go out tili quite lately, and he now that Bra most thoroughly wished that he was bad examinr enough to obtain a medical certificate, which On tl would prevent the necessity of his attending that T1 in court. That, however, was irnpoasible, and orimim he, therefore, sat hirneelf to consider what the SW answers he would give to the questions they would be most likely to ask him. Rcgard for A. fat his oath he had none, but there were some most clisagreeable questions, which, if asked him, he would be obliged to answer with the truth, for on those subjects he would be unable to be without detection. His rancour against Thdy was unabated. Unless young Maccler- mot weye hung he would bc unable to avenge the mutilated stump wich crippled. all his exertions, and now rendered hi8 exietcnce mieep able. OF BALLYCLOBAN. 25 1 He flattered himself‘, however, that Brady’& evidence would render that event certaiu- and whatever annoying questions might be put to himself on tBo defence, he was determiaed that Brady should BlYear t o enough on the direct examination to ensure his purpose. On the Wedneadag evening it was decided that Thady’s cwc was to come on first ia the criminal court on Thursday morning, and on the mme Wednosday evening Keegan sent for Brpdp into Ilia office. Pat wna now regularly installed as the attorney’s managing luan ou the property, and there was therefore nothing very remarkable in his sending for him, elthough he was going to be a witness on the morrow.

CC Did you hear, Brady,” said the msleter,

(G that, they’ve summoned me for the trial to- morrow ?”

Cr Iss, yer honour-they war telling me ao up at the court-thero’a Dolan is summoned too.” 25: Who’s Dolan?” cc He’s on8 of the boys, Mr. Keegan, as WOP in it that night at Mrs. Meehads.’$

LC Well, and what can he say P he can’t say Macdermot wasn’t there-he can’t do any harm, Pat: for if he was to swear that he wasn’t there, there’s enough to prrove that he Wm.” No, yer honour, it ien’t that he’ll be . aaying-but he’ll be saying Captain UaSheP’s name waan’t mentioned, or may be that the

boys were merely taking their drink, innocent ~ like, that’s what I be afeard-and that’s what Corney ’11 say-you’ll see W’ he don‘t-he’s the biggest liar in all Drumleesh.”

‘r Oh, they’d Boon lmook all that out of him; besides isn’t ho one of them potheen bop 3’

cc Faix he is so, IlIr. Keogan.” i 1 cc Then they’ll not believe him-they’ll be- “7y ’ ,’:/ lieve you a deal sooner than him that way- j but you must be plain about this, Brady, that OF BALLYCLORAN. 253 they were talking about Umher that night- d’p hear? Be d-d but if you let them

4 ehake YOU about that you’re loet. D’p hear? Why don’t you answer me, eh T” (‘Oh I ehure, your honour, I’ll be plain l i enough-certain ehurs the Captain’s name war /6 mentioned.” Mentioned!yes, and how was it mena- tioned? Didn’t you tell me that Reynolds and 1, this Macdermot were talking broadly about J murdheringhim-didn’t they agree to. kill f him-to choke him in a bog hole-or blow his I brains out ?”

m cc It war your honour, they war to put in 8 bog hola” cc D-n thern&C’11 have ’em before I’ve dm0 ; but don’t you know that, Mncdermot,

Rep~~~lrls,and the otherfeltlow agreed to put fih awend, to Ussber P why you told me ao twenty timed’ 66 I b’lieve,they did ; but faix, I ain’t shure

Ir 254 TEB MACDERMOTB

I heard it all rightly myself; yer honour, f wartl’t exactly one of the part$’ That won’t do, Brady ; you told me dis- -tinct,ly that Reynolds and’Macdermot awore together to kill the man-and you must swear to that in court. Why the barrister has been told that you can prove it.”

Cr But, Mr. Keegan, do you wish me now to go and hang- myself? you would not wish a poor boy how to say anything as’d ruin hia- aelf ?” Be d-d, but some one has been tarn- pering with you. You know you’ll be in no danger, as well 1s I do ; nncl by heavens if you flinch now it’ll be wome for you. Mind, I want you to say nothing but the truth; but you know Ussher’s death was settled among them; and you must say it out plainly-d’ye hear? and I tell you what, Brady, if you give your evidence like er, man you’ll never be the worm of tbosa evenings you apent at Mohill 5

at Mrs. Mulready’8, you know; but if you hesitate or falter, as sure as you &and there, they’ll corne against you, and then I’ll not be the man to help you out of the scrape.” ßut, Mr. Keegan, yer honour, they do be saying that iv I bringa out dl that, it’ll hang the young masther out and out, and then I’ll have his blood upon my conmience.” ‘‘ Nave the divil on you conmience. Isn’t he a, murderer out and out? and, if 60, shouldn’t YOLZ tell the truth about it? Why, you fool, it’s only the truth ; what are you afraid of? after telling me so often thut you would go through with it without caring a fìmh for sny one.’’

g‘ But pu see there’s ao much more of ,a ruction about it now through the counthry thml there war. Counsellor Webb and all thim has made Mr. Thady’s name BO great, that there’d be no paco for a boy at all W’ he War to say a word agin him.” I, ,

256 TmBEAUDEBNOT8

Then it’s a coward you are afther all, Brady.”

6‘ No, yer honour, I’m no coward ; but it’s a bad thing living in a counthry,. where all the boys i awom to stretch you.” Nonsense,. Pat ; did they ever atretoh me ? and haven’t I done,as bad and worae to them twenty times, They’re: trying to frighten you crut of your duty, aad you’re going to let them. Any wsy; TI see pu are not the man

fdr me. q I ahought pou had more pluck in you.” Why thin, Mr. Keegan, I’ve pluck enough, but faix, L don’t like hanging the young man then, and now it’s out.”

cc Very well-then you’ll. be transported for i perjary, that’e dkdl the things you’ve to t mear to have bem sent written out to the OouzieeUor-and when you. contradict in court khat pahave already deolarod to be the truth they’ll proseoute you for perjury, and a deal D OF BALLYCLORBN, 267 4 of good you’ll do young Macdermot afther all.” After a few more arguments of a similar nature, Brady was again reduced to hie allegi- ance, and at last was diamiseed, having promised to wem stiffly both that Umher’s death had been agreed on at the meeting at Mrs. Meehan’g and also thrlt in private conversation with him, (Pat Brady,) Macdermot had frequently expressed his determination of being revenged on Ussher for the injury he was doing to his sister, and Hyacinth Keegan Y betook himself to the company of the fair partner of his prosperity and misfortufide, comforting himsek with the ides that he W~M aure of success in hie attempts to secure Thady’s conviction, and flattering himadf that Mr. O’Malley could at the woret only ask him aome few teaaing questions about the property. THE MACDERMOTB

CHAPTER vrr.

QN the Rame evening, namely that immediately before the trial, father John visited Thady in prison, and it w&s the last time that they were to meet before the fate of the latter was to be decided. The priest hnd conatantly viaitedl the young man in his confinement, and had .done all in his power to support and cheer his spirits under the horrible circumstances in which he was placed, and not without DUC- cess. Thady lmd borne his incarceration and distress with tho greatest courage. When remaining ah Augherccld~elamong the lawless associates with whom he hac1 BQ foolishly looked for safety, he had completely lost his I

OF BALLYCLORAN. 269

fortitude and power of endurance ; he was aware that he was doing what was in every sense culpable, and he then could not but look on himself as a murderer flying from c justice ; but now he had learnt to Bee what was really crirninal in what he had done, and what was venid, and though the last five months had been spent in prison, and though 110 felt by no n~can~aax~guiue of his acquittal, he had, novorthcless, uever regretted that he had given hirnsclf up. Father John hail again to-day men Mr. O'Malloy, who, now that he had the affair thoroughly nt his fingers' ends, seemed ruore sanguim of auccem than he had been before, and consoqucntJy the good priest himself wm correspondingly elated, I trust in God, Thady," said he, I confidently trust you will be with we at the n cottage to-morrow night, or at any rate the I

a pmt, Tho cottago sllell be your home ,,for b Bom6 time my boy, if thy allow you any t t home in the country. I don’t want to give you false hopes, but I don’t think any jury cm convict you. I’m aure Mr. O’Mnlley thinks so too.” I don’t- think HO, father John-it may be 80 ; but I don’t think ao ; it’s a comfort to me to know that I never meant his death, although he was doing what might have tempted me to shoot him, as I’d had a pistol in my hand ; for as I sit here he was dragging her down the avenue by the waist ; but l Itever thought to - kill him, and though I think they will hang me, I feel that I haven’t the weight of rnurdher on my Thady haads.” You haven’t, Thady ; indeed you mag say you haven’t; I that should teach you to repent your sins, not to hide them from your mnheart, tell you that you haven’t. But ahould they condemn you, thore are those that will have-but God forbid-may God in bb great mercy forbid it,” 261 But fatber John, what’ll Feemy do-, what will the Qwld man do when I am-wbes: I’m gone ? Keegan ’11 have all now--abe’ll be turned out to beg cross the world--sad wbat’ll ever become o,fher 3”

‘c Your father’ll be cared for, Thady ; though no one else will see to him, T will for your sake. He's very infirm ; you’ll be aeto- nished when you see him ; but while he lives and while I have a bit Qf bread to share with him, or B roof to shelter him, for your sake he shall never want it.” Thacly pressed the priest’s baud between his own. r‘ What a thing it ia to have a friend like you ; but Ii”eemy-whu’ll provide for Feemy 3 she’ll be the only one left of the name when I’m gone ; there’ll be nothing left but her ; house and family ’11 be gone then, and except, for poor Feemy,there’d be an end of the whole concern.“

*,g Don’t go on that way,” said father 262 Tu13 hucDBkEMOr’S

John wit11 tears in his eyes. cc You’ll be able to aee after, and live with your own sister yet, and who knows but you may yet beat Keegan out of Ballyoloran.”

cg Oh ao, father John ; av they don’t hang me out and out-av they don’t put an end to me altogether, I’ll be Iransportecl, or fient back

’ here to gaol ; I’ll never be nt Ballyclomn again ; bad as the place is I loved it ; I think it’s all the throuble I had with it, and with the tinants, that nude me love it 80. God forgive me--I was hard enough to mrne of them’.” F~1therJohn remined with him till the evening was far advanced, und then left him, promising to be in court on the morrow.

“ Let me see you tllore, father Jnhn,” mid he, Cctkmdrlmr me whiIst it’s going on - it’ll ba a comfort to me to Elave one friend near me among eo numy strangerg nnd ut euch a time.” OB’ BALLTCLORAN. 268

I will, my boy ; I must leave the court when Feemy is to come in, for I’ve promised to be with Mrs. M‘Keon when ebe brings her in; but excepting that, I’ll stand 8s near you ns they’ll let me.” The priest then left his friend, and Thadp wns once more alone in his cell, about to pass the last of many long, tedious nights of aus- pense. There he sut on his iron bedstead in his glotlrny cd, with his cyw fixed upon va-

cancy, tl~inkingOVUP the diffcrant events of his past IXe, and tryitlg to nerve himself for the fnte which he too truly believed was in store for him, Thady’s disposition hid not been pone to hope ; lm hnd uever bcen too sanguine-novcr sanguineenough. From the years to which his earliest memory could fall Bnclr, ho had been fighting un earnest hand- battle with the world’s cares, and though xmt thorougly vanquithd, he had always been worsted ; he had never experienced whet men called luolt, and he therefore never expected it, Few men in any rank of life had known BO little joy RB he had done,or had BO little pleasure ; his only ohject in life had bean to drive the wolf from his father’s ,door and to keep a roof over him and his eister, Had patient industry and constaut toil been able to have effected this, he would have been, perhaps, not happy, but yet not diacon- tented ; this, however, oircumstancea had put out of bis power, and hß felt that the same uncontrollable circumstance8 had now brought him into his present position. He knew little of the Grecian’s doctrine of necessity, but hc had it in his heart that nigbt, when he felt himself innocent, and at the same time assured that all the kind cfforts of hig friende would not save him from his fato--n bang- man’s rope and the county gallows. There he sat the greater part of thut night , alone on his cold bed-side, not knowing whether he wae warm or oold- not poroeiving whether it was light or dark, and no one but; L OF BALLYCLORAN. 265

God might know the thoughts that gassed through hie untutoredbrain, or the feelings which kindled his warm, though rugged heart. Did he oornplain that though honest, industrious, and patient, ignominy and death should be his probable doom P Had he bitter hatred in hia heart for those who had clriven him to his fato ? Did kc still love those who had evinced so little aympathy with him ? Sym pathy 1 Ah, how could he mias that which he had ncvcr felt, till father John had blessed him with his kind words 3 His love had not bccn tlmt comcioris love which requires kind- noss to nurture it, and love again' to keep it warm. He was not aware himself how well he loved his father and his sister ; his lot had been thrown with them ; he hadl passed hifl life Sith them, and the feelings, which in a Balfi& man are given up to Rdf, had with him boon turaad on those to W~OSCcara it. had

seemed necessary that; his life should be I de- dioatad. VOL, 111. N 266 TECE MAUDERMOTS I do not say that he looked forward to a probable death without a shudder, or to 80 speedy a termination of hi8 career, without a wi&, that unfortunate m it had been, it might be prolonged ; but it wns the disgrace, and the t circumstances of his fate, which made by far the greater portion of his ~nisery. Could he be but once quiet in hie grave, and have done with ìt all-be rid of the care, turmoil, and uneasinese, he would have heen content. Could he have been again unborn-uncroatcd I He had once repined to father John, thnt existence had been for him a neccassry evil ; and though checked by the priest for the impiety of the thought, was it odd, if he often thought, that he was one of those, for whom it would have been bettor had they never bcen born, About three or four in tho morning, ha fe11 asleep, and was czwahened by father John st about eight ; he dreescd llirnself ìn hil~best clothes-those in which he had been accustomed to go to masa-eat hia breakfast, and OF BALLPCLORAN, 26’7 about ten o’clock wm led out of gaol, hand- cuffed, into the court-house. The gaol at Carrick-ou-Shannon is not far from the court- house, and no portion of the town bas to be traversed, as they are both built on a neck of land running into the river, but yet there WBB a great crowd collected to see the poor fellow paas by; this was thc first of the bitter momenta to which he had so constantly looked forward €or the last few months. .At length, however, ho was in the dock, and hcre the high woodcn palings, twclve feet above tho gronnd on which he had to stand, would creen him from tho view of all, save the miserable prisoners beside him, ancl the policemen who had brought him in, until lm should be called on to tako his place at the bar. After waiting there for about half an hour, sitting on thc rude benokcs which surrounded tho interior of tho dock, with his eyeg fixed

011 tho red Inppete of the gaoler’s coat, which hung ovcr h palings us he sat upon the bar, N3 268 THE MACDPRMOTS he heard the noise of steps in .the court sud- denly enoreaned, and the sound ofbvoiceshushed ; the judge was taking his sent ; Mr. ,Baron Hamilton, accompanied by n fashionably dressed young gentleman with a white wand; enteracl the court at a side door, passed through the jury-box, and sat down on the seat of judgment Ider the dusty red canopy, which for many yearn hnd noddedover tho wisdom of' Ireland's soundest lawyers. Had that piece of red'morcen been giftcd with an ear to hear, and a tongue to tcll, what 'an indifferent account would it give of the .veracity of judges and of the consoiencos of lawyers ; How many offences had it;lkeard stigmatised by his 1ordr;hip ILE thc most heinous that had ever been brought bcforc him in his jut!licialml capacity 3 How mnuy murdcrCrB, felons, and robbers, described. at3 poor hmn- less, innooent, foolis11 boys, brougl~tinto trouble by.a love of frolic-how many witnossee, vainly sademouring to tell I the truth, forced, by tilo ingenuity of lawyers into falsehood - asd perjury-what awful,denunciationa .apd what light wit, almost in the gamo breath-of what laughtor hardly suppreased by judicial authority would it tell-what agonizing sobs altoga- ther unsuppressabls would it describe-how uany a clevor, smiling, self-sufficient barrister would it, from long knowledge, *have Xearnt ,to laugh to acorn-of. how many zl sharp attorneg would, it deolnrs the hidden wags. But yards of red morem are fitting witnesses for judiQia1 gravities nnd legall axcrcises-they hang pro- foundly, gravely-nay, al1 but; solemnly over tho oxposition of the criminal-thoy lend authority to the wrath, and poicotion to .the wit OC tho wigged-thoy awe the oriminal, ropross tho witnesses, inapira the juror, Bi- lenco tho spectator, absorb the dust, and, tall no talce. And now thc judge having tnkon hi3 plluce, the laser mon in offico being duly scatd ha- azenth kiln, and tho oonteuding barristers hav- 270 TBE MACDERNOTS ing sufficientlydived into their blue baga, the prisoner is summoned under various indict- menta, to take his trial for th0 murderof Mileg Ussher, whereupon Thady is called upon by the gaoler, and rising from his seat, takes his stand at the bar. In his position there, he is just enabled to raise his arm to the mil- ing of the dock, and to rest his hand upon it during the ten long, horrid, wasting hours which he is destined to pass in his present painful position, His face is pale, and-alwaye thin and' aad-now thinner and sadder than ever; his eyes wander round the court, and as they at length alight on father John, who is seated next to Mr. McKeon, on the attorneys' benchoa, a kind of gentle smile softens hia features, and sl~owshow great B relief he feels the presence of S friend to be. In EID- swer to the clerk of the crown, he declares himwdf not guilty, professes himself ready for Lia trial, and the business of tho day commencm.

. c

OP BALLYCLORU. 21 1

The first thing that hna to bo done is to call over tho long panel, and the names of dl competent pcrsons in the county, from whom the jury is to bc selected ; but even preparatory to this, thc counsel for the defence oommence tllcir fight. Mr. O'Laugher, who, as the phraso goca, is with Mr. O'Malley, begins

by declaring that the list, from which the ~

names aro to bo read, is I an illegal 1ist-a foolish, useloas, unauthoritativc list-nothing but balderdash, moonshine, and waste paper- all empty Hounds ; and consisting of a string of names as little to thß purpose in the present cam as 8 rcgirnontal roll-call, The sub-sheriff, who with infinite clerkly care, and muoh sub- &rieval oxporicncc, has made ont the &list, opena wid0 his disturbed earß, and bogins to feo1 somowhat; uncornfurtable, Mr. O'Laugher goce on to dcclaro thnt tho present list instead of being ono proporly, lcgnlly, and ox- prossly drawn out for March 183-, is only copy of tho ono in uso during the summer 272 TEE MACDERMOTS assizes in the last year, and mure8 the judge with much indignant emphasis, that he cannot

allow his client to submit to the injustice I of receiving a verdict from a, jury composed under- such atrocious circumstancesd The objeetion is listened to with as much gravity as though a statement had been made that the prisoner had been in Newfoundland at-the-time of Ussher’s death, and Mr. Alle- winde’s,assistant com.mcnces arguing the case. Thebsub-sheriff and hie two clerks are put

into <-theohair, andl have I to swear one thing, and another. Books are lugged into court- dirty papers overhauled-thick volumes quoted and consulted-precedentsurged-objection8 answered -a great deal of self-confidence shewn., At last after a weary hour’B tdlr it Beems somehow dccidcd that the sub-sheriff was in the right of it-that the list ia correct, I and that the prisoner may be tried ; but Mr. @Laugher is not in the least; chagrined at the victory of his adversary ; one would say from Ob BALLYCLORAN: 273 hia couutenanos that hh only objeot had been to delay the business for an hour, and that he triumphed in his succeas. Th list is aocordingly read over, and. the houaeholdara of County Leitrim are summoned to appear and axmwer to their names:-,under51 penalty of two pounds ; a lamentable deficienq however is apparent; one only here and tbero amwers to his name as it; is called out in the sonoroua and practised voice of tho clerlk of the Crown. A notioe ia then giaea- &at they will bo ugoin invoked under a pendty of ‘tes pounds, whioh, in spite of the fear which per- vados tho minds of jurymen that this will be a lock-up a@h,ir, entwiling a bedless night and a mcngre supper, surreptitioualy supplied through tho windows of the court-house, hm tkc desirod affect, and Cornelius O’Reilly,

I Pdxialr. Tiorney, Anthony Reynolds, &C., &O., reply to tho dl, and the court becomes euficicntly full of strong, thick-sot, com- fortabla men. ~6 274 Tl3E MACDBRMUTB

This is on13 the long panel; now the jury has to be formed ; to twenty names the prid goner i0 entitled to object from caprice,and Mr. O’Laugher is not the man to give up one of the twenty ; then he can object to as many more as he chosea, on showing cause, and yon may be sure Mr- O’Laugher has a great many cauaeB to shew. One man has lived near young Macdermot all his life, has no been a friend of his, must have formed an ho opinion on the case, and is therefore not fit ; ou1 another mm has been his enemy, and is therefore not fit ; a third man used to drivo with Captain Usslier twice a week--a fourth lived in Mohill-a fifth at Drumma-a sixth did not live in the county at all--a sevanth had not a house of hia own, anil EIO on. Why, it appeared thore wm not B propor juror in the county. Oïl all thorje objcctions Mr. O’Laug’hor was hatcn, and as ho was bcntcn on etdl he indefdgubly propurcd for the next. Then the jurors thernselvea objected ; they unblushingly declared themselves unfit ; as- serted that they could not depend upon themselves to give a true verdict; and assured the judge thah their minda would be im- properly biassed by circumstnnces on one side or the other. What atrocious characters !- what self-aondernned miscreants l Why does not the judge instantly, with that stern look 110 knows 80 well how to assume, turn them out of court, bid them make way for honest meu, auil eend thcm homo diegrnccct for eyer to their #orrowing families. Does he do so ? No indecd ; he picks his teeth vhile Mr. Allewinde assures the recueant that he has no doubr; but tht tr: will make a most eligible jnrw, and at last with considerable delay, :L littla trial tukes placo ìn each case, and two ~tlmjurymon bavo to decida on their ortths, IvLcihor ‘l’eronoo Mnrphy stands indifferent bet\veon t~ur Lord and Sovereign the Icing, anil the prisoner at the bar ;and to cnable then1 I

276 Tf MACDERXOTB to &Gide, they have to hear dl the evidence in the oa8e.

‘6 The twelve are at laet sworn-the proper offioer repeating in each case those awful words1 cc Juror look upon the prisoner-prim Boner look upon the juror-You sl~allwell and truly try, and true deliverance make between our Lord and Sovereign the Icing and the prisoner at the bar-so help you God.’’ As this injunction in each cam roached Thndp’s ear, he moved his eyes upon the mm who was then being morn, as if demanding from him that true deliverance, to which he felt himself entitled. And now th prisoner having pleaded, tho indictments read, aud the jury armed with pen, ink, and paper -Mr. Mlewinde, full of legal dignity and intolleo- tual warmth, rime to his subject, We will not follow him through thc whole gf the long narrativo whichhe, with great practised por- spicuity and in the clearest language laid beforo the jury, for we already know tho fimts a

03' BALLYCLORAN. 277

evideiiae which he had to detail. . Re first L of dl des-) cribed the death of Umher-then stated that he could prove thab the prisoner had killed him, and having informed the jury that doubt- lem the prisoner'a aiater was in the act of eloping with the deceased when he met: his death, lsunchad out into,a powerful description of the prescnt dreadful etate of the country. He told tho jury that it was En his power to prove to them that thprisoner was one of :an illegal aocietyi who had often threatened Ussher, and that he had but a day or two pravioue to the affray. mot u sworn portion of his own tenante for th purposo of planning the murder. He went on to toll dhe jury thut they were not to allow thcmsclves to be dooeived by the idea that the murdercould not have beon premeditated, because them existed a presumption ttmt tho prieoner mas not aware of Ussherk expcotcd preacmo in the nvcnue-for that the fact of tho murder having been talked over 27 8 THE MACDERMOTS deliberately, and then executed, afforded tb strongest evidence that the prisoner was at the time lying in wait for the deceased, and that, through the servants, or from other means, he had made himself cognisant of the projected elopement. Ho then, preparatory to exnming the witnesses, concluded in the following words :

6' Gentlemen of the jury, you are probably dl aware that the priaoncr is from thut rank in life, to which the greatest number of your- aelves belong, and you cannot but am that; the fact of his being BO greatly ellcreases the mag- nitude of his presumed crime-farbe it from me to urge you on this nccciuat to come to a convictior,, should the evidence prove in any way deficient; but 1 do implore you, if you value the peace of your country-the comfort of' your hearths-the safety of your houaes- and the protection of your lJrOl)erty, not to allow yourselves to be led away by R feeling of'

c OF BALLYCLORAN, 27 9 falm sympathy, or to be improperlyactuated by the idea that tho murder which has been committed was perpetrated in the defence of tho priaoner’e sister-I do implore you to divest yourselvcs of any such pre-conceived notions-did the evidence merely go to shew that Mr. Uashcr was killed by the brother whilst cloping with the sister, it would doubtless bc fair that the circumstance should be tilcsn into your consideration; but when you shdl hnvc heard it proved that the death of this unfortunato mm wns deliberately talked over, wuvamecl, nnd decided on by the very man by whom it w.ne exocutecl, you will only fi111 into thc shullow dcvico by which tho pri- mmer llns cndcavoured to deceive you, did you mt clcsrly pcrccìive that Le has merely used tho fact of his sister’tl dopcmcnt ns ZL favour- rhlc opportnnity for tho completion of hie Llootly pmjcct. Gentl~mcn,I Shdl now pro- cod to call th difhrent witncsm-satiafied thut IvIlcn you ~11~11harvc heurd their evidence,

L 280 TEE XA.UDERM:OTB

you will have-no difficulty in coming ta a verdict inthe caw.''

' The first witnesrs called was Doctor Blake,

* he that he had examined the body, the day: &ter Umher had met his death-that h0 had no doubt death' had beon occasioned by two heavy blows, one of which had fractured the skull immediately over the temple, and which was of itaelf quite suffioient to caum instantaneous death-that he ahould preeume these blows to have been inflicted with some heavy blunt instrumenhand that he considered the stick then produced in court and shewn to him was such as had probably been wed on the occasion. This witness was not cross-examined. Biddy was next callod, and took her soat in the chair witb much trepidation, but her usual womanly volubility soon returned to her, and she gave her evidence fluently enough- she stated that her mistress had confido8 to her her intention of eloping with Uasher on the OF BALLYCLORAN. 281

morning of the evening on which he had been lrilled-that in obedience to her mistress% commands, she Lad walked down the road toward8 Ill[ohill, and thad met Ussher in s’gig- and had put a pnrocl for her mistress into the gig-that when returned to the house, ahe believed her master, that was the prisoner, WVBB in tho bouso -ia her mistreeds -sitting-room-- that shortly aftcr Ilor return she saw him come into tho hall-that ho thon told her to go into his sister, and that Cnptnin Ussher was dead --allo did not know what becamo.of him.after that;--nnd thnk eho hail not soen him from that # moment till tho pesant one. Mr. O’Laugher thon sskod her, whether she had told any ono of her mistress’s intention of oloping with Umhcr, and she, replied. that sho had not-that sho Ilad never #openedher v lips on tho subjoct to any one before she heard tho prisoncr my thnt Captoin Usakat W~Bdead --#ho also etntod that it was her young

F‘ 282 THE MACDBRMOTS master’s habit to go out to the stables every ment night. confìd

~ She also mas thenallowed to go down and his br Frederick Brown was called. Eeproved that ceaeec Ussher had revealed to him his plan of run- about ning off with Beemy, and he stated, that not enter thinking much about it, hehad told three or sired four friends of the circumstnnce, and that he aven could not tell whether or not it might in that had manner have got round to the ears of the Ilri- US81 amer. B Mr. O’Laugher in 13iB cross-examination quel bothered this young gentleman considerably, own but as neither the questions nor the mswcm are 44 material to the story, it would be uaeless to waì repeat them. had The next witness was Pnt Brady, and a8 thc the verdict to which tho jury cam, depended in a, so groat degree on his evidence, it will be given wa as nearly 8s pos&le in detail. ar1 Having given his name, he stated that at the wa time of Umher’s death he was in tho employ- ?’i OF BALLYCLORAN. 288 ment of tho prisoner-that he had been his confidential servnnt, and was intimate with all his babits-that on the night when the deceased makilled, at some time, he supposed, about half-past nine o’aloclr, his master had antercd the kitchen at Bdlycloran, and had de- aired him, Bnldy, to follow him out into the avenue-that his rnnster, wl~enin the avenue, had told him that he had killed Captaiin Ussher. By tlrk timo thß counsel had oeamd adcing quostions, and aa the witness waa telling his own story, wo will leave it in his words. I thought it wu poking his fun at me, he wnr, yer honours-for I knowcd the Captnin hndn’t bcen at 13;lllyclornnthnt night, and that tho Inasthor had beon ating his dinner at home SO I didn’t bo taking much notice of what he war snying, till we war mostly half down the arenue, when Mr. Thady told me the body wuthore. Wcll, yor honours-what with the night, nad what wid the treeEl, it was allmoat 2848 THE UCDER3IOT8

too dark, to see, but I felt tho mm’s body with my foot,, and then I know’d it mar thrue. enough,what the msther was-afthcr saying. I axed no questions then, for I knew there’d been ill blood betwixt them, and allot1 I comed to remember myself, I wasn’t that much surprised-but Mr. Thsrdp axed me what we’d be doing wid the body, I can’t exactly tnlrc~upon myself to aay what I answered-but, at last, he said as how we would take it down to Mrs. Merehan’s as keep the shebeen.shop beyond Ballycloran-and he then told me something about Miss Peemy and the Captain--asl how he WEM carrying her off by force like, ancl that war why he’d stretched him. WelJ, yer honours, at tho bottom of thavenue,, at the gate like, though for the matter of that, there I ain’t no g4te there, we discovered tho Brown Hall gig, and Mr. Pred.’s crop-tailed bay pony borse with tho Bpavin, standing in the middle. of the rod-and the maether bid me take .the body: away to the poliae at Garrick, saying ha OF BALLYOLORAN. 285 would be off at oncet to the mountains in AugI~acashel. Well, yer honours, this I did- I left the Captain’s body with the police-I took thc gig to Brown Hall-and I brought holm Miss Feemy’s bundle RE had been left tllerc in tho gig, when the Captain came out into tho avenue-and that’s tho long and the ~11ortof what I knows about it, gor honours -at laato, dl I knows about the murder.”

GC Tho prisoner then owned to you,”con- tinucd Mr. Allewinde, that it was he who ltillcd Captain Ussher.”

‘C Shure he mnda no bones about it all-but told mo straight out thnt he’d killed him in the nve~lue.’’ Did Ha say why he had done so ?”

4C Paix, I: don’t remember his saying thin why he’d donc it-and I didn’t think to ask him, €IQ was in o flurry liko, 8s WPT natbural, ud 110 and I cnrrying the dead man tl1nt’d bccu hearty only a few minutes afore-but c a

286 THE MACDERNOTS ahure, yer honour knows the thing had been tslke3 over.”

t‘ What thing had been talked over ?”

cc Why, the Captain’a death.”

66 You mean to my by that, that arrangements had been made by certain persons to kill Captain Dasher ?” Cr I don’t know about arrangements-but there war boys through the counthry determined to have a fling at him.”

U Now I m going to ask you a question particularly affecting the prisoner, and one to whicb you must give me a dircot amwer. E Have you ever been in the prisoner’e company, when he and othcre have cxprcssed their doter- mination to murder Captain Ueshcr ?”

“ Faix, I don’t know about detherminntion and murder, but I’ve heard hirn threatened.” ‘‘ Have you Beard him threatened Tvith murder 3” ‘c I’ve heard the boys sny thnt ho wollld be undher the Bod that day six moutlls.’’ OF BALLYCLORAN. 287

rc €.Imo you heard Captain Ussher threatœ ened with dcath in the prisoner’s preaenoe.”

cc I don’t know thnt they eyer said death or murder-thy dont ap&e out that wny-av’ tllcy war going to hole a chp, it’s giving him his quiatis or his gruel they’d be taking abaut ?” Wcll, nom on your oath, have you ever, in the prisomr’s prcsenco, heard such language useil rcapccting Cnptdn Ussher as made you think tht~tlm was to bo killed ?” Didn’t I tell yer honour I thought all along how ho’d ba killed.”

CC Wcrc you ever at Mrs. Mulreadp’s in Mohìll.” I war.”

LC DiCl you cvcr hear Captain Ussl1er’s name mentioncd thcrcí”’ I did.” cc NOW toll the jury na nearly as you can whnt W~Bsaid retqxcting him the.”

16 WIIY R lot of boys Bwore together over a noggin or two of aperrits to put him undher the sod-that’s all-but ahure, yer honour, Mr. Thady, that’s him there,” and he pointed to the dock, cc was niver at Mother Mul- ready ’s. ’ Well, but when the boya slwore to put the Captain under the sod wag the priaoner’a ntme mentioned 3”

Cs Oh, it war ofthen.” And what WM said about him T” t Why, yer honour it was thia way-and I’ll tell you all I know about it off hand-and thin you’ll not be throubling ycr honour’s sclf wid all these questiona. The boya MW mostly tenants to Mr, Thady here-anil they ilid bo Baying that BV so-nv Mr. Tharly mould jine them in patting down tho pcclcra and the

Captain-theg’d unclllertako I .Mr. ICoegsn ’il never put a second foot on tho landa of Ballyoloran-and they war tlm MOW hot about thig as they know Mr. Tbady TV~P agin 8 the Captain about I his sisthcr, for 110 OF BALLYCLORU. 289

thought thim two were too thick like-and he used to be saying as how Umher war playing his thricks with Miss Feemy. Well, along of this-and knowing as how the masther wer2 agin Mr. Reegan too, thy thought he’d jine in, and to bring him round, they swore niver to pay the rint dure he did. Well, yer honour, I was one night at the Widdy’s, that Mother Mulrendy’s, for I’d gone there knowing a8 how thc teunnta ’cl bo in it, and I war noticing them to be up with the maether on Friday next about tho rint-afther I’d been telling ’em all to be up at Bnllycloran, they got swearing that divil foot thay’d stir to the place, or divil a penny theg’cl puy any more, because Mr.

Thady here war BO thick with the Captain. This war jist afthcr the row up to Loch Sheen, whon three boys war locked up about aome squall-mit this mado the rest more bitter &ginthe Captain. Well, when they got swearing this tvny, I axed ’em, why not go to the masthor like a man, and tell him what they VOL. III, O 290 THE MLLCDERMOTS

thought- wid that they agreed to come up to Mary’s wedding-that’s Mary McGovery, yer honour, as is my sisther, and who war to be

married the Thursday, and SO they parted, and a lot on ’em swore that blessed night that the Captain should be under ths eod that day six months. Well, ycr honour, the next morning Mr. Keegrtn called down to Bdly- cloran about law business, and somehow there war mords ntwixt him and Mr. Thndy, and from thatthey got to blows, and I b’lievc somehow Mr. IKeegan got the best of it, and Mr. Thady was a little hurted, and this made him bittherer nor îver.” ‘‘ But that did not mnlcc him bitterer against Captain Ussher, did it 3” asked a juror.

Cc Faix thin, I think it, did, yer honour,” answered Pat. ‘c It seemed to malce him bitther altogcther agin every body; wl~onI war talking to him aftherwnrds about corning down to the wedding, ho soemcd to be traiing all the world alilce-but the Captain ancl Mr. OF BALLYCLORAN. 291

Reegan especial. Well, when the supper war over, and the boys were begun dancing, Mr. Thndy come down and immediately comed into the inside room, where tho men war Bitting dhrinking as had been at MGther Mulready’s, and I war wid them : thin one of the men, a tinant to Mr. Thndy, up and tould the masther all &e I’ve tould yer honours, of what took placa at the Widdy’s in Mohill, and low &v Mr. Thndy would jinc them to rid the counthry of‘ the Captain, they’d stand to hin], and wouldn’t let Mr. Kacgan on the lands of Ballyclorsn, right or wrong-wid that there

war :I dale of ehilly-shallying-but at last the masthcr mid aa how he would jine the boys in ridding tho oounthry of the Captain, and he thin agrecd to corne down to the Widdy’s thc next night or that afther to got the secret signs and tho pa~s-worcb,and to tulre the oaths they war to awcm him to. Wid that he tuk an oath thin nivor to tell nothin’ of what had pagscd that night. After thnt, I don’t remen- 03

R 292 THE MACDERUOTS

ber rightly how it war-but he got UP to look for Miss Feemy, and she war out walking in tbe road wid the Captain. Well, Mr. Thady went down the road nfther thim--and there war a ruction in the road betwixt thim two, but as I wnm’t +here I can’t say exactly what was said one side or the other. By the time

they com 9 yin to Mrs. Meehun’s door, father John, that’s father M:lgmth, you know, wnr there, and made the pdce betkixt ’ern, and that’s au J. can tell your hotmurs about it ay’ I war to sit here till doonmlay.’’

cc You said just now,” said Mr. Allewinde,

g* thht the prisoner agreed to join the men assembled at Mrs. Meehan’a in ridding the country of Captain Umher-now wht was meant bp ridding the country of him 3’’

c‘ Why isn’t it ridding the counthry of him, per honour knows what that 1nem as well a8 0re a boy in the Barony.” ‘‘ Perhaps I do ; but you tnust tell the jury what you mean by it.” l

O$ I3&LYCLORAN. 293

CC Is it I? I didn’t mane nothin. nt all-it war& I as said it-or as war ever a going to do it.”

cc What did pou EUPPOS~was the meaning of those who did make uae of the phrase P’’

U I ’sposed the boys did mane to get rid of the Captain out of the counthry-jist that, yer honour.”

cg But how did you suppose they were to get rid of him ?” Oh, yer honour, I pivor heard the par- ticlrlrrrs, I niver knew nothin’ of t he plan. I war& ono of thorn, you know.” cc Rut the prisoner agreed to join them in any plan, or in aome plan for ridding the country of Captain Ussrher ?”

Cc He did, yor honour-ahure I miid that before?’ Now, you said sometime ago, that when you first discovered that Captain Umher had been killed by the priaonar, and that when you came to remember yoursolf, you weren’t much BUF 294 THE UCDERMOTB prised, Now, thank God, it is, nt any rate, in

this county, ZI very uncommon thing to find that one man has killed another. Can you tell the jury why you were not surprised at such an event as that i”’

- cg Becase I knowed there war ill-blood betwixt the two*’’

66 But men do not kill one another whenever they quarrel, do they 3”

Cc Faix, they do aometiues.”

ILDid you ever, of your own knowledge ., know a man before mho killed another 3”

CC Oh I dear yes- hure I did.‘’ U Weil, tell us an instance.” Why there war odd Paddy Rafferty who war in the Cavan Militia, in the Rabcllion- av he didn’t kill mores of the French at Bal- linamuck, he’s the biggest liar I eyer head, but he’s dead now, yer honour.’’

“ Supposiq that the death of Captain Umher had happened a fortnight before-that the prisoner had killed him 8 fortnight before 3

OF BALLYCLORAN. 295 the dag on which he did L111 him, would you not have been surprised then ?” “ Why I don’t know that ZL fortnight make0 much difference.”

cc Answer my queation. In auch a case 8s that, would you not have felt nlore surprise than you did, when the affair did occur P’ Why, yer honour, I can% answer that- becaso you seß it didn’t happen then, and 1 coddn’t exactly b6 Baying what my feelings might bo.” ‘c At any raie you were not surprised?” Oh pa, I war surprised-in course it war a surpriee to me when I kicked the dead body, but when I come to think over all about the Captain I warn’t that much surprised.”

IC After what had taken place at Mrs. BIeekan’g you did not expect Captain Ussher would be very long lived ?” Faix, he lived longer than I expected- eeeingthe way he war going on through the oounthry.” 296 THE MACDERMOTS

cc Do you remember telling me sometime ago speaking of Captain Uasher’s deat5, that the thing had been talked over 3”

LC I b’lieve I said as much.”

cg What did you mean by that?” Why just that the job had been talked about.” cc What job ?”

tC%%y this job.” cc What job ? tell the jury what job.” Faix, they ali know well enough by this time,’; and the witmsa looked up to the jury, or else they oughtn’t to be there myway.’’ cc Tell them what job you mean-never mind what they know.” ’Deed thin you’re bothering me ao entirely with yer jobs, I don’t rightly know myself which I’m rnmîng.”

IC Think a little thenfor you muat toll them-you mid the job had been talked over, what was it that had been talked Over ?” 03’ BALLYCLORAN. 29’7

The witness gave zl stolid look at the counsel, but answered nothing.

L‘Come,” continued Mr. Allcwinde, cc what was the job that had been talked over 3” cc Bad manners to the likes of me; but I war aiver ’cute, and now I’m bothered in- l

tidy.” ’ 1 ‘You moan to tell the jury then that you don’t know what you meant when you mid the thing had been tdkod over, do you 3” Why, I ’BPOSQ it was this thing about

Captain Usaher, weren’tt we talking of that then ?” That’s for you to say. Wm it Captnin Usaher’d death that had been talked over?’’ cc Witncss, don’t answer thah question,” said

’ Mr. O’Malloy. GC I’m awe my learned friend will not preas it-it’s very seldom he makes euch a slip ns that.” Mr. Rllawindo had asked a loading and theroforo an unnllowable question. cc Why thc witncss had just ,etbid that he eup od 298 THE MACDERMOT$ posed it was this thing about Captain Ussher,” said Mr. Allewinde.

CC I’ll day no more about it,” continued Mr.

O’MalIey, ‘6 feeling perfectly certain that you will not press the question.” cc Well,’’ said Mr. Allewinde to the witness,

Sc tell the jury nt once what -was the thing that had been talked over:” cc Why, yer honour, knows well enough- shure weren’t you saying it yourself, only the gentleman here wouldn’t let you.” Well, now do you my it.”

cc Say what?”

cc Say what was the thing that had been talked over.” Talked over when, ycr honour 3’’ ‘r You told the jury gometirne since that the prisoner owned to you in the avenue that he had killed Captain Ussher, did you not ?”

“ Faix, I did-and it was thrue for mehe made no bones about it at dl.’y cc And you then added that the thing had OF BALLYOLORAN. 299

been talked over! what thing was it thet had been talked over?”

“ Ah, that’s what you’re wanting is it? ’Deed thin I’m axing yer pardon for keeping yer honours all this time in euspinse ; faix thin, Captain Ussher war the thing what war talked

over-and divil a lie in it, for he wax talked a over ofthenenough.” Captain Umher had been talked over in such a manner na to prevent pour feeling much surprise, when you found that the prisoner had killed him, ien’t that it ?”

cc- Jiat so-faix, X’d havc no difficulty in discoursing wid yer honour, av the other gentleman wouldn’t put in his my.” You’ll find by and bye he’ll have a great deal moro to say.” In oourse, and no objection on a+ on my part so long aa it’s one at B time.”

4c Now I think I have only two more qzles- tions to nslr you, if you will give me direct 8 thing b93 wntawcrs to thern.” 300 THX UCDERMOTB

(C CC Twenty ~II’if you plaze, yer honour.”

4‘ You have said that the tenante of the pri- Aug soner had Bworn together to put Captain CL ‘ Ussher under the Bod, and dso that the pri- cc .soner agreed to join the tenants in ridding the country of him ; was the former phrase, thst of puttingthe Captain under the Bod, used in the prisoner’s presence on the evening of the wedding 3” cc There war a lot of thim phrases med- to ridding the counthry-sodding him-and all aaf thim sort of disagreeable sayinga-but I can’t 1 swear to any one exactly nt Mrs. Mcehan’s- j id thim’s the ~ortof wordg.” be r‘ Very well. Now I think you told us that de when the prisoner desired you to take tho dead wi body to the police at Carrick, ho told you he sti was going to some plncc, whero did:ho say he ‘I was going to ?l’ I cc To Augheroashel.” C1 ‘c Where’s Anghercashel 3’’ m ‘‘ It’s a mountain behind Drumahambo,” hl OF BALLYCLORAN. 301

‘‘ And did he tell you why he was going to Aughercashel 3’’

“ That he mightn’t bs tuk, I ’spom.’’ cc I don’t want your supposition-did the prisoner tcll you why he was going to Angher- cashcl P” cc There war aome of the tenants there, I b’lievc, and ho thought he’d be aafe may be.” cc Did the prisoner tell you that he was going to Rughercashel because he thought he’d be safe therc P” I’lltoll you how it war thin. We were jist talking togcthcr about what he’d betther be doing, which was nathmal, and he with the dcnd body thcrc, hc’d been jist afthcr lcîlling, wid that, suya hc, Pat,’ suya he, L where’s the stills mostly at work now P’ ‘ faith,’ says Is I don’t cxactly bo knowing,’ for, yer honour, I nivcr turncd a pcnny that way mpelf-

4 but,’ I, C sich a one’ll tell pou,’ and 1 xnintioncd ono of the tinants, ‘ and where’s he P’ said tho mnBther, c why I hoard tell,’ 302 THE UCDERMOTB says I, c that he’a in Aughercashel, but RV’ you’ll go down to Drumleesh you’ll find out,’ wid that he went down the road to Drumleesh, and I druv the body off to Carrick.” cc That’ll do,” said Mr. Allewinde. I’ve done with this witness, my lord.’’ 303

CHAPTER VIfL

MR. O’MALLEYthen rose, but before he began to cross-examine the witness, he addressed the judge. There’s a witness in court, my lord, whom I shall have to examine by and by0 on the defence, and I must request that he may be directed io absent himself during my examination of the witnese now in the chair, It is material that lm should not hear the answers which this witnms may give, I mean Mr. EXpacinth ICeogan, my lord, who is sitting bcnaath me.” lCocgnn wns sitting on the bench immediately under thnt of the burrider among the 304 TEE &LACDERMOTS attorneys employed in court. When he beard Mr. O’Mdey’e request to the judge, he rose up on his one leg, and the judge having ordered him to leave the court, he hobbled out with the assistance of his crutch.

CC Your name is Pat Brady, I think,” commenced Mr. O’Malley. Pat did not reply. cc Why don’t you answer my question, sir,” said the Counaellor angrily. Why, T towld what my name war afore; thim gentlemen up there knows it well enough, and yourself knows ît ; why’d I be asying it again T” cc Well, my friend, l: tell you to begin with, I shall ask you many questions you’ll find considerably more difficult to answer than that, and you‘d better make up your mind to answer them, for I mmn to get an answer to the questions I shall a&, and you’ll sit in that chair till you do answer them, zznlcss you’re moved from ìt into gaol. OF BALI;YCLORAN. 305

CC Tire sway, eir ; I’m , wery well, where I. am, and I’m thinking X can homld out agiu the hunger longer nor yer honer.” c‘ Your name is Pat Brady 3”

cc It is.”

GC Whose servant are you i)’’

cc Who’s your master then 3”

cc Mr. Macdermot here was my msether aforo this affdr.” 1 didn’t ask who was pour mzlater-who is your master now 3’’ cc Why, Mr. Keegan.” ‘c My.,Bpcinth Keepn, that’s just gone out of court; hc’a your master, eh 3’’ He ìa? And a very good master-isn’t he 3” 306 THE MACDERMOTS

‘6 Better, maybe, than yer honour’d be, and yet perhaps none of the best.” Answer my question, sir-ian’t he a good master 3”

cc Faix, he is BO.”

6‘ How long have you been in his employment ?” How long P’

cc Yea, how long?” Why, I can’t jist say bow long.” Have you been a year ”’ No.’’

‘c Six months ?”

cc No.”

‘c Will you swear that you never were in Mr. Keegan’s pay before six months ago 3’’ cc I will. ‘‘ You never received any monoy from Mr. Reegan before six months ago ?” I did not say that, ’’

“ ‘Why, if you received his money weren’t you in his pay Y’ OF BALLYCLORAN. 309

cc No ;mapbo he gave me a Christmas-box or 60 ; he’s very good to ZL poor boy like me in that way, is Mr. Keegan.’’ cc In whose omployrnent were you Bix months ago 3”

cc In Mr. Mnodermot’s; yourself knows that well enough.’’ cc And Mr. Macdcrmot anil Mr. Keegan were great friends at that time-weren’t they 3’’ Faix they were not ; I never seed much friendddp betwixt ’em.” cc Did you evor me any enmity between them-any quarrelling-or what you very properly call bad blood ?” Indeed I did then.” I b’lieve Mr. Mncaermot-that’s the prieoner-had great trwt in you ...hadn’t he;’’ I believe he had.” Cr You knew dl tho affairs abaut the estate ?” ,‘c I b’lieve I: did.” 308 TBE MACDERMOTS

cc Ne told you all his troubles. ..all his money difficulties... didn’t he ?” ‘c One way or other, I b’lieve I knew the most on ’em.” Particularly the money due on his father’e property, which Keegnn had tcpoeive.-. he used to talk to you confidentially about thoee things P”

‘c Well, and av he did 1’’ cc But he did so...didn’t he ?” ‘c Faix, but I don’t know what you’re afther ; I b’lieve he towld me all about everything.’)

“ I believe he did indeed ; and now 1’11 tel you what I’m after. Mr. Macdermot, unfortunately believing you to be an honest man, told pou all his plans aud secrets, which you, in consideration of certain pay, which pu4 Christmas-boxes, sold to the man whom you knew to be your master’s enemy..,iun’t that the fact now 3” ‘‘ No, it &’nt.’’ OF BALLYCLORAN. 309

4‘ Ah, but I say it iB the fact ; and now do you suppose any jury will believe a word you’ve said, after having proved yourself guilty of such treachery 210 thtm Do you expect the jury to believe YOU ?”

6‘ ’Deed I do... every word...Lord bless you they knows mem’’ Now, then! tell me. Can you recall any coovermtion botwoen yourself and Mr. Keegm since tbo cleatb of Captain Uesher, relative to this trial ?’’

’ ICI 05111.’’ cc More than one, perhaps ?’*

cc Oh .m. lor yes. ..twenty maybe.” ‘6 Will you tell UB any particulars you may remember of the last 3” A long conversation then ensued, but Mr. O’Mdloy could only elicit that Brady had, of hie own accord, informed his master of all he I. l knew on the subjeot, and that he had done ao becausu be thought it right ; he admitted, however, that Mr. Reegan had expreeaed a 810 THE MAODERMOTS

desire that the prisoner might be hung. A great many questions werethen asked aa to the present holding of BJlyclorm, to which Brady answered, stating with tolerable accu- racy the manner in which Larry at present lived on the property,and the hold which Reegan had upon it. He, moreover, stated that the house was in a very bad state of repair, and that most of the tenants who were left on the property, were unable to pay their rent. He then, after much hesitation, owned that he had overheard what had taken place between Keegan and Tlrady in the avenue, on the day when the attorney had called at ßallycloran. ..that he hacl heard the name which ICeegsn had applied to E'eemy, and thnt he had seen the manner in which Thdy bad been struck. Thwaa thon asked whether he himself had not cautioned Thady against Umher, telling him the reports that were going through the country as to Ussher's treatment of hia aister;

I OP BALLYCLORAN. 311 this he denied, stating that it wasn’t probable that ‘c the likee of him should go to speak to his masther slbont such things a8 that ;” he was repcatedly questioned on this point, but Mr. O’Malley couldn’t shah hig evidence. Brady, however, owned that in talking to Thady about Umher, he bad called the latter

IC:I, black Protestant,” and that he had always spoken ill of him, and now,” continued Mr. O’Mdlcy, I don’t wish to ask you any questions by mswering which you will criminate yourself; but you have already said that you have beon A visiter at Mrs. Mulready’s d10p 8” Oh yes, I’ve been there.” And you have been there when certainpereons aworo that bcfore twelve months were passed, Captain Usaher ehould be under the sod.” cc Yes, 1 swear I heard thim words and tho boys tdco the oath.”

‘6 But to t he best of your belief the prigoner 312 THE XACDERMOTB

waa never nt this house when such an oath waa taken ?” *c Is it Mr. Thady ? He was niver at mother Mulready’s at dl.’’

c‘ But he met the party who had tuken this oath at your sister’s wedding P” cc H0 did.”

IC And the same subject was spokon of there, was it?’’ What subject 3” cd The propriety of sodding Captain Us- sher ?” cc I don’t know about propriety.”

cc Well, then, the advisability of doing so ?” cc Oh yer honor, I oint no scollard. I can’t make nothin’ of thim long words.” At any rate they talked of sodding Captain Usaher at the wedding-didn’t they ?”

cc I niver said BO.)) Well, but did they ?”

“ Talk of sodding him 1 Faix I don’t know-I don’t think they said aodding.” OF BALLYCLORAN. 313

cg Did they say killing 3” I won’t say they did.” Or murdering P” No ; they did not say nothin’ about murdher.” Oh, they did not say anything about murder, or doing for him ; perhaps the priaoner and the other boya agreed to do for him 3” ‘‘ Maybe they did-maybe you were there- only if ao I disremomber you ; but thim’e not the words I 3wore to.” cc Woll, they didn’t agree to sod him, or kill him, or murder him, or do for him-what waB it tlmy wcro to do for him 3”

cc Tl~oywew to rid the counthry of him.” I cc What-mako the oauntry too hot to hold him 3 eh, is that what you menn 3” It don’t matter what 1 moan-that warn’t what they meant.’’

cc And how do you know what they m can t ‘I“ ’ VOL. ILL P 3 14 THE UCDERMOTS

6‘ T47hp, theymeant to kill the man ; you know that as well as I.” cc But I don’t know it- nor do I think it- nor what ia more, do you think it ; for you are eharp enough to know that where there are so many figurative terms in use to signify murder, it is not probable that had they, on thk occasion, wished to signify murder, they would have used a phrase which ovcry one Irrlows expresses an intention to drive a mm no out of the country. Yes, sir, you know that dh not one of the party mould have dared to propose to Mr. Macdermot to have a sllnrc in Y‘ murder-you and they talked of murder nt ac Mrs. Mulready’a, but you know that for your 81 life you would not have dnred to mention it il before Mr. Macdermot ; now tell me how long wna the prisoner at the wedding-pnrty 3” t

cc Maybe three houre.” ‘‘ Was he aober when he CZ~~Oin ?”

cg He war.’’ ‘‘ Wne he sober when hc wont out P’’ OF BALLYCLORAN. 315

Sober when he went out !’I

“ Yes, tir, WBE he sober when he ment out 3” ‘‘ I don’t think be war-not to say sober.” Wasn’t he mad drunk 3” , Mad dhrunk 3” cc Don’t rcpcat my words sir-wasn’t he mad drunk ?” Faix that’ß thrue for you, sir-they’re not worth repeating-no-he war not mad dhrunk.”

cc Was ha drunk-and mild, sir, you are on your oath--and there were many others present tllcro who will prove whether you an- Ewer this qucstiun truly or falsely-was he drunk whan be loft the wedding-party ?”

(6 ’Dccct thon I don’t know-you can a& thin1 na wm’ thore bcsided me.”

C( But I choose to aek you--ancl I cllooso that YOU should mswcr me- was he drunk” ? t ‘6 Don’t, I tdyou that X don’t know.” I’ 3 316 THE MACDERMOTS

‘5 On your oath you don’t know whether He was drunk or not ?’

66 He war screwed-Divi1 a doubt of that- but thin, he could walk-T wouldn’t call him dhrunk.” Wasn’t he nearer being so than you’d seen him for many months 3” Faix he war. I didn’t see him 80 bad since Leitrim fair, two years back.” And now yon say, that at the wedding, the prisoner promised in n day or twoto meet the same boys at Mrs. Mulready’s to settle their plans of ridding the country of Umher T” Yes, about that and other things.”

cc And the prisoner never kept thnt appoint- ment ?” No, Mr. Thady niver went there.” Did you ever say anything to hirn about not going there 3’’ Oh, I did ; wo were discoursing about ìt.’? OF BALLYULORAN. 3 17

cc And what did you say to hirn on the subject P” Why, 1 towld him ay he guv the boys 8 promise, he ought never to go back from hia word.” That is to say, you endeavoured to per- suade hirn to go ?” Bg-dad, I don’t know about persuading- it warn’t for the likes of me to perauade him.” On your oath, sir, didn’t you endeavour to induce the prisoner to go to Mrs. Mul- ready’s 3” I cc I towld hi04 he ought to be as good as his word.’’ Yeg, you did ; and you think he ought to have gono ?” MUJ~~Qav he’d gone there, ho’cl never huvc stood Elcro this day.”

IC You wanted him to go to Nra. Mulrendy’s then ?” 318 TZE MACDERMOTS

‘c Wanted ! No, I didn’t want nothin’ pri about it.” 1\11 cc You only asked him to to go ?”

IC Jiet as I towld you-I said av he guv the boye hia word, as a man he Bhouldn’t go from it.” ‘‘ Did you say anything to him about Mr. Jonas Brown 3” ‘‘ Jonas Brown I” Yes, Mr. Jonae Brown, the magistrato 1’’ Faix I don’t know. 1 can’t rightly say.” ‘‘ Think now, my man ; when you wcro trying to persuado your master to go to the widow Mulroady’s, did you mention Mr. Jonas Brown’s name 3” cc D’ye think I do bo counting my word8 that way--how am I to say all tho naulee 1 mintionod four or five months back I” ‘‘ On your solemn oath don’t you Z’OMQI~I- ber mentioning that gentlemada mmo to the

.P OP BaLYCLORAN. 319 priaoner with referenze to his vilrit to lbh. hl ulrcady’ti 3” What Jonas Brown’s name ?”

LC Yes.’’

CC Faix I rmy.”

CC Don’t you know you did ?”

61 Faix I don’t.” cc Didu’ t you tkrcaten your master, that if‘ he did not attend the meeting, Borne of the bop wdd awmr ag3inst him, before Mr. Brown, for having joined the party and taken the oath ¿%tthe wadding P”

CC What av 1 did?”

CL But did you P” MtLybo I did-maybe I dicin’t-1 dim- n1cmbor thim littlo things.” Tho oroes-oxamination continued for a considerable timo ; but nothing furthar that WM lnntoriul oould bo drawn from Brady ; he sccmcd evm moro unwilling to amwer Mr. Q’Mallcy, than ho had been in replying to

r 320 THE MACDERMOTB

Mr. Allewinde, and at last he was sent off the table. The next witness called was McGovery, who had been aummoned on behalf of the prosecution. He wm asked whether he had not suspected that some foul play was intended against Ussher, and he etated in what manner he bad, in the first place, cautioned Ussher himself-then that he had told the ame thing to father John--and that after overhearing WI portion of the conversation at Mrs. Meeban's, he had gone to fathor Cullen, for the purpose of informing him that he feared there was a conspiracy against Mr. Eeegan. Little, however, could be learnt from him, for he owned that he had no sub- stantial grounds for his euspicions in tho first aase, and that he had chiefly been led to fersr an attack upon Ussher, from knowing hie un- popularity and the bad character of many of the guests expected nt the wedding. Mr. O'Laugher tried to malre him say tbat the OF BALLYCLORAN. 321 convermtion at Mrs. Meehan’s had been con- fined to IZeagan, and the threate which he had heard uttered against him ;but McGovery would not say as much as this-he stated positively that he had never heard Ussher’a name mentioned ; but that during a consi- dernble portion of the evening he hafi, been entirely unable to hear n word that the men saicl ; ha dcclnred,however, positively that Tlm.ly ~-lrmdrunk when he lefi the room, and that ít tqpnrod to him that he, Tbady, had taken very little pnrt in the conversation before ha was drunk. When tlh witnese went off the table, &h. Allowindo cloclnrcd that the case for the pro- Elocution WH fiitliehcd -stating at tho samtime thnt ho abstuined from feelings of delicacy qnd respot from putting the prisoner’s eister into tho witness box-and that he should trouble hcr with no questions unlcss she were placed them by tho counsel ibr the defonce, 66 Mr, O’Mallay then rose to addrasa the 322 THE MACDERMOTS jury on behalf of the prisoner, and spoke to the following effect :- Gentlemen of the jury, it now becomes my duty to address to you such words a8 mag best suit to point out to you the weakness of the evidence against the priaoner-to explain to you the different objects we had in our lengthened cross-examination of the witnesses -to inform you what we intend to prove on behalf of the prisoner from further witneaaes -and, in fact, to put the case before you in a

light, and point of view, differing z1~widely as I oan make it do from that in which my learnedfriend has presented it to you. This you are aware is the general duty, and constant object of a counsel endeavouring to

obtain a verdict of' acquit tal from P jury. It is n duty in which lang practico has mado MG liarniliar, if not skilful, and I never undertook that duty with the eame assurance of its facility, aa that which I now feel, after huving heard the evidence, which has been brought I

OP BALLYCLORAN. 323 forward on the prosecution. I knew before- had as surely 8s one can trust to human kno~vlodge,that the evidence would fail, bdt knowing tlm mute legal abilities of my learned friond, and the extraordinary avidity which cxists among a 1:wge chas of Inen for B verdict against tho prisouor in thie case, re- mcmbcring, I any these things, I did not expect such a total hcak down, euch an exposure of weakncsa as that which hns been just madc before you. Were my object merely to rescue tho priaoucr from an ignonlinior~edeath-had it bcen my more duty on this occasion to oltuin un acquiltnl, I shonld feel no hesitation in requcating his lordship at once to send the

O~BObef'oro you, with such romtlrks RB tho evi- clcnct. would ou11 forth from him, and I shoulcl consider that J was only wnsting the tiruc of thc court in pointing out to you the i~lanffici- cucy OE tllc ovidenea, in which ench of you muet pc'ccivc that nothing whataver is proved aguinst the primnor; but L have bcen cm- played with another object, and I must own to you that so great is my own personal anxiety -SO terrible and so undeserved the present position of that unfortunate young man, and go eesentially necessary is it for his future happiness, that I should effect my preeent object. I must own to you, I say, for these reasons, that from the time when I first found myself standing in a crowded court to address a jury, up to the present moment, I have never felt so little self-confidence, or experienced ao total a prostration of that assurance, which is a lawyer'sfht requiaite EM I do at present. I have suid my object in addressing you irr not merely that of obtaining an acquittal-a mere acquittal will serve that unfortunate young mm but little. Unless he can w~lkout of this court with suoh a verdict as, damning as it may be to others, will altogether cleanse hie name from the stain of guilt inBthia matter, unless he can, not only save his neck from the OP BALLYCLOkAN. 3'25 hnlter, but also entirely clear bis character from tho grosa charges which have been brought against him; he would as lief go back to the cell whence he hae como, as return to his father's house acquitted by the voice of law, but condemned by that of opinion.

On thi~account ,I: am debarred from many of tho usual resources of oounsel pleading for a prisoner-1 am forbidden to make uae of lcgd points in his favourœ1 am forbidden to offeot an escape by the numerous weak points in tho enemy's plan of attack-I am desired to meet him hoe to face in the open field-to fight under no bauner but that of truth, and not to strike my adversary below the belt. You are aware that this is EL line of oonduct as raro ns it is difficult in a criminal court- when an advocate has to contend for his client against tho law-where every possible meam of aucce88 wklicb legal ingenuity cm devise is taken in the prosccution, and where you me 336 THE MACDERMOTS

accustomed to hear every legal technicality used in the defence. c' Had I not received instructions of so peculiar B nature, I should point out to the jury that no proof has been given direct or oircurn- stantial, that the prisoner was the peraon by W whose hands Umher fell-instead of doing 80 tc I am to declare that he did, as he is supposed to have done, kill the deceased in the avenue of Bally cloran, by striking,him twice with his stick. I am to justify that deed-end disprove the charge of his having entered into a conspiracy to murder the man, whom he did kill. The prisoner, you have been told, and are probably all aware, ia above the rank of mm, I whom you are mostly accustomed to seo place(] in thnt dock. He is th0 only son of a gentleman, living on his own small estate, and has for some years past acted m his father's soh agent and manager.

1 must now tell you B fcw particulars re-

l OP BALLYULORAN. 327 epecting that estate, and though, of course, you cannot receive as evidence, what I tell you ; still this courue will be necessary, ae I shall thereby be enabled to explain to you my object in obtaining answers to certain questiona which I haw asked, OP shall ask, the answers to which you will take as evidence. ‘‘ In the time of the priaoner’sgrandfather, B house was built on this estate by a Mr. Flan- nelly of this town, and the price of the build- iug not having been paid, this man, the builder, obtained sr mortgage on the estate for the amount of the debt. This is still due, though the house, as you hava heard, is falling to the ground, and has been 80 cncreased, by interest not paid up, and by legal chargee, that it hae eornplotely cmbnrrasscd the present proprietor, who is evo11 now unable to loave his house for ftmr of nrrcst. Mr. ICeegan, whose name has ofton colne‘before you in the evidence, and who, by and bye, will le examined himself, is the son-in-law of this Mr. Flannelly, and 3 28 THE MBODERMOTB has, as I have no doubt I shallbe able to the prove to you, the whole interest in the estate than of Ballyoloran arising from this mortgage. ing 6' 6' The prisoner's tilqe, since he ceased to be a boy, has been employed in futile endeavours mm agrt to satisfy the legal claims of tbis man-and I mai shall prove to you by most undoubtable evidence that his industry in this object hm been unceasing, and that hi3 conduct as a son and a brother has been beyond all praiae-but he has failed-times have been against him-lega1 costs have so swelled the legal intereet as to l consume the whole rents-those rents he has been unable to collect-and his life has beeu one manful struggle against poverty and Mr. YO Keegnn, and I couldnot wish my worst foe eP two more inveterate enemies. & Solne few day5 before Ussher's death-and &f i now 1 am going to confine myaelf to that which I mn in a poaition to prove-Mr. Keegan cded on the Macdermots for the purpose of proposing certain terms for the odjuetruent of OF BALLYCLORAN. 329 the debt, which were neither more nor lesa than .that he should have the whole estate, paying a small weekly stipend for life to the prisoner's father. The prisoner was willing to agree, providing some provieion should he made for his siater-but the father indignantly gpurned the offer, and turned Mr. Keegnn out of the house in no very gentle manner. The prisoner followed hin1 into the avenue-still wivhing to come to somearrangement-but the attorney was so enraged at the conduct of thc father, that instead of listeaiug to the son, he began abusing the whole family, and, aa you have heard, applied the moat shameful epithet to the sister with which the tongue of B man cm defilc the name of a woman. He afterwards struck the prisoner, who was un- nrmod, heavily with his etick, and I ham no hesitation in telling you, that that quarrel, in in which no blame appeara to have been attri- but able to the young man, plaoed him in that doolc. 830 TH33 MACDERMOTS

LC Brady, the confidential servant of the prisoner, both BRW, and overheard what took place at this interview, as he has told you, and he afterwards, at8 he will not deny, though he will not confess it, incited his master, duriug the F

period of his natural irritation, to go down to J the wedding party to meet a number of hie tenant8 who would be willing to aesist him in revenging himself agninat his enemy Keegan, the attorney, if he would assitit them aguinst their enemy, Usuher, the revenue officer-and here my client made the one false step-und the only one which I con trace to him-and committed that folly from which this bitter fim has thoughtto ruin him. Irritated by the blow-his ear stili stinging with the infamoue name applied to his loved sister-full of hi8 father's wrong, and hig own hard ooldition, he consentcd to meet mon, whoso object Ire knew was ille&-though what their plnue wcxc he was entirely ignorant.

IC With reference to what took placo at tho OF BALLYCLORAN. 331 weddillg, I have, in the first pluce, to remark that from the oharacter of this man Brady, I could confidently 0a11 upon you to reject every word of hirJ evidence, and I shall presently ehow you in what respects and why you are bound to do BO^ But in the present instance, I: am satiafied to tell you that my client did attend that mcetiug-but uind thal was no illegal mocting- it wm not secret-the door was not loclsod-nor even closed-it was n pariy of men met at the wcddiug of one of their own atstion. Tho woman to be married wm R sister of thprieoner's scrvant, and it was natural that be should be present. He directs me positively to toll you that he did nttond thatmeeting, though I also tell you with coufidonce that 118 committed no crime in doing so, and hi8 lordahip will corroborate what 1 toll you.

CC It wna, howover, a part of the plnu orgn- niecd againet tho prisoner, that he ahould be induced to oornmit an illegal mt, and he was, 332 TEE XACDERMOTS

QB you have heard, brought when drunk to promise that he would go clown to Mrs. Mul- ready’s to take UPOR himself illegal oaths and obligations. On the following day he was invited by 1 to t J this mme Brady to come on a certain eveaing, toll but Macdermot was no longer drunk-he was Zen: no longer infuriated by the gross outragos he ha1 had ret;eived-and what did he do then ? Did Ya he go to Rlrs. Mulready’s to settle the parti- an L culars of tehie murder which he is said to have premeditated 3 did he join these outlaws of whom he is represented to bave been the leader? Did he even sendthem an encourag- ing message-a word of fellowship? No- even by the testimony of thie man now so an- th xious to hang his benefactor- thie man, who O6 by his own shewing was at the sanle time in the pay of the prisoner, und his enemy ICeognn -he indignantly repudiated the idca-at once informed this wretoh, equally a traitor to his his confederates and to his master, thaf hc OF BALLYCLORAN. 338 would llave nothing in common with them or their schemes; and although threatened with

I the vengeance of the party, and with the authority of a meistrate, stcadily refuised even to enter the house in which they were accustomed to assemble. Why, from what I can learn of the young man, and of bis daily habita: I do not conceive that there is one of yoursclveR who wo~tldnot be 8s likely to join un illegal socicty as ho would. Patient under poverty-industrious under accumulated sufferings-he Iles led a ,life which would not have disgraced n priest-he has been over found eincere in his thoughts-moral in bis conduct --and moat unselfish in bia actione. Is this the mmto join a set of senseloss rioters, furi- OUB, at tho imprisonment of their relatives, and anxious only to protect their illicit atilIs 3 And this is no ompty praise. That what I hnve eaid of the prisonor is no more than is his dm, will be provod to you by cvidenco which 334 FEE UCDERMOTB I defy you .to doubt. Well, he did not go to -Mrs. "rady's-but he did go to his friend and priest, Mr. Magrath, and not as n penitent to his confessor, but a6 a friend to R friend, told him exactly what had paseed, lamented bis indiscretion, and declared his determination never to put himself in the way of repeating it I Up to this time my chief object has been to shew to you the enmity existing between Keegan and the prisoner -the object which the former had in view in ruining the prisoner, and that Brady was a paid spy employed to entrap him. I Bhdl now come to the deed itself, and I ddl aftervvsrds refer to what absolutely did take place at tho meeting at the wedding. 1 have told you that young Macderrnot did kill the deceased-ho struck him with tho stick, which has been shown to you in court, and as he wal~rising from tho blow he atruok him agnin-and no doubt tho medical witnces was right in his opinion, that the second blow oc- caBionod instant death. You ara, however, aware that circumstances might cxist which would justify any man in tnlring the life of another. If a mau WCTC violently to attack you, and you were to strike hiln on the Ilcd andl kill him, you would bo justified. If you were to kill n mm in a fray in fiir dcfence of a third party, you would ICjustifìcil. If you were to kill a man by a blow, in the quarrel of a moment, you would not bo guilty of murder; but I can fancy no caw, in which denth, however much it may Le to bo lamentcil, can lay less of the lmrdcrcr’d shin upon the hand that inflicts it, illan in R cago whoru n brother interferes to rcscnc his sist,cr from the violent grnsp of D tro(luccr. Suc11 was prcciscly the case in the instmco now befaro us, My lonrncd friend on tho dlcr sida hm truly told you that Miss Mncdorrnot, thpriYoncr’s siatcr, had consented to olol~owith Captain Uavhor on the evening 336 TEE BIACDEEMOTS on which that mm was killed. YOUhave learnt from evidence which you have no reason to doubt that she had prepared to do SO : in fact, YOU cannot doubt that she left the houee of Ballycloran for that purpoae-this has been proved-but there are circumstances beyond this on which it is essentially neceesary that pu should have evidence, and this evidence ctzn only be given by the young lady herself, I shall therefore have to bring her before you. When my learned friend told you thathe would not- od upon, her, nor queation her unless placed in that chair by me, ho forgot his usual candour, and assumed to himsdf credit for humanity to which he has no title, He himself hae nothing to learn from her, as he will prove to you if he attompts to cross- examine her ; moreover, ha was as fully aware as I am myself thnt the prisoner must rely on her alone for anything like a true nacount of the affray.

c( The brother and the sister ar0 tho only OF BALLYCLORAN. 337 living witnessee of that 6cene ; he has within him that high coneciousness of innocence, and rectitude of intention which has enabled him to bear hia sufierings, his imprisonment, and the misery of hie position with a fortitude, whioh I not only admire but envy-but that c.an avail nothing with you; from the sister’s lips you must heur the only account which you can receive, and if we find that she has been unable to recsl the dreadful circumstances of that night, that fact will bear we out in the history of the occurrence, which I am now going to give you.’’ Mr. O’Mallay then gava as exact an ao- count of the occurrßnca a8 he had been oble to collcol; from Thady-from Feemy’s evidence before tha coroner--and from auoh worde 88 film. h/IcICeon had been able to extraal; from Foemy otl the subjoot-be continued-

61 When the p1*iaoaer struck Umher, he had ooma to the knowledgo- of what the burden WBB whioh this Inun was dragging, solely from VOL. III.. B 338 THE MACDERMOTS the words which he used. Miss Macdermot was lying se1 soless in his arms, and supporting her by her waist, he was forcing her down the avenuethe words he usedwere, ' thie ia damned nonsenseyou muet come now,' then the brotherperceived the fate to which this man was not alluring but forcing his aister-at that moment, and it was the only one in which the prisoner had to judge of the ciroumstaocee of the case, she wz18 not in the act of eloping willingly--ehe had seen herbrother's form- and had refused or been unable to riso from the timber on which she was seated. She IVRS forced from thence by this man, whose death protects him from the language in which his name WOLII~otherwise be mentioned. She fainted in his arma, and only carno to her senses to find her lover dead, and her brother standing beaide her red with his blood. YOB,hc had avenged her - he had punishecl the ruffinn for his barbarity towards her, and saved his @inter from tlm ignominy to which Mr. OF BALLYOLORAN. 339 Frederick Brown told you with so much flippancy that she had been doomed.

“ If this wag the young mm’s conduct, wm there anything in it that you can even blame? which of you would have done otherwise? which of YOU will teu me that in avenging the wrongB of a sister, or of a daughter, you would pause to measure the weight of your

Eltick, or the numbor of your blows. Fancy ’ each of you that you a60 the form of her you love best in the rough grasp of a, violeut seducer-endeavour to bring home to yourselves the feelings to which such a sight would give rise within you; and then, if you cm, find that young man guilty of murder, beoause hia heart was warm to feel a sister’s wrongs and hia hand wne strung to avenge them But you haw been told that as the pri- coner hdmet certain persona for the purpose of entering into A conspiracy of murdering Usaher-and that that fact would be proved to youyou are bound to consider that his

Q3 * S40 THE MACDERMOTS

1 coming across Ussher was not accidental, and that’ the manner in which he attacked that man whilst carrying off his &ter was a part of his preconoerted plan, I first of dl deny that any credible evidence --any evidence worthy of the slightest belief, has been brought before you to illduce you to suppose that the prisoner had even joined nny auch conspiracy-instead of which you have strong circumstantial evidence that he had never done so.

CL You bave most of you, no doubt, Imrd on various occasions from different learned judges seated on that bench that a crown t~p prover’s evidence is to be taken with tho greatest caution, and only to be believed in detail, when corroborated by other evidence or by circumstances. Now this man Brady, on whose sole evidence you are dosired to oonvíct the

* prisoner, has shewn himself an approvar of the very worst description-you ara aware that he wne the prisoner’s aervnnt-thnt he is now W OF I~ALLTCLOI~AN, 34 l

Mr. Kcegan’s-thut there has been long en- aity betwcen these men-that the former has been an oppressed debtor -the latter a most oppressive creditor. &fr.Keegan’s spirit towards the priuoner’s family, you may learn from thc scandalous and unwarrantable lm- guage, which has been proved to you to have been used by him towards them. Mr. ICecgm’s acerbity hua been enoreased by the mutilation he‘ hns undergone, and which he conceives he owes to his interference with the BaIlydoran proporty. This man and the witness Brndy h:~ve,as you llsvo heard, oonstantly been talking mor this trial, anil the attorney it ~een~shns repontodly expressed to his servant, hie nrdent wish that tho prîaoner might be huug, This ie his expresaed eger desire- and then thie new scjrvsnt, but long uaed spy, cumes forward boldlg to Bwonr &way the pi- sonar’s life -why it would be ridiculing you to eupp0m you could believe him. Then look at the man's chmator-he was B constant at- Ï

342 THE MACDERMOTS

tendant at that scene of‘ villang, into which he vainly endeavoured to seduce the prisoner at Mrs. Mulready’s-it is plain enough that Umher’s death was II constant thome of dis- cmrse at that hsunt-it is plain enough that

e\ project did exist there to accomplish his murder-and ia it not plain enough thnt this man was one of the conspirators-one of the murderers 3 would he have been admitted to their cot~nsels-to their dangerous Remets, unless he had been an active participator in their plans 3 would they have taken in his presence a solemn oath to put this unfortunate revenue officer under the sod, unless Le had joined in that oath i) Of course they would not-and this is the man whom they expect you to believe with such confidence, that on his uaeupported evidence you should condemn the prieoner. What I have said Co you respecting this respeotable witneaa, and his not lees respeotable muster, will perhaps be made somewhat plainer to you, when you lshall have F

OF BALLYCLOBAN. 343 heard the evidence which I hope to extract from the httar. NOW, as to the meeting at Mrs. Mechada, even were you to belieye Brady, I maintain that nathing whatever has been proved against the prisoner. Brady states, that at Mr0. hlulrendy’e certain ruen aworo together that at B certain period Captain Uasher ahould be under the sod-this phrase brings to the mind of every one the conviction that they meant to express murder. The tuan oould not be under the sod unless he were doad. But at tho wedding, when young Msoder- .#W m mot was prcscnt, wen by the shewing of Brady himsclf-thc men were afraid to use any such phmsc. They implored their landlord's assistance to help them to rid the oountry of him-to frighten him off - to make tho plnco loo hot to lrold him. As 1 told thnt wrotohod reptile, whilst in the ohair, they wc>uld have no more dared to propose 8 scheme sf murder to young Maodermot, even in his

.L 344 THE MACDERMOTS drunkenness, than ' they would have to you or to me.

CG Now as to the probability of the prisoner's having been aware of bis sister's projeot for eloping, and having made use of that op- portmitg for the safe execution of a scheme

Qf murder, and this perhaps is the most material point of all, for were there good grounds to suppose that he knew thatthis elopement wns to take place-that he took no precnu- tionary steps to prevent it-but; that having this previous knowledge, he rughed out at the tirne, and killed the man, 1: should be very far from telling you that he wm perfectly justified ns I do now. But I myst positively maintain that you cannot come to auch a conclueion. It has to a degree been proved to you; and will he so more clearly, that the prisoner h4all along shewn himself averae to the intimacy which existed between Uashef, and his sieter, it ia therefore to be presumed that both of them took every means in their power to p-

l OF BAIrLYCLOEAN. 345 vent the priJoner from learning their intention --srrd thcre is evcry reason to suppoee they were st~cceseful. Tn-0persons appetr to have been told, as their scrvices were required, both of whom have been cxanlincd bcfore you-the servant girl and &!!r. Frederick Brown. ..the former has EWO~II that she mentioned it ta no one, and there ie no reason to disbelieve her... the latter proved himsolf not ao truatworthy, It amms that with that foolieh flippancy which distinguishes him, he told hie friend'e secret to other friends of llia UB a good joke. ßut you must rorncrnbor that 1S.h Brown's friends were not the primux'8 friends.,.thut they rather wera in such different circles.. .that what waa said in ono, would be wry little likely to find its way into the uthor, aucl above all that those to whom Mr. Brown or his frieuds comuuai- cated it, would think that the brother was the last pcrson who should be told of it. Again, hwil the priwner kn0.n.n th projeoted s6 I elopement, and intendedto make use of it for the perpetration of a preconcerted murder, would he...could he have aoted as he did ? Could he have waited for such an unexpected accidept as his sister’s fainting before he drew near to hia victim...his sister had walked i down the avenue, and after waiting some time in the road, returned and sat down upon

II fallen tres.. ,if mas whilst so seated t hat she heard the brother open the hall-door. .. had she, as she expected, met her lover at the hour appointed, they would have been far beyond the prisoner’s reach before he had left the house. ..would he have allowed ellis to be the case, had it been his intention to take advantage of’ the opportunity ? It is abaurd to argue on such a point. It is unueccssary almost to call your attentioil to things, which muat BO manifestly presentthenlselvee to you. The whole of this Catie hau received additional weight and importance from offi- ciel authority...it has beon considered worthy OF DAT,LTCLORAN. 347

of especial government interference ,. . my learned friend has come express from the metropolis for the purposcs of conducting it. .. a rumour hns been pwil abroad that most conolusive evidence would be produced to prove that a prisoner from the better ordere of society had joincd, and headed one of thoae illegal bodia of men whose existence is sup- pasad to be tbc causo of the troubles of this distracted country, end that he had, in unison with these schcmes, cornwitted B foul and dolibernte mudcr, and rny learned friend has not hceitatcd to tell you that it is essentially ncccssary to um the utmost extent of . legni savarity, thnt an end Inay be put to the

F agrarian outripe which me now becoming so frightfully provalant in the country. Hag anything been proved to warraut this officinl zcul, .,this government interfkrance 3 No.. . nothing,, ,not, onc iota ; but still these para- plmwalio of o%cs...this more than ordinary anxiety to obtain a vcrdiot, may have m effect 348 THE MACDRRnIOTS upon your minds most prejudica1 to my clil me ent. I have no douht EI to your actual ver- (301 dict ...I have no ,doubt that you will ...nay, I \ Yo' know th;lt you mast ...acquit that young mm les

of mnrder ; but I beeeech you to remember 8N that, though in the indictment he has been of charged with murfier only, he has been hy 8'11 the servant of government, by my learned Y' friend on the other side, accused of other Y' grievous crimes; and I implore you by your 1% verdict to purge bis character of the stain n which hag been so unjustly attached to it, if 8' you fincl, on examination of the evidence, no cause to suppose that he had been a participator in the councils of such sooieiies ... 1 beseech pou to do him thnt justice, which can now only be done by the strong expreasion of your unmirnoua opinions-I beacech you to rejeot from your minds those, prc-conocived opinione ao injurious to the prisoner, with which tho 3 present unfortunate stata of your country may 'i BO naturally have influoncod you, sad to re- i I ! OF SALLYCLORAN. 349 member that it ia your dutr, a8 jurors, to confine yourmlf to the individual caee before you, and that the doctrine laid down by my learned friend, that you should make an example in one case for the Bake of prevention of crimes in others, is moat unconstitutional, and would imply, that whilst the solemn oath you have taken ie still vibrating in your ems, your object should be far wide from that for which you have been assembled-that of making a fair and true trial between pour sovereign and the prisoner. I shall now call ’ ‘ n, few witnesses, and then leave the case) with confidence, in your hands.’’

4 3LO THE MA CDEBMOTS

CHAPTER IX.

WHENMr. O’Malley hid finished his aildresa to the jury, it was past seven o’clock, and the judge suggested that as it would be evidently impracticable to finish the CRBC that n: 01 night, so as to release the jury, they might 8s well at tbia point adjourn it till the morrow. To this Mr. Allewinde readily assented ; but Mr. O’Maliey declared, that though he was most unwilling to detain his Lordship and the aourt nt that late hour, he must requeet per- lllission to be allowed to examine one of hie witnesaes, as otherwise his caution in haying had him ordered out of court, would ~UVC been in aim. It wm most essential, ho oaid,

I OF BALLYCLORAN. 35 L that his examination of Mr. Keegan should take place before that mm could have an opportunity of oonvereing with his servant, Brady, whereupon the judge consented to hearing ICeegan’a evidence that evening, and forthwith the namo of Hyacinth Keegan wa,a called out in a loud voice, by the crier, and wm repeated by every policeman in court till a stranger to the proceedinga would have thought that Hysointh 1Ceegads society waa the one thing desirable in Garrick-on-shm- non, Heegnn, howevor, had gone home on being cxpellcd from court, and when he found thnt ho had not been cdlcd for at seven o’olock, legan to flatter himself that he was gafo for that night, and when two breatliless policemen nearly knoclccd his door down in search of hiru, 110 Ilad changed his one boot for hie slipper, and had juat mt down to dinner with tho fair partner of his domestic happiness. 1% was, however, quickly made Cdd table It weal ! 9. den(

SUC1

I I sib1 t plfb ffo

P f a OF BALLYCLOBAN. 353

could not keep his foot from beating on the table. Y It would be drawing this trial out to a ,i

weary longth to give the whole ‘of his evi- I dence ; but Mr. O’Mdley’s questions were such as the attorney found it almost impossible to ansu er. He was asked ia the ,first plnce whether ho at present received the renta

P from Ballyclora~,and then whetherhe ;e- ceived them on liia own behalf; the latter he denied, but wlmn told that if he denied the fact Mr. Flannolly would be brought forward to prove it, he at last owned that Mr. Fhn- nelly hnd promieed to make over that property to him ; he then denied that any conversation had paeaod bztween him and Brady as to the mturo of the evidence the latter was to give at the trial, or that he had expressed nny anxiety on any occasion that a verdict 111igl.lt bo given against the prisoner ; he confessed that, he might, in oonvermtion, have s\ttribated tho loss of his foot to the influence 364 THE MACDEltMOTS of the prisoner ; but he could not remember the , that he had ever said that Macclerrnot should &ff 01 pay for it withhie life; in answering the i different questione put to him, he hesitated and blundered so much-stammered so of’ten, and spoke so low, that every one in court was convineed that he was perjuring himself; but still he persisted in denying every thing ; the only good effect Mr. O’Mslley could get from his evidence was, that the master frequently contradicted what had been said hy the serrant ; but then Brady had shewn so much confidence and self-assurance in his replies, and Keegan so much hesitation and confusion, that it was muoh more probable that the jury would believe the former, than t1 the latter, and if so, Keegan’s contradicting the statements made by Brady, would not serve to invalidate the mataria1 avidenoe giver1 by that man. 1 When Mr. Keegan carne down from the i chair, the court broke up for the night, and OF BALLYCLORAN. 3 55 tbe jury were informed that the sheriff would afford them dl the accommodation in hie power, and with long facea they were marched away to durance vile. Tho court, which, during the trial, had been ao densely crowded, again became desolate and silent. Baron Hamilton, with his brother Kilpatrick, retired to their dinner, which they had well ‘earned, and the coffee-rooms at the hotels agnin became crammed with hungry posta, clamorous for food, and the evening was passed in speoulations as to whnt would be the verdiot in the cam to which they had all been listening, In tho barristers’ mess-room dl the feuda of the day wore forgotten, and a most jovial party was aasembled ; as each bottle of olaret eucccrJded tho other, fresh anecdotes were told, and innumerable puns were made. Mr. Allewinde wa13 quite groat ; his forensic dignity all laid aside, he chatted to he junior8 wit11 most condascending familiarity. 865 THE MACDErcMOTEI 4 Mr. O’Laugher became the originator of tu inceseant peals of laughter ; dl that had taken place during the day he turned into food for t merriment ; not for one moment did he hold b 1 his tongue, nor once did I10 say a foolish thing; he was the pet of the bar-room. The Con- naught bar was famous for Mr. O’Lauyher, and they knew it, and were proud of him. Of all of them assembled there, but one seemed to have any memory of the sadness of the acene that they had that day witnessed. How should they ? or rathor bow miserable J would be a barrister’s life, wer6 he to be affected by the misery which be is so constantly obliged to witness in a criminal court. On this occasion, however, the aaxiety which Mr. O’Malley Ilad expr~ssedwhen addressing the jury had not been feigned, nnd the d doubt which he felt RS to the fate of his client, lay henvy on him. EIe felt that he had failed in shaking Brady’s teetimony, 1 which WBB too clear againat him, and he feared

waa told that unless she went of her own accord, the house would be broken open, and she would be taken away by force. It waa in vain that Mary McGovery endeavomed to make him understand that Feemy’s presence ’* Al was necessazy in and that she had to Carriok, Drut. appear as B witnese at her brother’a trial. WOU1 Whenever Thady’s trial was spoken of, Carr and Mary, by continually recurring to the subjeot, had made the old man at last comprehend that his aon wan to be tried3 but whenever it was spoken of ROW, he merely ex- preseed his approbation, and a wish that Thady might be punished, for making friends with such a reptile as ICeegan-for deserting

his father, a~clplanning to cheat him out of P ta I hie house and his property. Mary took great pur; pains to set him right, and bellowed into his she ear as if he were deaf instead of stupid, o11 times a was to J twenty day, that Thady be ,F W hi tried for Umher’s death ; lut Larry couldn’t rat be got to remember that he was dead, and would continually ask his daughter when her lover wnt3 corning back to live with them, and defend them and the property against the ma- chinations of Keegan and her brother. All the Thursday, Feemy remained at Drumsna, everymoment expecting that she would be immedintely called in to go to Garrick. She sat the whole day in the draw- i~g-room, close by the fire, with her Giend’s clonlt nrouncl her, without ßpeuking to any one. The girls had come and spoken kindly to her when she first arrived ; but their mother had told them that they had better not attempt to converse with her. Mrs. McIleon hefaolí‘ sut with her tho whole day, and spoke to her a gentlo word now and again, but she purposely tbstnined from troubling her, and she mude no nllueion whntever to the subject OD \yhicil she had thought BO rnuc11~and on which her own suspicione had been combo- ruterj hy Mary’s information. Necesenry na it wa6 that the poor girl should tell some one this was not the time to press her. There sat Feemy. Ah 1 how different from the girl described in the opening of this tale ; her cheek was pale and wan, and the flesh had gone, and the yellow skin fell in from her cheek bone to her mouth, giving her almost B ghastly nppearanoe ; her eyes “p- peared larger than ever, but they were quenched with weeping, and ¿hl1 with grief ; herhair wa~drawn back carelesely behind her ears, and her lips were thin and bloodless. Two or threetimes during the day Mra.

McEeon had given ber half a glass of wine, ‘ which she had drank on being told to do ao, and she had once tried to eat a bit of bread ; but she had soon put it down agojn, for it seemed to choke her ; but she had done both without speaking a word. About five o’~10ck Mra. MciCaon learnt that Feemy wouldn’t be called for that day, OF BBLLYCLORU‘. 361

and the poor girl was then induced to go to .bed ; but nothing could persuide her to allow my one to assist her. It waa wonderful how she could have undressed herself, and dressed herseIf the next morning, she seemed BO weak and pcrfectly powerless. Tony and father John got home to dinner about eight; they were both in good spirits, for Mr. O’Malley’s speeoh had been 80 convincing to them, that they oonoeived it could not but be equally so to the jury ; they forgot that they had ptevioualy assured themselves of Thady’u evidenoe, and thut therefore they wore prepared to believe every word aaid on his behalf, and that this would by no meam be the case with the jury. They were very atmguino, and Tony insisted that Coun- ncllar O’Malley’e bedth should be drunk with al1 tho Ilonours. On the morning they, went early into town; they bad obtained, from the clerk of the peace, VOL. 111. R T‘

permission to make use of B small room witbin the court, and here Feemy and Mrs. &&on were to remain undisturbed till the former was called for, when that lady was to bring her into caurt, and even undertook to go upon the table with her, and repeat to the jury, if she would be allowed to do BO, the evidence, which they ~7ereal1 sure Feemy herself would not be able to give in P voice loud enough to bo heard by any one. When the oar stopped at the court house in Curriok- on-Shannon, it WBB found absolutely nocaasary to carry her into the room, for she hocl apparently lost all power of action ; she neither cried nor sobbed now, but gazed listlessly before her, with her eyes fixed upon vaonncy, as the two strong men lifted her from the car, and supported her between them by her arms up the steps into the court house.

cc This will nover do,’’ said Tony to his friend

after leaving hcr in tho room, $6 this will never OF BALLYCLORAN. 363

do-she’ll never be able to say a vord on tile table-it’s only cruelty, father John, bringing her here.” But 0’Malley says she must come,” said

father john, cc he aays, if she can take the oath, and speak but three or four words to Mrs. MolCeon, that will do.” She’ll never do it-she’ll never be able ta take tho onth-she’ll have to be carried on the table, and when there, she’ll faint. Poor Thaily I if Be’a aoquitted, the first thing he’ll havo to loarn will be her disgrace. You must tell him of that, father John-no one else om.’

U Poor follow-ìt will bo worse to him than all-but sho brought him to this, and she must anye him if S~Oed’ cc 1 tell you,” said Tony, ‘‘ she’ll never ~peuka IVO~upon t’hut table ; we’d better tell . (?"alley at onco-’t would be only WueIty to put her thoro.” They both aacordingly went to R3 i

364 THE MBCDZRlNOTB

who was now in court, and told him that they thought Feemy Mncdermot oould not be safely brought there : he, however, still declared that it was imperative for her brother'e safety that she should appear, even if it were utterly im- possibly to get her to speak-and that as she had been the person in fault, and as he had had all the suffering, ,the cruelty would be to him, if she:were not brought forward.

E'ather John returned to the private room, I and tried to make her speak.' €Ie kneeled down before her, and again began explaining to her the purpose for whicb she was there, and imploring her to exert herself to save her brother. She once or twice opened hermouth, aa if speaking, but uttered no sound. She. understood, however, what the prie& said .to her,.fur she gently -prossed his hand when he took hold of hera, and nodded ber hond ta him, when he begged her to exere herself. As he looked upon her dying face-for he could not but see that in all probability she had

I' OF BALLYOLOBAN. 365 not long to live ; he reflected how grieviously she had expiated her folly in not listening to the advice of her friends respecting Ussher, and all his anger against her ceased. In the mean time Mr. O'Malley .was continuing the examination of his witnesses; the first who appeared on this tho second morning of the trial waa CornGy Dolan, who unfortunately came prepared to awear anything which he thought might bonefit the prisoner. He said ho remembered the ' evening of the wedding, ho remembered the :conversation at which tho prisoner had been present, that he waa quite sure Uasher's name wasn't mentioned -or at myrate that if mentioned, it, was not accompanied by any threat-that the only plan of; violenoe alluded Ca during the evening W'a8 that one or two of the boys said that they would duck Keegan .in a bog. hole if he came to zcceivs rente at Ballyclorrtn. Tl& ma8 all. very.well, a8 long ithe q~a- t5om were put to him by Mr. O'M4ey ; bui 366 THE MACDERXOTS he was made to tell a somewhat different tale when examined by Mr. Allewinde, by wham he was made to own that there had been pro- jects abroad for murdering Ussher, though he etill maintained that none of them had been alluded to by the party at Mrs. Meehan's. He R~Edao mude to give himself so bad a charm- ter, that it was more than probable that the re1 jury would not believe B word he had said. as Father John was the next, he was only to called on to prove that Thady had been in- toxioated, when heleft the party nt Mra. Meehan's, and to speak as to character. With tears in his eyes he corrobrated all that the barrister had said in hie speech, in praise of his poor young friend ; he described him aa honest, industrious, and manly-patient under his own wrongs ; but unable to endure quietly those inflicted on his family. Toney McKeon was the nex-b, and with the exception of Feemy, the Inst--and he too had anly to speak aa to character. OF BALLYCLORAN. 36’7

Just a9 fathcr John had been getting into the chair, a policeman had come into court and wbispored to Doctor Blake, who was sitting in one of the lower benches, sud the Doctor im- rnedktaly got up from his seat and went away with ,tbc man, Father John had not obeerved the occurrence ; but when he was leaving the table, and us Tony was getting up, the latter whispered) to him. Bluko has been called out. Just look to Feemy.” And at; tho same moment Mr. O’Malley said! out loud :

cc Mr. Magrath, if I might trouble you so far, would you have the kindness to bring Misa Macderrnot into court ? I do not antici- pate that wo shall have much delay with Mr. McKcon’e evidenco,” Puthor John immediufoly hurried into the room, where Mm. MoKoon had been left with her’ chargo-and his heart trembled within ,

368 THE MACDERMOTS

hi4 as he remembered the death-like look the poor girl had when h0 left her but an hour aisince, and reflected that it WELS too probable to her aid that Doctor Blake had been called. And ao it waB-when he entered the room, round the door of which a lot of frieze coats rep I had crowded, but which was kept shut, he found Feemy on the ground, with her head hOU supported on Mrs. McKeon’a lap, and Blake -1 kneeling beside her, endeavouring to pour something into her mouth-there was another woman standing in the room, and an apothe- i aary, whom the Doctor had sent for; but father John was soon made to understand that medical skill could avail but little, and that all the aid that Feemy could now receive from her fellow creatures, was to aome from him. Her many griefo and inward strugglee hacl brought o6 premature parturition, and she was now dying from ita effects. To describe the mene whioh immediately followed would be to tre& 80 saared a subject

i OF’BALLYOLORAN, 369

muoh too lightly. The priest, however, found that neither life nor tonson was extinct-ahe aoknowledged the symbol of salvation in which she trusted, and received that absolu- tion from her sins whioh her church considers neoessary. Who can say how deeply she hac1 repented of her misdeeds during the many

houra of silent agony which she I bad endured. Wer arm ‘was etretched out from her,body, and her hand ,wan clasped tightly in that o€ Mrs. McXCeon’a. Tho moment before she drew her final breath, she felt and tried to return the preasure; slro made one great struggle to speak. Myles,’’ was the single word whioh har lips had etrcngth to form ...and with Ithat laat offort poor lhemy died. In mean titm McKaon had given his -F‘ ovidenoo in tho court, and Elad left the table-. Mr. Allawindo having doclined to crowexamine either him or fkttller John ... there was then pause of 1301110’little duration in,court, durhg which -MLO’Mdlquddraahg tho judge, mid Rd: I

? 870 THE MACDERMOTS that Miss Macdermot, the witnesa now about Maeß to be brought forward, way unfortunately in a Mr. O' very weak rJtate of health, ao much so, that had her evidence not been BO essential to her brother, he should. be most unwilling to have troubled her ; he then apologised for the delay 11 heaven -and asked for and obtained permiasion for Mrs. McKeon to be on the table with her, and repeat her ndswers to the jury; the judge merely premising that it would be necessary that thut lady should be Clworn to repeat the true an~wer~. There WOB still gome further delay after Mr, Mr. O'Mallcy had sat down ; when Mr. McKeon got up to go rrnd help to bring her into Oourt ; just in the door way he metvaman who whispered to him ; he did not return however, but hurricd on to the room where he had left his wife, ancl reached it juat aa the breath left the poor girl's body. In their distress it was apparent ta dl that the truth muet be immediately mride know in the court, and Mr* OF BALLYCLORAN. 331

McKeon was leaving for the purpose of tekg Mr. O’Malley, when father John laid hia hand upon his friend’s shoulder, and said-

‘c Poor Thady, it will break his heart to hear it-it must be kept from him-but hoaven only knows what’8 best-he must hear it at last, Go, McKeon, and tell O’Malley- he’ll know what’s beat to do.” MoEeon returned into court, eLnd making his way with cliffioulty closa up to the barrister, whiepered in his car that his witnea was no more. Mr. O’Mnlley, who had been standing, in- etnntly sat down a8 if appnlled by the sud-‘ donnesa of the evcnt-every one in the court who had men MoKeon’e face aa he entered, felt aware thatsornothing had happened to Feemy. T11~ judge loaned forward over his desk addresying himself particularly to MrmO’MalIey, and said- 66 18 Misa Macderrnot too unwell, lb. O’M$ley to be brought into court 3”

4‘ My lord,’) said he again, rising from his

Beat, 6‘ she has already gone before another judgment mat. Maaderrnot,” md he turned W round to the prisoner in the dock, (c you hava her born your sorrows hitherto like a man-you dt must try and bear this also-your aister is dead t -she has fallen the first vicitim-God forbid that another should be sacrifioed. My lord, 5i my cause is now done-there is now no living witness, but the prisoner of‘that acene, which I described to you. Themcase muet now go to the jury ‘&e it is.” During the time of the whole trial Thady had stood upright at the bar-with his elbow leaning on the wooden rail, and his faxce resting 011 his arm-he had almost constantly ]sept hid eye upon the speakera, ooonsionally turning 1 his gaze to t’le place where father John h~~d 1 sat during the trial, to see that he had not clel serted him. During the Bpeeoh whi& M[r,

l 0’RhlIey had made on his behalf, he had briglltened up, and looked more oheerful than ha had dons for many monthe ; when that wm finished he had felt more sanguine as to his acquittal than he had done at any time since he had first given himself up as a ph:soner-

during the a short pause which occurred in court immedintelg after McKeon left the . table, he hnd once or twice looked round to 800 if‘ Peemy wore coming, though the high wood-work of the dock would effeotudly prevent him from swing her till bhe wa8 at the table. It will be remembered that Feemy’s ex- tremo illness had never been made known to har brother, muoh loss her lamentable situation. Pathor John had told him that she was unwell, but he hnd not thought it necessary, to frighten him at; the prossnt time by lotting him ~lcnow how very ill sho wm. The Doctor’s departure from czourt he did not notioe at all. Father John wse gant for to his sister in a manner which oaused him no apprehension-and even when McKeon went out to see whether she Was coming, it never occurred to Thadp that

the delay in his sister's appearance wae occw ! sioned by ill health. It was only when he saw O'MaIley ait down, after hearing some whispered tidings from McKeon, that he felt alarmed. When the barrister told the judge that his witnesa had gone before another judgment seat, it wa8 still evident from hieface that he did not perfectly comprehend what had happened, but there was no mieunderstanding the language in which the tidings were immediately afterwards aommunicated to himself -he seemed to make ooe attempt as if to say something, but the feeling of his thation, and the paraphernalia of the court awed him info silence, and he sank down within the dock to hide his aorrow from the crowd that were gaz- ing at him.

There was 8on.m considerable dday in the court after this, aa if dl the pnrtiee concerned felt unwilling to commence businesv after the shook which Beemy’s death had occasioned. The judge sut beck in his chair, silent and ab- stracted, tla if, valuable as he ruuat know hie own and the public tinm to be, he felt unab19 to call OLI any one to proceed with the case io~mediatclyafter so sad an event. At last Mr. Allowindo roBe and said that no one could regret more than himself the dreadfully tragical. nunner in which the prlsoner had lost the bencfit of the evidence, which it wag expected his sister would have been able to givo on hie bohalf-that he conceived that it would bo anything but meroy to the prisoner to delay the praceedinge in their present stage on ncoount of what had happened, moreoverp 110 conceived that doing BO would be illegal7 ho would suggest to the judge-to hia learned friand on tho other aide-and to the jury, whether any lcgul ancl nvnilablo use could be made of tho avideuco which had been given by the prisoner’s sister before the ooroner. 376 TEE MACDEEMOTB Th%, however, Mr. O'Mdey deolined, alleged that the questions put to Miss *Mac- dermot by the coroner, were merely such an- Iswers a6 intended to elicit evidence that Captain Uesher had been killed by her brother, and that the ansn-ere she then gave were of cuurae not Euch as would be favourable to the pri- 8oner, nor were such a~ could prove thoeo facts, which Mr. O'Malley had intended to prove, 8; had she not met her death in this and and tragical manner. Mr. O'Malloy finished by stating that as far ns he WEIB concorned the WLLBready to be submitted by his lordship to the jury. MJ. Allowinde, howevcr still had tho rigbt of reply, and he was not the man to allow any I chance oiroumstance to prevent him making use of ithe accordinglyagain got up to addrces the jury* Eh told them that what he had to sa; would not koep thorn long, and cdnsiderir~gthat he was a lawyer and a bar& ter, he kept his mrii mich tolsrabh fiddity. I

OF BALLYoLolE1m‘ 877 He remarked that the evidence of Brady had in no degree been shaken. That the subjeote in which Keegan had been examined had haa no reference to the case, and that it wag quite plain that Dolan had come forward to swear to anything which he thought might tend to the prieoner’e acquittal; he made no allusion whatever to father John and Tony McEeon, and than ended by saying that cc the unexpected and melancholy death of Miss Macder- mo$ wm an ocourreme whioh could not but fill the breast of every one preeent with moet profound sympathy for the prisoner-that he elmuld th‘en abatain from saying S word whioh might be unnecessctrily disagreeable or painful too the feelings of any one-but that the jury must feo1 that the prieoner would loee nothing from the losa of her evidence-of oouree,” he continued, l‘in a point of law you are bound to look ou, the case, as if Mise Macdermot bad died it the enme moment with her betrothed husband, for pou axe aware that you ann not I

378 TEE MACDERXOTB

allow anything which my learued friend hae told YOU, that he would prove by her evidence, to be taken into consideration by you in find- CO ing your verdict-but it will lossen the pain fQ1 vhioh more or less you must suffer in this 8nd bc case to reflect what strong grounds you have for supposing that the sister, had she livod,could have proved nothing, fuvouroblo to the brother, for had she been able to do so, she would have done it when examined before the coroner. I B ehnll now trouble you no further. His lord- t ship in subn~ittiugthe casa to you, will give you doubtless the necesasry oaution againrjt i dowing excited feelings to have any influence over the verdict to which you shall come.’’ Mi. Allewinde than sat down, and after the c lapse of ono or two minutes tho judge turned 8 to the jury, and spoke his chargo to theln upon the question. lie wcnt dcliborntely to

’ them through through the whole &&~+- 1 dwelt upon various minor points in the pri- ewer’s favour-told them that t ho prjaonar

i 03 BALLYOLORAN. 379 could not bo oonsidered ELB guilty of murder, if there W88 ground to believe that he had committed the act, whilst the deceased was forcibly carrying off his sister, and if they believed that the prisoner had never before premeditnted the death of the man he killed ; he then went at longth into those pointe; he shewed the jury that no evidence whatever had been brought up to prove that the girl was in 8 sonsoless state when Umher was at- tnoked-and that for anything .they had heard proved, sho might have been walking quietly with him, and thnt they were to be especially guarded in not taking as proved, aasertions made, no doubt, very properly, by counsel, on behalf of his dient. 130 then went into the ovidence givon by Brady, and he stated in his own opinion, he wne in the min to be believed; he argued that his whole evidence,, both on the direct and cross-ex$mination had been given in a mnnner which seemed to him to shew an unwillingness to give more infor- 380 T'H% UCQERMOTS

mation than he could possibly help on either side-but still with a determination not to for- aweak himself-but nt the mme time he told them that this was a question on which each juror ehould join his own opinion-in faot tht it W~Pto judge of tho value and oredibility of evidence thai they were summoned-it wa8 also, he said, for them to decide whether the death of the revenue officer was premeditated by the party at Mrs. Meehan'8 when they talked of ridding the country of him. We passed very slightly over the remaining evidence, merely saying that this wa8 a cam in which character could not weigh with them, as, if the prisoner were guilty, his former apparent good character only aggravated hi8 sin, and made his crime more heniou-he then concluded by telling the juror, that they were bound by three solemn oaths to allow nothing k to interfere with the truth of their verdiot- thnt they must all deplore the uotimely daath of the young woman who waa fa have ap- OF BALLYCLOEAN', 381 ptped before them, and sympathise with the brother for the loss of his sister-but that hie misfortune in this respect, aould not lighten his guilt if be were guilty, or diminiah the sacrednees of the duty which eaoh juror owed to his country. When the judge had finished, the jury retired to consider their verdio-nd the other businesa of the assizes was proceeded with, as if nothing peculiar had happened, to check the regular routine duties of the court. 382

CHAPTER X.

TT was not very late in the day when the jury retired-ad it was generally thought that they would come to zt verdict in time to escape being immured for a second night-but they did not. Immediately after hearing the judge's charge, father John, McKeon, and Webb agreed among them that it WBB absohtely necessary that old Macdertnot should be acquainted with his daughter's death-but who was to take upon himself the snd errand! Father John had for the laat few days been so ha;r&sBed, 80 worn down by anxiety, and was now 80 depressed by, &EIhe conceived the un- "OP BALLY&LORAX 388 favourable tone of the judge's charge,'that he looked like the ghost of himself-and yet the duty of seeing old Mscdermot could fall on no ono but himself Neither Webb nor MoICeon knew the ways of the old man, and it was moro than probable that neither of them would be admitted into the house. Father John tlzerofòrc put himself on B car and hurl riocl ofr to Bnllycloran, malring his friend promise that he would wait in Carrick for him till hie return.

I - Fatller John 60011 found hitnself in the pre- mnco uf Larry-but he could with difficulty find words to te11 him of hia bereavement. Tho old mnn was seated on hie bed-hc always dopt now in the parlour-he had his legs thrust into a tuttorcd pair of breeches-and worn-out slippers on his feet-and old and rqgod coat, into which he had been unable or unwilling to tllrunt his arm, hung over his shouldcr+-but 110 had no stockings on-no cravat round Bis throat-his long worn shirt was unbuttoned over his bretub--and his face was not only unshorn, but was also as we31 ae his hands and fest unwashed mcl filthy. ‘When father John entered th0 room he was seated on his bed, which had nd been made since he rose from ít, he had a pipe in his month, and a glass of grog in his hand. Tho smell of the room was most offensive, and it seemed from the dreadfully close atrnoephere, that no window had been opened in it for weeks paat. Mary McGovery followed the priest’s stepe into the room, running through nuIzlerouB apologies for the state in which the old man was found, and assured him that Macdormot was so stupid and eo obstinate that it wa8 impossible to get him to do or to understand anything; and she forthwith took hold of his ehoulders, and bogan shaking him, and scolding him, bawling into hi8 ear, tal tho poor idiot ahook in her grasp. Father John at last aucoceded in resouing him from her hands, and seating himself in OF MLLYCLORAN. 386 a chair immediately opposite to him, he began hie sad tale ; he told him by degrees that his daughter had been taken very ill-that she had got worm and worse-that Doctor Blake had been sent for-that she was found to be in imminentdanger ; but it had no effect on Lmry-he kept on continually thanking father John for his friendly visit,, saying how kind it WBB of him, to come and wit with an old manlike hiw-how hard it was to be ahut up alone withsuch 8 d-d old jade a8 Mary, and then he began telling father John a history of the ill trontment and crueity he received from her, which, to do Mary justice was in the main false ; for, excepting that ahe shook him and bawled to him by way of rowing hia dormant intellect, she had always endeclvourcd to be as kind to him as the nature of her disposition would allow. He beggad of father John to tell him when Umher and Feorny would come baok to take care of him-asked if Feemy hadn’t gone away to VOL, m. 8 386 ‘PHI MACDERMOTS marry her lover-and complained that it wm cruel in his own dear girl not to let her old father be present at her wedding. At lagt the priest saw it was no good trying to break his bad news, by degrees, to such a man as Larry, and he told him that bid daughter was dead. The old man remained Bilent for a few minutes staring him in the e face, and father John continued-

W Yee, Mr. Macdarmot, your poor daughter died in Mrs. McKeon’s arms.”

Is it Feemy 3” mid Larry, cc My own Feemy.”

IC It is too true, Mr. Mncdermot, and indeed, indeed, I feel for you,”

cc But it aint true, father John,” said the idiot grinning. “ Shurc didn’t I see her myself when she went sway on the cor to the wedding.” And then the old man paused aa if thinking, and tho stupid smile pnsscd off from his fice, and the saddest cloud one aould conceive came over it, and he said, Ab, OF BALLYCLORAN. 387 they’ra gone away from me-they’re gone away to Thady, and now I’ll never gee them agin,’’ and he *pused ; but curse her- curse-” Tbia wm too horrid ; father John ,got up and hold his hand before the father’s face, a1 if to forbid him to finish the curse which. ho was about to utter, and the old man. trembled like a frightened child upon his seat, and sat silent with his eye fixed on the priest. Mary had not been present nt this interview ; fathar John, howover, now found - it neceasary to call hm, and to commiseion her if poPsiblc to malre the father un&rstand that h Iml. heen 1)ereavod of his daughter. Poor

Mary was clrtdfully distressed I herself, and for a long tium eat sobbing and weeping hut by dcpacs sho recovered and oonlrnemed - the duty which father John Imd enjoined her .to pPrForm ; but nothing would con,vinco Larry e3 388 THE MACDVRMOTS. of Feemy's death ; he felt convinced that UP they were all trying to deceive him, and and hit that Feemy and her lover had now deserted sleep. him EI well as Thady. Thad When. father John returned to Carrick, might anxiours, yet fearing to hear the verdict, he judge 1 found that the jury had not yet agreed. Even hack il this was aome comfort, for it made it evident that ti that there was doubt on the subject, and ta see rmurely, thought he, if 8 mm doubts on such fore d 51r subject as this, he must ultimately lean to kind the side of mercy. He remained with Tony McKeon in court till about eight, when they """5of hi went to the hotel and got their dinner, for self..f they would not leave the town till the jury fell i were locked up for the night. the 4j soon afterwards Webb joined them, and tho O1 three sat together till eleven o'clock, when it W9 WM signified to them that the judge would jury, not receive the verdict that night, and that felt ; the jury were, therefore, again to be lool~ed of til

*at ~ OF BALLY CLORAX. 389

up* Webb then went home, and the priest and his friend both returned to Drumsna to sleep. Thady had remained in the dock, that he might be ready to hear the verdict, till the judge left the bencb, when he was conducted

hack into the pri~on,and it was then 80 late, that the prison regulations did not allow him to see any friend or vieiter ; he was, therefore debarred from the comfort which L few kind worda from father John would have afforded him. After he had heard the new8 of hiq sister's death he never once raised himself from the position into which he almo& fell rather than sunk ; during the whole of the long afternoon he-remained crouched down in one corner of the benches within the dock. ven the judge commenced his charge to the jury, h0 had once attempted to rise, but he felt that he could no longer endure the gaze of thme around him, end he remained on his %eat till ho WEM taken back to gaol.

W 390 THE MACDEllll60T8 I Father John and McKeon agreed that the cause of Peemy's death should not; be told to Thady-at any rate till after the verdict had been given ; if lm should be oondemned it would only be a uselese cruelty to illcrease his sufferings by telling him of his siElter's disgrace-Bhonld he be acquitted, it would then become n question whether or no he: might still be suffered to live in ignorance o€ ;that which, if known, would 80 deeply embitter the remainder of his life. On tb6- Pridny morning the two friends again took their seat in court, waiting anxiously till the jury should send in word that they i had come to a unanimous decision. Thady waa again in the dock, and futher John WBB just enabled to one word to him over %hewooden paling, to bid him still keep up his courage, ancl to press his hand closely within his own. Hour after hour passed on, and tho dull, stupid work of the week went on. Mr. Alle-

Y OF BALLFCLOBAN. 391 winde's eloquence, Mr. O'Mallefs energy, and O'Lnugher's wit sounded equally mono- tonous to tho anxious prieet' and his gdod- natured friend ; though they aeerned to listen, and indeed endeavoured to do so, yet at the close of euch trivial case that kvas tried, they had 110 idea impressed upon them of what had juet beon going on ; one o'clook struck- two-thru~-~our-~ve-and yet 'they remained in the same position, tlnd itill the jury who bud now beb considering the 6ub- joot mmaiaéd undcdided.,

The ' businoas in the Recor'd Court- had been oloeecl on the Thurdq, and therefore -both tho judges heard criminal r case8 duting ' the whde of Friduf, anil by six' o'clock the busi- neab*of *the'assizes wm fiuiaheci,'and the pri- sonois h~rbu11 'disposed of with the exoeption ok poor Thtdy. It 'was hbsalütely necessary that tho judge5 should oommence their businem at Sligo on I the following Suturddy; and if jury did not agree -to"ma verdict befdrê- 392 THE MACDERnfOTS . I John thal eleven on that morning, bey would have to self-that be discharged, and the case must stand over i mind perl for a fresh at the summer amizes ; this trial ' he then i now seemed almost deairable to father John grievous1 md McKeon. Immediately after hearing l% have bel O'Malley's defence they had felt eure of suc- ' object o{ cess ; but the judge'e charge had dreadfully tione ab( robbed them of their hopes, and they began to eaee-t1 fear tbe arrival of the foreman. eclf-oil At six Baron Hamilton left the court, say- diffioulí ing that either he or his brother would be within call till twelve o'clock to receive the verdict, and that he would remain in town till eleven the next morning, should they not have decidedbefore then. Thady was yet once more taken back to prison in doubt, and whilst McKeon went to the inn again to get some dinner ready, father John went up to the prison to visit the prisoner in his celL The young man had to n great degree re- a i -ayes' covered hi self-possemion ; he told father * UF BALLE'CLORAN. 393 John that he had given up dl hope for himself-that he believed he had made up his mind perfectly to face ilenth like a brave mm ; he then talked about his sister, and lamented grievously that she, ill as she wae, should have been dragged into court with the vain object of saving bis life ; he aRked many questione about the manner of her death-her dis- ease-the state of her feelings towards him- eclf-nll which,father John found it most diffioult to answer, and he was just beginning to enquire how his father had borne dl the grief8 which had accumulnted themselves upon him, when one of the turnkeys openedth0 door of the cell, and told him that he wag to return immediately into court-that the jury had agreed-and thnt the judge was now going into oourt to receive- Pather John turned deadly pale, and leant against the. wall for support--a, hectic red partially suffused the prisoner's face-ancl Ilia eyoa became somewhat brighter than before; S5 t 394 TEE MACDERHOTU

B slight shudder passed over his whole frame ; in spite of all that he had auffered-all that he made up his mind to suffer-it was evident

that there waa 8 fearful degree of hnxiety in his bosom a painful hope still clinging to his heart. The fetters were again fixed on to his legs, and he was led away in the midst of B body of policemen into court. Father John hurried to the warne place, where he found Mr. McKeon already seated on one of the dark benches ; there were but very few there, as every one the,"1 had left it after the business of the day had been concluded ; sotue of those who were is town and had heard that the jury were- at laBt . I unanimoua, had hurried down ; but the 'geno-

rality of the strangers whu were still re- CW' maining in Garrick preferred the warmth of h€/ the hotel fires 40 paddling duwn through the t L Of rain, dirt, and drlrk, even to shear the vordiat in a case in which every one W~EIao much inte- 1 ;P ested. 1 OP BALLYCLORBN. 395

3 ‘he barristers’ and ittorneye’ seats were wholly deserted by their customary learned occupants ; there was but one lawyer present, and he, probably thinking it ‘unprofessional to appear to takc more than a lawyer’s interest in any case, wa~standing by himself in the dark obscurity between the dock and the bottom of one of the gallones-this waa Mi. O’Malley--and though he would not be aeen in court nftor his basiness there W88 really over, he felt ao truly mxious in the matter that he could not wait to hear the verdict from a third party. At length ’the judge took his mat, and the clerk of the crown aat beneath him ready to reoord the decision of the jury ; B few lighted candles were stuck about in diflerent parts of the court ; but they wore lost in the obsouriLy of 1;he Irrrge, Jurlr, diamal building. The foreman stood rea$ with IL written and signed paper, The judge asked him if they had all Qome to n u~unjmoueverdict, and he tinswered 396 THE MA CDERMOTS

in the affirmative, and handed the paper to the clerk of the peace, who glancing his eye upon it, and half turning round to the judge mid in his peculiar, sonoroua voice- My Lord, the prirjoner has been found I guilty.)'

Gentlemen, is that your verdict ?" said f the judge, and they said it waa. The prisoner stood up at the bar erect without moving ; he neither ahook nor trembled now; if it were not that his lips wem pressed quite close .together, he would have appeared to have heard the verdict without emotion ; not so father John-he had been leaning back anxiously waiting till the one futd word met his ear, alil then his head fell forward on th0 desk, and he sobbed like IL woman. Baron Hardton immediately placed the tbi black cap on his head, and proceeded to pro- nounce the dreadful sentenco of death ; m he did ao, his voice soamcd like aomo awful, mea- aured tones proceeding from nn immovable

V', figure or statue placed beneath the dueb canopy-~o dark was it-and so cold and 8tern-m slow and clew were his words and mmner-he must have felt, and felt strongly, he doomed that young mm to a sudden and ignominioue death, for he was no heart- less man ; but so powerfully had he schooled his emotions, so entirely had he learnt to lap aside the man in assuming the judge, that had he been the stone he looked like, he could not have betrayed less of the heart mithin him. IIe dwelt at considerable length on the enormity of the offence of which the prisoner had been found guilty--stated his own conviction that the verdiot was a just and true one-a1Iuded to the irreparable injury such illegal societies as that to which the prisoner too evidently belonged, must do in the ~t-111- try--assuredhim that he had no hope for umcy to look for in this world-recommended hill1 to seek it from Him who could dwa~0 recon& it with his justice to extend it to

r'. '_ 3 98 THZ! MACDERMOTS. the repentant sinner-and concluded by or- dering that he should be taken back to the place from whence he came, and be brought from thence to the place of execution on the Monday week following, and then and there be hung by his neck till he should be dead. The assizes were then finished-the judge immediately left the court-the priaoner was taken back to his cell-the lights were extin- guislied-and when the servants of the sheriff .oame to lock the door, they found Mr. M¿ICeon, still vainly endeavouring to aroum the broken- hearted priest from his lethargy of 6orrow. OF BATlLFCLORAX 399

CEAPTER Tu.

ON Snturdaysrnorning the little town of Car- rick-o~-Shnnnonagain became quiet and, comparatively speaking, empty ; the judges left it very early-moat of the lawyers had taken wing and ,flown towards Sligo, seeking fresh quarries, on the previous evening. The jury were released, and had returned weary'to their honaes-the crowde of litigants and witnessee who had filled the Rcoord court had all left on tho Thursday avenhg, and now also thoae who had been wanted in the criminal court were gone, and peace and quiet were restored. At eleven o'clock neither of the hotels were opon ; the waiters und aervants who, 1 during 400 TEE I16ACDERMOTB the last week had literally not known what agai a bed mas, and who, during that week had Dru taken their only disturbed naps before the u* nigl kitchen fires, under the kitchen dressers, or and were taking their sleep out for the paat week. and It was still raining hard, and the long, narrow, tux untidy street was still as dirty and disa- qu greeable aa ever,otherwise there was no re- go’ semblance in it to the street of the last few * days ; there was no crowd around the court house, nor policemen with most3 chins on th their cape, nor sheriffs’ servants with dirty,

tawdry liveries. The msizes were over--and 11 till next July-when the judgee, barrieters, jury, &c., would all return, Carrick was doomed to fall back to its usual insignificance as a most U uninteresting county town. As ftther John left the town on the pre- vioue evening, he sent word up to the Go- E vernor of the gaol that he would see young r\Iacdermot early on the following morning.

He did not go home to the cottage, but had ’

3 OF BALLYCLORA’N. 401 again passed the night st Mr. McKeon’s, at Drumana, and a most sad and melancholy night it was ; after witnessing Feemy’s death, and seeing that the body had been deoently and properly diaposed, Mrs. McKeon had returned hom0, and her husband had found her quite ill from the efiects of the acene she had gone through. Soon after the two men had made their apology for a dinner, Mr. Webb, who had had the verdict brought to his own house, called, and tho throe sat for Borne time talking over wlmt hopeless, yet possible, means there might be still Ieft for saving the young man’s I&. It waB at last agreed that Webb should go up to Dublin on the morrow, and make what interest he could to see the Lord Lieutenant himself, aa well ae the under-secretary, and endeavour, by every meam in hie power, to obtain a pardon. After what had been said by the judge, whilst pronouncing the sentence, they all felt that there could be no reasonable ground t €or hope, bat still they would leave no chance untried, and . it WSLB, therefore settled that the Counsellor should stsrt by the morning cQach--the amne coach that had tukcn €ather John’when he went to see Rh. O’Malley, Early the next ruorning the prieet left Drumsna for Garrick, to see Thady for the fi& time sima his condemnation. McKeon offered to go with him, but he declined the offer,’ buying, that this morning he would sooner be left done with his doornod friend. He refused, too, the loan of McKeon’s car; he wanted to collect his thoughts and his energy by the walk, for he felt that he had much to do to school his own fealings bafors he‘ could make his vieit P comfort instead of zt caum of additional distress to Mac- dermòt. About ten o’clock he passed through tho ‘town, and rang the govornor’a bell at the gaol -door; he waa a well-known visiter there now, ’and when the door was opened heexpected 8s usuel to be shewn into the prisoner’H cell at once ; but instead of that he waa taken into the governor’s house. This ofl6cer had always been extremely civil to father John, sud had shewn all the LindIreSe in hi# power, ancl that was no little, to the prisoner. He expressed himself to the priest greatly distressed nt the verdict, and the oonscquent fato of Macdermot.

LC It’s four years, father John,” said he, since I had 8 prisoncr in my charge QO~T- domned to die-it’s four years since there wa8 an exeoutiou here, and then the victim WRB B criminal of the blackest die--n, men who

had undoltbtedlp cmmitted B cold-blooded, longpromeditated murder, and then his death woígheil lmvy on me ; but 3 cannot but believe thnt this young rnnn ia innocent - at any r& 80 much more innocent than he ~u3- . my heart has fuiled rue since he WBB brought bnck last night condcmncd.” c

404 THE MACDERMOTB

C( More innocent than he was I” said father r the1

John, 66 ah, indeed he is ; if WB were all a9 innocent of guilt as this poor fdow is, i2 would be well for most of us ; 1 promised to see him early this morning ; will you let me go up to him now, though God knows I know not what to say to him.” Ah yeH, of course-you shall go up now immediately-and God grant you may be able to comfort him ; but YOU know you cannot see him a8 you have done always-that is, you may see him as often 06 you please but you cannot Bee him done.”

IC Not doue 1’’ said father John. f 1 Not now,” said the governor. cc When brought back capitally condemned, he was of necessity put into the condemned cell, and when once there, no visiter may be left alone with him.” How is he to reoeiva-how sm I to perform the sacred duties of my profession ?’P

c* When the prisoner is nbout to confess, a. OB BALLYCLORBN. 405 the turnkey will step outside the door, which you can close ; you know, father John,” continued the governor, it is not from my own heart I giva these orders ; you know I would give him every indulgence I could,but you also know that I must obey the rules of my officg and they imperatively forbid myvisiter to be loft alone with zl condemned prisoner.” I know it isn’t your fault, and if it must be soitmuat ; but will you desire the mm to be sent for-for Macdermot will be expecting you ?” In a, minute or two the Tuan arrived with hie huge keys, and, with a pnlpitating heart, father John followed him to the condemned oall, The priest, during his walk from Drurnsna, had made up his mind exactly as to what he would say on seeing Thady-how he would mix pity with condolence, with such wards a0 might strengthen him in his determination to bear his sufferings with resignation-how he r would, teach him to folget the present .in,the thoughts of hie. future prospects-but when bis the iron door was opened, and he saw..Mao-. dermot seated on the on0 small, atone seat ,in the wall beneath the high, iron barred window, when bis eye rested on the young Inan’s pale and worn face, he forgot all his studied phrases, ’ and premeditated conduct; his amte grief overcame hi3 ideas of duty, and falling on the prisoner’s bosom, he sobbed out-cc My boy, -my boy-my poor, murdered boy ;” It would be useless to attempt to desaribe i at length the scene between them. Father ‘P John rernnined with him nearly the whole of c that day, the pntient, silent turnkey leaning t up against the corner of the cell during the whole time. For B long time Thady was the most tranquil of the two-but at length tho priest regained his composura, and was able i to listen to the vnriaus requcsfs of hle friend, l and to say all that could be said to comfort md strengthen him. OF BALLYCL0RA.N. 467 408 'PEE MdCDERMOTS

him feel so desolate-so alone in the world- stupidand cross aa his father had been for

years past-cruel and unjust 8s he had been on the laat time they met ; still the hgtime which had passed since that meeting, and the manner in which theinterview had been passed by Thady, made him forget his father's treatment, and only remember that he was his last surviving relative--he submitted, however, to father John's advice, and consented not to urge his request. He then talked of hie sister, and began to apeak more feelingly of Ussher, and the deed which had brought him to his dreadful doom, with more freedom than he had ever done before. The facts of his last month's residence at BaUycloran seemed to Le made less obscure than they had been, to his mind's eye, by the distance through which he looked at them; he appeared to comprehend more clearly both Feemy's conduct and that of hor lover, and 110 OF BALLYCLORAN. 409 ,

410 THE MAODERMOTS him BO should murther him at last. But I woke in the morning and remembered that the thoughts of murther ’d been in my eargl I felt as though 1 could never more be quiet or at am in this world-and I never was- every man’s hand was against me since ) then, father John, except yours. I felt, as I wakd through the fielde that morning, that it WBB here I should spend my last days, and here 1 am-and I mas warned of it toa-I was warned of what would come of it, &v’ Z med- dled with them boys that night at Mm. Meehan’s-he himself called me out that night when I first got there, and tould me wlmt it wm Brady waB afther, and I helieved him, and yet I went, for my heart WLB full of ha$ged for the man who warned me. Oh 1 why, father John, could he not lot ug alone; we were poor, but we.were no worse but there’s an end of UB now altogether, and perhaps it’s for the betther aa ait îs.” He then earuestly . begged father John to OF BALLYCIZXUN. 4 11 attend to his eister's burial, and to take little heed of hie father during his few rel rnaining years, and all this the priest promised, he apolre of the property, und of thé chance there might be of saving sonlething out of it for the old mm's support. Father John, however, told him that for his, Thady's, Bake, and for the love he bore him, his father should never wnnt till he wanted himself, and though this promise, for many long months, entailed .th heavy burden on the priest, he most re- ligioudy $opt his word. Thady thon spoke ,of his ~omn.comingdeath, and though he hail made up hie mind to die, and could think, without regret, of having tha-world where he had known ao many sorrowa, and EJO few joys, still he shuddered when he remembered the gaping crowd which would be as- eembled to em hie expiring convubions, and horror vcthiol he oould not but feel, .when tte executioner's hnncls should touch his ne& and the dreadful cap should be drawn over T3 412 THE MACDERMOTS

hie eyes-oh ! that that hrorid moment might be over-when he would &ill be alive-etill sensible to the thoughts of life-but when the light of the sun would have been for ever excluded, and his last thoughts would be wandering between doubtful hopes of Heaven’s mercy, and awful fears of his coming agony. The cold sweat stood upon his brow a8 he endeavoured to explain his feelings to the priest, and aasiduously, patiently, warmly, and kindly did that friend endeavour to allay hia sufferings, and make him feel as confident of God’s pardon for his sins as he was of the ex- eoutioner’a doom. He told him also that, if possible DO crowd shodd be assembled to gaze at his death, and he promised himself to stand by him, and bold his hand to the last moment of his life. At six the priest left him promising to see him again on the Sunday, and on everyday till it was all over. He then returned to Mc- Keon’e where he dined.

I lÌ OF BALLYCLORAN, 413

At about ten they were sitting together with

Mrs. McKeon by the fire talking over the m affairs of Bdycloran, ‘and consulting a8 to what had bethcr be done with Larry after the execution, when the girl entered md said that a man was waiting outside wishing to speak to Mr. McKeon. Tony accordingly went out, and standing at t110 back door, for he would not enter the kitohen ; with his hat sloudled over his face, ho found Pat Brady-he was very much aatonished at seeing this man; more especinlly BO ns since the trial Brady’e name had been mentioned with execration by nlmost every one, and particularly by thoee, who like MoICeon had taken every opportunity of shewing themselvee Macdermot’s friends, and it wtxdd bave been thought therefore that Mc- KeoU’a hbuse was one of the Inst places, to wlhh he would be likely to come. Pak wae the first to speak,

(L Tbare’s a word or two I want to apake to

I“ you, Mr. McICeon.’ ’

li .I 414 ‘SHE MACIDERMOTS

cc To speak to me,” said Mr. McKeon, ‘‘ well, what ia it 3” ‘c I couldn’t juat be telling you here-au you wouldn’t mind stepping out, a minute or so-it’a not five minutes I’d be keeping you.” McEeon nccordìngly went out into the dark pard about thirty paces from the houm, and and Brady continued- It’s about the young mastber, yer honour.” You’ve mid enough about him-you’ve hanged him-now what more have you 3’’ “May 3: niver 8ee the blemed virgin in glory av 1 towld L word of a lie agin the ma#- ther-av I iver towld the truth it was that day, and worse lu&--av I’d lied then maybe it’d been betther for Mr. Thady.” cc It waen’t to te31 me that you carne hers -if you’ve anything to my, let me hear what it i~.”

‘‘ Why then, yer honour, cc ia Mr. Larry, the owld man, tk going to see tho young masther ?’’ f

BALLYCLORAN. 415 OF . cd And what if he is 3” ‘‘ Why jist this thin-av he do-&egan’a boys is to 8aze him as he comes out on the road from Bdlycloran.”

“ Gracious God, would he arrest the mm corning to 8ee his own BOP for the last time.”

‘I Faix, he will, Mr. McEeon-so don’t let

him do it-I heard him I telling the bailiff,’’ MoKoon seemed loat in astonishment at this freeh instance of the attoraey’s relentless barbarity, an? Brady turned round to go away- but after having wstlke,d -& few yarda, he came baok and snid in a hesitating whbper- You’ll, b0 eeeipg Mr. Thqdy afore it’s all oyer, Mr. MoKeon.” well, 1 shall aee him.”

‘6 Woajil you mind &Xing him to pardon a por.boy, Mr. MOXWD.’’

6‘ M8y GQd pardon you, Brady-your MatPr ths& was has .been taught before this t0 forgive all his enemiee, bu& I wouldn’t dirty my mouth with your name the last dime 1see him.” THE KACDERMOTS

56 Sorrow EL word of a lie thin, lbh. McEeon."

cc Never mind-truth or líee it's much the same," and McKeon returned to the bouse, and told father John what he bad heard from Brady, and the priest and he agreed together , that it would be by far the best course to make Thady understand that his father could not leave his home to see him, for fear of falling into the hands of the attorney. On the next day, Sunday, father John performed mass, and preached as usual in the parish chapel. When the service was over, he addressed bis congregation from t he altar, on the subject of Thsdy's approaching execution, and he begged them nll r78 they valued bis good opinion not only not to be present at, it themselves, but also to do a11 in iheir power to prevent others from being so. The B~MQ thing was done in Carrick, whare the prieet moreover begged his parishonere not to open their shops on that morning until the oxeoution wm over. OZ, BALLYCLORANc 417

The ensuing week past slowly over-f'a,t,her John was with the doomed man constantly, and MoKeon saw him two or three time8- on the Wednesday Mr. Webb returned from Dublin, but his journey had been a, fruitless one ; he had seen the lord-lieutenant, and had been kindly received by him, but at the anme time informed that he could not exercise his privilege of mercy in this case, 8s he had been itrongly advised not to do SO both by those in office under him and by the judge. 'Macdermot kept up his heart wonderfully through the whole week ; he never repined- nor once ev0n alluded to Keegan. Father John apent the whole of' Sunday with him- it wae to be his last in this world-the last time he was to watch the light growing out of the darkness-and the dmknesa following the light; as the minutes flew by, hi5 faoe became gradu- d1y paler, and his hand ocoasionally trembled. The brave aoldier goes to meet death, and meets him without 0 ehudder when he cornes. T6 6 J

418 TEZ MbCDE1RMOTS

The suffering woman patiently awaits him O= her bed of sickness, and conscious of her malady dies slowly without a struggle. Anot uncommon fortitude enables them to leave their mortal coil, and take the dread leap in the dark with apparent readiness and ease- but to wait in fdhealth and strength for the arrival of the fixed hour of certain death-to feel the moments sink from under you which are fast bringing you to the executioner’s hand -to know that in twelve-ten-eight--ix hours by the clock, which hurries through the rapid minutes, you are to become--not by God’s accomplished visitation-not in any gallant struggle of‘ your own-but through ,the stern will of certain powerful men+ hideous, foul, and didocated corse, to know that at one certain .ordained moment you are to be made extinc-to be violently put an end to-to be €uUy aware that this is your fixed fate, and that though strong as a lian--you muat 4at .that mornent die likea dag-ta await $he doam sired their congregations to absent themselvee from the exeoution, and on the Sunday evening before the fatal day it WELSthoroughly understood through the country, that it waa the wiah of the priest that no one ehould be present. The Monday morning came. Though father John had not been allowed to remain all-night in the prisoner’s cell, he did not leave it till eleven, and was with him again at six. When the jailer turned the key in the door, father John found the prisoner still sleeping on his pallet ; even the loud noise of the key in the look, and the dropping back of the heavy bolt had fkiled to awaken him. Before he left him on the previous evening he had insisted

011 his partially undreseing, and ,he now found him, exactly in tho position in which he had left him. Nine was the hour fixed for the execution, md though it seemed muel to rob him of bis het hurann comfoyt, etill as HO few minutes of life remained, the priest thought it better to ‘

02’ BALLYCLORAH. 421.

rouse him-he laid his hand on his shoulder, and calling out his Christian name gently shookhim. It wonderful how aoundlp the poor fellow elept-and at Inst he jumped up with a smile on his wan face, uttering those confused mords of acknowledgement, which so readily come to the lips of any one conscious of being caught too late sleeping to the neglect of his worldly 4 d duties He had been dreaming-and in hi dreams he was again at Ballycloran-again sitting over the warm turf fire talking with hi8 father, after his hard day’a work, of their landfl, and ,their rcntg and their dScultiee. Father John’s presence-the cold close white wall and hie own memory soon made him again Con- scious of the truth ; and as he pressed hia hande to his forehead, remembering that he ahodd never again feel th0 luxury of sleep, the erpression of his face wa~dreadful to look at. There is nothing further to relate reqeobg him ; as the dock Rtruck nine, he wm standing op. the iron grate over the front entrance into 422 TEZ M.ACDERMOTPI

Carrick gaol ; be had supported himself firmly -though eridently with difficulty-the cap was over hie fwe-hie hands were both behind his back-and the rope was round hie neck- the last sound that met hie ear was the final prayer 'which ,father John sobbed forth that God would ~reoeive*him into bis mercy-the bolt was drawn-and Thady Maodermot waa soon no more. Not -one:human form appeared before the

gaol that tmoming-not I wen a paseenger Grossed mer the bridge fxom half-past eight till after nine, 88 from 'thence one might just

catch a glimpse r of the fmnt of the prison. At the endlof the bridge stood .three or four men guarding the atreet, and cautioning thoae whowme, thfit they could not pase by, and 8s their 'behests were quietly obeyed, tho polio0 did -not ,interfere with them. Among them 'he:Reynalds, and Comey Dolan, and :they did >not:leave their post til1 they were &ware* that the *body of him to whom they OF BALLYCLORAN. 423 shewed this last respect had been removed. The shops were closed during the whole day ; but it waa many days before the rndanoholy whioh attended the execution of Thdy Mac- dermot wore away from the little town of Carrick on Shannon. 424 THE MAODERMOT8

CHAPTER XII.

h now only remains for the narrative of thie sad atory to tell in as few words as he can the fate of one or two of the principal actora, whose names have become familiar to the reader, as connected with the fortunes of the Macdermots of BaUycloran. Larry wm the only surviving member of the family, and at the time of his son's death was still the holder, and nominal possessor of‘ Bal- IycIoran. He was however then, and always afterwards a confirmed idiot. By some, legal. procesa he was formally declared to bo eo, and us euch was removed from hie house, though 03’ BALLYOLOBAN. 425 to the l~the maintained his determination not to quit it, and when the men employed, had made their way through the kitchen into the hau, he barricaded the door of his room agninst them, and they were obliged to knock it off the hinges before they could get in. Keegan fore- closed on the property but he was unable to get posaesBionof it, a8 he expected to have done. Counsellor Webb and Mr. MoEeon put the affairs into proper hande, and the Chancellor appointed trustees for the property whose duty it wae to guard the interests of the lunatic- after much litigation the estate was sold, but Keegm was not the purchaser. He still merely received a portion of the interest of the debt, out of which he had to pay sundry very heavy legal oosts. The property was bought by m opulent land-holder-member of one of the adjoin&-g oounties-but the title is not even made good, and therefore, though he receives the rents, and has paid the purchase money into ccurt, that purchase money cmnot be aP 426 1R.E MACDBRMO!I'B propriated to the payment of the debts; but h been invested in the funds, and Keegan receives the interest, ,This being the case the new proprietor can neither pullÍdown nor repair the house, and it therefore stmds in the etate, which I have endeavoured to deacribe at the commencement of my tale, a sad monument to the memory of the Mabdermot family. Fnther John never forgot his promise to Thctdy respecting hia father, A home had to be*foundfor the old man when he wag removed from Ballycloran, and as from habit he had become somewhat more obedient to Mary Mac- Govery than any one else ; he wa~taken to her husband's house for a while-and he has continued with them ever since. rather Jahn undertook to pay such a small weekly atipend 88 would enable them to keep him ín health and tolerable comfort-and in this he hae been aided by many-but chiefly by Tony McICeon, who had he been allowed to do BO, would have OF BALLYCILORAN. 427 * takenthe whole expenses on himself. Larry i0 still alive-he may he men of a warm Burn- mer day basking in the aun before MacGovery's forge, and in the winter, he will seat himself on the raieed hearth, close to the smithy fire and remfiin there till it is extinguhhed- warmth and whiskey seem to be his only re. rnaining comforts-the latter he will sted aa

S- -. I r a child will fruit, if it ia left anywhere within his reach. Mr. McKeontakes care that be ahdl tllwnys have a8 much as may 'be really ser- vioeable to him-and a8 MacGovery and Alary have both gone vith the prevalent fashion in Ireland, and taken the pledge, be gets the whale of what his kind neighbours -intend for him, He often asks after Feemy and umher, wondering when they will come baok, and *em- ing to expeot that !,he is only waiting for their retura to take poeeession of Ballydoran again -Thdp% name he never mentions. He -hm by aome M~~~ISBor other keen made to under- -428 THE MACDERMOT8 I stand that he must not Rpesk ill of him-and he now never alludes to him. Mary and her husband still live at Drumsna. When it become a settled thing that Larry was to be a lodger with them, Denis took a somewhatmore fitting abode-and he now prospere as a skilful man in his trade. Indus- try and frugality were il~ayshi? virtues, and he has nom added to them that of being &care- ful, though perhaps not a tender husband. Mary has not been blessed with the family, for whose Bake, as she told Feemg, she waa ohiefly induced to commit matrimony-she ie childless-and she is therefore enabled to lavish on poor Larry, the care which otherwise would have been bestowed on her own offipring-he still ehakes him, Bud bawls to him, as though deafness were his 'malady-but be ie used to that, and in other reapects she ie kind to him -were the truth known it is probable that the last years have been the least painful of Larry's life since he came to man%estate. OF BALLYCL0RA.N. 429 430 THE MACDERMOTS sundry offspring strongly impregnated with his virtues and vices. The Browns, of Brown Hdl, aro &Y unpo- pular and useless ever ; Jonas by tho aid of diaoulum was soon enabled to resume his seat on the bench; Fred still waits impatiantly for his father's death ; George still rides boldly- but badly; som singular accident, or aerie8 of accidents, has preserved hia life; but he is dreadfully in debt, and hna taken to hard drinking ; and it is not of'tcn that he ha9 a horse to mount. Counsellor Webb still fl~~urishcslike u green bay tree. He and Jonas wcre partially recon- ciled, and can therefore ag:jin quarrel amicably

at the petty sessions respccting svcry CUSO th& comes before them. Webb is ono of tho contriœ butors to Lmy's sup1Iort, and is still tho object of MoKeoa's idoltktry.

+ Major Longsword is now a Colouol; it is $0 be hoped that the owner uí' Biclcie Wickis i6 OF BALLPCLORANN. 431 a Captain, but on this head I om my nothing certain. . Of heReynold'e present state I am not informed. He waB tried aome time aime for administering illegal oaths, but he wm-acquitted; he wag since tried for murder and escaped ; hehas, there is too much maBon to

believe, spent the greater portion of hie time J in gaol; were 1 bound to find hi8 where- aboute nt present, I fear I should have to search for him in Botany Bay. Wherever Joe Rey- noldsis, there al60 is Corney Dolan.

And now I muet say 8 word or two of Keegan and Brady. For a long time Keegan determined to stand~gainsttbe hatred of his neigbboura, to endure the odium of-public opipion, but he was beaten at laat; he wag unable,, a8 ha6 been told, to obtain possessiob of Ballyclomn, he lost his agencies, he 10~thb oustom-ha gradually lost everything but his wifß; and after remaining three yeam in Car-

i l' I

&respect ri&-three years fatal to his prosperity-dur- before the hg which the death of E’lannelly was his only Some i l hope, he wad forced to leave the town, and ha vanished no man knoweth whither. county S pay of 01 Flannelly is nom dead ; andit is to be feared dao to ler that hie hateful son-in-law still has more of this world‘a comforts than should fall to his For a COI 8 succes3 lot. Those in Garrick who now ever allude to him and hie deserta, hok forward to the next he was world for the punishment, which no one has the cali suscient charity to wish he may eeonpe. Tubber! After I’hady’s death, Brady doon quarrelled with his master. Whether Pat really lamented what he had done, and found, when it was too late, that he had something in his kard heart escapei like affection for his old muster, or whether he Fatl found that from the aspect of Keegnn’s affairs able ti that that man was no longer likely to be a pro- friend fitable master to him, I cannot say, but soon after the execution he began to show manifest OF BALLYCLORAN. 433 digrospe~tto the attorney, and it was not Iong before they finally quarrelled and parted. Some time after that, Pat was seen in County Sligo. He contrived to get into the XJ~Yof one of the revenue police there; and dao to learn where the stills were nt work. For B oouple of years he carried on his trade as II auccessful spy ; but at the end of that time ho was dotectcd, and at last murdered in the cabin in which he lodged, half-way between Tdhxourry and Adair. Two men were tried fur bis murder-and they were evidently the guilty mm; they were condemned and sen- tonoed ; but a point of law was raised, and they 'I cecnpud. JOQReynolds was one of the men. Fnt'tar John alona remains. Dor a consider- plblc timo nfter the execution of the young friend he loved so well, he was too ill to take any part in the duties of his parish. A lowr IICTYOUBfever carno on him, during whicI1 the MolECeons wouldn't allow him to %heir VOTJ, III. U 434 ’PEE MACUEHMUTG OF &kLLYC LORAN. 435 c chqe ; his inoome ia xom more tllan sufficient for hia wants ; but even when he WJS poor--- and he was very vwy poor for mm time after Thdy’s deatl1--+-ould he ~UOWany one to contribute more than hitnself towarda the sti- - pend whih McGovery received. He ww has a comfortable residence in Dub- lin-sufficiently st~ckedwith cruc!;ery md with ghsses-nor we handaon~eahelves for his nulxerous books wen’ing, the comfort of the whole house shews that a woman’s hand has bnen tliore -a nephew and a niece -cElilrhen of his brother the buttcr merchant live with him, aud though he is a wolcome guest in many D handsome home, though he is valued by the le;lmed, and oourted by the elegant, he is often to be found in the little back parlour in Cape1 Stroot, scrambling and romping with the ohil- drcn of every age, and though hie brother has been married now twenty yema there ia always a new baby ta ylny with. u3 436 THE MACDERMOTS He rarely mentions Thady’s name; but sometimes as he sits over his own fire of a winter evening with one single friend, he will do BO, and when once he begins, no other subject will be mentioned that night-he has utterly forgotten all his faults, and n11 bis follies-he speaks of him as a martyr to the viIlany of his’ enemiew--as a man whose life and death were such a8 could only inspire love and pity ; but as one who to 8 certainty would receive in the glories of‘ heaven full cornpensetion for the miseries of his human existence. Once a year he spends a week with &Ir. Mc- Keop, when he pereonally inspects the comforts of his olíí ,+pensioner,and charges Mary to make him LB codfortable aa she can--and every one in Drumsne loolrs-forward to that woek. It must be BO slight pleneure to suc11 a heart aa his to gee the true delight with which all hi6 old parishioners come to see him, Hewas always a man loved - rarely feared-never despisecl- OF BALLYCLORAN. 437

and thoroughly reepeoted, and he is now re- warded for the exercise of those qualities which gained him Ruch a character. My story is finished, and I fear it will be thought to be too sad B history; but fearful as it is, I do but-

t Tell the tale as ’hag told to me .’