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(das) index Title on header taken from:/ Le titre de I'en-tAte provient: □ Title page of issue/ Page de titre de la livraison □ Caption of issue/ Titre de depart de la D livraison Masthead/ Generique (periodiques) de la livraison Additional commenu:/ Commenuires supplementaires: Pages wholly obscured by tissues have been ref limed to ensure the best possible image. Pagination is as folloHS : [l]-316, [2l]-25, 27-29 p. This item it filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est f ilme.r young daughters to come out unprote ted tl 1 ^ktw ;, ."' ^'"'^ '""" '"^« ^'''■' "f them, did New Cd "'"' """' '■="' ''^'^ ^'^ '"'"e I have written this book from a sincere and heartfelt des.re to benefit these young country-women o m n t .howmg them how to win respect and inspire confid nco on the part of their employers, and at the same time ^ avo,d the snares and pitfalls which have been the r'uin of so many of their owu class. Let them be assu ed that, t rests with themselves whether they do well or 11 Tnd tr"T;;""''"''' ""^^ '" •""'"^ *° "--' country ard their faith, or bring shame and reproach to both. New Yobk June, 1861. '• I Mm COJYWAY; OR, THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. CHAPTER I. I» lh« heart of the rich and fertile county of Tipperarr not on Z ':r* "' M° '"''''''^"- ""' "'"■™' inTeTado: lortable farm-house OB-ned by one Bonis Conway, as decent a mn, so the neighbors say, as you would find i„ OoVv co, „ tl Den,s ,swhat you may call a -sponsible farmer "Te and that at an easy rent, so easy, indeed, that Denis is puttinJ by sometI,,ng every year for the "rainy day." No wonde'r th. he should, When he can, for ho has lived throur.le stared m at the door and pestilence at the window , when a ^"Ung was worth a precious life, and a pound of meal its we,ght .„ gold, because of the hunger that was gnawi„ran e people's hearts, and Denis Conway had seen all th^t ,1 . moreoyer, he had lost his farm and lis dwerg in that rea^ t "y oolTnd 71 r """ ■"'' '™"^ "> '"* *e>t- whe^ fearfully ,„ arrear. So even as a burnt MM is said to dread lo^tL God ,1 '"'r^ '^" "' ^^'""" ^«-» P-niless a'd ' now that God had sriven him Knot- +v^ vi_-_._ - ' „.!.._,^ ,^„ uicaaiiig oi prosperity, BESSY con-way; OR, v of trial come " ^'"^^^ ^''''^^ should the day a4tarr„X"r::i -«■--- -- that of experience Ui,libr„, T. '^ "°"'' ''^^'y "'•"> '.e had seen „™ „„e b^t T. ' f™"* ""■'»'* "" happened «- was a,.ayrrth:' ' It t:'''"'o^d"? "" "°'-^ provider." Surely Denis foLw, ^'"^ ' ' '^'^ « » good patient reliance on DMnePrt '"■ ""^ '"' •='"""'"' ""^ else could he and W live , /"f "' '""' '■'"■"'''-'• '^O"' more remarkab Je e™' "^If" ^^ ""-^ "-"- "n-I. still Old homestead ani relvate t oH, tl, I" f ' '"°'' '■°"' "'» ayl and a great dea, bet er " t V Jamelbr f""" °"'"-' Stable, aiul the cow<, in th. i. f T ^® ^^°^^^ '» tlio the oa'ts. J:^z^^:;:^:^^'j^' ''- '''' ^^' at the end of the house i w5,albnf tW . t? ''' ^"^^"''^ in which Denis had tZf.il J^,\ ^°"°"^"^ Providence darkest. ''^'^ "" ^'^'^S' ^^«» ^^^en things looked But Iiow did Providence brin- all this abonf 1 r ^ my readers ask, and that is iusl wha r . "' '"""' '^ ibie agents are always emplo^erto calrouTZ '? •^"' ""''• omy in regard to human affairs ^^ J , ''"^ ''°"- ^vay's Providence 1 who^ehrd ' . ''''''''' ^'"'^ ^^^'- and his family from 7hM/ ^n^Ployed to draw hira Whole couS;y^wren:uf^drVn^^^ '""''"'^^ ^^^ Bessy, tfie eldest of hif hUd'ren who . . ' '"° ''"°'^°^ years before, in the service of 1 .V?° . f ^°*" *° ^™^"^a a fancy to the eirlLcI w^i V^^*"'" ' ^^^^ ^'^^^ had taken to a dressmake?. ' "' ''' "^^ ^^^^'^"^ ^^ ««^« Bes:yTe:i^tfd1n':^^^^^^^ ^^« ^-"y-hea in acceptmg the tempting offer which would ■/•HE 7RIsn GIRL IX AMERICA. *1 enable hor to " soo tho world." For years long that had been tho dream of her young heart, ay ! ever since tho days of her childhood, and although she would not positively disobey her parents, and go without their consent, she gave them plainly to understand that she would never be happy unless they gave it, and under that pressure the old couple were forced to give in. Very unwillingly they did so. Tho world was smiling on them at the time, they were contented and happy themselves, and tliey could not sympathize with tho love of change which had unsettled their daughter's mind. If it had been Nancy, now, or Nelly, or one of the boys that took such a wild notion into their heads, " a body wouldn't wonder," the old mother said, " but Bessy that was ever and always a rock of sense, and the best child that over drew breath, she to think of leav- ing them in their old age, and turn her back on all belonging to her— that was something so far beyond the range of proba- bility that they could hardly believe it at all, and only awoke from their stupor of surprise to And Bessy prepared " for tho Start," and themselves expected to go with the rest of the con- voy on the following day to Waterford to see her and some neighbor boys and girls off for America. So Denis and Bridget had only to make the best of it and see that Bessy should want for nothing on her long and tedious voyage, which appeared to their simple minds as an undertaking of awful importance, fraught with danger of every kind, pro°bablo and improbable. Finding that her mistress had provided her with almost everything necessary for tho voyage, and had, more- over, paid her passage, all her parents could do was to give her the money intended for her outfit and passage, with a trifle to the back of it, too, so that poor Bessy might have something to draw on if things went against her in the strange country for which she was bound. It was a sorrowful parting between Bessy Conway and her father and mother, and brothers and sisters, who had hitherto been her world. It was to her something like launching into s R-., 9nf»Y CONTTAY ; OR «li regions Oi ir fm. i.-. k^i «. .....ing hope, for Bossy 1,1 T' , T' '"•'5''tenod by ^.'n case ,he did not like li^ '^""'^ ''"'"^ ^« c«n,H,arIc «P«cial condition that in a„v '''"' ""^' «''« >vent with t ,1 course Of a few years i^ c^, ""''• '^'' ^^«"'d return b t ! r rr-'y --i' int r ;:', r ^^-^^ ^^^^, l and h,s fan.i,y f,,^ ,,^ very Cw , ?' "'^^ ^*'«'-" ^^-P^X " ll'^ Then there was a first 00^^31 '!/rr''^' '""''' ^-'"e'»- ''y "amo, as steady and as rll "" ^'''^^'•'«. Ned Fini.a„ Parish he came uZ C '"' " ^'^^ '^^ "x"*; was in fh -^1'^ ';neit.er:;;ie^ -;;-;?;;;. on ^^I LaehJlJ^^^^ ^ "^^'' ■'^essy shoiiJf] r.«^ ' ""^" t he hia own ^essy but she'd do well «J. ' ^'^'''® ^'^^ I'ttle fear J ;vhau „„. ,„,, ;«; ^ -r. ^„,,^ ^^ ^o.„ heart and tearful eyes th-.t ti , '' ""'^^ ^'^'"i a boavv ;^e stealer that bore aw y L rV:-; 'f '"^ ^^^^^ -tc .nT f 7 the wharf. Away anlaZ'Z '""''"'''^ ^"^ «P««ere3 Joud from the shore rises 2 ^^'''' *^" ^^^'"^ ^'^^ «Ioared crowd Of ,Wends and eTa, e Z^'r "^ ^' ^^^^^ ^'- t >e comes, a sad. wild choru i'' I-^/'"""' ''^^ ^oat the echo Messages to iViends in Ar;ica«;.'^ "'^'^ ^^^'oe^ min. t o those on board, injuncUo ^^^t ''^ ^"^ ^''"'^ -"«^ « ' and all the late last words Mth wll T'''' "^ "^^^ ^«nded ^-. the intercourse that i;;;!;^^^^^^^^^^ seeks to pjj tease, perhaps forever. THE IRISH GIKi- IV AMERICA. g '' If you gc, to Uao Now 0, '-^ans, Peter, don't forget to call and 8oe Lucy !" > » vu v^u " Mind what I toll you, Terence, abou that man in Ilalilax- bo 8uro to find him out for me." Terence prun.iscd, for 'the twentieth time perhaps, wholly unmh.dfal, as was his friend of the trifling difflculty that his destination was rhUadeluhia- no uialtor anyhow, Halifax and Philadelphia wero both In ^raenca that was enough to know ; the rest was easy. Godr '"'^ ^'^''■^^'" ^'""''^ "'^"^ '" the Spring, please " Let Patrick know that we lost the hill farm •" »i,r '^'",7^ ""^^« ^'^^' ^vo never got a scroll from Biddv sine* Bho went to Boston !" Promises came back over the water from a multitude of ea^^er voices, hands and hats and many-colored handkerchiefs wero waved, fervent prayers and wishes were excha.igcd, eyes were «tra.ned to distinguish the faces of near and dear ones, Jaint and fainter came the wai ling voices to ears that listened for their latest sound the haze of distance gradually blended into one the d.st.nctave features of the crowd on deck and the crowd on sho 0, yet hands and hate were still seen waving the last fare- well; soon even these were lost sight of, the waters rolled be- in.' fh '^'^T"' '"^ '^'^''''' ""•^ '^' ''^^^'^ ^vas plough, mg through Waterford harbor on her way to Liverpool Denis Conway and his family retraced their homeward steps not m sdence, but in sorrow,-scarceIy. if, at all, lessened by tho number of their neighbors similarly afflicted. They feli at the moment as if they had left Bessy in the churchyard clay, and the ^.htest heart among them was weighed down tw Tu' "° '' ''^" ^"^'' ^'^^^^^ ^« ^''->-J-« that hey should ever see her face again, her promise to the con- trary no^ithstanding, and when any of the neighbors re- and said: ''God grant she may! but America's a long way 10 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, \ Jo-' ™„ ot September wr.Mrfr',''''' '"' •"■'«'■'"«"- ^""es and Norman, built in^t^/,' ''""^ "">•"' -«=" Conway heeded them not, 1 tlTe i ^ ^""^ ''^' ''^' ^eay for the memories that hnig ar^^'^/.r ""'' "'""^h^ oared ">» P»sl. The splendid er^ctfons of T "'"""■'""^ '*= »' unnoticed by the sorrowing. gH nol"°?" "'' ^"'^ "^-^''y *.lb around the eityorthe bl^emolT '^ ^''"'^-'""lulaang h»' a moment's pleasure as her ?T '^ "> «« distance gare '■"" *o «s leaving, perhan, ff ^ '"' °'"' ^""J "'ought 'o pay any attention „!hi„T, ""'• "" ""^ 'o'ed on ear"h '«• She was pas:i :t^ ^„f "V'« "o^u- of her„: ' Pn-oes ruled and the proud pi?" "''"'°™' ""'"■« I>^"ish "I-ere Strongbow wedded the "^ """" "'"•"our. 'ough, and Cromweil leV rvr„d",' '""^"''^ °' "^'M--' monuments of art, and where r J ,t """■'' "" "« sacred Of Ireland-what a worTd of . ' '°* "^ '^^" «"-e»ell annals of one city, ylZlLl ""' ^"^ ""^od into hi '»« Of the cottage'bene ™ r™""'"^^- S". was think! -■ay, and -ondfring / ", ^0,'^"^ ""'=' »"" »"- Nelly or- Nancy milk her that e """"^r" would let -ould make her fa.herV.p*t;r'"f'r "'■'■''' "' «'"' 8'* '^"°""^'^--'---="-^nLT;ent^rr THE IRISH GIRL IX AMERICA. 11 ronnded her paternal dwelling, ay ! even to the lone bush in the pasture>field which had been the terror of her childish days. Bessy was roused from her sorrowful musing by the voice of her mistress, who had come in search of her. She had wholly forgotten the new state into which she had entered and It was with a feeling of pleasure that she now prepared to commence the discharge of her duty, hoping to find relief in occupation. She therefore followed Mrs. Walters to the cabin with a buoyant step and a somewhat lighter heart. More than one friendly voice hailed her as she passed, and Mary Murphy, Peery's youngest daughter, caught her arm with a girlish laugh. " Take your time, Bessy, there's luck in leisure i' wantemrV^''^''°'^'^^''''^^'^'' ^"""'^ ^'°" '""' ^^^ "^''^'^'^ Mary laughed again as she turned to her eldest sister • " See riready!'' *"" ^' ^ '''^''' Passenger! we're puttin' airs on us Jn it^rT''^ ^^ ^ reproachful glance, and passed on. but Ally Murphy rebuked her sister and told her she saw no airs on Bessy. '' Fou see she's not her own mistress now." aid the senate maiden, who was verging on the sober age of hir y '; It isn't old times with her. Mary, and she does .;i, to tn^jT ' ^'''' ^"°''' ^ Sood beginnin' makes a good who wa sitting on a very small wooden box that contained her goods and chattels, "it's you that has the purty, graceful way with you, ..._ ..e good word in your mouth ! Some Way my heart warms to you. an' its the same with the fair-haired CO een that^ gone in there. Is she anything to you, n^ackree r Not a drop's blood, granny, only the good wish that's between us_we came from the same place, and she's an old tviiiiiiuo 01 mine." 12 BKSSY COX\^'aY; or, \ There's . boy o'f mLesom" Lrett"/"*"" ''■" S"'"' '»• eoin' to try and r,ako him „" , I " ""T"""' """ ''■" J"=' but bim, you sse, an' I Z2r,J ' ' ™"' '" "■" '™"<1 'WO yea« co.e'cand.et ' T tllriT '™ ""» grow young acrain if T r.ni„ ) / ^ °^^ ^«*''t would IgotenoughforittobrinVmeout" """" """"' «"<" ao::s^b:';f;r::^tit ;^7;«;;^;..« A„y. a, a,. .„ 3on's Ii.in. or dead when' yoTdidn' h V"°" """""' ''»" yoara J" ^°" ""'" ' bear from him these two "lirin' or dead!" reneats,! (i,. i what would kill him 1 Don'. I t ° '''"P'^'' ""% Why wouM'nt ho 1 An' Vnl.A ™^ """ '"''» «""' ^ Ood, before long! The las' let t°,"V°"' "'* "« '»"P °f P'aee they call°Hi-o or o h o T . ' '™'" "™ ™ '" " -PPOse . 13 not very' J,rtm'Se,v tl 'td :'"""' ""' ' Of such a place ?" ' "'^^"^ ^-ou ever Lear far'frm NeVCv' ' "' ""'^ "'"' "' ^O" -^' " -"''be very a.;.eda„dm.ere3t:\:j::::reXr "" ^°=" - "I am, indeed, my .rood To' ' ""' '" e--"-ne3t!" you .111 find to'yoic :n,r;.:rr'"" '" ''""™''- you." . ""'^^^ >ou have some money hy How ion. would Htal 'a ^n^ ZTZ: """ ^ ^'' "™- "^ *" g<*' please your honor ?" THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. Jg " Pour or five days, I fancy."* " Oh ! wisha, if that's all," an4 the old woman brightened un "The mistress wants you, sir!" said Bessy Conway emer^ina from the cabin and addressing the gentleman. "^ ^ ^ her " "" ^°'^^' ^"^ ^"^^^^ -^«^ Bessy if that was " To be sure-that is Captain Walters. He's ag-Mn' to his rert!:^'^ '' ^i-PooI, an' it's in .. we're 'airgl'^o samhe'oLT"'' '"'^' "^''^ " "^*^^' '^'^-«P«^^«" gentleman." said the old woman, whose name was Dolly Sheehan " an' L fn.-fh'^,"^' """^ ■';''''' ''°"'' "''- «'"""''■ ''°«n'' he go back and „„ m! ■' =7' ' "■ '""^ ' '''^'"' °* W" if he ever heard of one Ph,l,p Sheehan. Maybe y»rt ask him the queation »1 colleen, lawn !" addressing Bessy. question, ma myleinoltsf f "' 'f "* >>™-I'd be a little daunted mysell to make so free, an- me only a stranger, But Where's 8l! the rest of them. Ally ■! Ithoiiehni,^ v -ouiwneres "If., .'„„.. .• / ''"""gn'they were here with you." wJof tr , r "" '"'" "> ^"'." «■"" Mary, taking the W " and b ' •?:;"'• " ^""^ '"^^ »-■ " y«- --t to f.a^i^'iurrwai-siLi^tdtra:: ::sr— rw^hrhoTar:— ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^* Three-ond-twenty yean, ago travelling wa. not «o rapid a. it i. 14 BESSY CONWAY J OR, »™,uhe audience compZdaUwRI,;'' """"^ """"'• '""^ >vho»o lead of ,„„o« ZiocZ, I '""™«' "™P' " ''^ any diversion. Pel m!' ," T7,""'' """""' '° """""'f '.""chback'a first ..ditoat'dNt 'p-" ''' '™'" "■""'■-■^' "■° >■.«» dangling n-en, the op'ef a pi of i:"'""'""'' "'» '""« ::^S;':;tii:rt;^---s;:Lr:r^ »^ you ple«e. They °r 'v "1 ""'.°' "''"'"'"• "" ™"'P'<"« do, even to their wT*°a„TIt°u '" V"-'-"'"'"- they another five or six „,ii„ , , '^ " """" "»"" to see 'ion. ho ..as n t ,'„"t doTut":. ""''r "* """ " ""- door, and when he «„! to If' l"/"' ''"" '° '"" ""^ leather strap that r„m .t f T' '"' """ ""'y '» P"" a «at, and, my dear Zton^T "° ""* "•™ '"« ^*er-, lord Of the iLd W rCr' ■"ir-'-'^'^-. - if ■- was the pair Of breeches .r an Ji J J '™° "'"' " """•' "^o". "■■ a basket of fish wly th°v ?. '™^' "' " ''•™"' ""ha taken to the p'lace'; tVr.. "' '"'° """ """''■■ -" "--V'™ ejacuTatd":::."":',-'/-' -P-t ...eyshow the peopiel- country „1, „ut,. cried anothe^ C;'.,' ""'' " "■" ""« thorn elegant coaches insTr ., ""' ^'"''■■''"^"t has This last speaker wa'CK^-"" t" "'"'"^ «■»■» ™lkin' ." "Well, n'o,. notTh g^ef.Zt"';:""'''^™'''' "=""■ President does it." A-Td pir^'^d l P-'^^'O'-'-ifs the with a pecnliarly knowlnglool "'"' °" ""' •"^'•""'« " The President, who is he 1" THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA- 16 in America 1" Oh, bedad ! he', a fine old gentleman Ihey have eot there ccmn' money for them. Thafa to bu,..,e,,: and ifet .i u hard and fast from one year's end to the other He', a ,1 'I °, '"'" °' everything that', goin' on, an', a, I told you before, it'a him that ha, the coaches an,;ever;thn, c„mmod,ou, j„,t waitin' for you and me. All the people call Washinltl: '" " "'"' '™' ""'"^ =" " "'-o '""^ -" ^^^l:it7 '-"' '*^' «^' '" '° -° '"•"■--"» "y'elf," '"'° ■ "'""'' ' »"="'» "and. With him once ,.1?'!^^^ '"'f ' ""'" ""^ ^'''"'"'™' '"-" *'«■ 'he onld gentle. man tha make, the money And what did ho say hon e.t man ,"-" what doe, he look like, at all 1"-" I'ml're hi was ever so grand !" ® " Grand ! why, God help your wJt. you could hardly look at h.m fpr the goold and silver-he'd daLle your eyes '•' Maybe he's a sort of a conjurer," put in old Dolly Sheehan who had succeeded after much trouble in maki g heTway through the crowd. "If he wasn't he'd never be able to coin all the money that's in America Tf'« i;t i, • , where I'd find Philip." '' ^'^' ^' '^'^^' ^«" "^« " Philip who ]" asked the hunchback quickly and earnestly There was something in the name that struck a chordTnh^ heart, or, at least, in his memory AmedcT/'"'' Sheehan, to be sure-that's ^, son that's in ■'And yorcWe Philip Sheehans mother 1" questioned Paul w.th a sudden change of manner, and he fixed his keen bS eyes on the wrinkled face before him ' ^ ^'; The sorra one else I am, my good man !-mavb, i-iiiHp yourself {" '"" 1 TTA11 16 BESSV CONWAY; OR, " Tri-^f'l!'""'' " "'"'P Shoehan once whe^r; ,' "'" """'-' •"-■•■•■ »" you, «.e„, and .e„ „, Tho linncliback shook his head " r . • ,. r Cut. a>,re. „aybe it wasn, y^^'^n a !« Vr"' "''"•" ' WM a waiter in a hotel •• ' '^''•' o"" ' m»an " That's hira-thafs him !" cried tl,. „m and she caught hold of P,,,. . ^7 '"' ""'"" Joyfully, one that had seen I or s„! "L «" ' ""' "'"'' " '"'• "' " "»;' «nd to ho priced accor ™ X^T' '."-« '» >-'«>f. « in the last letter I cot frL ..""'■"'"» J""' "hat he was "O" ' If you know Ood 1> ' ^'" "'''"-"lere is he Ooin' an ac't of chaWty for'l:.: 7rT '°" "'°' °"' ""''" •"> don't know Where to fac'l after hi^ '"'™ '" ""= """' "' ' fan^" ThXiralTd'h- Tt^'Z'''' "''■ •"" '"'» »" '"" <>f he pretended to Lk !„ ' . '""°" '^''°* '"™^'' P"''. but piercing g,a„e:/HVf:eLTTr''^''*°°'^"™»' offthewitheredhanltt was„!M •."°'' "■•"" '° '*""■' the hand would not stir ""■■• ''°' '"> '"''<' '» '«!". ™d/ontSere';'.rs:et?:r'''r'""'''' '■-'' '=™-"'- V«f ^on-no.er.-„ '.er-tr, '; LTn 'D's/'" "7\^ '=' «« Wisened face almost cIosa fn i^! i ^''® P"' ^^'i' old *e conld read thTset ^ " "" TeTr:°'° ^r ^^'' "'■■' -an-where is Philip Sheehanl Jh ^Th .ri' ^ ° "'"'"' „ I '' '"'" ' "»»■' >"'-v '" said he doggedly ' " W eTn'^r '°~'r '" ""■ ^■"-' k"". '00- "rm pIt """'"""''■'y "o™"". "oyou are— I" Wan.e me, agra l-dl'^.t "^ 7™ Le-Tn't to"' °" ™"-^""'' for askin'-sare he's all I have aTl. m ''"/"grywith me nave, an I sold my little place to go THE IRISH OIRL IK AMERICA. It en, and tell mo t^Jjim.but v^hero's the uHe if I don't know where to find The tears were streaming from the old woman's eves and indeed there were few dry eyes around. No one Jas ^o ^ moved than the queer little hunchback "Well! now, granny, m jist tell you the truth," said he I dvd know your son when I was out here before but-bu^!! ho. can I tell where he is now-I'm home ever sincell^:^ CO 1 n't'teV w r '"^ ' "" ^ ^°"^^^^^' '^ - fairy-doctor couldn t tell what became of him since 1" TI)ero was no going beyond this, so the old woman dropped hKs hand and turned away with a heavy sigh hiil!l"f\fh '''"/r^r^"'"'' °^"*^«^«dthe hunchback to ~::rro; ^^'^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^-'^-^^^ ^— ith bvl7\"'' ^°^ ^'''"' °' ^''^' ^"^^'^" questioned one of the b standers, a good-looking elderly woman in a blue cloak who had been paying particular attention all along ' nnlnl, 7"!^/°^ g'^« to know, dear 1" retorted Paul so qu ckly and with such a droll grimace that a roar of l.ught^r followed, and the woman in the blue cloak slunk ItTyti; Bessy Conway had been an attentive and deeply-interested witness of this scene, and she was hastening after Ihed Leon solate mother of Philip Sheehan to offer some words of co": fort and encouragement, when a voice spoke at her ear Not a word or a look for me, Bessy ?" ' * The girl raised her eyes with a start and a blush, and met the reproachful glance of a good-looking young m;n wh^' dress^ndgeneraldeportmentwereconsiderablyaboZCer ant cass to which most of the emigrants belonged The"' was a sm.rt, knowing look about him which savored of thi 18 II ■ BESSY CONWAY; OR, 'Why, llien, Mistor Henry i» » i, »orM brings you V °'° """ »" ' "Iiat In the -i'-n, t ": „:;!," """^ ""»« - ,-„,,. „ „„,^, ^^_, to Arr,::^:™ I'l-^"" -' ^-■•°« ^°» *-- ^re y„. g„,„„ ;; I'm going Wherever y„„g„,. would never hear of your g"i„„ .'T' ^"^ '^^•'"'■- ""'I mother amy from tf«„ / ^1^4 ./„ "»/° ^■""'=». or anywl, ,re else, ••»»e - Oh, master Hen ~loT T, " ^°°'' ^"'«'- » "I know what Vm uiZt ■ r!^, 7^' ^""'"•^ ""o"' '" "And rd have ^„„ to L'w mSZlV"""" "" *"P'^- old now to be lied to „„ mihe rt ! ^ ^°°"''^' """ ^'m too IWdyouweregoi„g'^.„7*:i:arZ*°="- ^"°°" - to". but you may be sure itlT " '*' °P ""^ '^'"^ to go ~ known t^o ..;T.^ZZ7^ " '"^^'"'- " ' '»" -n^a!'ar;rr,^Trr;„?br '^^-^ ' -^- ^^ - -^LHt^Tu t-;atrfnd%r; - -— . «='«r marry a man at hit 1 'b ^ «"'=' ^^eanor, ■■ ni my Barents -■• *'""° " »"'™''' - '«* -- -PP«soItakeyo„.ty„ur„ord-„haUhen,.. demanded * 5 f what In the * a Wonder you Are you going to say!" ex- er and mother •nywi. -re else, •d America at > about .'" man sharply, that I'm too As soon as ^ mind to go, If. If I had what d'> you at home on comin' after I talk — one -ruined in- marry you an energy anor, " I'jj pleasin' to THE IRISH GIRL IN* AMERICA. 19 Henry with a peculiar smile that made Bessy Conway's clieek SC!ll let, "For God's sake, do '" she said fervently, clasping her hands asshespoke. '«Do,. on' you'll have my blessh^g! Go-go' -gonow! there's then ..^ess! Iwouldn't for the world ..he'd see us together !" She hurried away obedient to a sign from Mrs. Walters 1 avmg the young man to digest what she had said as best he nnght. He was standing looking after Bessy with a mingled expression of anger and adn,iration on his fine open emu to nance, when a hand was laid on his arm, and turn n. oui klv he encountered the upturned face of the hunchback ° ^ ^ook after demanded 20 BESSr CONWAY; OR, CHAPTER ir. «w'« "1 "r C" "-"■ ''"" ^0" '•■ -•« tho „t„e man, " No matter to vou linn, t . ««"ins to toll you f° ' ""'"' "■ •-"' '■"«■. to Mhat r,„ V^rlj^T »""-'--anically,a„d fto dwa.r .U. ■Jawing himsolf up h, ^'tl!. 7°""""""" '""•sMily, and "Ttaf3 neithor hero nA^, '''' °" ^^ •""»'■■"•■ rou'll rue it the u'Z IZ IT^T:":' v'I ' '=" ^°-' " me now?" ^ ™™ '"> ''™ ■'— do you hear t<-n'°tt1irm«*°ma,rraS,t L"°""" """ '"'""'"'Ptaou,, was something i„ his look «,, 1 ^ "- "°*'^' """ '""" voke farther. He would fa 'It Z "'^ ""' ""^ "> P™' anO tried hard to force a tou^-h ''■'°'"' "' "'" "•"<"<' "ff"-. »- yl:" 1 :Z r '""^ '»»- > -o „eed for ,. .o quarrel I I ''- "rjooTl?::' r;;,;7;;->'e; «■-. "en,y Her. glared leather cap, and „!: „,!f ""■ ''"■'"■' '»* "it his walked away With ?ie air "/aUX hero ° ""'' """ "^ THE IRISH OIRL IN AMERICA. 21 Tho yoiirifT man stood eyeing him a momont with a look half curious, half malicious, then humming to himself " The Rakes of Mallow" ho sauntered away through tho crowd lookmg as unconcerned as though nothing had occurred to ruffle his temper. '; Bessy!" said Mrs. Walters, whilst her young attendant assisted at her toilet, " who is the young man to whom I saw you speaking just nowl" Bossy's heart sank within her as she replied, or endeavored to reply: "He's our landlord's son, ma'am. Master Henry Herbert, from near Ardflnnan, ma'am !-his father isn't the head landlord, but it's to him we pay our rent-he has a long lease of the property." " Yes, yes, but where did the family come from 1-are ther English or what 1" "Well, I b'lieve they are, ma'am, but they're a good many years in our neighborhood. Tho old gentleman and lady have ne'er a child but Master Henry." " Humph !" said Mrs. Walters thoughtfully, and the slightest possible frown gathered on her fair brow, " Yes ! they havo but one now !~.they had more once -ha! ha !-Bes8y Conway ! what brings this young fellow to America ?-or is he gomg there V "HeBnya heis, ma'am." " Yes— but is wealthy, is he not 1" "Why, yes, ma'am! the people say in our place that he doesn t know the end of his own riches." What ,s he about, Bessy V And the lady fixed her large blue eyes on the face of her attendant with a look that was meant to read her heart. '•■What is he about, Mrs. Walters V stammered Bessy with a mos pamful effort ;" Lord bless me, ma'am dear ! how can /tell tll^qu^io^n r ''-"" ' "^^^'^^'^ "^'^ «° ''^^ - ^° -^ ^- 92 CKSSr CONWAY; OR, ;;^'dyouknowhowaafrofnff?" « • I on are a aoniJ «•• i « 'v' *"on heavRi? « >^'>y, ma'am dear!" criorJ n ^o^nfry knows that. NoZtr vT^ ''^''■^^' " «"'•« the whole "»»■• But ,vh„(., „,^ „„"/"r,'"'» ""J- belter than y„„° „ "ell, I b'lieve I win „,, . «any a sore turn of it" ! """^ "> '"' ^""-'ick bZ ,Tl ..reaaj-... ■'-«". So, „„._i ^ you'r:^^' ^l^ Bessy was sick and ' '^'' "^ »"'- yo" «ni let If .^'-'^..^--i, but laiceita course, for THH IRIsn OIRL I.V AMERICA. 38 a littlo siiflerlng now m in a strange climate." ''^ "*'"' ^°'' * ^''''*' ^«'»' more hereafter " ^"'^ '^no^'^ best, ma'am " aaU\ n« "but °nZ:;i!:zz''Zif'Z:'f:'''' '^"^ "■•■""y. -». like ™po,f, w,„ .ccC'd t '~"°"'' •'"' "'°™ »■''» '■cknoM at such a itoe." "'° "'■°' <="" "'^'pe »e.. " Oh, ma'am dear i if r „»i . her '"l"^.c:::„'i;;^5:„°*f V -■« «.. w.„or, to account." «• "ul I feel „ ijttfe „„,, "owiathat?" fl tplac, and, „„ questioning b^//""'^"' '"S^ftT In .hi her manner and her loofa, than k "''"""■•''■i, more from ■"akin, lovo to her." ^ '" ^'' "0'^. that ho ha, heen frank, abrup" wly ."'. w' ^'^^l" '" 'aid the captain in hi, 'n^^hatha™::^,^?::;,,-' °"''" -"« >o-bX„ot' •=«:;hr;,t„t«;:!r:'* ^-' "•«h'' 'I"* '^arao Ned Fi„i«„„ and A /Mrr "■'''- !'■; t^'" «"P"- «' ".rough and would wa'er a trifl»'-l , , ^'^''''' P"' "" " She's a lirst and se^™^ " "'''™'' '""■ <■"»>'• I know What's rhe, tht 17,'?' "^ °™'' ^"'^ "«' " '"'^ -r to give the cold ho^er " t .r /' '°'^"'' "^ ^>l.h -"y word for it, you're a,l b a^^in' her „ fh °"°'shbor,_tak„ " Thaf 'q «,» ^„«- . "^*"'" "PI m the wronT." a..-aylt,r!r" :? ::'i^f : *f™> ^^y ■• ■■ Bos.y „., »eheh-e.e that Te left ralbf; T'"' """' "^o"'" »»'«> " Well then T LV . '""'' ''" »' ''ome," 8i.I, and nIkV: : '?',^^/?'-, » '"-hearted, decent admiration that sot Alty's "heek! i^ ,";'=''" ™'* » 'ook of doa„ilIt„mbutyou'roaer„A ,^* '• """" I ™yn't " We're entirel/ohh^ed to v M™ """ ""^ >-°"-" Murphy With a look „ °:rea° oom'nf " ^""=''"'" '"■" '*"• Po^ed to have a nice LZTlTJ' "''''''''• "" »<"» "■" »"P- -mcthing worth whlletri i '^ 'e.i'f-f ™- -<" ««' nearArdannan. " We're entirety,, I "'™''"' '"""'•■"1 opinion in regard to Ally r't 'f ' '7™ f" >°- Bood '".ouldn't say What I'm gof„.,'";„,T,? ■''■'' '^'■'"' ' anyhow, so I will say illvon hm'^', "" ™™S '■"'"nds. Ally Murphy, f„r .Lro s'h" t:dsT !""■'' '"^ -"-" f- tongue on father or mother or . ""'"' ""■"<«' ""r heart." ""■ " "orer gave either of „= , .„,. BESSY CONWAY; OR, her own bird the whitest ''' ^ ""'^^ '^'^^ ^^'""^^ "Has ^nyJ;\T:jZ:r ZtZ'sL7'''''' "''' got in 1" y^ bneehan since we "whv f« 1 """"'^^^'^s the saying is, took the world easv water .ide. Ha! hi" ha Lft t.°°T; '1™ "''°™ "^"' '"« Ws eye, open, anyhow' h:L;\'''°*°' "'^' '"'^^^ "«' she had a son in Amerka ,L ,w I »''' """"an tell that home, and he think? Zv """*" ™'« " ""le place at her hie a leechX set?" '°"''"""" "^ ''"-'"' '"* '» .or Panrs attention t^'^ornrshVeSr "'^ ""^ '"°«- Mr!;;!':!;!*:; c^ ^'^^'° '"^'p«°' =-'-".»»* a flushed eheerand » ^ """^ "" ""'" '° "" "'"> "onsual With her SI, waTawTo"- "™' "T™" ™^ but seeing that the sir] Ivoided ^ '""'"7 """" " ""'°'". I-erasmu^ch as p.siW T t^oult ^ "h, f ""k '™^ '"" it pass unnoticed " Could it he.!,, ."u ° '"'"""' '° '«' tors, "that she ^honM v "'"' P"'"''''." bought Mrs. Wal- hardly let her out "f " v .. t 'f ' '■°'' """' ^"=-1 ""• • "'■' °' "y »'8ht, and certainly not ont of the ^■%> THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 27 house since we have been hAro Tf • mused-" .„.y indeed.' ^' '' "'^^ strange"-she :f:.=nr?::.:;~rrrr-;t£ ence and self-possession. On inquiry she learned iZ V 7 . come to the house the day before ^' ^" ^'"'^ » hats wrong now, Addie?" " Why, that Herbert, to be snre-what do you think b„. r «awh,m at dinner here in the hote.-that feirw has thtl puae^ce Of a certain individual who. I do rt'lLt'T; " What sort of a fellow is he V' oapSn'i:ir.i:n.tt- li" z""' °' =■«' -"'"• -^ «- Bessy packing-that's the plan "> ^'"'' '""^ " That won't do for me." replied the lady, " I exnect to fi , Bossy a very useful servant, and I should be sorry to L' T so soon. Moreovpr T ha^.. * i , ^ *° ^^^^ h©'' friends, anil ealnot bu, r . '"■ '""" '■='• ''<>">° ""^ " Allo».,l,„ Altogether, you see, William " good h adtwir '"■ ^''" ' ^™ ""^ " S""" "-rt and a l»o>c out for hiL ^tryrllr' ^'f e-"™»" '» me-/.,. him, take my word for it!' ' """ami 1 know you wiU when you say it. 28 BESSY CONWAY; OR, ( But the safest way would ho ««f * i. Md direct the peopUtbiTtlJ ""' *° «" '° «"' °ffl™ «»» or that one I .heTe,loJ. ' ?'"'"«''-""='"""> ""« "«, he sure he hastZl I ^ """" '» '""P Bessy i„ B-t make yo r '^ "e" .fttr^t"''^ "' "'^ ^'"•'^* don. .eep Herhert at aX^' .-rncr: trr,,:!:"" '^ " ^ ontr^r''--''-^°-«->..-"l.esaM„„„„r, B^:"d„r:tair:"n3'i.rx:" -r"" '° -^ as she expected, she went ouron th > ■ ,^ " '■""™ "' =°«" the hannister, saw the g," o" a a dlnl,^' '"f "'*'■"" °"^ conversatien, as it appeared to her fh 7" T '" ^™'« angry hlood rushed to the ladv', Vh t T''"^"'- '"'><' to Bessy was terribly hafcen v ! ' """ '""' <=™«denoe T-ere was no shLow'^oftts": J't 't^ 'T'^' course with Herbert Rf^nT^K^ "w lor this continued inter, disgracef,,,. She kef/ ^: "f. '"'"""" «"' »»" that but a day or twoltTwhlr" „ , ■" '^'""' '""'' '"^ P'-d in a gir, who cou.d accrs'hrdt'r"'' *""• "^ '» ^« What was to be done ? The idn-, «f ,"v case of a public house was rennJn. ! ? ,"^ °"' "" '^^ '^^^'^ t.-Ho«s notions of reflnll^erarrLtT"^^^^^ company was still worse. AH at onl T '^ '" ^"*^^ Bessy had her foot on the en n^ ' " ^""^^'^"^^ *^^' anxious to ,o up. whil!" 2b 'l. d ^^ "j -evidently rested on ihe bannister and iZ T ^ "'^ ^'^'^"^ ^^^^ tnou,h in suppresse ;! J Btsr"".'' "' ^"^^^'"^°^'^' excited, and her mistress TmieATJ' Z ""'''' ^'''' ^"'"'^ «A]f . <(T "'^'•iiths sm.ied pleasantly as she st?^ tr. i, «elf . T was not mistaken in her after all u T ^'' I feared. I will nn .?«. 1 ' '* '^ "^* so bad as THE IRISH GIRL IS AMERICA. 29 l"m a word of explanation ZllT , """'""^ ™'"='"«'fe the object he ha,U„ vi " he at tol* '" "*>' °"s'" "^feat "Bad manne,^ to you don ! * 8™mWecl out: «>.ove there that I wa'nt k Z ^".h ?■' tI^ "" ""^ '""' «'" further parley b„t „„„„j,^ ™ ^'"■^ Jl'on waited for no could propel itself. "*" =" '"» mmhapen frame " Who the mischief ia thit '■>.» i, tte discomfited waite » 'anJtLr^r '*^'' '""°'''" -« moment, "if h^ „,„j J ^°°*^; who was passing u the „ " let him 60,.. said the other Xj.'! ""w "' ""^ •'" He sent me for him there awhil. ' ^''"™ '"""'' l'™- the bar-room. If, all right " "«"' """ '"ey had a talk in ■aSrb:id"i::^"o:"hifs;L?"°''r'-"--"»-''-k was about. '' shoulder, and asked him what he put it off witli a laugh. ^ ^""^ ^"^^^^3^> I^e tried to " You're a second Paul Prv » » • j i, Tl-re's no «uch thh^ al eTcap,"! ^l' " '^^" ^^"^ ^^ -« ■' yours! Good-bye, Belsy! I^ f^' '"" ^^^" ^^^ ^' crossing «,e herring-pond." ''^ ^^" ^° ^'«" after "Come along down hero"' said Pn i • authority that Bessy involuntar Iv r '" '"'^ ^ *«"« of other would take it '"'"^"'^^^'^^^ ^^^gered to hear how the 80 BESSY CONWAY; OR, "Why, don't be foolish, man? why wouldn't T h« y. well as another 1" ^ woman t I be here as " I know well what brings vou " siiri ih^^ , , , up askance at the latter wi^ihr' "'^'^"'^ ^""^'"^ " Dn T ;n^ A o i : , ^^^^^Ser, you make orer free !" 1^0 I, indeed ? ha ! ha ! ha !— if you don'^ i«f n Visitor ,,a r..,y\j;ir'St t"'a I? r^T"": Choose to ten. Ma,.e H. ™a„i.a «.o C is' 0.^^11 J^" dn'fc I be here as anchback looking t>n of a malignant ss here, and only aok for lodging •bert when they all, " well, really, )Ver free !" et Bessy Conway r know what's in keep out of my e color of your 3 to the wise is in the Garrick, iiard for you to eep from stoop- irself!" lis troublesome id then turned back made his th amwsed and lir of authority iliments, ned on a tablo ?an and Widow culiar to each. St old Dolly's e possessed to fate. , I can't get it ilip than you or something ■A- THE reisn oim. in- America. jl (tot ™y, an' sure if ho h y<,„ „ecd„'t ftar to -ell n,„ •,. «h,ns but what his father done before him » ""-'^ "<>- *eepi„, it fr„„;„„, ..^l^; , j;,'- --'-,.,<, r have i„ «e=, of the whole perlon 7JyT '"°"*' ""'' " >■«"<■»'- > free as I do— ' ^^'^ "'"' ^^^' ' ^'O^^dn't i^.ako " Well ! feelin' here or fwHn' therft T ,7^,.^ word more about that aon of ya "' , i ''"''"' "^ ^'"^'' ^ anyhow 1-when we get to New Yn,7 I' "' '^''^""' «^^' to see about him f" '^' ""^^^^ ^'^ ^^ ^^^h you "God reward you, honest man f" sobbed th^ oM she wiped her eve , . ^ ' ''"* ^^^at s "n J ^»ere— Jittle Bessy's safe enough " How do you know that, Paul r ^ '=^" '^r2l"T/r-\^T '"-''' '''''' ^-^ that's enough «ranny. And again the little man nodded hut ihi. +• f "' "..«bt.o,.en,an,.re;4::t::r;LTzt;^^^^^^^^^^^^ THE IRIsn GIRL IS AMERICA. 33 has a care over the inno- tbem that's well inclined an' cent !" Here the door was opened fluddenly,and incamea bi^ burly man, with a fa.r complexion, and a good-natured, open coun tenanee. He accosted Pam with aloud laugh. 4 opos o nothing, It would seem, and a thump of his bi^ ZIZ ^ ''Whit , / "^^ *"^' *^ '•"^ '^« ^«^'^*«d part. Why then bad manners to you for a spr ismun r- cvied Ned Finigan. for he it was. " is it here you are, an' me huntTn you up and down this hour back 1 I L the ;ork you re at • -- hrowing a humorous glance at the old woman-" well T •,'« Z "Itm'l hrmr^"' '-'- ^ -^^ -P-- -^ -J "We're as God made us," said Paul graffly; "was that vonr an' wi h «":'■' 8»»«, too! isn't it, g^„„y , ,it.,e„,ore, face nL^r "^ ',"<'•"''■»»* t>«<=»«=o I praised hin, to hi ftce-next l„ne I'll say he', ug,y-I h<,p„ .^^ „,„ p,^^, " What did you want with me r litl"?-' ^I'^f • ""' ''" '"" J""- »i4 yo" «« that pnrtv imk fa.r.ha,red «,Ilee„ that's „aitto' on Captain Walw " I did— you mean Bessy Conway " «'s !il" "" ""-^*"' ='"'« ^ «»»'» «' """O fy the moth- " I'm glad to hear it" " Why so. aroon 1" 34 BESSY con-way; OR, " Don't be callin' hard names " sa.\l Pn«i uu ,. " he'« a gentleman, son. that chip- ' *"" '""^- in his body, so I would '" ^'^^ ^<*"^ w.;i. »tcr»:7„:ta''' '""■ "-• ^°"'" ■"•■■■ -'" "">» ^au. rl,v*„ 1 1 ^ '^'^ ^'^^^*^'' t'^o well to mv cost-hp'. , yo?i-if you knoTv it !" ^'^'^'^ ^'■°°' " Maybe I do, maybe I don't " soiri i>o«i • • , . form to its atm^t iLht "but Xt """"^ '"" *""■"""' come yet to make it Wn B^t S^tf ^ ""' "'" """' ''"'' l^od Fi„i,a„. .„d „ai, "mJrVrLaM T^f J'" ''f' mt if you catch him makin' too free tth~E« r? '"° no,., you're a good soldier?" he addTd 7'* . ''"'^''> ' ' ""Po. in tho other's face " T l,„. ' ''"*'"S Mrnestly up carries arms aW him ' ' '°" ""' '" ''" """««' *" >"' " What if he does V' cripd fiia v you, I'd think as little of what ho colT" ""''■ " ' ''" I.e was a hiock of .ho le tach , t ifm""' °"; ""' "^ '' why, man, there pever was cue of il. '•' ^''°'' """'■""■ Oiiver Cromwei, tit haZtTo e ofXTL^^ ■""■" "'• eve J:„e heard ^t'L^"'""*'' »"'^'>- '-''*^. ' "•"".'■t an' a'rorehear^r: ':r„e tflr \™1«'"^ "T'.'j^"' """■■"'^- "iuieioDoot. I see you hardly b'Ueve m» with keen honj — ijat girl wrong" — 'nched his br;uvnj ' — hut as iiro ns break every bono " said little Paul cas a geutleraans . my cost— he'« a 1 the monoy and sk you who the ■^ to hear iVoui ling his dvvarflsj) o, tho time isn't ^^fitch Iiim irell, "ail him on tho Bessy. I hopo, ^g earnestly up hinkin' that lad THE inrSH GIRL ly AMERICA. 35 but tJierev, not a word o' lie in what T f«7i « man, Jerry F.hy by name-b; the same token T' "' '''' I'.iniily-name with mv mnfi, . ! " "^^"'^ '^ ^" «'<» less than ny great Z^ T"''''-'^'^' ^'"^^ ""-^'^ ^«'' "o ^^t Pan,, th 'n^o 1 Dot^^u r /"' ""'' '""^^'^ «"' to receive the homlg?:/ blltditr '' ' "^" '"'' ^^^^^ or pfrentdrnL"'"' "^"^ '''''-' "^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^vith real Crhfrn."'^'"' "^"^ ^^^^ «^^^^'^' "' ^^P« you'll never w:^^:t^t:^a;r;;:::^^^^^^ 8ome other time will do as well Ked » xv«mi n , early start of it the morrow 1- Tn " *"" ^'^^« «» bade tho other, good nir L J^"''T'' '' ""^ ^'°*' ^^^ enough to talk. ^ ' '^'"^'•^'"g that they'd have time rcely, « I tell is an' all, as if good soldier? ce the days of Did you ever an Castie from careless shake 'hy, I thoufiht hero entirely, lly b'lieve me.. # BESSY CONWAY; OR, CHAPTER III. THE BTOBM " Didn't I send him off purty quick that day, captain 1" said Paul to Captain Walters when, the bustle of departure being over, and the Mersey cleared, that frentleman had time to attend to private matters, ♦' I'm thinkin' I soon cleared the stairs of him." " You're a brick, Paul !" said the captain with a good- humored smile ; " my wife, who overheard all that passed, has a high opinion of you ever since," " Of me, your honor !" said Paul with becoming modesty, " why the lady is very good to think of me at all— it'a what I couldn't expect," " But tell me this, Paul, if it be a fair question : what hold have you on this individual — my wife says you seem to have him entirely under control," " Well! the question is fair enough, your honor,"' said Paul assuming a very innocent look, " but I'd rather not answer it at this time, for a little reason I have. No offence I hope, captain V* " Oh ! not the slightest, my good fellow ! on second thoughts, I*m better pleased noi to hear it. Secrets are heavy loads to carry, and I have no notion of troubling myself with other people's burdens. Only mind you keep a sharp look-out, as I will myself, and I think the two of us will certainly be a match for your friend's cunning. ' " There's another on the watch now, captain, so tho deuce is in it if Herbert plays any pranks here." THE IRISH GIRL IS AMERICA, 8T 10 tho deuce is " Who is tliP other, pray 1" d»v fe\T'"^' ' ■""" '"" °"«'" "• '" "l-'" '0 '='<''^' « fair any ^y, .f Im courage i, e,„„| ,„ ,,i, ,i™. He', tho biggo.t Za .oUee^' ^°"^ '■°"°'' ""*• " •"""" -'«"°" «f *: mul h ",?"""?. *'» "" ""P""" 'aughod hoartily. " Truly " »al,I Won ; ""tr""^"' °' ^"" ^'"' ""■ '- -o lack Of to nnd tht V ' . ^ ' ""5' Baf.ly leavo Bom to youmelf " 'B««l you may, captain, 'deed you may sir l-».'11 h„ ,1, busme,,, Nod an' I-thaf, Nod FinLn, sir'." '" *° ""' . J r 'Z'"" r- '"""* °™"">«.°-" a clear, bright oven. Soma were ,o„„gi„g ,,„ „„, '.^Jj J,^ ^ '2" ^ -"- J™- settees placed in a doiil.i« .^ / "" "»o ireshly-^ „ nted one ™ ieaning o,;. ttt^i Uo.r^lot;!!" „"^t ' tliat l.melymanTom°„ "^ ; °'"'""™» '« thinking. Koaringi Why did h \ " ?""'"™°' "" °' ««>"«''>»a„ly down at once the ir '™r'"^" "" '""•« impelled to break quaintance Of tholTth I^r :! """^ """ "»"» "'» "■>- for some weeks „ least! W.T-, ^^ """ """"'^ '" "»»"'=""« friend,, and native a 'd, orZ TT"'^''''''''"'^''^''' regarding his sucoesa i„ tho IWW ,7 '""" ""^ ^'"""» ti.at hung over hi™ fronlVe'Lt JoTZAh: pa^^ "'"*°" eltoeyea ver^o visible ri!™"'.^. ">;<-» '-"» "-d and '"■ " " '"^ "» "10 aeck where ho stood 38 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, on the companion-ladder eyeing the soli ary watchor witl) a grin half humorous half malicious. It was like a cat watching a mouse of whose final capture she was sufficiently certain" After gazing a few moments with that sort of basilisk expres- sion which must have fascinated the other had he turned towards him, the head disappeared, its owner being doubtless satisfied with his observation. Bu: still the young man stirred not. His eyes were fixed in deep thought, and gradually a darker expression overspread his features, and his brows contracted with an angry frown. " What a fool they take me for!" he said" within him- self, "to think that I-I_Henry Herbert-am leaving friends and country to follow a smooth-faced country girl across the ocean ! Her own conceit led her into that notion when she saw me on board, and, of course, I didnt put her ofF the scent. Well ! I believe I have a fancy for the girl, but nothing like what she and others seem to suppose. But then that abominable hunchback— to think of him starting up as if the Old Boy sent him on purpose to torment me, just when I thought I was rid of him anyhow. He haunts me like a ghost —go where I will, I cannot shake him off. Is it fate— or— or what 1 But why does he follow me in this way ? what gain would my exposure be tx) him 1 No matter how it is, I must only put a bold face on the matter, and keep him off the track the best way I can— ha ! ha! let him follow his cursed nose, and that will do for the present! raise your head now, Henry Herbert, like a man ! and drive dull care away—sorrow's time enough when it comes, my boy !" By the time Herbert had reached this conclusion the weather had undergone a remarkable change. Dark ma&ses of clouds were gathering around the setting sun, and the billows were heaving with sudden and strong commotion. All at once the seamen were observed moving hither and thither with in- creased activity, and the deep voices of the officers were heard fore and aft givin" orders ; THE IRISH GIRL INT AMERICA. 39 '' Reef the top-sail there !"— " Haul in the lanyards !" The passengers on deck were all more or less alarmed by the sudden change in the weather and the corresponding movements amongst the crew. Captain Walters came himself; too, and spoke in nautical phrase to the man at the wheel, a sturdy mariner of mature years. " Tack about," said he, " and keep to windward— look out for the Irish coast !" "Ay, ay, sir!" The seaman's heavy features were stirred by no emotion, but hard and fast ho turned the wheel, as be- neath his guiding hand the vessel slowly turned her head, and she reeled like a drunken man as the rising breeze shook her shrouds and bent her taper spars. The helmsman looked ui. at the darkening sky whence the sun had long since vanished and he smiled grimly at the captain who was watchincr his face' "No sleep to-night, BilH" said the captain in a low voice. "Mayhap more than we oargain for," was the curt and gloomy reply. The captain nodded and turned away quickly He was instantly beset by an anxious crowd of the passengers chiefly of the gentler sex. ' "Good heavens. Captain Walters! is there any danger?" " Dear me, captain ! are we going to have a storm 7" " Only a squall, madam ! only a squall." " But is there any danger 1" " I hope not— be so good as to let me pass, ladies!" *' But what are we to do 1" "Keep quiet— thatr is all." Captain Walters was a good-natured man and a gentleman moreover, but to be thus hemmed in at such a moment and besieged with what he considered idle questions was more than flesh and blood could bear. So he began to elbow one out of his way here and another there, and at last succeeded in making his retreat to the companion-ladder, mutterin- ueiwccii h:s teeth ; "^ 40 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, "Those good old monks were about right after all. Plague on them for women !" ^«*K"e When the captain had done all that he could to provide for • Sowf ;' ?: T"^' "" ^*°™ '^^'■'^"-^ ^o -ge^tht a violence, he stole for a moment from his arduous duties to see how h,s w,fe was affected by the threatening aspect of afla rs He found her pale, calm and collected, sitting, or tryinHo s.t, by a table in their little cabin, whilst Bessy Conwlykn^t 'wT7;j"' ^'^ '^^'^ "'°"' ^"^ ^^"^ g^-t fervor. ,n,-i v f '?' ""^ ^^^'-^ '""'^ ^^^ ^^Ptain with a forced wn ''<«': •"\f"^'^'^ hand and pressed it between hi' dl t J T I ' ' '""^ ""''''' ^'^'^^ sot-all of a sud. aen, too. I hope you're not frightened !" "Well no, not exactly frightened, William, but~but-a storm IS always awful." "ui—a " Yes, yes, but my little wife has seen the Garrick weather wo.e storms than this is-yet. If we can only keep c'aoT that dreary Irish coast till ihe gale has spent its fury I have no fears for the rest. The Garrick is strong enough for a"; breeze, if she have but sea-room. Keep up your heart my precious one ! for as yet there is no immediafe danger" ' ^ Will am -V/"' ?7"V' '"'^ '^' ""''' "^ ^ ^^^ ''^^' " but oh I ;"Z' T f.'T^ '°^^ ^'^^-'^ ^ could-but I cannot—" Why, I think you have no need to trouble yourself Addie " wm d^ rsrof ^ '"^ ^*'^"^^' ^' '^"»"^^"^' "^^^^i Wh r ^ l^ ^"""'^ ^PP^^'"' *° ^« playing enou^rh for boU. Good bye I sweetheart, I will come againL s'oon as Fca^" For God's sake, do, William !-I am not afraid but oh " t 18 a fearful storm !" ' °^ ' '' ''-Can't you go join the other ladies for company "J" Oh no ! no ! I am better alone-their company would but make me worse !-but go, William, go ! let me not detat you a moment. Oh God ! what a tempest !" she cried, as the door 'tZLZ^- '"^'^"' ^^^ -eshipplungek do.;!! THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 41 tor all. Plague Say your prayers, ma'am dear!" said Bessy, whoso palo cheek and quivering lip testified her emotion though she tried to appear composed; "say your prayers-God uill hear them Mrs. Walters involuntarily sank on her knees and buried her face in her hands. The ladies' cabin was by this time a scene of wild confusion Some Tv-ere crying and wringing their hands, .ome faintin<^ away w,th terror, others endeavoring to console and encoura^r; others^ hko Bessy Conway, kneeling in fervent supplication^to the throne of Mercy. Husbands and fathers and brothers T.^ T' T' ''^'^'''^ ^'■y^"^ *° ^^^P "P t^« f^il'ng spirits of their female relatives, others moodily pondering on the pro- bable termination of the scene. The sea was raging mountains high, and the hatches were nailed down by the captain's orders to protect all below from the ravages of the angry waters which ever and anon came IZZfl T' '-'" ^''^ ^''"^ '''''''''' ^^^y- Amid the wild doloMK I- r ^f '^" '"""'^ ""^ ^"^^'"S billows came dolefully iroax uelow the cries of the steerage and second cab,n passengers terrified by the convulsive motions of the ierce blalt!'' '''"' ''^' ''^'^''^ ""^ '^"'^'"^^^ ^" '^' and tZ?-^'T! ''^"'"'' ''^'"° ^'^"^^' «torm-tossed waves and the voice of human anguish. And the scene which met the eye was no less dreary, whether one looked up to the PI chy sky or down to the boiling ocean, or forward to the fl ckering lights which marked the rocky coast of Ireland. It would seem at first that the promenade deck so latelv wi?: nT :T'''''' ^^^" ^"^ ^°-"' -- "- ^ "t to th V Id so Iitude of the waters, and the motionless form of Bill, who Zth .f ^'"*' " ^"''"^ '' '''' ^^^-•" N«t -. ther was r.a r«r"' T""'- "^'"' spectral-looking figure leaning oTat east r' '.i"'' '''"'' --«> as though unconscious "l,y^"'' :T'^'''' '' ^^« «^«-«-t-l -ar around him and t.o imm.ucri. aanger to which he thus exposed himself 42 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, Was it the demon of the storm contemplating liis own work and exulting in its ravages ? No such thing, it was Henry Herbert who, sick of the scene in the cabin, had managed to make his way back thither, where he could at least see the extent oi the danger. Seeing him there, the helmsman could at first hardly believe his eyes, and when once convinced of the reality of the vision, he supposed him one of those supernatural beings who figure so oft in the seaman's tales of wonder, and with great sang froid settled it in his own mind that it was Davy Jones himself come to look after the Garrick. In truth he was a wild unearthly figure, as he stood there in the black starless night, his uncovered head exposed to the fury of tlie elements, and his rich brown hair dripping with the briny spray. His face was pale as a sheeted corpse, and his eyes were wild and haggard, as the fast-flashing lightning shone on his unsheltered form. His thoughts were of death- death and judgment, but not of repentance. Fear and despair were in his soul, for he thought the hour of vengeance was at hand and the arm of God raised to smite him. He had heard of eternal perdition, and he had laughed many a time at that " cock-and-bull story'— now he felt its drend reality and began to feel what it was to fall into the hands of an angry God. Hark! was that an echo from within or without 1 was that voice from heaven, or earth, or helll Again it si)oke and Herbert's heart sank within him, and ihe blood in his veins ran cold as ice, and the hair on his head bristled ud as if in- stinct with horror. " Henry Herbert !" said the voice at his elbow, " does this night put you in mind of anything?— ha ! ha ! ha !" the laugh sounded dreary and sepulchral to Henry's ear, and he trembled from head to foot. " Ho! ho! ho !" said the voice again, lowly and slowly, but fearfully distinct, " that was a brave stirring night in ihe place you know, when the winds, and the thunder, and the lightnine were a* work, and the sperits were peepin' in at the windows THE' IRISH r.IRL IN- AMERICA. 43 '' Ha ! it is you, then, misbegotten fiend ! I know you now " and turnzng with the fury of a maniac, Herbert clutched the thick bushy hair of the hunchback and held liim fast. Ho ! ho ! ho ! do you mean to kill me V " I'll throw you overboard, I will by the " stouMr.' ^'' ^T ^''' '^'^' ^" •^"'^'" '^'^^ '^'- little man stoutly "you've brought this on us all-don't make matter, worse by yo^xr curses ! I know you're not hardened enough murder, an' I don't want to expose you " " You don't V said Herbert scoffin-ly say for if I only gave the sailors a hint of the thing i)ou know all the captains livin' wouldn't save you, for they'd think i was 2,.u brought the storm on us-an', God knows, but may be ;|-.l-yo_u^ raised it that other night as sure 'as deS il his gT^p. '"'"'' ""^^ '"^ •" ^^"-'^^^^ «-b--t. ^"t he let go .i1?''i^-'Tm' ^°""'^^ ^'''•" «^'-^^'"«d the hunchback «' f'l ^f"''^'^ ""''''''''' ^"^ ^« chuckled at ife though of how nicely he had tricked the sailors when thev ";:::: r ^^^^^ ^^^^^ -^ -'^^ «- ^--^^« -h::: "There they go," said the man at the wheel "Lord h-.' "There ;. ''''.^'''■^' ""^^ "^*'" ^^« ^'^^^^^'^^n spoke • There ! the mainmast's gone !" "I hone tn fha TcirA 7-' » i , . ,,ora Ac- s gone, too ! • said Herbert to him- 44 BESSY CONTTAY; OR, self as he Kcranibled to his feet TitMn«fl- * i , ne^, overhcl to the throne of the God of mercy dis w!:';:t f!rt :eV::t"of tf ;"^'" ■» ^''°'' - '- " Oh ! dear Mother Mary !" she said with fervor « von Vn. yon are called the Star of the Sea!-all is darl ' ifr Mrs. AValters listened half amused hoif A-a , 'HE IRISH GIRL ix AMFRICA. 46 Tke^lZ f \ T' """'''"' ^''' ' «'^« «-°' '-^nd she will n InldSr " eT'^ -d. Bessy forget her own share 3aid witfearful eyes' Zr^oT^ Tf '''' "^''''''^ '" ^^- remember always «.at 'God n !^ "^' '''"'"' ^^^'^^ ^^ clesertHim'-nowy u is^ewhari ""™ ^'^^ '^'^'^ Mother ! what's that 1" ^ ^"^ ^°' "'"^^^ '' ^^««««^i The huge vessel gave a rcll and a ninn«^ » a settle on one side. ^ '^ ^'''^ appeared to "Oh God! oh God! she's go^n-r do\vn»" Mr, xtr u in mortal terror. ^'^- ^^^^^''^ <=^ied "No, she isn't, ma'am dear! she'll not go down!" still «n swered Bessy. Back wUii «r,^*i , b^uowni still an- coo^. jjacK wjth another plimfre wpnf th^ „i • ^ her former Dovouldn't know where >n earth to go to only I saw the light in your little windows 1 o There^s another poor devil amost dead up above. I don't know but he's clean gone by this time " ''And who is thatl" said Mrs. Walters compassionatelv. Horblr . ''Tl ''; ""^"'^^ good-for-nothing of the name of fnfnfM 'T ''"^ ^^-^^^^ ^ stealthy glance at Be.s.sv. "He's one of the cabm passengers whatever kept him on d;ck— J-' .ombLrsZo'f^r '''''" '''-' ^-^^— ^ce that Where he is! But I'm not sure that the life is in him for all '^Tl'"^:::-:-:-^' --^-^« ^^^ - -se or feeim. ''Dear me ! is there no one there to look after him V said Mr. ^a ter, anxiously. " Why, he should be seen to at once T wish the captain had known." '» at once. I " If I only knew where it was ma'am T'^ f ,.^ «^i , , . out,, said Bessy with a blushing ^k 1 ''^^/Z ^W^ Ch„st,an there at the mercy of the waves and the wind Mavbe he t., dead by this time, as the decent man says " ^ ' But how can we heln him Bm«:v ? u ,^^ i j i - your „-fe or mtae w^u.^be „o«, ^v * ^rr ';r " '■ ' ^^ "' ^^ "• " «°»"in't do to leave him ,r>,ere M 48 BESSV CONWAY ; OR, he w— come along, Bessy ! I'll show you the way, and hel.> vou what I can." " Well ! if you must go— go!" said Mrs. Walters ; " I do feol a little anxious myself. If you find him, bring him here ! "If we find him!" repeated Bossy in a low voice, as she followed the hunchback; " oh God forbid we didn't! Only for me he wouldn't be here," she said within herself, " and it will go hard with me or I'll save him!" »;i ay, and hel^) you THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 49 CIIArTER IV. The storm naa passed away and witli it the danger, .he ajnmast was replaced by another as stout and stauncJ. ^hich mdlam on the deck in provision for such contingency, and the Garnck was again under full sail speeding away westward. The passengers released from their gloomy prison, and restored rlf^T '';? '"f ^^"<^«' ^^^^° -» the more cheerful and hila- rious for the cloud that had obscured their prospects. Now hat the danger was passed, they could afford to talk, and even augh, over their previous terrors, and discuss at their leisure the impressions made on their minds by the scenes they had witnessed. It was drawing tusvards evening on the day follow- ZlTfT 7'"! "'^^'' '' ''" "*'^" "^« ^"'•'•^■^^ P^«««d within sight of the Irish coast, and oh ! how beautiful it looked in on! fTTJt^ "' ''' ^^""^ ^""' ''''' ^--^ >t ^vas each one fe tat hat last sad moment-they knew not before how much they loved that "Isle of beauty" till the well-sprin. in their hearts gushed forth at the sight of the land wh ch had hitherto been their home-the land of childhood's happy day. here dead friends lay in their quiet graves awaiting the llosurrection, and living hearts still beat warmly for them and sad y mourned their departure. As the wa'derers^'a ' hrough the mist of tears on that fast-fading dream of b:auty ZlfZ 7.^"'" °''^^°- ""^ "^ "^« ^^t point of the well- loved island disappeared amid th^ «-,-«.= .„ .i,„ ^.v.._. ... it seemed as though the last hold of life wer J'sna7pe"l asunder! 3 so RKSSY CU.VWAV; OR, ".ought, unobserved, between T. , ""''"'"■' "" "'" the cabin door. Shi w„rthinLt , ' '"' «"""'' "»'' «■■ U,e „„n, tie, tbal I 'd t* T tL'trf T" f'pUl.v passing from her vi.,v when ,>. '"""' *"' struck ,„ournfully on her ear „I,;iT """^ °' "«'■''"'■' at her side pale and hl-ard r"'"^ "i"'*'^' ""' """"» met his " ""SSMcI, He smUed sadly as her eyes ba:j::"a'coi::r;rt,^7Cn7r' "/? ^-^ '» '~'» the Pictnresaue coal' b '2 t e„ ^.^ti f '''' '^^"'^'^ -» bitter-there is „„ dark thougW of ^ oTi "' " "'" betn-eeii y,ju and tl,» f„v i j "'"""'' <•"«" iig "ere every hoa her! ^- '"'" '"" '" "'"• "" »«J ' almost Joy/. " " '""'"=''"' "^ J'""". ««"»w would be ^^"'z::'ZTcznZT:T' ■"' ■" ™"'''- ^--^ thing i„ the tone Of is voice tht'"'";' '""""» — knew not why. Hi, Lo .J. , ? """' '" ""^ '"""•'■ "'« -:ahuha.o.h^'ir:Tr,=ir-T,;: njhf :^:'";i-;:t:: -rr^^ r »■"''■ -^ ■"» '-• seek mo. I'll „e"r II j T^^ "'"^ """ "'•» '" so hardened a, 7Z may nfl' '" T' """"' ''"' »»' »nd don't turn away yo"r head ™r "^' ""' """«'■'■ only let me. -I win' Lied tj^ ''L^:;'- fl* " ''»"'" rtTea";:"^ '"" '-'" "-- -- '"- »: rzi you !" '""' '"-" '» ""t right for me to hear THE IRISH OIRL IK AMEBICA. gj "A,lJ why, Bo^jr, „I,y j. It not rfsht ?"_ona I,, tri,.,! .„ lak« her hand, which .he re»olut«Iy wlthheM " !, „, , .-for t.,0 cp,„,„„„, tho»ewh„w^ree T 'I,:' ,:7 .:irhr..rt:';;ijrr" ""^"'"' "™-"-- h^c. protruded itae„hetwee„ the two i„ ^.ran.rLttanm ,g At the same moment a rough hes y hand ' M h^h} .r tr chap I this b „„ place tor y,°„°" ^^ ' '"""""■ ""^ ^''^'g haii"" °™ '"" ""' ""^ '° "^ '•"" • '■^-'' "-K"' do'l'tor";*'"? '" ""' ""^ ' "■»■ ""' '»"'» >—f Off, or r« "N^Taryl^Xr^arrel^.?-"- " ~ Plm>gtagaal„lyi„hr«rt:ithf , ; '"*"- '""' held him. ■ * '^ """''■''' " ""o » '•i" that 52 BESSY CONWAY; OR, •' There's a fine seat for you now," said Ned in a voice loud enough o attract general attention, " where the ladl ca 'a Both d nL ' ^r' '^'"'^^ •' ^'«^^y »«^- ' steady !■' insln V T" T'""'^ ''' ''" "^«»^«"t -"d all eyes were ms^ntly turned on the actors in this strange scene. Shou s of laughter arose from the main deck where some notions I.^ got abroad rather unfavorable to " the half sir '' ^1^ the more polished cabin passengers a' the ol . ''" unable to restrain their mirth wit^rth^ blU^^^Lr cianvwZn'r""""'' P^"^' "^^ ^»^--«■"'' emotions ho managed snulo that made h,s wan face look ghastly, and turned to Ne^ Fm,ga„ who stood at the top of the ladder, waiting, douhtl!^ to enjoy his confusion. ^' '*°"""e88> " That was well done," said he " v(»rv w«ii ^^ • ^ , really had no idea of y^„r prod^ louJX: . "^ ■;t:n i'f yon eho«se to enter the ring in New York you wHl bLTy; ' kee Surlivan hollow!— ha! ha' ha' •« (»>/,„. • , • .he ladder , Upon my honor , that isglod" " "" ™' "" This was addressed to a gentlcnan standing near who 1,„,1 heen one of the first to indulge his mirth a. Herbert, okJZ Bemg a stranger he could not detect the unnatural Z:::' THE IRISH GIRL IX AMERICA. 53 dlflarS, •""^.sWl preserving the same air half- aehant, half-humorous, the smile and the bn^h ,lr„H , he „,ght.a adventare, he leaned for a fe>v momon .a the bulwark, apparently talJ-'-'.»f course, " Are you sure, now ■?" from Bes.y ,„r his offleious iTddlg n""" """"' '" ""' «^' -apade, a„l:;:^ oM S p^ pT.nt^^^. °f "^ - b„sh,es,, whereupon Ned answered [ha T"^ "'"'' '™ °''° business When cL.isin, h" ^.'sadT T"" 'n %enou8h how things would m if i , ', 1 u°' ' "*° "»" and il- shame or ll™. ! '^"'°P'° '"'™ "">"■ ™y. my share ,h dtrLe Tr-""' °" 'I"""' """'"'' ' '«"« way ! and there ist'^„, , ""l"" '"'"°=='' ^"''y ^"r,- ^oapo..race buTrn It ° { '"'* '"'»' '^°"''S"»' ""•> «.a, \ a'-it-e out i u make a show of vou both i" « a ^ v good will that do you V' " r^n^ . ^""^ ^""^^^ wll ^ . anotherword would Ned hear. ev:::irdi:rr,di„rerr'' "'■" -- '■-- «- toanunderta'dintln *''° ""O «»'>' """ert had come liiil THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 65 8 in a low voice. nly some words they found themselves face to face one moonlight night about a week after When most of the passengers were sitting n groups here and there beguiling the time with song and story. Ned Fmigan (if that be your name)," said Herbert in a low hissmg tone, " I've an account to settle with you, but the chances are against me for the present. The means are not atmyd.sposaljustnow,butI have a good memory Ned and you wdl find yourself paid with reasonable interesUome' dly when you least expect it. You understand me, I hope ^" Indeed then I do. and I give you free leave and liberty to do your worst. I don't care that for you, Henry Herbert"' and he snapped his fingers close to his face. " You understand me, I hope r mimicking the other's tone. Herbert smiled a ghastly smile, and nodded, and passed on up the ladder to join the company on the quarter-deck. There was a deep red spot Lr W , ?. T^ ' '""^ '^^^' "^ ^' ^>'^« *^^' b«ded no thought !f?^.^ 'T. ''' '^''^ '' *'^ ^^•"^' ^^^ - one thought of observmg h,m at the moment. Ned stood looking^ after him with a curious expression, half ridicule, half wonder^ then turned carelessly on his heel and strode along the deck m^Z t '^V!'' ^"'P^^'' ""^ ^""^ Brannigan, and old Dolly Sheehan, sitting near the jorecastle. ''What's that he was sayin'toyou T whispered Paul, as Ned took possession of the place which Ally Murphy bashfully made for him next herself. " Why, bad manners to you, Paul, have you eyes in the back of your head ?" said Ned with a light-hearted laugh. " I didn't think you could see us from here 7" * You see I did, then— what did he say 1" "I'll tell you again. 'Hem!" raising his voice, "weren't you sayin , Ally, that you'd wish to hear ' The Shannon Side v » Well ! If it's pleasin' to you, Mr. Finigan, I would, then.' Clearing his throat vociferously, Ned commenced his " stave " Id before he had got through the first verse his loud clear voice .av. attraeted scores of the passengers to the spot, and and 66 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, as some of the laJies 0^6,47" in a ' ^ "*"^' '"'"'"'«■ black book, which for ,„„l,. ,, , ""^ curious-looking "kin to thaUak:„\l:2'l'Xr ""f ' "" ^™""'<° i>a„d in fair Melrose, by MVi L"of S?'' "'"'" """''' The book, indeed ami thl . ^i^'orame, good at need.' " were fren .e" t snbi!;^^ r *"" SOntlcmanly owner thereof or the vZ::^Z:jaT:i --S^' '-^ridlen somewhat pensive co™te 1^ «" ZV"" «'"""" brightened with a hnmorons smile !,.h ^ "' ''"""""S" fooMeps passing behind hlTr s,". "l'::"'''""' f '^"""^ prj-ing eyes were endeavoring tl\,.^ ' '""" """ "■"''■■ %at the book .„ his z::cjm:jzr:V'" """"'' presented « strange symbolical character ''^"' """'°'^ rng :r:;rri:t2r:- teritr " "? '° '""-» •"» '->■ black who was kne vn Imon" h ff'n "" "" """™'"" " Daly. When questioned conternt/""",'"'?"^™ '" ^"■ and eitlior evaded the^rb?.?. , °. ''"'"'<"' '"» ''""d some hints Of a vt;:;:^;^":^^^ °' °"'""^- ""^ -^ ..rinr::Lr:oX:=^^^^^^^ to be of a very bashfnl 1^,7 , demeanor was observed uncovered, t^^^^s^^ n^^^^^^ ''''^' f'^ ^-^^ '^acl ployed in kicking away some :hi! TT ^'"^"^^'^ ^"^- feet. Then the d^^arf was 3^0 1 '^ T '"''"''^ ''^ '' ''^' owner of the black bo^^racTu iTteTtT T"" "'"' ^'^ as he hstened to the little LZ T7l\ '^ '"'"" ""^'^^^'^n uie httle man, and lo ! at Paul's next visit he THK IRISH GIRL IX AMERICA. 57 unreasonable man in Kin^i 1 ^ *^'''' ^"^ the uiiauie man in black always contrived to linir? ».;„ 1 sons, too and la^^ nf oii +1, ^ . "augnteis, ay! and , ^yj^, aiKi jast 01 all the dwarf wJfh TJniitr ov,« i, byhis'fi^dp Tn fi, 11 "'' ^"" ^0"y Sheehan close and radian,, wtrsmnerwho 2"u ^°""^' ""' '" "" ""' Mr. Daly as provokfa2!!, T " '""' '"""S «"W" bu. ■ Hon of th6 othm r!„ ''"''"'"'?' l"J''y'"««'oniy8tiflca. pa-sense,, were En^I h Ivh'^"""'"' '*°""'^' "' "•» "^"bin tf* surmhi^ f;/ '™tlatforr "? """ '^*°"""' "* -ening, f„r whieh Zy "ere b/nrZ* " '°"'"°° "•™^'" of tJie gentlemen I,.,/Ln m '^ , " Prepared. Some mystery "ndTreat m. f ^^ ^ ™'™teered to penetrate the wL succeeded ™' °'"™'"' "^ *" '-"'' '"'""'i-al .'w'"' "'"'"''"'isitalUbontJ" _^ Wlio ,s the gentleman in black v .ume'lrZy "'5^":::; if :!i':^""'. "-^^ «-•>"' '>•»" - H« had kno;v-n from ilie first all about it.' 58 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, " Oh dear ! we're tired guessing !" " Well, theii, the gentleivau in black is- " What! whol" "A CathoHc priest!" '• There, Bella, didn't I toll you he was a Jes at !" " You told me no such thing, Elly '" " Oh ne !" " Why, do tell I a Catholic priest !" " Well ! what more !" '^There's been a wedding to-dc^," said H^oVtev £ontl>.nan ..elf the little Coody-two-shoes in the blue cloak - ^ ge«^:;' <:',.'"'" "'' ''^ ''' woman-have they come to- JWell no, n.: .sa.tly, I suppose they think ILomselves Oer young t. u.xrry jeV Why, ladies, you seem disap- pomted-ijot a word of thanks for all my trouble " " La ! it. don't amount to anything after all. If I haa i^nown ho was only a Popish priest, I wouldn't have taken the trouble even 10 look at him !-if he had turned out to be a .p or a Turkish dorvise " y;/, ^i i. " Or a foreign magician, you know >" '< Or one of those Irish Agitators-why, he might have been Connell himself, ^nd then, only think what an item thit ..ould have been for one's journal! But a common PoJS priest ! well really now it is too bad !" ^ Leaving the gentlemen to enjoy the discomfiture of their fai friends on the fall of their pretty card-castle, let us in virtue of our privilege, take a peep at what was ging on the captain's cabin. " bJ'li,'"^-'JT.'"'"'"°'^y^^« concluded and the company had all paid thejr respects and offered their congratulations to he happy couple (and indeed it was hard to tell which was the happiest couple there, for Peery Murpliy and his .vife were about as near the summit of bliss as the uew ., de THE IRISH GUiL IV AXIEIUCA. 59 they come to- Rouses themselves) when Paul Brannigan stood forward and addressed the priest in the following terms • "Please your reverence, Father Daly, "l want to make a bargain with old Mrs. Sheohan here while you and thr^od company is to the fore." ^°^^ Every one smiled, and the priest asked in a jocular way "U It going to make a match of it you are ■?" " 'Deed then, it isn't, your reverence; there's neither of us such a fool as that, askin' your reverence's pardon, bu I wan s'oTp •, T " •'"" "^'^ '' ''''' ^^^-^^-' ^--'t find he son Ph hp in America where she's goin' to look for him I'm myo^nSr'^'"^ 'io for her as if she'wa" Before any one could express the emotion that stirred every heart, he old woman turned sharply on the hunchback : "rsntit'«T'' ^"r "o^v,Paul!" she cried vehemently, rsn t It all nonsense for you to talk that way ? What would ail me but I'd find my son 1 Not but what Prn'onti^ y b, ^e' father D.aly had bM„ interrogating Paul by sisns the dwarf .av,„g drawn back a step or two behind Dolly, al.d he 1" h hand gent y on the old ,vo™an'a shonlder and Ued 1,0 wta certainty she had that her son was ahve " Wisha, then, what certainly w„W I J.ave, your reverence only that I know Ood would never be so cruel L to LTe "way :orkTr:rt.r' ""' "'"■ -" ' '--• »■ - -^"- -■- The priest shook his head with a melancholy smile " My dear woman, the ways of God are not our way, •■ he said in ^ solemn tone " God is never cruel, but He somelime eTds n, i^d trM-T!:.™:^ '■-T °«="'- J-' 'O try our faah 01 this world. earts fjom the things 60 BE83Y CONWAY ; OR, ri>«r SOB must die one day or another like all the rest of n.ank,„d and who knows but his turn has come bete „1° ■ wouirn.re rVii::-;".' r„dTh:°' r: r °' -"" hu:cr:k':irs„i:Lrac?:="';?o:°t r"'" n r not. still I m mllra- to stand to my word if you'll only act l.ke a sensible woman and make the best of the worst." "^ Dol,; IT''"^ *" ""^ '° >""" °" ""y <"■ 'he other," said Dlly snappishly; -.don't be botherin' me, I tell you o^t f^ all Hegh - a purty son you'd make !" and she looked so dis damful y at Paul that the little man could stand it no lorger " I'm "airl"""' ""'"'m'"' """"■ """" "o""'" ^^M »» tartly; " I do you poor little sprissatm of a creature !" cried Dollv n an elevated tone, "but I don't b'lieve one word of H lou'rejustsayin'ittospiteme!" " Out with it, man !" said the priest in a low Tolce, " you'll never have a better time," ' " To spite you !" repeated Paul, and he fixed his keen little eye, on her face; "ah then, it's little you know Paul Branni! ffan when you say that ! I'd give more money than HI ever ould moth-!r that he used to talk so much of •" " P.ut sure he mil come to meet me-^ome day-say he wiU dwarf by both arms and looked down into his face A sad misgiving smote her breast-perhaps for the first time. Jd 'T:lir!:!^..''"A '''™ «■=.-"-' •"" '"- was „„ AXTnri;^ *i, ij . "'^ """CI, uui mere W{ evndmg the old eyes that were searching hia very sou!. THE IRISH GIRL LV AMERICA. 61 last, he looked up into Dolly's face with a sort of desneration- li.8 whole frame shook with stronfj emotion dead-Ti!/;.'' ''''''' "°' ^"^' ''''' «^-«^-' ^--r son is For a moment there was not a word spoken-tho two still ^ ood lookmg ,nto each other's eyes, and the spectators .^e all, as It were, spell-hound. ^^ At last old Dolly spoke-in a whisper-'' Are you sure of '' An''voVt«n' ^'7^'"^'^ ' ^ ^''^ ^ ^'-^ «« sure of heaven !" ^^ An you tell me I have no son to go to V " Sorry I am to say it !" " And I'll never see Philip more '" restrtl' hl'f ''°''';" ''"' ^'^'^^ ^'^^^' "^^^'"^ ^» ^ITort to restra n Ins tears, and taking the old woman's hand tenderly but m heaven you'll see him, I hope, for all eternity." '' a dr a v'haT; T' •"'""''' ' '^^^ '' " ' --«^-ed Dolly in see ■• Slo .?"' '''^' "^"' then, //,„„. „, ,,„^ ^.^ see ! She turned towards the door without either a si^l or a will some one let mo out v Tho ,i^^ ■^ — ..- out appa.„«. ;„: ha j::a^;?:LTr.:n:t:r- 62 BESSY COXWAY; OR, CHAPTER V. Six or ,.lght weeks had passed away since the Oarritk landed ho- passengers on the quay of New York. Of the hun- dreds who ;.ad crossed the groat nea within her " wooden walls" very fr v remained together. Scattered abroad over the face of the country they were lost sight of amid the surgin- waves of the population. Mrs. Walters was spending the winler with a fnend m New fork, whose house was located in the then fashionable Seventh Ward, somewhere r bout Madison street The captain was. of course, gone back with the Garrick, and Jios.sy 8 duties, light in themselves, were madf> lighter still by the gentleness an ' goodness of her mistress. Tho lady of the house was a widow in good circumgtancos, with a Lirge Aam.ly, and there were three girls to do the work besides liessy. There was also i colored mrn-servant who acted iz. the capacity of coachman, a groom v/as wholly nnn- .-essary, a, Mrs Hibbard's horses boarded out, and L r carriage, too, was kept at the Livery Sta -. AV .gether seemed a pleisant house to live m, and Bes.y fancied she was going to And her- self very comfortable and very much at home. Her comrade- g.rls as she called them, .ei.omed her ^, idly, and o.eered her heart with the assurance that they were all Iri.h and err- so glad to see "her. Only a few blocks from where Be-v lived a litti. wav ut> m Catherine street, there was a smau oo ore kept by" . ,o Michael Doolev, who had some five o ix .ds coustantiy at work m a httle room behind the store. Amongst these migfar THE IRldH OIRI. rx AMERICA es be seen our friond, Paul Brannigan, plying the awl from morn ti 1 lught and aft.r night, too. for it was the di.ll dark month of November. But Paul never tired of his work, and manv a lught he rouiamed at it after hours when n,o.t of the others had gone home. What was the thought that made Paul's work «<> hght to h.m, and kept him cheerful and conter.tod and full of fmi.as ho .at hour after hour in that dark little shop ? It JDoIly Shoehan and providing a shelter for ho r helpless a^o. They had a httle room to tliemselves in a tenement-house in Ohver street hard by. and the old woman.was doing her best to keep Paul from feeling the w..t of a younger and moro TZ ^"'i^^^^'^P^^- E^«r «in«e «^e recovered from the first dreadful shock she seemed to attach herself wholly to Paul as the on person who had known Philip, and could speak to ner of him. It was strange, however, that she never inquired as to the particula.^ of his death. She would talk of him for ir"! 1 f '1?'^'^ '"^^ ^'^^^"' '^''^'^^S ^^^^y circumstance co,u,octedHMthh,searlydays.anddwellingwithamother'sfond- nea. on all h,. good qualities. Then she would ask Paul to toll hor h , • Pailip looked, what clothes he used to wear, and all sucl: am-mte narticulars concerning him, that the hiuchback wa. sometr puz.lud how to answer her. Yet with all this she never once ,ut •> question relating to his death. She saw- that Paul avoided tha part of the subject, and so did she. too InT^. ^ IT ""^ *''^* ^g'-^^nient. it was never alluded to in any Hay. This was a great relief to Paul's mind, for he Im-I an Idea that if tho old worn; . icnew how her son di. \ wUhn l"'"'t'uV''' ^'^'^ '' ''"•• ^''"^y^ ^'^^ he said ^.Unn himsolf: « Now. in case si did question m. about it and wouldn't be satisfied un..s I told he, how on earth could I bnng myself to do iti how could I tell her that her one son tl^ pulse 01 her heart, perished in the flames v .en th^ boa he was ,va,ter '.n was burned uu the B^, Lakes 1 Now, ^^"> ''-'-' ^'''" ""HK you coH&Z toil ht that? No, 64 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, me«d, nor the deuce a word of it. jv, bad enough a« It « take t better from him ",an from me or anybody el.o." Father Daly was Ma^ a,, for the present at the house of a CO le«o fnend ,vho wa.s pastor of one of the city churches ZZ^J'T'^lV '"■'"'''^'" ^'^"'"'"^"'^ immediately after his arrual the prelate was much prepossessed in his favor and pro- mjsed to pln.-e him in the first vacancy that olTered. I e took a hvely m teres tin the affu'rs of the acquaintances he had n de on board the Garrick, but the dwarf and old Dolly were the «pocml objects of his charitable solicitude. The hoTo c delr Hon w.th which Paul attached hiraself to the lone d w Z" whom he had. as it were, adopted as a mother, could not"!^ msp.re so good a priest vith sentiments of respect for the httle man. Accordingly he did hold him in high estee„rand took p, , j„ ^^^^.^^ ^.^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ crusty shell of re;erve wluch^often grows over such natures undo. tlL keen sense oT Peery Murphy and hfs two sons after sundry disappoint- men 3 and delays were at length all employed in one way or Z^lCf T' ''' ^°' ' "''"^«^" - housemaid ia'r. spectable famdy somewhere in Houston street. Mary's looks were much in her favor, and there was a certain a r of snar^ ness about her and also of neatness that made her a very pro nusmg servant. And the little damsel seemed fully awTreo her personal advantages, judging by the self-sufflcLt 1^ tha wag^generally seen on her pretty face. There was onlv another girl in the house where .Mary lived, a staireldei^J person who acted as cook and laundress. She was an Ameri^ Protes nnt moreover, yet a very good girl in her way a k1 dis pased to do her duty as far as she knew it. Rebecca or vn, y ? r" '".'1 ^'"''^"^ ''^^'^' *°«^ q"^t« «» interest in tho young Irish g,rl "just come out," and seeing that she was THK IRISn OIRL IX AMFRICA. 65 naturally smait and intolligont, had groat hopes of her doinir well. * Ally Murpliy-we bog her pardon— Mistress Finifian, was a*. yet staying witli her niotlior, until such tinio as Ned could hoo his way before him and decide on what he was going to d(» Ned was well dispose.l (., take the world easy, and would rather live on his money awhile waiting for " something to turn up,-' than go seek employment where he might possibly have harder work than he cared to undertake. Ho had already luinted up a number of people from his own place, and It was his pleasure to saunter around from one house to another asking advice from this one and that one regarding the best way to invest his money. Amongst other plac s he frequented Paul Brannigan's room, and often dropped in of an evening " to have a chat." One evening about the middle of November he mounted as usual the three pairs of stairs leading to Paul's habitation, and nodding pleasantly to Paul and the old woman took his accus- tomed seat near the stove, and stretching his legs to their full length and thrusting his hands to the very bottom of his breeches-pockets, turned to Paul who had laid down on his entrance a well-worn copy of Cobbetfs Reformation. " Well, Paul!" said Ned in his cheerful way, " I b'liove I'll bo makin' a start one of these days." " How is that 1" " Well ! I'm gom' to commence business." " Ay T and what business ?" " I was thinkin' of the liquor business. They tell me there's nothmg like it here for makin' money, if a man has only enough to start it." " An' have you enough to start it 1" MVhy, it doesn't take much to do that, by all accounts " said Ned with an easy contented iaufili. « if yoa have only a matter of twenty dollars or so yo, can go to a Mr. Mcli;ry loat s m great business here~a fine Irishman they sa- he is— ^ ■"''U "^i. 66 BE3SY CONWAY; OR and jist tell hh„ what you want and pay him as far as vonr mpty ones to fill up the shelves, and there you have a beau tiful hquor store. Now i^n'f t>,„f *i , "avu u uoau- heard Pa„l ? t* "''' ^'^^^^^^ ""ng ever you you'd find il T ";''' r'^ '^ " ^°"^" ^^y ^" ^••^^-"d beLe you d find a man to do that much for you !" 'I'd be a long day anywhere," said Paul curtlv "for th« reason that I wouldn't trouble any man to do it" "^^ xou wouldn't? and why so^" ''Because it's a business I'd have nothing to do with I'd rather go and broak stones." ^i^uo^iin. id Ned laughed good-humoredly. "ira» hat ha! T'm f i • i,- . ilo ! ho ! ho ! d'ye hear that, Mrs. Sheehan i T)n^.^'f fi,- man boat the world for ^ah i Avi,.. a ,.^^ ' »«esn't this '•Wisha thnn M-T^^. . ^^^^^d^y"" think of it, ma'am?" Yvisna, then, Mister F n iran " sniri nM n^n J low bench bv fi,« of V ' " ^°"y ^^^0 sat on a ow Dench by the stove knitting a stocking " wisha tl-on lear knows it's a business I have neither lov; nor'lkin ^ triX rrrlr'^ " ' "'^ "^"^ "^-^'^^"^ to L yl^e- rt I would " "' '°" '' ^"^"^^"^ ^^«^- ^^-' I -^yn't - what we say to you Ned i" 1,« nci, i loudont heed " W,.T1 r ,-f ] !' ^'^^^'^ ^'^^y earnestly, carols V tT ""f ^ "'^^ ^*">' -- -^«." --vered Ned U at' tife' stlr« V; "'^ ''''' '"''^'^ "P ^"•- "^'"^^ about »t. an the store is taken, an' I was down this moi-nia' w'th THE IRI.S7I GTRl, I\ AMKUICA. 67 Mister McRory, God bless him ! an' lie's ffoin' to sond up the «tock to-morro# or next day/' and Ned raised his head still higher on the strength of the stock that was to be his, and looked esultingly from one to the other. " If that's the case," said Paul, " I may as well hold my tongue, but still as you asked my opinion at the start, I'll give it to you now. I told you before that money made by sellin' liquor never wears well and sure that's no wonder, any- how " ^ "An' why woM/rfn'f it Avear well?" demanded Ned, a littlo ruffled or so at Paul's utter indifference to his new-blo\v7) honors, " why ivoiildn't it wear as well as any other 1" " Because there's a curse on it " " A curse! what curse 1" said Ned starting to his fe«t. "The curse of sin," returned the dwarf also rising, and look- ing up into Nod's face with the energy that marked his cha- racter; "what's the cause of the misery and the wickedness we see around US'? Isn't it drunkenness, Ned, an' nothin- else? When you see a naked, starved-lookin' creature of a man comin' in to take his glass, don't you know very well that the money he throws down on your counter has the curse of a heart-broken wife on it, an' that a whole family may be shi- verin' with cold an' perishin' with hunger while that beast of a man is gettin' drunk on your stock, as you call it? Ah! l-:iat's the stock that brings down the wrath of God on them •hat sell it an' them that buy i^-now, Ned, you're a God- fearin' man— I know that myself— an' so is your wife, too " " Another God-fearin' man," said Ned with a forced laugh. "No matter, you know what I mean— well! I'm sure you'll not be long at the business till you find out that poor Paul Brannigan wasn't so far wrong after all. There's neither of you but 'ill find it hard work to be humorin' drunken men an' waitin' on them at all hours, an' listenin' o their oaths and curses an' bad discourse of every kind " Old Dollv had dronn«»f1 har I-nUf;*,,. «.,j „.* „-;*%. » f s «8 i BES9i- CONWAY; OK, eyes open listening entran.ed ta Pauls scnilnn^ .rord.. h^e and anon «he no«,.seIIor of > ou Paul, he sa.d with well-feigned good humor ; " o«!v for the hump you'd have made a tarnatio. fi„e priest, but if' yon had got learmn for a counsellor now, I'm tlnnkin" Dan bin.self what b o ; ;' ' T"''^ ^" -^""- ^"' ' "^« ^-«^"'- -^'-"b- what brought me here. Did you see or hear anything of Her bert since ho came to New York 1" " Not much, he was into the store where I was once or twice and the last time he said he was gain' to Boston to a„ unci.' ot his that's very rich there." " How long is that ago V " Well ! it's about a month or live M-eeks " ''Humph! I'm thinkin' he hasn't left New York-if he's a hvin' man I seen hiu. last night." " You don't say so, Ned V "But I do! Ally an' her mother an' myself were con.in' along down the Bowery from Houston street where wo were up seein' Mary, an' just as we got to the corner of Prince^ street (I thmk it was), who should step out to ns but Herbert and he passed mo as close as what you are now." " Had he any one with him V *h 'T'l^T?; '"f '""^ ''' ^'^^ ^ ^"^ *^" gentleman dressed like the lord of the land, an', my dears ! you'd think the two were hand an glove together, for they were talkin' like fifty an' s.» much taken up with their own discoorse that Ilerben' never " What kind of a place did he come out of 1" THE IRISH GIRL INT AMERICA. 69 " Well ! the sorra one of me knows— there was nothing in it that I could see but tables and chairs and them big screens they have in public houses here." " Humph ! a saloon, I suppose," said Paul thoughtfully. " Well ! well ? let him go, as long as he keeps out of our way, let him ' follow his old vagary still.' You don't think he has found Bessy cut— do you ?" " Well ! indeed, that's more than I can tell you, for Bessy and I are not the best of friends, and I don't go next or near her." Paul said no more on the subject, and Ned soon after went away, tramp, tramp, down the three pairs of stairs, whistling " The Dusty Miller." That same evening Bessy Conway was called to the hall-door to see a gentleman. "A gentleman! my goodness? what gentleman wants to see me r' As Bessy left the room flurried and excited she caught Mrs. Walters' significant glance, and scarce knowing what she did she turned back. " I'm sure it's Um, Mrs. Walters ! Im sure it is. What in the world will I do 1" " I will tell you that," said her mistress who really pitied her distress; "if you wish to put an end to all this, suffer me to go in your stead. I will dismiss him sooner than yon could." "Oh! ma'am dear, if you'll only do that!" cried Bessy clasping her hands, " it'll be the best thing you ever done for mo !*' Down stairs tripped Mrs. Walters, and in the hall she found Henry Herbert looking as dark as possible. " Mr. Herbert," said the lady, after returning his haughty bow, " was it my servant you wished to see— if so, >ou should have applied at the basement door." " Madam!" said Herbert with an angry flush on his chsek, •^ not accustomed to apply at basement doors." ._ — J „... ..... .^.._.^ J, j.„„ narc uusiiic—, wicn a./ oi tne ttr 10 BESSY CONWAY; OR, servants it is there you must see them, not here But now that you are here, Mr. Herbert, allow me to ask wh" take but as I have ma.nly induced the girl to leave her pa- reglrd """ " "'"'' '""' '' ^^^^P^^ ^^^'^ ^''^^ - '-• "Oh! of course, of course!" said Herbert, with some em- barrassment, " that is understood, but still I ckn hardlvr.coT n.e your nght to question ... I do not intend to l^un T;; with Bessy-is that a satisfactory answer r ' ^ "No, Mr. Herbert!" replied Mrs. Walters very nravely "if Conwav t •"'"';"' ' ^'''' ^^" "^ -^ersta'd'that Ls^' Conway, bemg under my protection, must not be exno^l t'o uncharitable remarks. You know what I mean '" stand that I am free to go where I please and yhhtrho I please >' I am then reduced to the necessity of forbiddina yon thh bouse," said Mrs. Walters with more determination' tha^ o': would expect from her usually gentle manner,- "I shall give orders at once to that effect." ^ " In that case, madam," said Herbert going to the door " I must only try to see Bessy by other means-that is, if I Lv' to see her. Good evening, Mrs. Walters '" " Mr. Herbert!" said the lady moving a step or two nearer h.m, "you are, then, bent on justifying all the evil tl,h " heard said of you ?" ^ aiarra. What did you hear, then ?" myself I hoped and do still ho;>o better things of von Mr Herbert-see that you do not deceive my ex,>o;tation; - Herbert eagerly approached her, his whole face lit un with wnat you heard of me V THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 71 " t hare told you so," said Mrs. Walters much snrpriHod by his sudden change of manner. " Then, upon my word and honor, madam, your good opinion shall not be thrown away. It is something to know that one pure, and good, and generous as you still entertains hopes of me. Adieu, Mrs. Walters!" and taking her hand he bowed respectfully over it. " Your charity makes me think better of mankind, and it may be that you have saved me from ruin. Be so good as to tell Bessy that I will not forget her, but that I will trouble her no more till— till— oh ! I cannot say when !" lie opened the door very quickly and was gone before Mrs. Walters had recovered sufficiently from her surprise to attempt an answer. Slowly she retraced her way up stairs, thinking of what she should say to Bessy, and wondering whether Herbert would keep liis word. " Was it Mr. Herbert, ma'am i" said Bessy timidly, after waiting a little to see if her mistress would give the informa- tion voluntarily. " It was, Bessy," Mrs. Walters replied, " but I trust we have seen the last of him. I gave him to understand very jdpinly that as you cannot receive his visits without impropriety, he cannot be allowed to continue them." " And what did he say, ma'am 1" "Oh J he said what I took for a promise that he would ti'ouble you no more." Mrs. Walters was much relieved when Bessy clasped her hands and fervently thanked God. " And I'm thankful to you, too, Mrs. Walters," she added with unmistakeable sincerity, her eyes full of tears, " I'm thankful for the trouble yon have taken— you don't know how glad I am !" A little while after Bessy descended to the kitchen and was surprised to find all thery \n an uproar. Cook, housemaid, and liurse, were talking at uUt! U)p of their voice, while Wash, the colored man, sat grin nKn;.', ;l a corner enjoying the fun. V2 BE3SY CONWAY ; OR, for She was instantly appealed to by Sally, the houaomald, wno was dressed for going out. " Now, Bessy, a'nt this too bad 1— a'ntit?" " I say it's mean"— criod the cook much excited. " That is it?" slipped in Bessy. " Why, only think !"— exclaimed Sally, with a very emphatic gesture, " hero am I dressed to go out, and Mrs. Hibbard sends down word that I can't go this evening." " And her evening out !" put in the nurse. " And her beau coming to take her to a dance !" shU cook. "Guess Jim won't like it," said darkey maliciously- "shouldn't wonder if he took another gal for spite." " Ho a'nt going to have the chance," said Sally, drawing on her light kid glove with a very determined air; " I'll go'^if I lose my place for it. I a'nt so green that folks cars treat mo so," and she shook out the folds of her plaid silk dress as though it were a flag of defiance. " A nice thing indeed to be told that you can't go out, when you've had the trouble of dressing." But, dear me !" said Bessy, when she could get in a word, " why didn't you ask leave to go out before you dressed ?" "Ask leave indeed!" repeated Sally with a disdainful toss of her head ; " I tell you it's my evening out, and if Mrs. Hib- bard expects company, Ellen can do what is to be done." Ellen was silent but Bessy spoke. " Why, how can Ellen bo down stairs, Sally? don't you knoN> Miss Lizzy is very sick, and the poor child doesn't like to bo leftalonel" " Well ! it a'nt any matter about that, I'm going out if Jim comes !" " I would, if I was you !" said cook. " I'd let them .seo that I'd have my rights !" " Sartin !" chimed in Wash with his broad grin ; " I go in for having one's rights ! This is a free country !" While Bessy was examining with curious eyes the various THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 78 Row-gaws which went to make up Sally's flaunting attire, a knock came to the basement door, and the parlor bell rang 'at the same moment. Wash hastening to the door ushered into the kitchen a strapping young man with a huge black moustadio, who proved to be the identical Jim for whom Sally was waiUng. Whilst greetings were exchanged all round, the bell rang again and great excitement followed. " There now ! who is to answer the bell 1" said cook. " Why, Ellen, who else V said Sally. " Well, but, what will I say if she asks why you didn't cornel" said Ellen to Sally. Before Sally could answer Mrs. Hibbard's voice was heard on the basement stairs. " Are you all asleep here, or what is the matter ?" She came to the kitchen-door and looked in. " Why, Ellen, I thought you were in the nursery. That poor sick child ought not to be left alone." Ellen disappeared. "But, Sally!" said Mrs. 3ibbard, "you are not going out, are you, after the message I sent you "" Wliatever Sally might have done at another time, she cer- tainly would not give in before Jim. " I guess I am, Mrs. Hibbard!" she said with unblushing confidence, "it's my' even- ing out, you know!'' " Yes, but I want you in th#» house !" " I can't help tliat, Mrs. HiLoard ! you might have told me before." " I thought it unnecessaty to tell you to stay in this evening for I thought you knew that I expected company. Ellen hav"- ing the children to see to cannot wait on the door, or the com- pany either, and Bridget has her own work to do in the kitchen." " Well, Mrs. Hibbard ! it a'nt any use talking— my brother has come after me and go I must. Come along, Jim ! I guosa mother will be most frozen waiting for us." 74 BESSY CONWAY ; OR. Jim looked at Wash and stroked down his black moustache and Wash put his finger to his flat noso with sly meanlnrr "Very Avell, Sally!" said Mrs. Hibbard as she left the kitchen, " you need not return here to-night. Come to-mor- row for your things, and I will pay yoxx-what I owe yoxC^ There was a meaning in the last words that Sally alone under- stood. Mrs. Hibbard did not owe her one cent. Ifcr last month's wages hung on the back of her head in the shape oi a stylish bonnet. Still she would have " the bully word." "You needn't a told me to leave, Mrs. Hibbard," she .said sailing out of the kitchen with Jim in tow; " it a'nt hard to get a better place than yours !" Mrs. Hibbard walked up stairs after telling Bessy that she would ask Mrs. Walters to allow her to take Sally's place that evening. " By Gosh !" said Wash, shaking his woolly head very gravolv " by Gosh ! I tink Sally's a knocking her head agin de wall dis time ! — hu ! hu I hu !" Bessy had been a silent and curious witness of this scene She looked and listened like one in a dream. When the kitchen was again quiet, she said in an absent way as if fol- lowing the train of her own thoughts : " My goodness ! isn't Sally the^queor girl all out ?" 'I What do you say that for 1" demanded cook sharply. "Why, sure no one in their senses would go on that way What right had she to go out when her mistress wanted her hi the house 1" "What n-ght had she?" exclaimed Bridget placing her arms a-kimbo ; " why. she had every right l-didn't you hear that It was her evening to go out 1" " To be sure I heard it," Bessy replied very gently, " but what of that ? Couldn't she stay at home for this one evonin^r 1 Maybe she'd be better off if she staid in every evening " " " That's nothing," said Bridget, » a bargain's a bargain, aud THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA, 16 I guess I'd havo told Mrs. IliL rd her own if I was in Sally's place. / wouldn't have let her off so easy ! Company indeed ! it's bothered we are with her old company !" "Well, Bridget! after that," began Bessy, but the door- bell rang at the moment, and she ran up stairs to answer it, saying to herself as she hurried along the hall : "Are they lot<'u' their senses, or what's the matter with them at all V Next day towards evening when Sally came for her clothes she appeared a differe,,u person altogether. It was a dreary, drizzling day, and she looked cold and miserable. Havinfr sot her things together she brought them down to the kitnhen, and, drawing a chair in front of the bright cheerful fire, com- menced a whispered colloquy with Bridget, who sat picking feathers near the range. " What on earth am I to do," said Sally, " I haven't got but fifty cents in the world, and I must give that to the man in the office !" " A'nt there anything coming to you here V " Not a red cent. Do you think you could lend me a dollar or two till such times as I get a place 1" " I wish to God I could, Sally, but you know I sent home all I could scrape together last week." " Lord bless me ! what will I do, at all 1 Do you think Mrs. Hibbard would take me back 1" " I'm sure I don't know. You might try her, anyhow." A bright thought struck Sally, and up stairs she went, on and on till she came to Mrs. Walters' room, where she knocked at tho door, and was admitted by Bessy, who looked at her with surprise. " Dear me! what is she about 1" thought Bessy, as she cast her eyes compassionately over her draggled apparel. The object of Sally's visit was to solicit Mrs. Walters' inter- cession with her justly-ofTended mistress. " Well, really, Sally !" said Mrs. Walters very gravely, " I 76 BESSV CONWAY ; OR, can hardly make up my mfnd to do it. I am sorry for you- very Borry indeed-but from what Mrs. Hibbard told mo I think you were very much to blame. You had a good place of It here, and you have lost it by your own fault. What dependence could Mrs. Hibbard ever place in you after your conduct of last night V " Well, ma'am," said Sally with a very humble, penitent air • if Mrs. Hibbard will only forgive me this once, I will promise never to do so again. Won't you ask her, Mrs. Walters 1 I'U just tell you the truth, ma'am! I han't got any money to pay my board." " You should have thought of that in time," said Mrs. Wal- ters, but her kind heart was touched, and she told Sally to go down stairs and wait. She would go and speak to Mrs. Hib- bard and see what could be done. Depending on Sally's pro- mises, her mistress took her back at Mrs. Walter's request to give her another trial. Bessy saw and I ard all this, and she laid i. up in her heart as a useful lessor,'. ^1 m t% VF. IRISH GIRL i.M AMERICA. It CHAPTER VI. For a Bhort time all went on well in Mrs. llibbard's house- hold, and Sally was over so attentive to her duties. She had received a ci hint from her mistress that brothers with black moustaches wmo not at all donirable about the kitchen. " You have sumciont opportunity to see your friends, both male and female, having Thursday evening to yourself, and also every second Sunday afternoon— let that suffice, for I really canno't allow you to .see your company in my kitchen." Sulky and silent Sally flounced out of the room, but when she got to the lower regions she made ample amends for the temporary restraint she had imposed upon herself. " Well there!" said she in a towering passion, flinging down her dustpan and brush on the table where Bridget was prepar- ing something for the oven, " well there ! if that a'nt the mean- est thing !'• " What place is that for your dustpan and brusn 1" cried Bridget, and she in her turn flung them on the floor. " I don't care a snap," went on SaP , " I say I won't put up with it!'- "Dear me, Sally, what's the matter 1" said Bessy, who chanced to be present. " What's wrong with you now f" said Bridget. " Why, she's just after telling me we can't hava folks come to see us here any more— especially ' male relaiiotis,' " and sLe mlraicked Mis. Hlbbard's voice to such perfection that MICROCOPY RESOiUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO FEST CHART No. 2) 1m 1^ l£ HntSBBJ 1^ i^ Ih US us 1^ i& u „ WUU 12.5 2.0 ^ APPLIED IINA^GE inc 1653 Eost Main Street Rochester, New York 14609 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288- 5989 - Fax 18 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, Bridget laughed heartily. " She says we can see them when we go out. No thanks to her for that ! I toll you I'm real mad!" " That's all along of your carrying on !" said Bridget angrily, " it was your sa'ce that did it, and now other folks must sufFer for your doings ! Well ! I an't a-going to tell wiy beau any such a thing. Let her tell him herself if she has a mind to, and I shan't stay another hour in her house after it. I an't a green- horn to let folks walk right over me. I know my riglita, and I'll have them, too, and if she says one word to Tom next time he comes, won't she catch it 1" Bridget was just as angry as Sally, and both talking at the top of their voice it was a perfect confusion of tongues. One thing, however, was sufficiently plain to Bessy, namely, that the knight of the black moustache was no brother of Sally's. As soon as she could edge in a word she ventured to say, " Why, I thought that was your brother that came for you the other night " " Brother, indeed !" said both in a breath, "just as if folks minded brothers !" " But why did you tell Mrs. Hibbard he was, Sally ?" " Shut up !" cried Sally, " it an't any business of yours ',— what does a greenhorn like you know ?" Bessy, of course, gave in that she knew nothing, and was right glad to escape to her own part of the house. Mrs. Walters saw that she looked flurried and asked what was the matter. " Not Mr. Herbert again, I hope 1" " Lord bless me, no, ma'am ! — its only the girls below that I may say hunted me out of the kitchen just for one word I said, and I'm sure I had no harm in it either!" Mrs. Walter smiled. " Oh ! if that be all, Bessy, I am well content You will soon learn to hold your own with them." "Well! I don't know, ma'am," said Bessy with a puzzled air, "Fmafeard that's what I'll never do."'"' She was thinking THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 19 of another day wlien she had taken a strong pair of boots of her mistress down stairs to polish, when Bridget and Sally both fell upon her. One asked what business she had cleaning boots in her kitchen, and the other took her to task for doing them at all, telling her it was the likes of her that spoiled ladies, doing what they had no right to do. Couldn't she leave them for Washl Yes, but her mistress was going out and wanted the boots and Wash was not in. No matter, she must not attempt to come there again to clean boots, if she wanted 60 bad to make herself busy and do dirty work, she might do it up stairs in her own place — that was all. With this fresh in her mind Bessy answered her mistress in a very desponding tone, but still she could not bring herself to tell matters in their worst light. Sunday came round at last, and somehow Bossy thought the week had been long, long in passing. She had asked Mrs, Wal- ters over night what hour would be most convenient for her to go to Mass, and agreeable to her instructions, went to eight o'clock Ma^s in St. .James's Church. On her return she found a storm raging down stairs. Bridget was alarmingly hurried trying to got the breakfast and scolding might and main because Sally wasn't in to help her. "What's the matter, Bridget!" inqiiired Bessy with her sweetest smile. " Oh ! it's easy for you to say that," snapped Bridget, " it's well for you folks that can get out when you ploaso, here's myself working like a nigger to get breakfast for you all, and Mrs. Hibbard is angry because it an't in sooner." " Wliat Mass did you go to 1" said Bessy, naturally suppos- ing that she had got in too late. " Mass indeed ! how would / get to Maps ! don't you think I've enough to do to see to the breakfast. Half-past eight soon comes these short mornings." " But my goodness! why didn't you get up and go to six o'clock Massl" said Bessy in utter amazement; "you'd have 80 BESSY CONWAY; OR, been back at eeven, and have plenty of time to do your work." ' " Nonsense ! child, don't be talking like a fool ! How could /be getting up of a morning like this In time to go out at six 'i I te you it a'nt possible for anybody in this kitchen to get out at all to Mass !" ^ _ "But didn't I hear you s.tying before now that there's Mass in bt. Mary's Church in Grand street at nine o'clock V " I guess there is." '' Couldn't you try, then, and go to that 1 when breakfast is at half-past eight, I'm sure you could." Bridgot. driven to extremity, turned sharp round at last. Will you not be botherin' me, EeRsy Conway ? Mind your own business, and maybe you'll fird it enough! God doesn't expect impossibilities !" ^ " Oh ! I know that well, glory be to His name !" said Bessy 'but It's not an impossibility for you to hear Mass~I think It's your own lault if you don't!" This made Bridget furious. " I vow to God I'll scaM you " she almost shrieked ; " if you're wise you'll get out of my way » do you think I have nothing elso to do but listen to yoTir chat?" ^ " Well ! well ! Bridget, I'll say no more," said Bessy mildly " I suppose Sally is out ?" ' " I guess she's gone to St. Mary's," said Bridget, a little molliflod by Bessy's gentleness ; " she went out just before i/ou came in." " Why, she'll be too late even for nine, then?" " That's her own business," retorted Bridget, "not yours or mme. There! if I wasn't near scalding myself badly- now just get along up stairs, will you 1 .That's all your doinafi i" This new version of the wolf and the lamb of course sent^Bessy up stairs withe at further delay, and she vowed thit it would be a long day before she undertook to admonish Bridget again. She could not help reasoning with herself on what was THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 81 to her so passing strange. " Now," thought she, " isn't it curious 1 For tho little I've seen of Bridget, I really think she's au honest, decent giil, for all her bad temper, and then see how she sends so much of her earnings home to her mother, still she thinks nothing of losing Mass on a Sunday ! Well ! God help her ! more's the pity !" It appealed iect l.oin- an exciting ono they had Krown quite liot upon it, Brid-.^t, of course, having the host of the argument as far as talk wont. Wash Mas not slow in appealing to Bessy m oxw who oii<.ht t/* know. The point under discunsion was whetJior people did not pay to go to confession, or a.s Wash i.hrasod it " to cr,-t whitewashed." "Why nonsense, Wash," said Bossy very soiioiLsly, "what puta the hko of that in your head ?" "By Qosh, it's true enough," said the nigger with a grave shako of the head, " didn't I near Rose Hagcrty ask Missis f<,r money to go to confession." " Now, Bessy, how can wo stand tliat]" said Bridget uitJi a wrathful look at Wash. " There's a story for you !" ^ "Guess, / didn't make it," returned the nigger, "Rose know what she wils about well as most people, and I hear lier say dat ever so often just wat I tell you. 'Sposo the prie.st don't charge much for lying or stealing." This home-thrust made Bridget wince. " You black devil " she said with rising choler, " you don't mean to say any one here does one or tho other 1" "Can't say, Bridget," returned Wash with provoking cool- ness; "it an't far from stealing to throw good bread in the dirt-box and butter in the grease-pot. Den for lies— gosh !" and he chuckled to himself at the thought, " golly ! I hear aa many told in dis kitchen as would fill a barrel ! " Bridget was speechless with anger, but Bessy assured the old man that no one ever paid anything for going to confes- sion, adding that those who were capable of making such an assertion seldom troubled a priest at all. "If they went to confession regularly," said she, "as they ought to do. Wash ! you'd never see them wasteful or extrava- gant about other people's things, or makin' free in any way with what didn't belong to them— no, nor you'd never hear THE IRIsri GIRL IV AMERICA. 89 them sp.akin' anything but tho truth, or askiu' for money to go to confession." Bessy waited for no moro but hurri.Ml off up .stairs vrxod J^^th lu^rsolf for bavins dolaye.l so long. At th. «a.no moment Mrs. Il.bbanl mado hor app.aranc.. from tho dininjr-room, Tt ;T,.;" "!7\^'""^'<=-'^» '">">^o«. was on tJ.o l,as,Mn..nt floor. Well ! Haid «he, '. I have j„st heard what passed Inne on ho subject of confession, and from my experience I sbould say Bossy js r„bt. Those .iris of whom you spoke. Wasb. ^■ nro about I.e n.ost unj.rincipled that I over had in my house. I„ fact I had reason to know after.vards that on some of tb.-se occasions when they asked money for going to confession on Saturday afternoon, it was t ^ a dance-houso or low tavern they went for an oveninnr's amusem. nt. Whero is Sally i" Wash lo.dced at Bridget and Bridget looked at Wash. Thov would havo been in a sad quandary as fo what they should say, ( eanng Sally's vengeance in case they told tho trutl, ) when luck, y for them she appeared to answer for herself. Whore have you been, Sally?" " Up with Ellen in tho nursery, ma'am " ofZr""''' ^'''" '''^' "' '''^'^''' though you had been out "It's a bad cold I havo, Mra. Ilibbard." "You should take something for it-some hot gru^l goin^ bed." And the lady returned to the dining-room where tl,: lamily were assembling for supper. "Ilotgruel-ahem!" and Sally coughed affectedly, where- upon Bndget was seized with a fit of laughing. To mark her apprec,at.on of the joke she gave Sally a thump on the back Wash was gomg to remonstrate, but received peremptory orders to shut up," and did so accordingly as in duty bound 90 BESSY CONWAY ; OR CHAPTER VII. Paul Brannioan was in no hurry, it would seem, to avail himself of Ned Finigan's invitation to call and see " the mis- tress,'» for five, six, eight weeks had passed away since The Castle Inn hy E. Finigan was first descried in yellow letters on a blue swinging sign in a street not far from Prince street, and yet Paul had never once crossed the threshold. Whether it was on this account, or from the pressure of business attend- ing a dashing " opening." Ned's visits to the tenement house in Oliver street were discontinued, and so it was that Paul and he had not seen each other for the space of time mentioned. One cold frosty evening towards the end of January, Ned was standing behind the counter dealirg out a something which he called brandy to ihvQQ men whose begrimed faces" indicated craftsmen, most probably workers in iron. These were taking " a standing dram" and as yet they were sober, but from the room adjoining the shop came sounds which indicated that men were there who had taken more than " a standing dram." Paul Brannigan shuddered as the sounds from withFn smoto his ear and he shrank back in disgust from the fumes of whis- key and tobacco which filled the place, but lie wanted to speak with Ned and so made up his mind to wait awhile in hopes that "mine host" would be disengaged. Not sorry to perceive that his entrance was unnoticed by Ned, he quietly retired to a corner where a low bench ran along the wall, and there 09tflh1iaTio/1 'h;»v.ooi<' r^.^ i.^ ,- i. ■ . »,iii..D ^,. in^ua-utL ixti tuc pui].- jsu oi general ooserva- THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 91 tion. He soon found that Ned's brandy was working wonders on the men at the bar. The calm and rational way in which they had been talking very soon gave way to loiider tones and more excited gestures, together with a" certain in- coherence of sense which struck Paul forcibly. As their heads grew muddled their hearts grew softer; sundry expressions of good-will were exchanged, and hands were shook ever so often with wonderful cordiality. They waxed generous, too, and must needs treat the landlord, ay ! every one of thorn, for sure when one asked Ned to drink, another could be no worse, and, of course, Ned could refuse none without giving offence! So he took a small drop with each, just for good-fellowship, cracking jokes the while with a fullness cf good humor and pleasantry that won all hear s and went tc> .ablish his char- acter as " a real jolly fellow." Meanwhile others came in, some passing on into the room, some taking their stand at the counter. What with the influx of customers and the silver stream flowing therefrom into his drawer, and the various " treats" which he had been sharinfr, Ned was growing quite merry on it, and his big heart expanding in the warmth of the hour, he talked right and left with a superabundance of cordiality that would have been quite re- freshing had his entertainment been nowise connected with dollars and cents. Very soon Ally had to be sent for to lend a hand at the bar, and Paul could hardly believe his eyes when he saw her in the full glory of artificial flowers, and ribbons, and lace, looking as consequential as that " Woman of Three Cows" famed in Irish song. Still Mistress Finigan was not above her business, it would seem, with all her fine dress, for she went to work with right good will to serve the customers in waiting. Her quick eye was not slow in perceiving Paul, and her exclamation of friendly recognition made Ned aware of the hunchback's presence. " So you've come at laat," he said in a voice which somehow 92 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, sounded unfamiliar to Paul's ear; " well! it was most time, but no matter for that, I'm glad to see you here. Come over and have something to drink!" "I don't wish for anything at the present time," said Paul I thank you all the same, though." " Hut tut, man, the night's cold and raw, you'll be the better 01 a drop to warm you." J' Well, do you know, Ned, I never take liquor to warm me, fori have a notion it only makes one feel the cold more after- uarcis. 'I Well! honest man." said one of those at the counter, as he turned a curious look on Paul, " I'd be loath to say you were a fool, bat, upon my credit, you're not as wise as you look Here s to your good health and a better understanding to you >*' Im entirely obliged to you," answered Paul gravely*- they say evry fool thinks himself the wisest, and m^vbe /rrl foolish enough to be of the same notion " '' Ha ! ha ! Tommy!" said one of the other men with a good- natured lau^h, "I'm afeard you happened on an edged tool this time. Hurry up, now, and let us be off." th:co::ter.''^^- ''^^'^^'" ^'^^^ ^"^' ^''-'^^^^ ^-^ -- ShJ!f\!^"Y'1' r^^ "^^d^^''^' «^««e clays, Mrs. Finigau ! She s bothered entirely dreamin' of Philip " While Ned ^yas enlightening some of th^ men on the nature of the connection between Paul and Mrs. Sheehan. one who had not yet spoken turned his head quickly: "Philin-" he repeated, "Mrs. Sheehan !-who are they r. ^ ^ "Friends ff mine !" said the little «fan shortly, with a look that meant " what's that to you ?" nfll7'^i'' ^"* ^'""^ ^ '''''°" ^^'' ^'^'"^ ^^^ "^«y ^''" said the other, whose name was Cassidy ; " where is your Philip Sheehan "He's where God pleases," said Paul still in the same curt manner, and looking him full in the face. THE IRISH r:. .. IN AMERICA. 98 " Tell a fool that !" said Cassidy, " but I want to know is he living or dead 1" " He's dead, then ! will that please you V'- Cassidy smiled. " It will, but it'll please me better if you'll tell me something more about it." Paul was just coming out with another short answer but Ned interposed. " Don't mind Paul, Mr. Cassidy, he has a mighty droll way with him, and a body that didn't know him mi-ht thmk he was downright in earnest sometimes when he's only joking. I'll just tell you all I know myself in regard to Philip Sheehan." " I wouldn't satisfy him," put in Paul. Regardless of the interruption Ned went on to state what he had heard of Philip Sheehan and his tragical death, winding up with a glowing panegyric on Paul for his generous devotion to the old woman. As he proceeded in his brief narrative, Cassidy's face lighted up under the coat of coal-dust that made his origin very ques- tionable. When Ned told of Philip's occupation he nodded and said " Exactly," and again when he heard of his untimely death he smiled and rubbed his hands together as though he was delighted to hear it. His satisfaction was not shared bv Paul. ^ "Are you done now 1" he said with real or pretended anger when Ned came to a stop. " Did you say enough ? Anything yoM know might as well be on the market^cross, Ned Pinivcii " Well ! it isn't as like tJie castle as I'd wish," said Ned very much in earnest, as they returned into the house, "but you know it isn't to be expected that you'd get a castle painted here as you would at homo !_ha ! ha ! ha ! it's little they know of castles m America --still it makes a fine show, and the Tipperary boys are as proud of it as can be '" ;; Why, what castle is it 1" demanded Paul immediately. Well then, now Paul ! what castle woidd it be r ' Why, Dublin Castle, I suppose " -Dublin Castle !" cried Ned contemptuously, " a fi. for ?rstii". tr r' ".' ''.'" ""^ "^"^ '' •'-"«' - ■' ''^ ^^^z— know it r '' "' '"' ' ™'"*''^* ^"^' ^^"'' "°^ t- _" Well!" said Paul hard pushed for an excuse. " T snnpo«e Hs because Ardflnnan Castle now is, like myself, the worse for 5 98 BESS! CONWAY ; OR, the wear, and your castle is bran new-still I am proud to see it where it is, and that it may last as long as its namesake ! that's the worst I wish it." Paul emptied his glass with a most em- phatic gesture, looking into it with widely distended eyes as though the castle were daguerreotyped on the bottom. When himself and his new friend Cassidy were buttoned up ready to start, the little man suddenly remembered the object of his visit, and tapping Ned on the elbow he asked if he might have a word with him in private before he wont. Leaving Ally in charge of the bar, Ned took the hunchback into a email room communicating with the other by a door then closed. Having ascertained that it was so, Ned returned to Paul and having made him sit down asked what he wanted. Well, I don't want much," said Paul smiling very gra- ciously, " nothing but a little information. Did yo°u hear any* thing new about Herbert since I seen you 1" " Hush ! hush ! No, I didn t— did you V Ned spoke almost in a whisper, but Paul answered in his usual shrill tone, higher than usual Ned thought: "I did," said he, " I did, Ned ! I hear he's keepin' very low com- pany " " Bad cess to you, Paul ! can't you speak lower 1" "I can't," says Paul, raising his voice still higher as if for contradiction. " Attend to what I'm sayin' !" " But what is it to me what company Mister— ahem ! what company any one keeps 1" Paul was suddenly seized with a fit of deafness, " Anan V said he leaning forward, and putting his hand to the ear next to Ned. ^ " That I m'ayn't die in sin," said Ned in his natural voice, " if you're not the contrariest creature that ever man or mor- tal met ! You heard well enough what I said— so you did !" " Maybe I did, maybe I didn't !" "I'll tell you again, then, but mind you hear it this time, or— you may travel farther for news." So he repeated what THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 99 to the adjoining room, and before Paurhd "^"Z'"'^ wi.at ,,0 was abou, b^ck be cam: ,^ b ntry 22 ' l'*».°' arm; flinging the door after bim, Ned marcZ^ ^""' companion ,o the middle of the oom Z 1 J d b "■' were, right in front of Paul. '^ '' '""■ °' " "I want to know is that truel" qaid Wa,i i,-, ,. regarded each other with no ve^ t^ndl^p ?t"' •' t ^: Mr. Herbert, or Is it not?" J'spooi. i3 n true, " I can't say till I know what it is » .:nrs-°-"-----r4r;;°:ht;:: be" '^rn "'™''" ''"" "" " ""-""'atever else yo« mi„ht •■ ml T^ "'" """'"'• =■"" "" <"•«' "ack a stop Whatever else I m ght be'" ren.-,(.j .1 i , •lowly, "and what else do you tbini T „ " ''"""'"'ack tt A u , , ^ tnink I am, M ster Herhprf Q" Of it, for tbeTe w^rttt;:,: ^rti^ 7:'^ "" • ^^ '*" " Tt'c ,^«n , ^ "^^^ made him wince if that Jail thafs rjlrmTIn'IbrB-oJkr""" "" «"' -«> .iog cr ::r:z::f. f ;r ;:t' -^ ."" --• - '^^^^-i i^-- "^- inea lo laugh, 100 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, and '°^ ^*^- ^^- -^vantage o'f e !' ThereT V" I T''" '' "^"'^^ "^^ ^'^ ^<^^^'^ ^^ '•- d ess There ! if you hadn't your great filthy boot ri^ht on n.y n2 sdk dress !-dear ! how awkward some people are -'' a" d witl a ^0 her head which sot the flowers oL he'r bonnet a h^": merrily, on she swept towards the stairs ' " Paul stood looking after her with a comical look of wonder on - thm spare face, then turning to her sister ho sa d" "th ^r rr M::y ;'' "°^^' -^ '-'■ -- ^^ -" - ^-- ^^^ ' tie:;:^^hrrzM^t^:r-^^^^--^^^^^^^ bodv'^f i'"''i"''''" ^^^^ P^"^ J^olding up his hands, "no- body need wonder at anything ! A good evening to you Mrs iauy wiUnn-I suppose we must call her Miss Marv Mn,:. silence ^butTrr ^'"'^'^"'^'^-'''^"^'--^ ^-^e her exit in sullen srlence, but Ned heanng what had passed, laughed in his ..ood humored way as Paul shook hands with hhn across the ulr" ^^ You 11 make them all afraid of you, Paul !" "I say, Ned, does she dress in thnf fnci.ion r-p— -> 102 BE88Y COVWAY; OR, have * ftop to-nis,H and thnt's wl.at ,nad. her dress uu^^ W^S^a smoking-clui, that nioets hero two c.r.ings fn the ri. W' ' "" '' ""' ''«'^^' it's then, that's gettin. Jn?!/''"' I««;'-well! Mister CapiMy. I think we'll be going, It's w tar Mg late." CasHidy would just as soon not have eone, for ho and his cmnparuons felt themselves very corufortablo ju.st then over I frosh 'round" of punch, and ho was loath to cxchan-^e tho .snnjr bar-room for tho cold bioak streets anl tho wintr^ blast t^iat was making tho doors and windows quiver, and bullntin^. ArdHnnan C.^stlo as if it blow from tho mouths of Cromwell's cannon Still when he thought of tho pleasant task he had beloro h.m, he jumped to his feet at once, and having nmdo cold "h ;'?",""'"' " '" ^""''"■' "^^'' ^« ^-^P «"t the coil ho bade his companions and tho landlord good nioht and, buttoning up their thin coats, so as to obtain the greatest amount of protection the.j could give against tho i^erciL blast, the two dived out into the darkness and disappeared. " THE inmri girl m xumiCA. l\)6 CHAPTER VIII. t ue^ Bb. could by no moans realise it to herself that she was he he,re«s-apparent to so much wealth. The ment on ofTt however, in connection with her lost son, brou^hTtoZts o ' and^hastWy dry.ng up her tears she said, fixing her ey'ron " Well ! wouldn't it be a funny thing if it was true after all 7 An sure enough, I was dreamin' of my father last nWh^Gd est Ins sou ! an' he never comes to me but for good luckV^if Paul ! what do you think V ' •'Why, then, didn't I tell you, Mrs. Sheehan, ma'am- that s a true as the Gospell The money ia there sure enough 11 you can only ffei it!" «"o«gn, "Oh! if that's all, there'll be no trouMe «hnnf if bor,.„w wtat-n take „, rro™ Ne,. fS„ and we^l^tart I" morrow, please floii !" ' '"" When told tl.at It was not at all necessaiy for ber to ^o to Cmcmnat,, but only to her own priest in New Tork the old woman's joy knew no bounds. Still there was grfefL w ss "" " ^"'' "' '™'' "™"' -- '» *» -'^t :; iz yolr^uhlifh ""'".""" *° """'''' »»'■ "-« youdoin'for your ould mother, an' you in your grave-ma gra gal von wor!" Cassfdv r'V^"'' '"""'^ '*''"' '" » ""4" ^-' to i^aasidy, if the creature only knew it !" ! I 104 BFSSY COXWAY : OR. In order to direct her thoughts from this fatal reineml)ranco Cassidy asked with great apparent interest : " But, granny, what are you going to do with all your money, when you get iti" At this Dolly's old face lightened up like a wintry sunbeam. " What will I do with it !— oh, then, it's mvself knows that well " " An' what is itl" said Paul by way of humoring her. " It's none of your business, Paul Brannigan !" with a toss of her old head that was quite comical to see. " See that now, Mister Cassidy !" said the dwarf pleasantly, " see what it is to have money !— but that's true," and rising he took down his measure from a shelf hard by, " that's true" Mister Cassidy, I want to take your measure for a pair of' boots," " Well! I declare, Mr. Brannigan!" said Cassidy with some embarrassment, " I'd be willin' to give you the job— and, indeed, I'm not out of the need of it at the present time"— he looked ruefully down at his feet—" but then— then " "Bad cess to you, why don't you speak out at onst?" said Paul testily ; " why shouldn't I make you the boots V ^^ "Well! for a very good reason," said the smut-faced artisan, " because the money isn't to spare at home. Though I have' good steady work all the year round, somehow we're hardly ever able to make both ends meet. Money is always the scarcest thing with us !" " Still you can find some for Ned Finigan," said Paul with a caustic smile. " But that's no business of mine. Who said you'd have to pay for the boots?— hold up your foot hero!"' One would think he meant to cut off the limb he seized it so roughly. Cassidy submitted very quietly to the operation, and when it was completed Paul straightened himself up. " Now, go home !" said he, " like a decent man, an' if you'll take a friend's advice you'll spend your evenings there.' I'd tell you the same if Ned Finigan was to the fore this present THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA 105 nembranoe rainute-indeecl he's not without knowin' my opinion before now in regard to the business he's in. If you want ever to have anything by you, or to keep your head above water, you'll keep away from such places altogether." "Well, I declare, Mister Brannigan^ I don't spend much when I do go, and it isn't often I go, at all." " That says nothing— the habit will grow on yoa before you know where you are. Go an odd time into a tavern taking a fsup with this one and a sup with that one, and you'll soon be that you can't stay a whole evenin' quietly at home. But stay at home for a week or so, an' read a book or something that way, an' you'll see you'll not care for goin' anywhere" an' you'll wonder at how much money it'll save you." " Now that's as true as if the priest said it," chimed in Dolly; " it takes Paul to give a good advice !" Cassidy put it off with a laugh, but there was a voice within him that bore testimony to the truth of Paul's words, and as he walked home through the darkness and the storm, that in- ward monitor kept saying: " Is it not true every word he said ? —have you not spent many a dollar in the gin-shop in the lapse of years 1— ay! as much as would clothe yourself and your family decently and comfortably, if you had it by you now 1" On tlie following Sunday old Dolly's claim was laid in due form before Father B and the good priest was only too happy to take the necessary steps on her behalf. After soma weeks of anxious suspense, during wlrich more than one com- munication passed between Father P of Cincinnati and Father B of New York, the latter had the satisfaction of obtaming the whole sum left by Philip Sheehan, amountina to three hundred and fifty dollars. It was the end of the week when the auspicious letter reached him, and he sent immediately to ask Mrs. Sheehan and Paul Brannigan to go to his house on Sunday afternoon. I suppose bis rererenec has got another letter,'* said Paul • 106 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, "now wouldn't it be a queer thing all out, Mrs. Sheehan, ma'am ! if all ended in smoke V But Dolly would not let such a thought near Iier, and although she had no expectation of immediate success, still she put a little extra sfcarch in her best high-cauled cap, and otherwise prepared herself to make "a dacent appearance" on the important occasion. " It is the morning of tF>e hallow'd day," and Dolly is off to an early Mass at St, James's, while Paul, intending to go to High Mass, strolls away towards the Turk in search of " a mouthful of fresh air," as he said to himself. But Paul had another motive for taking his morning walk in that direction. The Park was then more deserving of the name than it now is, for its miniature charms were highly praised by people who had never seen the lawns, and glades, and groves, and avenues of a Regent's or a Phoenix Park, No rural resort had yet been provided for the good citizens of New York, and as the only place of shade to be had in that part of the citj^ the City Hall Park was the favorite haunt of all the dwellers " down town" who loved the verdure and the shade. The place was then in its palmy days, and had many a pleasant nook " With seats beneath the shade," which if not exactly " For talking age and whisp'rmg lovers made," like those immortalized in Goldsmith's verse, were none the less most excellent resting-places for the sons and daughters of toil when on " the Sabbath, the poor man's day," they could sit and listen to the plash of the fountain and think of things past, present, and future. The Park had been Paul'c favorite resort on Sundays ever since he came to New York, and although 'the leaves, and flowers, and verdure Avere all gouo with the summer, and the fountain's pleasant song was heard no more, yet still might Paul be seen either sitting Mke a THE IRISH CxIRI, IN AMERICA. lot irance on grotesque statue on one of the benches, or saunterin- leisurely along the walks every Sunday morning, unless when the weather was such as to keep the whole city in-doors. On that particular Sunday the skies were clear and bright and tlxe ground hard frozen, and our queer little friend took up his position on a bench in front of the City Hall in the avenue leading to Chambers street, then as now one' of the busiest thoroughfares in New York City. And what brought Paul there that cold frosty morning ? surely it was not plea -.ure for Paul's garments were not over well suited to the stat« of the atmosphere, and he must have felt the cold keenly for he got up every few minutes and took a turn or two backwards and forwards, stamping his feet on the ground, and slappin- his hands against his sides after the old approved mode of keeping the blood in circulation. No, no, it was not for plea- sure that Paul was there, but from a purer and higher motive that warmed his heart and tingled on his veins, and lifted him altogether beyond his own comfort or convenience. That mo- tive was charity, the lambent flame whose fount is in heaven One might have wondered to see the little stunted creature waitmg there, as he evidently was, his thin old-fashioned face pmched and his hands red and blue with the cold, but the wonder would soon cease, for Paul had not waited very long when up with a race came a little ragged urchin with a bundle of newspapers under his arm, and him Paul greeted as a fami- har acquaintance, if not an old one, telling him, at the same time, that he had been waiting for him. "By golly! you had a cold sit of it, then," said the boy with a shiver. " Haven't none of the others come along yet V' " Not one, not one ; did you tell them 7" " Yes, I did ; they'll be around, never fear! They wanted dreadful bad to know what you had got to say to them." " And you didn't tell them, did you 1" " I guess not !" said the precocious youngster, who rejoiced in the name of arike Milllgan, " 'cause why, Ijjj^ij. 1 uiuu I iiiiow my 108 BESSY CONWAY : OR raising self. Here they como, anyhow. Hurry up, will you'?" his voice — "here's the man I told you of." Paul was speedily surrounded hy some six or eight lads iu the same " fantastic livery hedight," not one of them all hav- ing a single garment free from rents or patches. It noeded not the bundle of papers carried by each to point them out as members of that noisy community whose cries are amongst the first to wake the echoes of the city after " the rosy dawn appears." " Here they are now for you," said Mike laughing, " here's the Sunday papers," and then he introduced all the gaping youngsters, some as the Sunday Times, others the Sunday Herald, and so on. "Yes, yes," said Paul, "but you have other names than them, haven't you "?" " Well yes, there's Terry Smith, and Pat I'oyle, and Sam Hooks, and Limping Jo, and Humpy Peter" — at this last name the boys, except Peter himself, all laughed and looked up slily at Paul, as if to see how he took it. Paul laid his hand kindly on little Peter's head, but appeared to take no other notice of what the astute \irchins enjoyed as a capital joke. " So you're all Irish V said he. " No, no !" none of them would give in to that. " What religion do you belong to ^" The boys shook their heads. " Are you Catholics or Protestants, I mean?" Yes, most of them were Catholics, but a few were Protest- ants, and amongst them were Sam Hooks and Limping Jo. " Do you ever go to Church, then, any of you 1" " Why, no .'" said Mike Milligan, speaking for the others, " folks don't buy papers there, do they V *' What difference is there, then, between the Catholics and Protestants among you 1 How do you know one from the Other ?" %k. Hearing this the boys all laughed and winked knowingly at THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 109 each other, evidently setting down "the old coon" in their own minds as particularly " green !" "Why, golly! that's plain enough," said Terrv Smith, a thm-faced, old-fashioned lad, whose ago might be ien or six- 'Zl' n^V'^^ '""' °^ *^" ^''''^''' ^'^^ f'-ice of the latter age. ^he Catholics go in for the bishop and the priests, and the Protestants run dead against them-^A.y vote one ticket, you see, and we vote the other." Although this brief colloquy occupied but a few moments the youngsters I- >gan to show signs of impatience, and guessed they couldn't wait any longer in the cold. They must sell their papers. "I'll not keep you many minutes," said Paul, "for myself hasn t much time to spare more than you. I jist want to ask you a few questions, and then you can go for this time. Pe- ter! -to Im little brotLor in deformity-" Peter ! can you tell me who is God V ^ Peter shook his head. The same question being put to the oUiors in turn, some said they did not know, others had heard of God but they couldn't tell who He was ; one guessed He was higher than the President and lived a great ways off where no- body ever could see Him. Some of the boys laughed at this and said : " An't you ashamed, not to know who God is i" Sam Hooks had often heard of God, but he guessed'it was all make-beheve. Mike Milligan rebuked the young heathen sharply and answered at once • an^alUhlg'.'^^^^ ^°' '' ^'^ ^^'^^ ^' ^^^^ -^ -^^ wovn ^"^ V .f Vf '' " ^"^'^ ''-^'' ^^^^ '^ *^« Creator of the woild, and the Judge of all mankind. He has a heaven of joy and beauty to reward the good, and a fiery hell to-punish the wicked. He is a great and mighty God, and it i, a dread- ful thing to offend Him." The youngsters listened with gaping wonder, differently atlec.ed oy tiie aiinounceraent of these awful truths. Some were deeply impressed while others only laughed. no BESSY CO>fWAY ; OR, " Guess he won't come it on me /" said Sam Hooks, putting on a very determined face ; " /know wliat he's up to — I do!" " Shut up there, Hooks !" cried Terry Smith, " let the man speak, will you !" " Which of you can tell me how mtiny Gods there are?" said Paul. Some said three, some twO; and a very few answered correctly — of this number again was Paul's first acquaintance, Mike Milligan. " Good !" said Paul, " there is only one God, but now tell me, if yc> can, how many persons in God V ■ ■ '-..ills was a puzzler, and after thinking for some time and making various guesses on the subject, it was left for Mike to solve as before. Mike knew the number of persons in the Blessed Trinity, and the names by which they were distin- guisned. He could also make the sign of the Cross. Wondering eyes were turned on Mike, and Paul laid hh hand kindly on the lad's shoulder. " Why, who taught you this, my little man 1 You say you never go to Church 1 " Well ! I guess it was Nancy Leary." " And who is Nancy Leary 7" The boy looked up at Paul with intent to speak, but the tears gushed from his eyes, his head sunk on his breast, and he .said nothing. Some of the others hastened to explain. Nancy Leary was an old apple-woman who had found Mike, when two or three years old, sitting on a cellar-door crying for his " mammy," which individual, whether living or dead, never answered to the call. So Nancy Leary adopted Mike, and shared her bit and her sup, and her straw couch with him while she'lived, ay! and begged clothes for him, tco, which her rough, weather-hardened hands kept in repair ; but Nancy died and the child could hardly be torn from the white deal ooffln in which public charity encased the poor apple-woman's mortal remains ; no wonder, the boy added, for Mike never had any friend but old Nancy, and she kept him flret-rat© comfortable. THE IRISH OIRI< IN AMERICA. Ill "I gue.ss I'd know many thinga I don't know," sobbed out Mike, " if Nancy hadn't died that time. S)ie knew all about God, and the Blessed Virgin, and a sight of things that I don't remember now." " God rest her soul !" ejaculated Paul with simple fervor, recognizing in the poor street-seller a departed sister in the Lord. The little instruction which had fallen to Mike Milligan's share was unhappily confined to himself. Most of the others were quite willing to learn, however, and appeared much in- terested in the marvellous things told them of God and the world's redemption, and the sublime destiny of man, as co-heir with Christ in the kingdom of His Father. But Sam Hooks was still skeptical, and made a mockery of the whole tiling. Hearing the kingdom mentioned, he broke in with an oath : "Stop there, old fellow! I guess you've gone about far enough. You don't take us for fools, do you ?" " 'Deed no, Sam ! but I take you for Chiistlans redeemed by the blood of a God, and I'd wish to put you in the way of savin' your souls and growin' xip decent, creditable men." " Bosh ! wo an't ever going to be n uch better off than we are now. If you can tell us how to mi ke money and get fine clothes, and good eating and drinking, and have good times all the year round, then I'll call you a blamed smart old chap ; but I guess that an't in your way." '•Why so, Sam?" " Well, it a'nt hard to tell that, anyhow," said Sam, with a knowing glance at Paul's shabby apparel. "Don't any fool know that nobody wears a bad coat or a bad hat if he can. any Where's get a good one, and for the eating and drinking— gosh . '—and he laughed in Paul's face—" you look as though you didn't know what it was ! don't he, now?" Some of the youngsters laughed at this sally, out most of them rebuked Hooks for his want of reverenco. Sara ouly laughed the more. 112 BESSY CONWAY j OR, !^ II •• Don't mind him, sir," then said Terry Smith, " I guess he'd talk so to his motlier— if he had one— nobody minds him !" " I'll make you mind p (>, anyhow !" said Sam, and suiting the action to the word, he applied his fist to Terry's ear with a force that would have knocked him down had not Paul caught him by the arm. Terry seemed disposed to resent the insult, and the other boys would have taken his part, for Sam was no favorite amongst them, but Paul interposed and with no small difficulty succeeded in restoring peace. " As for you," said he to Sara, " I think you'd best go your ways." " I guess that's about the truest word you've said yet, my old coon," Sam answered quickly ; " when Mike Milliga'n or yon catch me again listening to confounded old yarns when I ought to be selling my papers, you may send me up en a kite's back in search of that kingdom you spoke of— you may !" Away he went and Paul made no effort to detain him. " If you do.i't change your hand, my good fellow," he said to him- self, looking after him, "you'll go up in a rope some day— though not to heaven !" " Let him go!" said Mike, " it's a small loss !" * "Well ! it an't much matter, Mike," said he of the nevoid, very much in earnest; " Sam's a hard case, anyhow. I guess he might run for office any day, if he was only big enough." "Run for officer* inquired Paul opening his eyes very wide. " Why, what does thatmean 1" The boys all laughed. " Ha ! ha ! old dad, you don't know that—gxxeBs you'll never get a nomination, anyhow!" "Except for scavenger!" suggested Limping .To; "there an't much pickings in that, you know, and I guess an honest man might slip in there." " Lord ! Lord !" said Paul to himself, " isn't it the quare country all out ! but I suppose we must only take our turn out of it, let it be as it may." " Well, boys!" said he, " it's time I was movin' home for I THR IRISH GIRL IK AMERICA. 113 have my breakfast to get before Ma^s-time. I'm sorry I can't Mop longer with you now, but next Sunday morning, God ^v.iling, you'll all meet me here if the weather is good, and try to bring some more vith you, an' we'll have a little while to talk." Tlioy all promised chee illy. " Well now ! let us see, be- fore you go," said Paul, " if you remember what I told you " 1 e.s, yes ! they remembered : one God, in three persons. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. "And the heaven that's to reward the good, and the flery hell to punish the wicked. You'll keep all that in mind, will you V All right, they'd remember that, too, but after a brief con- sultation amongst themselves they detained Paul to ask an- other question: " Tt^ho is the Blessed Virgin?" " Lord bless me !" said Paul, oblivious for the moment of the gross darkness that enveloped the minds of his hearers ''Lord bless me! don't you know that? Why, sure, the Blessed Virgin is the Mother of Our Lord. Pll tell you all about Him and her next Sunday, please God." "Well!" said Pat Boyle musingly, "if the Virgin Mary is the Mother of Our Lord, I guess her Son must be real angry with some folks"-and he looked significantly at Jo-«I've heard awful bad things said of her— I have !" " Never mind, my little fellow." said Paul, " there was everything bad said of Christ himself when He was here on earth, but depend on it, He'll one day settle accounts with them that blaspheme His mother^s name. We must leave it all in His hands." " Yes, I guess it's His own business," said Larry Kooney I know what rd do to any one that called m^j mother name&~ for all she's dead now " " Why, what would you do, my boy ?" " I fiuess-I'd-glvc them Jessy r the lad replied speaking throuarh his pIokpH fe^ath "'^'^rmr-a — -'-i- •^-•- . ' — u!, wvvompaiijjny ma woras witn au lU BESSY CONWAY ; OR, emphatic shako of his tiny fist which came alarmingly near Jo's prohoscis, whether hy accident or design. " Well ! the Blessed Virgin is your inotlier and my mother," said Paul quickly, " and the mother of all mankind— so you see what it is for any one to disrespect her!" " Gosh ! what a family she's got!" put in Limping Jo, some- what irreverently. " There ! I told you," said Mike exultingly ; " Nancy always called her mother, and she said she was real good to her, for all I never could git sight of her when she came along. Many a time I tried hard to keep my eyes open when Nancy was at her prayers at night, to see who she was talking to, hut I al- ways fell asleep as soon as she knelt down and hegan to pray to God and the Blessed Virgin and somehody she called Saint Joseph. Guess I wouldn't mind that name so well, only for ' limping Jo' there, 'cause why, w© call Jiim Joseph once in awhile." ''Blessed mother!" said Paul, half aloud, "are these the children of fathers that suffered, and died for the faith ■" The tears gushed from his eyes, seeing which, the youngsters were much astonished, and looked up curiously in his f-'ce. Paul laid his hand kindly on the head of each, and told .hem not to mind him, but go home and be good boys. " God be with you till I see you again I" said he, " and mind what I told you in regard to bringin' some more of the boys next Sunday." Away scampered the ragged company, all except Mike Milligan, who was detained a moment by Paul. " You'lUnot forget the other affair— eh, Mike V " See if I do," Mike answered with a sagacious nod. " You're sure you know the house V " I guess I do !" and he grinned signiflcantly. " Very well, you may go now." Mike ran off with a hop, step and a jump, and overtook the others just as they reached the gate. The last Paul saw of THE IRISH GIRL IV AMERICA. 115 him he was mounted on tlie shoulders of the Times' lopresenta- tivo, which position ho had gained with a spring, as the iermuius of hia race. Paul stood a moment looking after his promising pupils, and once or twice he shook his head. "Well, God help us !" said he to himself, " I'm afoard it's a poor chance— howsomevcr, we can only try. We'll do our best, and leave the rest to God." He looked up a^ the clock in the cupola and found to his great surprise that it was already half-past nine. " By the laws," said he to himself, "I'll have hard work to get my breakfast and be away in time— who'd think it was so kte!' Hurrying home as fast as ho could, he found Dolly freiLing and talking to herself at a great rate about the breakfast beirif^ spoiled, and people " goin' stravagin' about, when they ought to l»e in the house to get a comfortable bit an' sup of a Sunday mornin'. It was purty work, so it was !" Dolly said as she placed the meal on the small table before Paul. Tho little man laughed and hummed in Irish in a not uj- melodious voice : " Woman of Three Cowa, agragh ! don't let your tongue thusrnttle ! don't be saucy, don't be proud, altho' jou mny have cuttle !" This alhiRion fo her good luck restored Dolly's good humor. " Wisha, that I mayn't sin, Paul, but you'd make .a body laugh if they were dyin'!— hurry with your breakfast like a dacent man as you are, till I get the things cleared away !" " Oh to be sure 1" said Paul, " to be sure, we're like a hen on a hot griddle till we see the priest the day. Sure enough ! this money beats the world wide !" Paul's frugal meal was soon despatched and away he went to St. James's, well pleased to find that M-ss was not yet com- menced. It so happened that the sermon that day was on the ick'V^ li T^ni4-'\^ —.111 i. 1 . , . .- '--—*' A mvat TTltilulil* t works is dead," and as tho preacher 116 BKSSV CONWAY ; OR, procoedod to onumcratc tlie works which are most available for salvation, Paul's heart swelled with joy as his ears drank in the clorious promise: "They who instruct, the ignorant shall shine as the stars in heaven." " Well ! that's worth a workin' for, anyhow," said ho to him- self as he paced along on his homeward way. " Lsn't it a great thing for the likes of me to think that I can gain that high place in heaven as well as if I was rich or hanc'.some, or well-dressed, or could read Latin like the priest ! Isn't it now 1 So, Paul Brannigau ! keep up your heart, and do what you can to make the name of God known and honored ! It isn't much you can do, ])oor man ! and do your hest, but every little helps, you know, and when God didn't give you the ability to do much, he'll not expect it from you, blessed bo Ilia name ! But you know well that what you can do, you must do, so now, stir yourself, — if you want to get the reward, you must do some- thing for it !" It was late that afternoon v/hen Vespers were over and Father B at liberty to attend to Dolly Shechan, who, witli Paul, sat waiting in the hall of the presbytery. " Well, do you know, Paul aroon!" said the old woman as a ring at the door-bell made her start, "do you know, I'm gettin' mighty timorous about it!" " About what V ^ " Why, then, about this money. Now see what trouble we're givin' his reverence, an' maybe for nothing at all." " I tell you, Mrs. Sheehan! you're nothing else but a fool!" said Paul peevishly—" I ask your pardon for sayin' it, ma'am ! an' I wouldn't say it only it's. the truth !" With all Dolly's habitual respect for Paul she was going to make him a sharp answer when the entrance of the priest gave a turn to her thoughts. Taking them into the back parlor, Father B went to a secretary and took out a letter which he handed to Dolly with a smile. The old woman's hand trembled so that she could not take THK IKISJI iiIRL IM AM?.. .A. 117 It. " Won't you road it for mo, your reverence V slie said in a faint voice ; I'm afeard " " Don't be afraid, U.cn/' said Father B , after glancing over tlio letter, "hero's a draft for three hundred and fifty dollars! Do you bear 1" '' I do, your reverence, I do !" Raid Dolly, fnllins back in her chair, as pale as death ; the next moment she started up with sudden enerrry and a kind of hysterical laugh, and snatchinc^ the paper from the priest's hand, thrust it into Paul's. What are you about, woman 7" said the hunchback sharply. " Keep your money when you have it." " I won't keep it, then, nor I can't keep it. If I'm a fool as you say I am, I'm not fit to keep it. Yonm keep it for me,' for I tell you it's yours as much as it's mine." It was no use trying to reason her out of this notion, and all the priest could get her persuaded to do was to allow Paul to put the money in the bank-but even that in his own name. It 18 hard to say which was the happiest on that occasion. Father B , Paul, or old Dolly Sheehan. 118 BE3SY CONWAY : OR CHAPTER IX. Meanwhile Bessy Conway was " getting along first-rate," as her friends would say. Sally's conduct became at last alto- gether intolerable, and her mistress was obliged to part with her, Mrs. Hibbard, like many other ladies, had a great aversion to Intelligence Offices, and said to Mrs. Walters that she thought she would try an advertisement as she had got some pretty good servants by that means in times past. " Well ! you need be in no hurry, Matilda !" said Mrs. Wal- ters, " better wait a week or so, and perhaps you might hear of some good girl out of place, and Bessy will be very glad to do the housemaid's work till you get one." This arrangement was very satisfactory to all parties, and when Bessy had been some days acting in her new capacity, Mrs. Hibbard said to her one morning : " Now, Bessy, as you seem t' get along so well with my work in addition to Mrs. Walters', Avhat do you think if you would take Sally's place, and I will give you the same wages I gave her 1 I am very much pleased with the manner in which you do your work, and still more so with the spirit in which you go about it." Bessy's heart jumped at the thoughts of earning so much money, and she was scarcely less pleased to find that Mrs. Hib- bard thought so well of her, but still she would not think of closing such a bargain without consulting Mrs. Walters. " What- ever she says, ma'am, I'm willing to do." " Oh ! of course, Bessy, I did not for a mome«t suppose that you would engage with me without having obtained the cou- THE IRISH OlnL IS AMERICA. Hg ^ent of your mistress, but I am pretty certain that Ae will ""raX:-:- '" --'-- "■» - ^^ <■■-» ^--^ ot Her little T.pperary girl, who was able and willin., f„ Hi, 1^1.-50 the duties of such a situation i„ a few m ,"hs " fte; leaving her father's cottage in Ardflnnan. " T„„re mv dear " ™^ :f *'■ '^^"^ "^^ ''"'* """"^ - *» Sir 's 'slZitr the wo^k'" *'* °°"'""'" " ■""• ""'"" '"-' l'"«-'ar about wi7a ^'iT' '"f "'■/"L"'' ""''™' ™^"y- '™=." -^aid Bessy with a smile; "its what Sally used to say. and Bridget loo for . ha matter,_that the devil himself wouldn't plcLe' l"' and that a saint out of heaven couldn't bear her " Hearing this, Mrs. Walters laughed "W.il n . t, -...ite sure that you don't belong .o°the lowerre io"Zi ye^ you seem to please Mrs. Hibbard very much inle , nelthc do I think you find it so very difficult to hear with her althou"! you are not yet a saint out of heaven, whatever yo;, may b "time to come But what will you do with all the mon"y y™ are going to make 1" ■^ ^ , "Well! I'll just tell you that, ma'am," said Bessy «i jn end to write home first of all to a.1. „./father and rn^the f they want any to let me know. If things go on as teTlwi h Ini' r , } I ^^ ""^ ""^""^ ^" y°"^ '>«n^« till I have ^ I wheT'the^i: 1" "^''; ''' '' ''"^''^ themsomnn; aay when they least expect me, and help to do for the bovs vle'rf.'' I:T''T '' ^ ^^^"^ ^^'-""^ entirely Walters 1 said the g,rl earnestly, her face all radian with the anticipated joy of such a meeting full!f''J ''' ^,^°f g'-rl, Bessy." said her mistress, her eyes mil of tears ! "Rrtlnn/ro-^ -». . . ., ' *v«'s • "~ ° "" J"" ^"cnsn those unselfish disposi- 120 BESSY CONWAY ; OE, tious and think more of others than of yourself, you will be sure to do well in every respect, for our good God blesses such generous devotion. But I cannot take charge of your treasure very long, for I do not know how long I may remain here, and besides your money will be better in the Savings Bank where you will get interest for it." Bridget was by no means satisfied with the change which had taken place, for Sally was a girl after her own heart, and althouglTthey fought every hour of the day when they were together, and sometimes carried their dispute so far that Wash had to use physical force to keep them from coming to blows, still there was so much in common between them that they sympathized one with the other after their own fashion. Bessy Conway was not long in the house when they discovered that she was not " one of them" and could not, therefore, be admitted to their confidence. Ellen, the children's maid, was one of those good-natured, harmless persons who never by any chance give offence to any one, and will rather make any con- cession than " raise disturbance." She was naturally well- disposed and always had the intention of doing right, but having no fixed principles and very little instruction, she was easily turned from the path of rectitude either by threats or persuasions. She was, therefore, on excellent terms with the two " troopers," as Bessy called them, — they were " blazers" with old Wash. But when Sally was finally and forever turned out, and Bessy was installed with honor in her place, Bridget mounted " the high horse" and never had a civil word to spare for the new hdusemaid as loi g aa they were together. Slie took every opportunity of insulting Bessy, accusing her of " treachery," " back-biting," hypocrisy." and what not. It was no use for Bessy to tell her over and over that she never asked for Sally's place, never thought of asking for it, even when it was vacant. In vain she assured her that no prospect of advantage to her- self would induce her to undermine or seek to injure a fellow- THE IRISH GIRL IX AMERICA. 121 servant-she might a.s well talk to the winds. Bridget had made up her mind that she was " a pimp" and " a deceiver '■ and moreover that " there was a dirty turn in her after all.'" ^^\ell! well!" «aid Bessy, " I see there's no use in contra- 8den"c e "'"' '' ''"'" ^''''' "'" "'""'' ^' ^°^ "°^ °"^ ^^^''^ «^"- '' Oh ! yes, leave it to God," said Bridget with a scornful toss of her head " that's easy said, but your pious airs won't give baliy back her place, poor girl !" " Well, now, Bridget, I declare it's too bad for you to be blamm' ^^e for Sally losin' her place," said Bessy with some warmth ; " don't you know very well how often I advised her to take more care of it than she did, and to try and plea.se her mistress mstend of workin' contradiction and givin' back answers when she was spoken to about any thin-. You know a. well as I do that it wasn't Sally's work was in^her held b vis.tm and cosherin' about, and raffles, and dances, and every- tnng of the sort. If she had minded her business, and let tuch fooleries alone, she'd be here yet." Wash hastened to give his testimony to the same effect, but Bridge cut them both short with an imperative order to "shut up. and not be deavin' her ear. with their nonsense." She knew what she knew, and that was all about it tolf v.'f '' '?'''' ®'"^ ''''' ^'''^ ^^^^ <^o.yn one day o the kitchen, and who should be sitting there but Sally in her flounced plaid silk and light velvet bonnet. She hard y c^ondescended to return Bessy's salutation, but Bridget spoko "There!" said she, "you see it's true enoujrh that 'there "ever was one door shut, but there was another open'-now Sally has got a first-rate place in a first-class family up town where she hasn't scarce anything to do and has Llollar a month more wages than she had here. There an't only four of a family and they keep four in help." " Der.r me ! that must be a fine place," said Bessy: " I hope 6 122 BESSY CONWAY : OR. Sally vnW try and keep it. I'm as g,lad as can be that she's s!•"? r . ,i " ""^"^ ^'^"^ ^"« ^'•^^ ^^« other. Do yon think I holdyour virtues in less esteem than if you came from my o^vn parish m Roscommon County-before God I do not and, I think, the same spirit would actuate most foreign priests If you would only meet them half way. and, forgetting the itZ Z °f t^'^°°^ "P°" them only as priests' and brethren m he Lord. As your Church advances in age yon will take his own time for that^He knows what is best for Father Seward was about to answer when a ring at the door moned to the hall where some persons wanted to see him It I I: ^ )T '^^ ^''' ^^'""'^ *° ''' "^«"^' -"d asUed very Kindly how they were getting on. " Bedad, your reverence." "said Paul, " we're most at the top 128 nr.ssY CONWAY ; or, of tho whofil nl^oall.^ — if wo go on as wo'ro doin', wo'Il not know wlmt to do with our money." " Wliy, how is that, Paul V Tlio atoiy hoing told qavo Father Daly so much pleasuro that ho nskcd Paul and Dolly to sit down, and wont in to toll his fri(Mls. After a littlo ho .cturnod and took tho pair of ori- ginals into tho parlor. " Now, Father Seward" said ho, " I want to make you ac- quainte,! with two of my fellow-passcnprorH who havo been par- ticularly fortunate since they canio. Thoy have found a purse, I believe." Dolly hastened to correct this .supposed mistake. " No, no, your r<«verence, that wasn't it, at all— I ask your pardon' for oontradictin' you— wo didn't find tho purse, you see, but got it from— whoro's that it came from, Paul 1 " From Cincinnati !" " Ay, that's tho place— well ! it came from there, your rever- ence, and, ochono ! it never belonged to anybody else but my own poor boy, aii', indeed, it was his hard, hard earnin'. " You are certainly very fortunate, my good woman !" observed Father Seward ; "but what do you intend to do with your money"?" " What would she do with it," put in Father Molloy witli assumed gravity, " only set up a tra-orn, herself and this decent man, if they onco know how to doctor the liquor, they can make their fortune in no time." <• Well, supposin' we did, your reverence," said Paul in a respectful tone, " we might happen to pay too dear for what we'd make, an' we wouldn't put our souls in danger for the sake of a penny of money." " 'Deed wo wouldn't, Paul, agra, 'deed wo wouldn't," chimed in Dolly; " haven't we more money now than we know what to do with, and what do we want but a livin' while we're herel" The priests were much amused and no little interested by this TIIE iiiwn (iiRr, IN AMcniCA. 129 .l.,S«la,^,o„pl„, »„ ,„„„ ,„,, ,„.„j over SCO liim at Iiomol" ' ' '^ '' Dolly .lr„w l,o,- oyoli,!,, toBelhcr so m to ino,-„a»o tl,o now.r ™.^e. o,a „,,y ur::ru:;;r^t^^^^^^^^ iv."h!:"«oUT;:f;f;:'''"'"'''°"'°'^°" — > »• " How is that, Jlrs. Shoolian 1" I' Take caro what you say 1" whispered Paul tion 'rid Dot h " ."r T '"^' "'^" '^ ^^^-^'^ -« ^'^^ between Pathe Molloy laughed heartily and Father Daly laid his 'rite viri-J^; ''-'.'- ^^ >^'« '^-^>- ^Hend! has a ..ric tw^rp;;:^:;^ ' "''' ''' " '''' ^^^' ^-"^- 130 UES3V CONWAY; OR, " So I perooivo," retiirnud his friend with tho clightest poa. Bible curl of his thin lip ; " I should like to know what it is." " Anan 1" (jucstioned Dolly. "Tell his rovorcnco," said Father Daly, " what marks and tokens you have on a priest 1" •' Well ! dear knows that's what I couldn't do," said Dolly ; " I know it myself but I couldn't tell it if yon wore to pay mo. Could ijou, Paul V " Don't bo bothcrin' mo!" was Paul's curt answer, whereat tho priests all laughed and " the marks and tokens" wero dropped. After some further chat with tho two originals, during which Father Seward managed to ingratiate himself wonderfully with old Dolly, Paul and sho took their lenve, with a promise from Father Daly to ])ay thorn a visit very soon. Dropping a low curtsey to each of tho priests, D0II7 told Father Seward when she came to liim, that, indeed, his rever- ence was more of a priest than a body would think to look at him, and then marched after Paul. " There's a compliment," said Father MoUoy when tho door closed on the visitors. " A rather equivocal one, truly," replied Father Seward aa he shook back his long hair, and drew up his shirt-collar ; " if I wore only from the Queen's County it would make a wonder- ful difference !" "Not so much as you think,'* said Father Daly; "it is not the mere accident of birth that influences Dolly in hor estimate of yon, but the want of those peculiar traits which usually characterize the priest in old Catholic countries." " And what are they, I pray you 1" " That's right," said Father MoUoy, rubbing his hands in anticipation of renewed hostilities ; " that's right, Father Sew- ard, I'd insist, if I were you, on an explanation." " No need to insist," said Father Daly with a pleasant smile, " I am quite willing to explain. The characteristics to which TIIK IRISH <;IKL IN AMKniOA. J3l I aUudo avo, porhapn, InoonipuflMo with tlm mt,.ro of our Amoncan brethren and iho ..on.stn.c,ion of sodc.y .7 n o t:; ^ ^"!; "^. ^'''--'^^ '- '-'"''^ -^i that LL ; poan ,r,o ts. but ,n a peculiar n.annor to tho.o of tho Imh C urch. wi^oeo relations to their Hook.s arc, if po.s.sib] . er an more .nti.atc than any others. The timo Is far di^t " 1 "'Z ^"'"-^^-^vhon tho youn,.u'orM prieat« of Ainoricau b rth Will exhibit tho marhs by which old Dolly nnd such a •she are wont to reco.nuV.o 'hi^ rovoronce.' You boon" to\ new order of things, and a new phase of socle yt^to:: older and loss artificial." ^' W") , y< u aro flner gentlomon nml soom lo ll,i„k a deal mor« of yoarBe v»« than „•. „„. i„,,j „,„j ,,,, „„„,„,.„" """« W;-" ! I sliouM bo .sorry lo say ,„," Fall>.r' Daly rq.lW • "Perfectly TO," said Father Seward rl«ln.r ..I ],„ „ meant „„ „«e„eo, nor wIU I take any. Pat e^Pa trick her 'h ^o.nR wha ho can to B.ir up strife ,,, „,.„ „,, ,„„ j „„';', ,^ Me, n«t succeed." And .„„„k his tinker at Fat^^e" Molloy with a grave smile. •" r«ner "Weill I own I was," .^ij „,„ p„,„„ „,y,„,„,, ... wTho^lf *■"'''"• ' ""•"«'" "' ■"* >■- » «"'■»' '- o nreeze why wo must ,,„ly make tho most of the ealn. r,.,„. hke rlr J, , ."."''■ "^ '"'' '""«'^k^''I>er, beckoning hke a ghost, and her patience .,, none of the best I can tell yon." So saying, he led the way to tho suppor-taMo ill 132 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, CHAPTER X. It was no trifle of a job for Bessy Conway to indite such a letter as she wished to send home. She could write a tolera- bly good hand, but her grammar was not equal to her cali- graphy, save and except what orthography had been drummed into her head by old Master Lenihan, late principal of Ardfinnan school, the Grossest and roughest, yet kindest, withal, that ever wielded " the rod of empire" in village school. Writing a letter was something that Bessy had never been called upon to do .at home, and now when she found herself actually sitting down to the performance of that solemn act, the undertaking loomed up before her in awful magnitude. It was easy to say she would write, so long as her promise had reference to the future, but it was quite a different thing when ink and paper were in formidable array before her on the table, and the pen actually in her hand. Had it been to any one else she thought she would never have courage to begin, but as memory brought back the fireside at home, and the group of ever-loved, never-forgotten faces, and the tears that would fall from many eyes at the reading of " Bessy's letter," all her fears vanished, and she set about her task with the greatest alacrity, anxious only to cram as much news about America into the letter as one sheet of paper could well carry, It is true it took two or three evenings to complete the epistle, but when it was completed, she felt quite proud of her success, and was sure they'd all wonder ut home to see what a fine letter she could write. " I know they'll be te such a 5 a tolera- » her cali- druramed ncipal of b kindest, in i'jUage iessy had when she mance of re her in e, so long IS quite a ible array her hand, ever have e fireside ;en faces, ^ reading 3et about cram as ; of paper enings to felt quite at home hey'Il be THE IRISH GIRL IX AMERICA. I33 read a word of, an' it travelLd fh ! , ^ ^"^ '^"^ '^^"^d had to come to Alas tt 121! If ''""*'^ '"""^' ^"^ 1-ur to make ouj wtt^ wlltit^. "' "' '' *^°" ^^""^ ^ ^"" ^^^^^^::i:i:^r'''z «-* ^- letter wou^ very carefully and' ^^ """^ ^''^»""'^' ^•^"^^ ^^l^ed it Mufphys and N d'; ^TtoTn "''f "" ''' '^^ ^^^ ^>- send home. The letterhead,. AT '''''' ''''^ *^^^ ^^^^ ^o rection on our part '"'^''' ''''^ J"^* ^ ^^"1« eor- left the writer and so on " ?" ^" "' ^'^'^ ^^^^'"^ -« ^'^«^ BO many things to te^you St I T T^ '''' '^^"^^^' ' ^-- I'd like to lef you know aH lb """'^^ ^^'^'"^ '' ^^S-' home, hut I'm Laid I Ta J p tTall " '"','"^' ^^'^^^ ^ '''' I Wish you were all her. ^m h^t IhL "" f"^""^^ myself that you're far better ::;e;ou"rT t' '^ there's a power of money made here \Zi^ '"'^ makes it that would be as well wUhon^ . ? f "''"^' ^ °"^ then, t„at told 1 ITd "r'teuTr '""■ '""" ""^ "^^ '" but n, I never saw Cf t J; .", rr;" , " "^ '"="°''- only speak from hearsay Tr h-^ ., """ '° """' ' <^''» any^y, I Lave seen pLty of tt "" T'^' "" *"■ root from the door withotsLTjZt!;; ' T '" ' there, a po.er of Irish poor t"L:°vl"rr,'r' - «.« „ .ay it. A„d so„,el,o,v „r ano.her,'"l think — .-tsjr 134 BESSY COKWAY ; OR, they look more miserable here than the poor did at home. II would go to your heart to see the sights that I see every time I go outside the door — indeed, indeed it would— God break hard fortune before every one ! And they tell me I only see a little of it after all, and that there's more misery hid away tip in garrets and down in cellars than anybody living knows.* I hope in God it isn't their own fanlt. They couldn't all do well, everybody knows that, for, dear knows ! I often see Irish people here that you'd wonder what part of Ireland they came from, and sure enough you'd bb apt to think it's little business they had to come to America — but still I know myself there's hundreds and hundreds that might do better than they do, if it wasn't for the liquor, as I was tellin' yod before. If the Lord would only take that curse from them, and put it out of their way altogether, there's many a one would turn out different But though there's so many Irish people here in the height of misery, it's a comfort to see how many of them are decent and well off. There's hardly a church in New York whore you'll not see a congregation of them with a priest of their own at the altar, and only for the fine churches and the beautiful pictures, and everything that way, I'd forget sometimes that it wasn't at home in Ardflnnan I was with Father Ryan there in his robes before me and the people of our own parish kneel- ing about me. God knows will I over see that sight again. "Ned Finigan has set up a fine public-house with a picture of Ardflnnan Castle over the door, and from that it's called The Castle Inn. I wouldn't know what the picture wa3 myself, but Ned says it's Ardflnnan Castle, and, of course, he knows best. I forgot to tell you that himself and Ally Mur- phy made a match of it, and I declare to you, Ally looks fine * If Besey Conway were writing now she would have a different story to tell. The misery indeed still exists— It cannot be otherwise in a city like New York, but the -leserving poor have found active and devoted friends In the Society of St, Vincent de Paul, now established in every part of the city. THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 135 and sociable behind the counter-it's the bar they call it- and so well she may, for she wears the best of dress, surely Aed s getting fleshy, I think, and I'm afraid he takes a drop too much now and then, as indeed he can't well help it in the busmess he's in. They tell me they're mak..,g money in hand- fuils, and sure enough they have a fine place of it now let it turn out as it may. . t ii. " Poory Murphy's people are doing pretty well. Peery himself has a dollar a day, they tell me, in a store where he got to be porter, and the boys are earning nearly as much so you see they're getting along finely. Mary has a very good place that she got into a month or so after she landed, but I declare to you she .s got to be so proud and has such a con- ceit out of herself that there is no standing her, all on account of the bit of finery that she was never used to before, so it has fairly turned v,, head, the creature ! If you met her on the road you v i at know her from Adam, for it's rattling in her silks she ,.. a Sunday when she goes out, and a beautiful bonnet and veil that Mrs. Herbert herself might wear, and everything else to match that. And then nothing would lerve my lady but she must get her ears pierced and she has drops hanging down a'most to her shoulders. It kills Mary and Al v entirely that they can't get ' the old woman' (that's their mother) to dress up a bit too, but Bridget won't hear to them at all at all and you'd die laughing to see how they'll ^o to the other side of the street from her and Peery because the old woman goes out in her dowdy cap and blue cloth cloak But indeed it's not often they go out with them, and when tliey do that s the way they serve them. I'm thinking Mary is not putting much to the fore more than if she was at home in Ardfinnan She spends all she earns on foolish dress that only makes a show of her. and indeed she's not the only one here ha does that, for I know plenty of girls from our o;vn county that have been years and years earning good wages and have u^^xiing Lo snow lur it but dress. Some of them haven't eveu 186 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, that, for when a pinch comes on them they have either to sel- thpir things for very little or put them in the pawn, and when they do that, it's seldom they ever get them back. Still there's a good many fh\s that save money and send plenty home, as you know yourficlves, and they say the Irish girls give a great deal of money to the Churches, and are willing to help every- thing good that is going on. Thank God they're not all as foolish as them I was telling you about, God grant them more sense ! If they were all like them there would'nt be be so many money -letters going home from America every year that comes. " And that puts me in mind of my own little penny, in re- gard to what I'm going to do with it. Mrs. Walters has been a lucky mistress to me, for I have double wages now from her and the lady of the house. I hadn't much clothes to buy since I came here, for my mistress gave me two nice dresses and you know I had a good share from home with me. So I have most of what money I earned to the good, and I'd wish to know if you want any of it at the present time. If not, I can havo interest in the Savings Bank for it, Mrs. Walters says, and, of course, it will be getting more every day. Whenever you come short you have only to send me word, and you'll have it by the next post. Now mind and w^iiie as soon as ever you get this, for I'll think every day a week 'till I have an answer. And be sure you tell me everything that happened since I left, and how you all are, especially my father, on account of that cough that was troubling him this time back. Let me know did the girls get much of the wool spun, and how many tuba of butter you made since I left. Let me know how my aunt Biddy and her family is, and let me know did Tommy's Pat come to America last harvest as he said he would. Give my best respects to Father Ryan and Father Connelly, and tell them we have fine Irish priests here, just all as one as if we were at home. So no more at present from your loving and affectionate daughter 'til death, " Bbssy Conway. THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 13t " P. S.— Let me know is my Cousin Catherine stUl living with Mrs. Herbert at the big house, or is there anything new eoin" on there." " It might be that Bessy's postscript was no exception to post- scripts in general, especially ladies' postscripts, which are said to contain the chief point of the letter. However that micrht be, she blushed as she read it over to herself, and theri fixFng her eyes abstractedly on tho letter she sat for some moments lost in thought, till the voice of Mrs. Walters calling her made her suddenly start from her reverie. Hastening down to Mrs Walters' room she found that lady with an open letter in her hand, and a heightened color on her delicate cheek. " Bessy !" said she, " I have got news for you." " Well, maam ! I hope it's good news." " That I cannot say," replied Mrs. Walters with a smile ; " I am going home next month, Bessy !— I have just had a letter from the Captain— he hopes to be here in two weeks from now, and I am to return with him when he goes." Bessy's face grew very red, then very pale ; her lips quivered and her eyes filled with tears. After trying once or twice to speak, but without success, she cleared her throat several times and at last faltered out : " WeU ! Mrs. Walters dear, I'm sorry to hear it— indeed I am, from my heart out!" and she /airly burst into tears, and covered her face with her hands. Her mistress laid her hand kindly on her shoulder, and said in a voice that was not free from emotion : " I know you arc sorry, my poor Bessy! and, indeed, I am sorry to leave you behind, for it may be long before I get another to suit me as you did. But I could not expect you to go back with me ; now that you are here, of course you will remain to try your fortune, and I have no doubt at all but you will do well There is only one thing that makes me fear for you ; but never mind now, we can talk of that at another time. Good night. Bessy ; say a prayer for me and mine before you sleep." 138 BESSY CONWAY; OR, This was a severe trial for Bessy. She had received much real kindness from Mrs. Walters, and having left home in her service, she was doubly attached to her as a sort of link be- tween the present and the past. She felt that no mistress in America could ever be to her what Mrs. Walters was, and a sense of loneliness chilled her heart, for it seemed as though she were about to lose her only friend, and be left amon^t strangers in a strange land. '^ Then did the voice of the tempter whisper within her, " It's your own fault," repeating the words of Herbert. The warm blood rushed to her cheek and her pulses quickened " I might bo his wife!" she said softly to herself, " he told me so Why wouldn't I take him at his word?" She sat rausinrr awhile, but her thoughts took a different direction: "Non"^ sense! Bessy, sure you're no wife for the likes of /im-it'a the devil that's putting such notions in your head !— wouldn't you be a nice daughter-in-law for a grand lady like Mrs. Her- bert, and sure you wouldn't know what to do, or how to act if you were brought home to the big house ! Brought home' indeed ! I'm sure Master Henry himself never dar^ show his face there if he'd marry the likes of you, Bessy Conway! and another thing, he's not the right sort, and it wouldn't be for the good of your soul, so put that out of your head once for all." She thought of Paul's insinuations, and her heart sank withm her ; although Henry Herbert could never be anything to her more than he was, she could not bear to think that there was guilt on his soul— that some dark crime hung over him like the^shadow of death. No ! no ! she could not, would not believe it; so fair a seeming could not be so false, or cover a heart seared and blackened with sin ! Captain Walters arrived in due time, and the next two weeks were weeks of bustle and preparation, farewell-parties, and visits P. D. A., as the French have it {Pour Dhe Adieu— '^ to say farewell"). There was sorrow, too, in Mrs, Hibbard's house where every one loved Mrs. Walters ; even Bridget with all THE IHlSn niRI. IS iMKIIIOA. I8» fcer cro«„«, and ill-temper had „o„„ b„t ,he ki„de,t f,eU„„, tor- the gentle Enjlish visitor, and old Wash MnKhJ^rT great baby at the thoughts of losin, her " M^ " ?r d " ter and ftfty-cent piece she gave me " tte id Z, ^ u""'"'" ;and she air,s had a kind word fo 'po r^^sh 3. ""^ f"I bad, I do! Wish the Cap'n hadn't c^me-" A, M what ,e,.sh aspiration was o'ly heard hyTle girlt it s^eTtt .t:l 7wo tonf werivri'"? ""'.'"' -^"'^ ^"*« grief of her hearl '^ ' '''"''' "«'' >"««""i the To Besfy's great surprise one day the Captain asked her where the hunchback could be found, and she blush da, she gave the required information, she knew not why. Tharv rv .vemng Pa„, was surprised by a visit from Captain S ,;''7 *■' ™ ^■='y Sla« "> see safe back. Dolly was not in ,t Teller *° ''''-''" "='"=' '" " '-'y^ -"-Tprreld .n::rr: r t;:;* toTfii -^ ^^ " - -^ - »nd , f, ^ f""*' '=™'' '<> *"' '«'«'«' soon after I left and asked to see Bessy, but Mrs. WaHers sent him away with ont h,s errand, and gave him some wholesome =1^^?: then she has heard nothing of him excent .h« I. sometimes walking „p and down in fr n o? the 1 o„se™ hI:: you seen anything Of him 7" "le i.ouse. Have "Nothing worth speakin' of your honor f v . • .. .-e going to take Mrs. ^Zj^Z^^ ^ - .:ur;r£^br;:rro:.*-'i---.-' ioave Bessy Conway particulai'r i„ ,7""' .'^' "'"''' '*' y parncuiauy m 7jour charge— the only 140 BE99Y CONTTAY ; OR, danger she apprehends for her is from Herbert, and shetTiinks you have a check on hira that no one else has." " Maybe I hare, yonr honor, maybe I haven't,— howsoni- over," and he nodded sij?nificantly, " we'H da onr beatr— I say we'll do our best, Captain !" " Well ! I'll tell you what yaa'll do," said Captaiiv Walters with his hand on the door; "when you find him out, tell him I want to see him immediately — immediately, rememt>er \" " Never fear, your honor ? I'll remember !" "Lest be shoald neglect coming," said the Captain, "tell him it's on a business of importance tc himself, Oood-bye, Paul ! I'm sorry I can't wait to see Mrs. Sheehan of wliose good fortune I heard with much pleasure. Tell hor so, will you 1 I am always glad to hear of the Gamek i>eople doinnj well." "I don't misdoubt you, Captain," said Paul by way of a compliment, and the Captain laughed as ho hurried down slairs, Paul hobbling after him with all the speed he could make. " But I say, Paul f" cried the Captain turning on tho first landing as the thought struck him, " I say, what's cnme of ' the biggest man on board V " " Oh ! your honor means Ned Finigan ?— he's well enough, and growing mighty fat, as well he may I he's keeping a liquor store, Captain !" " Oh ! — ah ! — a liquor store f — ^hutti {—the very thing that flta him ! — I thought he hadn't much taste for hard work ! — good bye again, my little man ! — lose no time in doing what I told you !" . In the course of half an hour Paul might be seen in close conversation with his friend Mike Milligan at the corner of Duane street, where the old Shakspeare Hotel jutted out in a sharp angle. " And you're sure you can find him ? ' said Papl. "Can I find yoj< ?" retorted the precocious juvenile, which THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. Ul " Where is he, then V* •' Not far off, I guess !" aaid Mike with a grin, and he pointed oyer hi8 shouMer. " Oh I it's there, is i'. V " Well ! he don't live there, but I saw him go in a little while ago— would you like to see him 1" " Yes ! but I don't want to go in. You must get him out, if you can." " I'll do it !" said Mike, and in he went to the bar-room, with his parrot-like cry "Daily Herald ! Buy a paper, sir !— buy a paper l" One of the first that bought a paper was Henry Herbert who sat moodily in a corner listening to something that Dixon was telling him in a low earnest tone. Dixon was much annoyed at the newsboy's interruption, and turning fiercely bade him " go to the d 1 !" " I'd rather you'd go yourself, sir !" " Get out of here, or I'll ring your ear for you *" " I guess you'd better not," said the provoking imp, " there's M. P.'s about!" And with a mocking grimace away ran Mike, having pocketed the cents for Herbert's paper, and made him a, sign, moreover, that he was wanted outside. Twenty minutes after. Captain Walters and Henry Herbert tiat tete-a-Uie in Mrs. Hibbard's front parlor. The light from a triple chandelier suspended from the ceiling fell full on Herbert's face, and muttering s.omething about "weak eyes" he slightly changed his position so that his face was partially shaded. "I was told you wished to see me. Captain Walters!" said Herbert with a sort of nervous tremor in his voice which he vainly tried to conceal as the frank, manly Englishman fixed his eyes upon him. " So I did, Mr Herbert." "May I ask why r ■i. wishcu to Speak to you on a matter 142 BESSY COX WAY 1 OR, which no way concerns myself, but much concoina you. Mr? Walters returna with mo to England in a few day.s.' "Well, sir!" " Well, sir ! she has a Bervant-maid — by name Bessy Conway — M'ith whom I believe Mr. Hoibort is not unacquaint id !" " Excuse me, Captain Walters ! " " Excuse me, Mr. Herbert ; pray allow me to finish what I was about to say !" Herbert bowed, and the Captain wcMit on : " You are also probably awaro that this youii;; girl is a sort of •protegee of my wife, who, indeed, \ rovailed upon her to conu» to America. She fears— mark me, Mr. Herbert — Mrs. WulterH fears to leave her behind without any protection, for the girl is young, and unusually good-looking for one iu her station." "Ha! Captain Walters has found ihai out!" Herbert ex- claimed with a flushed cheek. " Pardon me, Mr. Herbert!" said the Englishman coldly, " I allow no such insinuations— there is but one wouun in the world on whom my eyes rest with pleasure. I repeat, this young girl is handsome — well for hei, perhaps, if she were not —she is the more likely to attract the eyes of tho libertine. Mrs. Walters cannot advise hei-— cannot ask her to go home again with her fortune untried, yet she shrinks from the re- sponsibility of leaving her behind." Herbert's face was too expressive to answer tlie purpose of dissimulation. He tried hard to laok bold and unconcerned, but it would not da He spoke, however, what he eould not look. " In what way does this concern me, Captain Walters V " You know that yourself, Mr. Herbert ! so do I." Herbert, changed ■ color and bit his lip. "Suffice it to. say, we midor-- stand each other on that head, although I, for my part, cannot understand why a young man i>osse8sed of yoax adsantage.^ does not fly higher." " I was 'lot aware," said Herbert, with an incredulous smile, " that Captain Walters entertained so high an opinion of me." THR IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. US ' How high or how low Is not now the question, Mr. Her- bert ; my tlnio is very limited, and you will j.ardon rae if I speak more plainly than you may relish. What are your in- tentions with regard to Bessy Conway 1" "Well, upon my honor! Captain Walters, it is a singular question from you to mo ! Suppose I decline answerin- such a question V " In that case," said Captain Waltei-s, " I should feel myself under the necessity of informing your father, Wilson Herbert, of Ardflnnan, Ireland, late of Birmingham, England " "Really!" interrupted Herbert in a sarcastic tone, you know my father better than " " Better than you do," said the Captain significantly. " Had I time, and did it suit my purpose, I could fell you things about your father which, if generally known, would unsettle h,s tenure of that Tipperary estate of his. I confess myself an interested party, and one day or another when I have nothing bettor to do I may examine his title-deeds by the h^ht of cer"- tain documents which are registered and in safe keeping in England. I see you understand me. Well ! what remains' for me to say is this: if you have one particle of feeling for vour father— for your mother— and desire to keep off disgrace aa long as possible from your family, you will let Bessy Conway, alone, for I tell you the day that I hear of your renewing your attempts to seduce her from the path of virtue— that very day will seal your father's doom, and draw down upon him the punishment he well deserves. I hope you now understand how this matter concerns your he added ironically. Herbert rose from hi?? seat pale as death, his lips trembling with the passion which he dared not express in words. He looked fiercely at Captain Walters and the fingers of his ri-ht hand clutched at empty space and then closed as if conv"ul. Bively. He rested that hand on the back of he chair from which he had risen, and looked the captain steadily in th<^ face. All this beine done, he answ*.r«>/i w^rw oir><»iv 144 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, " Yefl, I understand— you mean to say that we are all in your power I" " That is precisely what I raean." "Oh! very well, Captain Walters!— It is rather hard, but 1 suppose it can't be helped." " I'ardon me — it can be helped— and by you," Bald the Captai 1 with emphasis. " I have told you how. Observe tho conditions, and you shall ( ot find me a hard task-master. You Will remember — will you uoti" " I shall not forget," Herbert replied with a strango smile, and he moved towards the door, — having reached it ho turned and spoke again : " Have the goodness to tell Mrs. "Walters," said ho, " that I have not forgotten what she told ma when I saw ho last — I have battled bravely with temptation for so far, unaided and alone— God knows how long I may be able to resist, for the world is trying me sorely. Captain Walters ! I have given ycni no promise — remember that!— I wish you, sir, f,'ood night!" he bowed with cold and haughty politeness, and then let him- self out as if fearful of hearing more. "Upon my word and honor !" *aid the Captain to himself, as he stood a moment looking after him, " upon my word and •honor! there is no accounting for tastes — now can such a young fellow as that, think seriously of little Bessy 1" If Captain Walters had seen the look of anguish on Her- bert's face when he took Bessy's hand for a moment at tho door he need not have asj .od the question. " Farewell, Bessy ! farewell !" said he, and he squeezed her hand very hard, while she looked up in his face with astonish- ment depicted on every feature ; " they will drive me to ruin," said the young man in a hoarse whisper, " they will break the one link that binds me still to virtue — thai is you ! — Bessy ! Bessy ! my brain is burning and my heart i^ breaking — would that I were dead !" "Master Henry dear! what ails you at alii" said Bessy THE IRISH OIRL IK AMERICA. 145 ".Are you sick, oi anxiously, and tho tears stood in her eyes, what's tho matter with you 1" "No, no, I'm weli enouRh-too well!-Ood bless you!-/ would bless you, but my blessing might prove a curse l-fare- well I farewell !" Raising the hand which he still hold he pressed it for a mo- luent to his throbbing brow, then dashing it from him, he pulled the door open and darted out. Ho was speedily lost to Be.ssy 8 view in the shadow flung by the tall old trees over tho moonhght street without. 146 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, CHAPTER XI. The day of parting came at last, and Bessy was permitted as a special favor to go in the carriage with the Ilibbard fam- ily to see Mrs. Walters on board the Oarriclc. Many friends were there, and many kind wishes were exchanged, and peo- ple were coming and going to the very last. The Ilibbards were amongst the last to leave the vessel, and Bessy Conway lingered behind whilst her mistress spoke with the Captain and his officers. Mrs. Walters had kindly promised to go and see Denis Conway and his wife as soon as she returned to Carrick, where she meant to spend part of the following sum- mer, and Bessy stood drowned in tears, with Mrs. Walters' two hands clasped between her own whilst she poured out the sor- row, and the love, and the gratitude that filled her heart. Suddenly another voice spoke behind her, it was that of llenry Herbert : " Mrs. Walters," said he, '• you will excuse mo, I hope, for intruding myself upon you at a moment sacred to friendship and to^ grief. I could not allow you to depart without assur- ing you once again that I am deeply grateful for the generous interest you have been pleased ♦lo take in a forlorn cast-away like myself. I make no professions — people would not believe me if I did — at least it seetas so — but oh ! believe me, I am the creature of circumstances. My whole life has been unfa- vorable to the growth of virtue — no genial sunshine, no soft- ening dew has fpMen on my heart to fructify the germ of good THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 147 that nature, or nature's God implanted in it— this you cannot understand, and Oiere is no time now for explanations-per- mit mo once mora to thank you most sincerely, and to wisli you a safe and pleasant voyage. If we never meet again I shall remember you as one who spoke kindly and encourag- ingly to the poor outcast " Bessy had retreated to a corner, and her sobs went to Mrs. Walters' heart. Herbert turned quickly and fixed his eyes upon her with a sorrowful expression. " Ay! she may weep," he said to Mrs. Walters, "she loves you and you were kind to her. She will find few to treat her us you did— to appreciate her as you did. 1 know her ralue, and I would cherish her as a tender flower, but she will not have it so— she flies mo as though I were serpent,— and others view me through a still darker medium ! Mrs. Walters ! I do not complain, but I must say that some whom you know liavo not used me well- but no matter now— a time may come,— if they only left me, Bessy, I could bear all, and the world might bo the gainer— now I am like a boat sent adrift on a stormy ocean without pilot or rudder— farewell !" "Farewell, Mr. Herbert!" said Mrs. Walters with deep feeling; "farewell! and may God give you strength to resist temptation, and follow the instincts of your better nature I— there— shako hands with Bessy now— and go quickly— you have but a moment !" Bessy came forward with downcast eyes, and Herbert taking her hand looked a moment on her drooping tearful face, then sighed heavily, and dropping the hand ho hold left the cabin withou a word. Mrs. Walters looked at Bessy— the color had left her cheek and she was trembling with suppressed emotion. "Bessy! Bessy! take care!" said the lady in a kind and soothing tone, " I know and feel that your trial is a hard one— but you must persevere— all that your friends can do will not save vou, unless you act firmly and— keep him , .i aight. (/ndoubted^y things looked bright, but Bessy had yet to learn the trutL. of the-.- oM saying : " All is not gold that glitteni." ■Things had frone on i'ery smoothly and fairly for about a week, ai.dev, v v-na was happy in t'ne restored peace of the mansion. Old W'i'u) q« heart^ Zn/r^iT f"""'' ^^-^ ' '''""'» *« >"»"»'■ with you ," Pi':::,; " °°™" " '-"• '"^ --' °" -""^"rmos. "Lord bless me !" said Bessy agaia in great alarm, " whaf. come over you at a^ p.„„y ,_<„, y„„ „,^^ ^^ ■ ^ «' _^ Biiirh";;. ' '"^"•' ■■-■""'^ ^->/. ■■ but-huLbu J_.. " I-i-can't-can't^get out this evening " 154 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, " Well ! what of that V " Wliy I shan't hear— hear Father P- -'s — sormon !" With all Bessy's good-nature she could not help laughing. " Why, then, Fanny, is that all that ails you V "I guess it's about enough," replied Fanny very sharply ; " I don't see what you've got to laugh at, really !" " Well ! after that"— and Bessy held up her hands in utter amazement—" after that I'm sure I'll not wonder at a-^y thing." "You won't, oh?— dear mo!" ejaculated Fanny rather dis- dainfully, as Bessy thought, for such a pious person. In the meantime Fanny had dried up her tears, and Bessy went on : " Well ! do you know, Fanny, I'm surprised at you— indeed I am— to let your mind be disturbed at such a trifle as that." " Trifle, indeed ! it ain't a trifle, I tell you, to be disappointed like that!" "I wish you may never have more cause to cry!" said Bessy; "if you don't you'll come off safe enough!" "Now will you just keep your chat to yourself 1" said Fanny, with increasing ill-humor; " I an't in a state of mind to bear much at the present time, I can tell you!" "Why, Fanny! Fanny! where's your patience gone to? Sure I often heard you say that it was a fine thing for people to have trials and troubles in this world, for that every one would be a crown to them in heaven ;— it seems you don't want W to make a crown of this trial, anyhow." But Fanny was quite too angry to listen to reason. " Well ! it an't any use talking," she exclaimed petulantly, " if I'm vexed it an't without good reason. I guess St. Peter himself couldn't bear it patiently !" "AVell! I think he could," said Bessy with a smile, "and I'm sure of it, too, for I couldn't bear what St. Peter bore, I'm afraid, and I could bear this disappointment of yours as easy as could be." " That may be," retorted Fanny, rrith a look so cynical and * cynical and THE IRISH GIRI. IN' AMERICA. ]55 sour (hat Bessy could hardly beliovo hor eyes • " some ^n't „, anxious to hoar sermons as others " ' ' "^ word for it." ^^ ''' ^'^'^^ '"X BcirmMr Ci.",:.:' "■' '; 7^"'' "'"■ ■»'• ->■'-••■ ■-" chnrch." '^' " ' '"" '""'' *"' '■•"'•™ k'^l't in from •• bu't rm'l7 " "■ °""^ '" "J"'""'' ^"""y. """I- .oftoned but I m real angry ivitli Mrs, Hibbard." " Well ! I don't Eoe why you should T« it i »™.. supper for three orVur of her friend ?/,:"", t° a nsht to aet what she wants .„ her own ^Z^H """ ' "" warr°"'h7ItWhe''T''',' "-'f"'* "^""^ ""- — " "."iiitii, out Its the least a 2 rl that'^ tun^T,;^ i-i I' And Jose your place to-morrow morning V ..../wr»re ?e::;j rir-T - - -- - - :;rerhX;°-«'"'-----™-^^^^^^^^ " Well ! I don't know how it m«v h^ ,wth 7/ov '• • • • , "-' ~" ^'^'^^ yo^^, saia Khe, 156 BKSSY CONWAY ; OR, " but for my part, I think I can save my soul hero as well as ff I was in a nunnery ;— and do you know what, Fanny ! maybo yon'ro doing r> • ■ -otir soul among tlu) pot.s and Haucepans to-niglit ; . were sitting in a pow ia St. Mary's Church listonitiii to i;uihor P ." " How so, pra y ?" " Why, becavisp you'd be doinp your own will if you went to Church, but it'.s God's will for you to stay at your work, when the mistress wants you." "Well, upon ?«?/ word !" ejaculaiod Fanny in high diddain, " things are come to a pretty pass with us when a bit cf a greenhorn undertakes to lecture us like that !" "I 1'. pc you'll not take it ill of mo," said Bessy mildly; "oven if I am a greenhorn, as you say, that doesn't prevent me (vf^m knowing how to save my soul. There's as good Chris- tians where I came from, thanks be to Qod, as there is any- where else." " Good gracious !" cried Fanny, glancing at the clock, " there its seven o'clock, and I han't got a thing done, not even my tea-dishes washed !" " Well ! if you'll go on with your cooking," said Bessy, " I'll wash the disht •• for you." This welcome proposal restored Fann: 's good humor, at least to a certain extent, and although she kept siijhing at in- tervals all the evening as she thought of Fathei ' 'g sermon, she said no more a': out it, for Wasl) came in . oon after, and Bessy took care to keep otlu -- subjects afloat, so that the evening passed ly wif\out an^ further rllu-sion to the e.xciting topic of Fan.iy's disappointment. But the girls were never on th(' same terms after that even- ing. The bond of sy^ pathy was bro: ?n bctwee;, them, and their mutual confidence was much diminished if not entirely destroyed. Bossy's faith in Fanny haf' received a severe shock, and the subdued mildness, or rutlier ca! uiess of her exterior no longer impressed her *. , h done. She hni dis- THE IRISH GIRL IN' AMKRICA. 157 V„,i ,.r,,i 1 .. '•> "'^^ Dehintl the bar with Ned and bo h seemed as though their hearts were ovcrflo^^n^ with content and thev rpv«i);,.„ • .u ^"»*.nio«mg favors. They we bofh n d r" V ''"'' "' '^'•^""^'^ " How is that, Mrs. Finigan 7" olelf!"' "•" '^f '""''' to-n'sht. you know, and they have elegant music and everything first-rate " " What's the club V " Why, the Smoking Club to !>« snrA t airiNt Hhmu till. Tlicy u<«rn forced to louvo her to go to their Inwincss, and Ned especiiilly was very angry, knowing what a stir her i)rotty modeMt fuco would make in the club-room. " You may go to the mischief, then !" he hum! tohtily as ho hur- ried back to the bar; "if Herbert was there, she'd go in a minute," he added in ,i undrr tone, " but her own aiipials aren't good enough for her ladyship since she has a aquirocn running after her !" Vexed as Ally was, she gave Bossy a scat near where she wasstandiir. "But maybe you'd rather go up stairs," said she in an ironical tone, " my mother is above." Bessy was rather amused, however, by the view which she had of the club-room through the open door, and she said she would wait a little where hlie was before she went up to sec Mrs. Murphy. It was, indeed, a scone where mirth and jollify abounded, and whero the ^lilarious elasticity of the Celtic nature was strikingly manifested. The Smoking Club of that day is now with the past, for twenty years throws many a custom off the stage of popular favor into the gulf of things obsolete. At the room-door sat an odd-looking /enius with the drolh-st expression of countenance and that ceaseless flow of humor only to bo found amongst those of his class and country. This individual held a plato on v»hich was deposited, by each one on entering, the silver key which obtained him admission, in the likeness of a York &3/illing. Each member, it seemed, had the privilege of bringing a partner, and the pile of shillings on the plate was appropriated, first of all to paying the musicians, the remainder to be spent at the bar in refreshments for the company. The smoking-members had another room appro- priated to themselves, their pipes and tobacco — segars were held in sovereign contempt, and by common consent excluded the club-room. TOE IRISH GIHL IS AMKHICA. jr)9 BosHy onjoy,,,! ll,o fun miKl.tily for «omo timo. Tl.o whole icooo was fnniiliar, and us sho watchod each " T~7-,''.""'"'"ff l"i'r llwu Him|.Iy hoiikI.I renown liy holding out tu tiro c.u,l. oil,, r dowi.." and Iho nwMiy anti.s of tho y,M.n« inon oud th« NunpciinK shynosH c.f tho frirls, as thoy «aily footed tho noor to tho tut.o of Tho Rocky Road to Dublin," ..r "Jackson's Mornin« Uninh - or 80.10 othor traditio.ial favo.ito, sho could uhuo.t fomrt the tJ.ouHands of miles that lay hotwcon h.r and " tlio bi« hum" whoromanyalimoBho trij.pod it on tho baro earthen floor. When tho recollection of where sho was did recur to her mind a «Jfih nn.l a tear were Rivc-n to tho li«ht«omo heart and the homely joys of that Auid Lan« Sy„„ ,vhich soen.ed to have fallen a score of yoara back into the past, though BesHy'« years wore but a score. It Hoon got about in tho room that " old Denis Conway's daughter froui Ardlinnan" was somewhero in the vicinity and ono a tor another, full half a do^en "Tipperary boys" made tho.r bow and sc.apo before her. asking tho pleasure of her company to dance. Bessy was fain to refuse them all, but no .«" pla'sible '""'""' '" "'' ""' '" '''''''' ^"'^ ^'^^ ^^--- She was just thinking of going up stairs, when a well known vo..ce speaking to Ned at tho bar, mado her t.un <,uickly and thoro she saw Henry Herbert, his faco flushed cither with liquor or somo strong excitement. He had just come in, ac compan.ed by a tall showy man, whom Bessy recognized with a su,k,ng heart as the sanu, who had so Impudently accosted her that well-remembered night in Chatham square. The pair of friends were passing on to the smaller rcom adjonnng the club-room, and Ned Fini.an looked anxiously ouna m search of Bessy. To his great relief no Bes.syTla iii. 160 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, CHAPTER XII. BsssT had been proposing to herself for some time to go to see Mary Murphy, who had been two or three times to seo her. On the Thursday evening after her visit to Ned Finigan's, she went up after tea to Houston street, and was hicky enough to find Mary in, though dead tired, she said, after being ut a dance the night before. She was very glad to see Bessy, and 80, indeed, was Becky, her staid and sober fellow-servant, "a hardy giri," as they say in Ireland, hut a very respectable servant, upright and conscientious. Mary was nodding and yawning over a towel which she was supposed to be hemming, whilst Becky was cleaning her silver, Bessy's entrance was very welcome to both, for Becky had no objection to a bit of chat once in a while, and Mary was glad of anything that would keep her from falling asleep. " Well ! I'm real glad to see you,'* said Mary, " but, la me ! what a figure you are ! I wonder you an't ashamed to come out of an evening in a calico dress !" Bessy smiled and looked down with a perfectly satisfied air at the neat chintz calico which looked bright and clean and very p'retty under her dark shawl. " Mary, how can you talk like that 1" exclaimed Becky ; " now that's about the prettiest calico I've seen in a long time. It's real neat." " Neat, indeed !" said Mary with infinite contempt, " it might do well enough for the morning when folks are at their work, but ^ou woultin'*"- catch tsts ^qIuh out so of an cYfiuin^ " THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 161 I guess not," said Becky with great composure. " but that an t any rule for folks that liavo more sense. I guess Bessy makes a better use of her money than putting it on her back in silk and satin." "Do you hear her now?" cried Mary thoroughly roused from her drowsy fit, "she talks just so all the blessed time- out I needn't blame her— it's only natural." Mary coughed affectedly and glanced meaningly at Bockv's remarkably plain face. ' ^ " For shame, Mary dear I for shame !" whispered Bessy pur- posely avoiding the direction of Mary's wicked eye But Mary only laughed and sang with provoking emphasis: •'Nobody coming to marry me. Nobody coming to woo, Nobody coming to marry mo. Oh dear ! what shall i do?" Bessy was ashamed to look at the cook, and she glanced reprovingly at Mary, but such scenes were of too frequent occurrence to excite much feeling on either part. Becky rubbed away harder than ever at her plate, but she soon paused to.ask Bessy how she liked her new mistress-she had heard from Mary of Mrs. Walters' departure and Bos.sy's en- gagement with Mrs. Ilibbard. "I like her very well," said Bessy, "she is a very good mistress." " " How often does she let you out ?" put in Mary " Tsvico a week if I choose to go-that is, Sunday and any day through the week that's most convenient. But I don't always go out when it's my turn. Unless when I have some very particular reason I don't care for going out in tho even- ings I'd sooner do some sewing either for mvsolf or Mrs Hibburd." "Sewing indeed!" cried Mary with her disdainful curl of the lip, "Vd^ Hee any mistress far enough before Td stay in s-n.^ sevr' for her when it was my turn out!" !i!ii i;"i !iii =l::i; Hill 162 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, "No one would ever suspect you of such a thing," said Becky drily, "bo you needn't take any pains to let us know it. I guess you'd rather be dancing jigs down to your brother- in-law's, or trotting from one shin-dig to another keeping me out of my bed till eleven or twelve o'clock waiting for you. There an't any chance of your sewing much evenings when you can get out." " I leave that to you and the likes of you," said Mary in a saucy yet not ill-natured tone, for she knew that Becky meant what she said for her good. " I wouldn't bo seen doing what you're doing anyhow; if I engaged to do Mrs, Graham's work, I didn't engage to spend my evenings at it, and I won't,, either, I'm determined," " Bessy !" said tho cook, " do girls in place talk and act so in Ireland 1" "What does she know whether they do or not?" put in Mary ; " neither she nor I ever lived out till we came to America!" " If I didn't," said Bessy, " I know how girls acted that did live out, and as Becky put tho question to me I must tell her tho truth : a servant girl in Ireland that would bo seen going on as some of them do hero would be put in a strait-jacket, and taken off to a madhouse. Indeed she would, Becky ! and Mary Icnows that as well as I do if she'd only say so," Mary shook her fist at Bessy with a playful air, and Becky asked in a tone of great interest : " They don't dress up a« they do here — do they 1" " Dress up ! why no, they dress decently and plainly, in tho way ttiat they think is becoming to their station. If a servant- girl went out in a silk dress, with feathers oi* flowers in htr bonnet, she'd bo made a show of before she'd get iu, and as for the boys, why! there wouldn't one of them look the Bido she'd be in — tho rich farmer's sons, oven, wouldn't liko to marry a girl that wore eucli finery, for the reason that they'd think glio'd make a poor wife. No, no, Becky ! the servant-girls in THE IRISH iiIRL IN AMERICA. 163 Hid act so Ireland have more sense than be laying out all thoy earn on foolish clothes that would only make people laujih at them when they'd have them on. And I often hoard Mrs. Herbert say, Mary ! that it's just the same in England, and that numbers of servant-girls make good matches among the farmers and tradesmen, and even shop-keepers, just because they're so neat and tidy and plain in their dress, and so fond of saving up their money," Kearing this, Becky nodded triumphantly at Mary. " There ! if that an't just what I often told Mary, As girls dress up here, why the young men are afraid to have anything to do with them. What prospect is it for a man earning a few dollars a week to marry a dressed-up doll of a girl without a cent in her pocket or anything better to begin housekeeping with than a couple of showy flare-up dresses, a bonnet to match, and a stylish sunshade ]" The tone in which Becky said this made the girls laugh, but Mary jumping to her feet gave her a smart slap on the shoulder: "Will you not be bothering us, now. with your old palavers 1 Ilusht ! is that the parlor bell V ^ It was, and Mary ran up stairs where she remained some time, during which Becky took the opportunity to have a talk with Bessy about her friend. "I kind of like Mary," said the precise New England woman, " and I've bin a-trying ever since she came to Teach her how to do her work as it ought to be done. At first I thought she was going to be a real nice tidy girl, but"— and Becky shook her head emphatically—" I find there an't the least use in trying to get her into my own way? " "Well! it's very strange," said Bessy thoughtfully ; "you'd think a girl that has such taste for dressing herself would have a taste for keeping every thing neat and clean about her." Becky smiled with a sort of patronizing air i^.s she replied : "I guess if you were as long looking at help-girls as I have bin von w.inlrln'f cnonV JITrs *h»* t»i i .. i . ■•■ 164 BESSY CONWAY ! OR, saw a stuck-up, dandlfled young woman in place that Tvan't real untidy about her work. I've seen them go out ia rich siik dresses and every thing on them in flrst-rato stylo, and to see them about their work they'd be more like scarecrows than any thing else— so dirty that you'd hate to see them around the house. Many a time I wished that the beaux they were so fond of talking of could only get a peep at them then —my stars! wouldn't they take their fancy! Then the work —why, I tell you, Bessy Conway! it would be many times easier to do it one's self thaa be everlastingly hunting after them. It's real hard to put up with them— that it is— for they won't take the trouble to do things slick, and when a mistress finds fault with them for not doing as they had ought to, they'll give sa'ce to no end, and finish with ' I can't do it any bettor, Mrs So and So ! if you don't like it) get another !' instead of saying that they'd try and do better for the time to come." "But, my goodness! Reeky! euro Mary can't bo as bad as all that comes to ! Why, at homo she was a fine sr art ciean girl a.s you'd see anywhere. She'd work as much as two." •'That may be, Bessy! but, you see, the work was as dif- ferent as could bo. I was raised in the country myself, away out in Connecticut, and I ought to know what country work is. Milking cows, and cleaning dairy-vessels, and feeding poultry and such things an't the least bit like sweeping car- pets, and dusting furniture, and washing paintings, and ever so many other little matters that l)elong to a housemaid's work in the city. I wish I could get Mary to do things just so! Im sure I've tried all I could. There wan't any one but me to see to her-^. — " "Why, where was the mistress?" Besriy asked in surptiso. Becky seldom laughed but she laughed then— a low, dry laugh peculiar to herself: "Why, out about the city, to be euro. Mrs. Graham has got the business of so many fi ionrls to look after that she hasn't a moment's time to look after her own. )i THE IRISH GIRL IN AMKRICA. 165 " Goodness gracious ! how can that be V "Well! you know ohe hasn't any family of her own, and she gits a girl in to do her sewing, so she has no way of passing the ume at ho.ae, and she says it's so lonesome all dav long when Mr. Graham is at business that she can't bear it noor dear lady ! " » f "^ " Well ?" " Weil ! as soon as ever she gets her breakfast down in the morning and Mr. Graham off to his store, out she goes herself and a sight of her we never see till coming on ev^ening again " '- Mercy on me, Becky ! what does she be doin^ i" "As if I could tell how a lady spends her tim'e when .he's out! 1 guess she's shopping part of the dayar.d paying visits and finding out what's going on the rest of the time. The only thing I know about it is that she has always a budget of news at dinner for Mr. Graham about all .he folks they know, so that looks as if .he took pains to hunt i. up. But she's ^al good to me-r wouldn't wish a kinder mistreas. I may just do as I like all the week round." M."f°/,? ^r'"" "'^'^'' ^^^^^yJ" said Bessy shre;vdly, "I think If Mrs. Graham had other girls to deal with she wouldn't spend so much of her time out." " That may be, too," said Becky, with much self-compla- Cj-mcy; 'I v^ili say for myself that there an't any J,in. ne- glected or anything wasted in my part of the work no more strange in New York for ladies to spend their day out " "No!" ^' No, indeed I^why, child, I have lived in famiiies-.some of them only .n middling circumstances, too-where there was three, or four, or five children to look after, and it was just the sanae. Let^ the money come how h might they had a sewin^.- .Iirl most of the time, and dressed and went out everv day as sure as the affernoon came, and, goodness gracious! if you tiaw them on liie aunn -1 !>"»r ttitJr U wa-^-i. your 166 BESSY CONWAY; OR, eyes so. with jewelry and satins, and laces and all such things, that you scarce could bear to look at them," " Lord bless my soul ! aro you in earnest 1" ejaculated Bessy. " I guess I am," said Becky, with her strange laugh. " But that an't the worst of it. I have known that same sinving-girl I spoke of to come, perhaps a dozen times, after her monkey, before she could git it, though the lady knew very well she had a poor sickly mother depending on what she earned. As for the house-girls— she had three of us, the lady I'm speak- ing of now— we used to have to take our wage's in quarters and half dollars, and glad to get it at that, sometimes after we had left and gone to other places. I tell you, Bessy, one sees the world when she's living out— between ladies and their help I've seen enough of it. Well! what's going on now?" ad- dressing Mary, who had just come into the kitchen, and hav- ing carefully shut the door, threw herself into a chair, laugh- ing immoderately. " You that's so good at guessing, Becky, guess what I was at ever since T' she said, as soon as she could find voice to speak. After sundry ineflectual attempts, Becky guessed she must give it up. " What were you doinc ?" "Well! I was helpitig Mrs. Graham to teach Flora to beg. She was sittin' in the rockin'-chair givin' out the word of com- mand, and I was holdin' up the dog's paws every time to get her into the way of it. Mr. Graham laughed at the two of us Ull you might tie him with a straw, and / had hard work, you may be sure, to keep in till I got out of the room. I declare my sides are sore with the laughing, so they are ! A full hour by the clock teaching Flora to stand on hev hind legs I— oh ! oh! oh !-and the mistress hadn't time to darn a fine c.llar of hers that was torn in the wash— she had to put it away till Miss Johnston comes next week !— and I heard Mr. Graham scolding like fifty because there wasn't a button on his shirt ! Oh Lord ! oh Lord !" TIIK lUl.SII (iliu, IN- AMKRICA. 167 Becky thought it her duty to robuko Mary for lau^hin. so at her mistress, but Mary only laughed the more • " I t Lv wonder I'd laugh V> she said wiping" the tears ?:. , e/J alf h?. " u\r' ''"^^ ' ^"" '^ '^""'^ >— 'f if you saw al the trouble that poor woman was in because Flora wasso hard to put manners into. Lord knows you'd think itJaslif! or^deajth with he, and that's what made the maslL^^a^^^ Bessy was much amused by Mary's ludicrous account of ^e important business which had kept her so Ion' up "tlirs ne "as, or m the presence of Mrs. Graham's old servan* Her t.me was up, moreover, so she hurried away after nv^n:: Becky to go and see her in Monroe street. " I know von .^nf Mary can't come together " said she " h , ^ ^^ aea ti„e, ,„„ .„„.,7 BecC"- ;. '^^rj:™ Z had taken a great fancy to B«,.v, and ofte: told Marr aflr vajds .hat if rte wonld only keep „„„ „f *.,• comZv „d T.TZ "^ ""- '- '"»"■ -" - ^ ^--'"rt: That same erento^, an honr or two lator Honrv irerl,.r, «ttm. a,„„. in h. .oom-a front hed-roo„:^ "r^'Cr Ins-hon-e ,„„.,„here in Eldrid« or For.,y.he «roal>4. „at.et no tnovv which He ,at at a -^blo in the centre of t he roo™ w,th h. head .„owM down „ hi, chest, and hi. le„ ."itched at fullengh nuder the t»,le, whibt one hand played tl ' With the go d waroh-ohafn t-nt 1,„„ • . , l^"*0'eu Kiiy open brow, and a sneer on his lip that extended itself over'his whole face, gwmg a sort of sardonic character to features tha nature had mad*, fair to look upon "Lyl!^f^"^1 "' '"'' ''^"'' ^■•^^''"'^ "J' the letter a^ain my mother ,s alm«t as griping as my f,.th«r. M^meyCd position are the idnU of h-#u r ^. . """^ *"« -«.. i,^^ ag gee ag»in what iihe says : 168 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, '"My dear son,'— ay! very dear, indeed,— 'I have Just re- ceived your letter w.uch I have not dared to sho^v to your father. He has not forgiven yon, Henry ! and what is worse, I fear he never will'— I'm pretty sure of it, mother! if yow never said it-' And, after all, you cannot blame him'— oh ! of course not !— ' you betrayed his confidence'— I never had it to betray — ' you robbed him of his honest gains' "—the sneer came again on Herbert's face bitterer than ever, as he mntbred :— " honest, indeed I— I think the less we say about that the better. ' Two hundred pounds in these times is no trifle.' It is to your nis- band, madam ! ' And it was not worth your while to l^urn your father's heart against you for such a paltry sum— you know it would all have been yours some day,— there M-as no one for it but yourself,'— humph! that's live horse and youll get grass,— I'd rather have a little as I wont along, and loss in tho long run, 'But oh! Henry! Henry! there's worse than all tha't said of you hero'— there is, eh ?— ' con it be true that you took Denis Conway's daughter off with you 1— some say you married her, but oh! surely, surely, you would not disgrace your family by such a step !' Ha ! ha ! ha ! that is so like her— dis- obedience, robbery, and all the other sins possible and impos- sible laid to my charge are honorable and meritorious acts when compared with a plebeian marriage !— that alone would entail disgrace, it seems !— and then"— the frown on his brow grew darker still— " and then, no thought of the possible in- jury done to Bessy in case I had taken her with me— but not as a wife— no thought of the shame and misery that would, then, indeed, fall on a virtuous family respected by all in their own sphere— no thought of the ruin such a connection would bring to Aer— the black sin to both— oh ! mother I mother ! what wonder is it that I am what I am !" There was little more in the letter except an urgent request for Henry to let the writer know if it was true about that un- fortunate marriage— if not, all might yet be well. As the young man glanced at the neat, fair signature written in a TH« IRISH GIRL IS AMERICA. Puahed back LiacLl^Ih. '"";'"'■ ""■"•>" »" hi" fico, ),. -•Iking the room wUh rlpM s trid "' """^ '"^ »"""--" gloomy «,„e„ tono • ' ^"''- '"'"""■'°« "> him^If in a «uM::u':riirr:','tr-' '^ ' "»" ™'^ «-' -•« them both-and -vb/no „ad I ."f "•""' ""■ ' ""'""'o" Wn Walters and othe. foo !^ « "' ""'•"'"' < ^ap- my father that which ho hMeth.f ""'"'' '^'""^ '''•''■» •peaks of my fttherVhoZsr ,„, . ^'' T '" "" ""'"' «'» cUId of theirs were I so aaX I -^™"' '» '«» I «-ero a„ ««ghtt„k„o„herMaarl 'Mte'Ta /' '""-""'^ »"• novice in this world's ivUe, , iT" , "" ""'P°'° him such a father has not found it „), out LL ''""°' '"■'"'''"■ that my When he .o„ come to kn : ^'IZl^rn' 7,'" ""' "= "" thmg to trouble me here and if ! \, "^ ''° ™° ^^ ""y- to a milestone or ' " ''°' ''• ""V So whjstle jig. Ha ! ha ! ha . - Thetr 7 "'^ " """° '™-' aa our old p„s„n uTed rs'* rt"*Vth-^f f ""' ""^ ■"' ' able parent riding off Jn th« ,1!, \ ^ ' ^''^ "^^ ^ener- truant son and l^s 1 3^^ tT' '> ' ''""' " "^^^' ^^ ^"'^ figure ! And my ^eZeZ^T?'"' ' ^""^''"'^ ^^^ «"' a through her gold's^eotcles " ' ^^''^^ '''''' ^""^ ^' ^^« ^oor erately. That being over htn oof , ''"' ^'"°'"*"^ '"^'«°d. and a softened expr;3sio ' oleoverh rT? '''''''" ^'^^""-' but one being in the wnvM ...'^ ? ■ "'''• " ^''"''^ ^« jO.. I !ove. i.e murmured softly, no BESSY CON WAY ; OR, "but one who has ponar over my heart. Some secret bond of sympatl/ exists between us and I know I could features. lie was, or at least appeared to bo, in high spir ■ " Give me j>--'•» "-I than Herbert did IJ/, H • .,■ ' ^ " '■'"'' ''"'"'™''' "nanagenient he sue oeeded in drawing the secret out of him That ^ai '1!,,, r«t was easy, and in half an hour, skilful ope^tioron „e ° bert s weak pon,.s he had worked him up to a stale of e. e meat that swept away every vestiiro of „„„i» eicite- resolution that had been gather""'; re, Lt"' "'T^ "^ the trying „„„,« „, „.X ill-stTrCX ^'^'"s: .'ki:! we e rmi ° ■""" " P"'>' "' ■■ "e" W fellows" who .rri^X """ " "'™"'« "■•"-■".own gaming-house il •JUiUiua MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 1.0 1^ 16.3 13.2 [4.0 2.2 1.8 ^ APPLIED IIVHGE I nc 1653 East Main Street Rochester, New York 14609 USA (716) 482-0300- Phone (716) 288-5989 -Fox 112 BESSY CONWAY; OR, in every vein and throbbing in every pulse. The lash of con- science was lacerating his soul— he hated his companions, for all night long they had been robbing him of his ill-got trea- sures — ''plucking him," as he had said of the Georgian who was but the creature of Dixon's imagination — the decoy-duck, as it were, to draw Herbert into the snare. Yes ! Herbert hated them all, for they had taunted and goaded him into the jaws of ruin, but he hated himself most of all for allowing himself to become their dupe. " Buy a Herald, m\— Daily Herald, sir!" The voice was that of Mike Miliigan, and as Herbert glanced down at the boy's rather peculiar face, he recognized him at once as the same who had brought him Paul's message that night at the Shakspoare. Somehow he winced at the sight of him, and vexed at being seen emerging from such a place at such a time he said what under other circumstances he would not have said — what he never said before : " Go to h with your Herald /" "Thank you kindly, Mr. Herbert!" the urchin replied, "maybe you want company on the way— I'd be willing to oblige you, sir, but I don't know as they want papers there !" The boy turned a corner and was out of sight before Her- bert had made up his mind whether to inflict corporal pun- ishment en him or not. THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. ns CHAPTER XIII. how his friend Ned Fin!.. . ^^annigan, going up to see a Hde With It" X »tT; ::: „?r "^ ■"■" '° "<> h. wa, going „„ buaines,. ItwasLMompln r,"""' """" Sfwi:?';^ "^""* "'ec'; ":'i : reXn neias whose freshness was as p-nfofni *,. « • fe'ctn of the deserf M ih a grateful to his eyes as the oasis he w n «^"d-Parched, sun-scorched traveller So a.r and the .woet-smelling herbage, and the rapid W her, a place that maybe l-ll nerer .cea«ai„-stin I'd .„„, or hear you any day than ker. for she ha, on]y the „„c , Co aTd .hat hoin t to look over your shoulder for an answer I" laborers """^ "' ''°'"''" '^'"='' "«» "^ °°» «' "■<> "Wall ! (hen, I b'lieve he is-he passed up hore a IMl. « , eago ,•„ «, oacl. htaself an' theListresJarA;! •'Or their nianimies either," suggested another. ,o 7'"J^"* "" »""<"• for that," said the one who first accosted Paul: "There's worse than him or her ridinMn coaches these times-if they haven't the larnin' or trfln! .speech like the rale quality, they made their money holtlv what they have is their own, an' that's what ca" be st^;; many a one that carries as high a head as they do " Leaving these homely raoralizers (o pursue the subject at their e,3ure m beguilemcnt of their homeward march we must follow our oddly matched comrades up to the door If the palatial mansion where -the master' dwelt in „h"^l ne BE3SY CONWAY ; OK, intended for aristocratic splendor. The building ^as of bro^nj stone with windows opening almost to the floor on every story and portals large and lofty leading to its spacious hall. " Alonrr' the front ran a broad piazza whose roof was supported by VmU and graceful pillars of Egyptian marble, around whicl' Urn rarest flowers of Spring were twining their fairy tendrils in preparation for the gorgeous show of Summer. A slopinr. lawn lay in front of the house, its hue of emerald velvet iiuli- cating the care bestowed upon it. The view through the liilf- closed curtains of crimson and yellow damask way like a glimpse into some of those palaces of Eastern story our child- hood's wonder and delight, and Nod Finigan said to his friend as he timidly placed his hand on the bell : "Well! do you know, Paul, myselfs afraid to venture in. Still, I suppose I must, as we came so far." He rang with a tremulous hand, and the door was opened by a colored servant in livery. He looked sava-o Ned thought, and he did, too, for ho had opened the door wiih bin best bow ready in expectation of some distinguished or at least, well-dressed visitor. Seeing Ned and the dwarf 'he askad gruffly what they wanted, and seemed well inclined to shut the door in their faces. "Agoodevenin'toyou!" said Ned in a deprecating tone ■ " would you be pleased to toll mo is Mister McRorv°in the house r' "Can't say," said the nigger grandly,- "what you want him fori" " Well ! I just came up to see him about a little business of my ovni." "'Mr. McRory neber sees nobody on business hero. Go to his office to-morrow." "But couldn't I speak a word with him? If you'd be so kind as to tell him that it's Ned Finigan that wants' to see him I'm sure he wouldn't refuse after me and this other decent man comia' so far." THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 177 *loor^" M^sii' '"'' "' "^'"-'"^ '''' "'^^''^ ^- I guess I do," said McRory with a good-natured smiie • bu about your father-in-law-now couldn't you have .vaite. till I'd be m town to-morrow 1 eh, Ned V TOE IRISH nmi, IN .,MER,CA. 179 t= too ,ate ir I «T.edun :;;:::;::'. ' '"''^■' """' "»' '■" McHo., ™,. ,e win ;ir , :zr;:r„;:L""'' "- 1 11 .oe about Pe„,.y.» ,,„,;„,,, ,„.,„or 1 V, , ™'"- «.y offlco will, „i„, about twelro „ VloA "' "'"■" ™""' "■ ne,err,e'it'° ''°''' '"'='" McRor/,-„ay .ou- .hado. woXTitf r «r s'^" '° *^ ""'-- -->- '"•» fcce as fresh, ami fair and ro™ , ',; ™ "^o*. ''^"omely c»orty.m-o was the iZ^ZnJr^.t '''ZT: T"^"' " rece ved" some h'i]f -, ^., , ,. ^ ^"® ^'^<^ already and the so«„d Tf el rLt ™ f '" """ S™"^-""- "r le.^ others. ^° "''"='" announoed the arrival of had taken his .J^^ZZTTl ""' '"^ '"■'"='"'-'' tte eyes of ■■ the qnalitv ■• W.J ^ ° . 5° ™^ """' '''■'"» ""^'^ and there, indeed ho LodMn.','" """ *^ ■'"»■■' "'»"«, «tone base of the ron rvr I ° ™" ^'"'"S ^ ""> low lawn from the high road ™tl;"I.' '""^'' *''■ M'^'t" amusins himself 'with tt gambols /flnr'^"'^ ' '' "•"'''''"■ branches of a neighhorin/rden ' ' ° ''<■ ^-"^ '-■ '" '"» of hi, speed down the avenue '^ ""*'" ^' ""» '"I' " 'Deed I didn't, then " «nM t>o i ..-r , way ™ "ore it watchln^ the antia of th«t„ r*"""^ «" «»« time of broke laughin- st W " ""'"• ' ''«'"« »? b««f, 180 BEssy conu'ay: or. Bad manners to you for a spri.ssaun," said Ned pleasantly w,ll you get up out o- that, and let us be movin' homo . t'.' easy seen you haven't much to trouble you, or it isn't'thore you'd be squattin' so contentedly." " 'Deed I could sit till mornin' in it, an' never find the time long e>ther. Still I think it's as well to be on the move Ah' sZJ aTb' T. !'''•''' "'^''''''^ ""^« animir.W f^ports had beguiled his time so happily As the two trudged along to meet the'stage, Ned. bein. in a better humor for talking, rattled away with his ^ccust^omed fluency on a great variety of subjects. All of a sudd n Paui .rne^^^^^^^ "How is Mister Herbert getfin' on these times r' "How the mischief do /know 7" returned Ned sharply What have / to do with Mister Herbert ?" ' " Why, I'm told he's a daily visitor at the Castle, and brings a power of custom there, too. Maybe it isn't true though.''^ men I ."' ' '' ""'''" ^^'^ ^'^ ^^^^ «°-« ^^^^a^ra^- vrnJr." ''""' ''^ "' '"^ '^^ '•'"^' ^""^ ^'°'« "'^t * ^^^y pock^e^s."'" *''" ''"' '" '"^ ''" ''' '' ^''^' ^« *-o P-k- menHy. ^ ^'' ^'' ""^^"'^^ ^^^^ '^^'' ^*'" "^^^^ ^ed vehe- n.Z'' •.."'''^v' '' '"'' '"'^ ^'"^ ^'^ ^" '^^"J^^l tone, "an' r/h' ; 1 i"^"' '''' '" '^^^ '« ''''''-' th« '--"ord to Dear r^ '^ .! ^^ "''''''' ''"" ^^'^ ^^^^ ''' ^^« ^^^alth. Dear me! isn't ,t a wicked world when decent people can't turn m their skins without somebody makiu' a talk of it >" Come now, Paul! none of your jibin' ! It would blister your tongue to speak a good word of any one, so it would " n ^-^Tlr f^^^^^^ ^ «^Jd of s^ou, then," Paul replied, "'an' It didn't blister my tongue. An' there's Bessy Conway, to go no farther -I'd like to see the man or woman that ever heard rriK imsii girl ,k America. 181 me say an ill word of her for ♦», in my yowor." ' '^° '■*'^^°» "'^t ^ho never left it "It's well she didn't " sni.i v j .. Wood ,0 l,er-y„„M kj;! " ,'"" '""»-"""■» not a drop'. 'Don't be botherin' mn. t * ,i don. „„,, .„ „ ;"™ ^°'J ^ ' yo" ! Miseer „„b«rt ha, anybody c,,„-,„L. MMerV ^rv y' '"; "■" "»""- ">- blacken him, Paul , b,„ b„ ThT"/- ^^ "o"" your b™t to earn. o„t_y„„.„ ,„„„ , ;„,f „*"', '"'":^:»J y°"'™ p,aj.„d that " 'Ti'i.^, God help ;o,T Z' , ? """ '■" "y "y-" ■"• "y-. tl.ou.„ it ., a t r„, „ ?„'r '''°''! "-"-■"•OuBtin your -■a'nn a:,,o.: Sr -^ -;;' y»- -„,„„,. „,ea «M anybovy." ^ "' -^ """^ I can see as well as you -nLn^ii::^-;^^ -^-^^ ^. pa. witJ f^ce. "if you weren't as blind as aC °^ "^ ''^ ^^^'s you wouldn't let it into you. mh d tW rr "' ^"" "^ ^ ^''^^"^ tbe day you made a sho v nJ .1 "'"'^ ^^^''^^'-t forgets the Garnck." "'" "' ^^'"^ ^^^°^« a" that was on board woLtn;'hL'TnIhXt,^^^ -- ^•^^•* -n't. I ^- a^II, he's a rale gentleman:'!:""^ "^"^^- ^ ^^" ^^ -- ^-3 h^ c W :: ^.;!^r ;":^ ^'f ^^-^--d /enow that «oIf. but between you and !) J ' ^^""^"^«". Iknowmy- that have.their eyef^do 'pe"" ': ^^^ ^ ^^^^'- ^^°^^ds joy Of your friends, Ned ' C f ^''"'r'' '^'''- ^ ^''^^ you you !" ' ^"'^- ^"t ^or me, I'll wash my hands of 183 nKSSY CONWAV ; OR, them, and thoy oven avoided each other's ovf.« .o .... the Thud avenue, when the «ta-,o stopped to take in u nasnen «or. whom our fviamh at onco reccH^ni/ed a« K i n , Nod .U next the door, and in ..swer [i;' hi:' Z^^ ^ incr, the priest said in a low voice • ^ " Z' 2^T' ''"'' ^r^^^"^°-'" Ncl repeated in surprise; ^vh7 then, it's yourself will be welcome as the flowers in May. but I'm sure it's an honor we didn't expect All/^ 1 " There Was a tremor in his voice that showed a mis'iv .."of ome kmd. but there were too many eyes on him t r^ t per t in'!" ' y''''' '' " ^"■'"«^' «- J- -- forced to re stram his curiosity till he reached home At Prince street, where Ned and Father Daly got out Paul g out too. as he wanted to npealc to the prleat abo" ;ome thing of importance, and was thankful fi ih. thus afforded him Ti,i« « 7 "i«"^l"I for the opportunity for Ned's ear iT •^^^^^^"^^'0" was meant particularly after 'k . t.; ^ ''''^ of excuse for "troubling his house-, after what had passed between them ' Ally was all in a flutter at the sight of Father Daly Drop P ng her lowest curtsy, she whispered to Ned to take hif ev erence up stairs, and she'd be up in a minute. Paullud 1 oi beprevaued , to go up until after the priest had mde the oi,ec Of his visit known to those whom it conee'red'o he took his seat on the bench in the corner ^f^^'^J^'l ""''' ^'"^'' ^''y'« ^"'^''^^^^ iJ^'re that even.-u. 1 IX r r'"'' '" ^"' *^^ •l"^^^'""". ^°t he looked t a- a th priest with a kindly Bmile hastened to satisfy hi cuiluy Ned jumped from his seat. " My nht^r ?n 1-^ ence 1 Mary Murphy, is it 1" ^ "'^t^^"'"-^*^. your rerer- THE imsir r.iRi, i^ America. 188 ••I'bwrslster-ln.Jaw.MaryMurpl.j.p. Witliout more iido Nod nullofl .»,„ ^ to tho Htair-hoad called on ' a1, .t" "'"'' "^"^ ""'^'"« "r.ord bloss us wJiafHTn ^ , ^' '""^" ^♦^'•«. Ally!" " 1« tl- luxiso a aIm ' "'""'' ^ "'^^ ^"^ '^«m bolo. ; In a moment both husband an ' wife unr. • » breathless with excitement. "Why fI 1 n ? 'I' ' '■"°"^' cau'tb. true!" ojaculated Ally as «he drn J " ' '"""^ '^ Pantin;. and gaspin^r .. wu^ 1''' '^'^ ^ '^«PP«^ '"to a chair -"^^ '- to let us IcnoC ihf; ;^7J^;'' "'^'^ "^^ -- ence!" " *^^"^ '^« true, your rever- ,','°"' "'""'«"'<'. your rowencel" .w?:arr: [Sir srs '° r --- auy such person i" "*® Mulhgan— do you know faces grow very red '''^^ ^'^^'''^ «>'<^«' ^nd their "Why, then, Ned'" sniM AiT„ t , the same Luke M Jli.an ttt ' ^W ''^'"'^'' "^°"'^ ''^ ^ at home 1" "^ ^ "''^^ ^^ &« '"oun'' gatherin' rag, "Qod knows but it is Allvf v i "Tlmfs «h,,t I cannot WiT ., h^re, your reverence 1" -M very ,rave,y. " m^ otteT^J;".':?," •'" "■\''*-" does for a living, or whother h. / f ^^"" '*'^«^ ^'^ that he dresses very howt;'^^^^^ ' ^-"«- ^^ y sno wilj -sports nngs, and scarf-pins, and 184 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, had thf c„„j„r:rh r pa ;„i .Tarr'^' ''t ^'^'^^ " "- answered in the affirmative n.' ri™" """'''"""• »'■» with her, or ^hyTZTl. /; f ""'^ ""'>' ""^ -»' complied with Yon ^ro r, ''^ ,"'«". or were likely to he, The dwarfs business with Father Daly wa.. soon ,?f«n«*.i. , to-morrow or ne.t day, »„ this win save u, .he J„„r„ey The z zr.: trrXd^tr '■- -» - - "» an"'rs„rs.;hrairet:s':;::trsrr- THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 185 CHAPTER XIV. news ho had brought conrn ^Marv J V "^""^ '' ^^« pected they were grieved heZn.f '^' '' '^^ ^'^^ '^- ^uspected Mary of a'mW "T'"' ^l^ey had never -"d even the Lol Z7Z I '"'' "nder-har,d doings. itself, bnt When tly'headthotr' "" '^' ^"^^'^ - speechless with an'er I'd aston ""^''' ^'^^ "^'''^ ^^'•"^k would serve Brid^ef butl ' '^ r^"'' ^' ^''' "^^hin, l^ersolf and Peer/ go^ L ^LT /?. '" "'"^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^omo persuasion, L'ev r L J /''"^^" ^^'■^^^- ^^^- to let one of th; boys 'o '^ ZT ''""'^''^ ^' '' '^'^^ she came. ^ ^"^ "^ ^"^ ^^^''J'' Ally to wait there till " Oh ! the faggot !— the fa me that irs; " you 'e takes in lod knows -'s marrifMl tic exhor- not make you'll not Her son the news was gone )ther was ch in the ing as if knew it iiinute I if it Wits tvouldn't id I was i' shame hat the 'ouldn't it made er — an' an! my ow you i-yin' to rother, V irother THE IHlSri GIRL IS AMERICA. 187 ^^he knew how Mary got in with rf " '" " ' ^^^^'^ '^^^ ''f that it was at one of^he 17 ^^' ^"^ '^'' ^«^^ "'« ' vcs ^ -^ that she onyefn Si",":'"''' dances she met hin/, "-y made a matc'h of it sh " '[I """' '' ^"' °»' "^^ secret from us all was because AfT , ''"'"" "^">' ^'P^ ^^ - "ev'er give your consent' "^ ''"'^ ^^'^" ^"«"S'' ^ou'd The question, then, was " whaf^ t,. T, , ^"ggestion her father and Tom^l ^« doner and at Ally's ^^^ to ,o With them in^^L'TC ' iV^^^' ''' ^^ «^^^ Ally, " unless I'm there to mind theh^" r '""^ ^'°'" ^^'^ ^vith Peter, mother dear- ronit t^ . ?J "" ^ "^"'^^ ^^^^^« >•«" ^nng us back better news ^an we '''"" '"^" ^« ^''^ '<> The search was, for some l! """•" hours were spent goinrf^om T; ""^"^--^'^^J-ndood some without finding any trac: ome f -f-""''' ^^'"^^ ^'^ ^"^^^er «t St. Patrick's and were refnf''- ^^^«>' ^'^^^ -PPh'ed tl^ere, for the same realon th,M ^ '^"'"'"'" '^' '''' ^'^^'^^ S^- Joseph's. He said he t/rd^^f ^^^^^ ^^^^^-^ Baly at somewhere before that time as h. i ,'"' "'"'' '"'^'•'•'^^'^ groom say on leaving hislo^'Tf?''^ ''"'^ "'« "^'«"d^d we'll go to a minister-that^ In » ' "'"^^ ^^^'^^'^ ^^"-y us But.the next they went tn ^,\7 fnd more .candatouf co^ o, entf Tf "T;' ''''^''■'•^ ""- >» number, was just comi„; 0^:^ , *"= ""''y' """■ whentheptaers^etthematthla:"" '"■""" ""• ^""' "»^. ihe scene that followed hnfflna a ' . "gitatM question: " IT J^^J'"l''''''''''''^'i Lor f„„,er., -urauce of Lu,c, Mum^au^I e™™^;:; . ^:>--«.er,-„, J\ed7-r-you see we stnln o , ° How are you Whereto Ned respondo L Jot?!' "" ^""' ^-'^ -"O me": -d .»r bridesmaid seamtra'r:t^r'7 ■"'»■"■ ''-^ -«>-o,«,„t,a3.i,„,.t,u.e''ai ' a „t:';„^: "-» " 188 BESSY CONTVAY; OR, ;; What the d 1 do you do that for r l^acl gathered m!^^^:^:' ^:^'- . j^^ ^'^^^ ^'•^ 1^"^^ off from Ned. he attempt ' l/l ''f^'"'^' '""'^ «hyi„g law. but Peery inertTnd ^ '^' ^'^'^^^ ^^'« ^^'h^''-^^- Tipperary bloo'd r -"ve :Td l" T^': "^'"^^' ^^'^^ "'« fered hand with the contemn; due t^' t" ,""' "" ^^'■''^- as he styled L,ikv "" '^''^^ °^ ^ ragman," " .in here, y„„,, „„,„';" anyX „1 1",'™' °" '"'' '"'" °' yo„ r rw';;,:::! *'"^^' - ^»'' - - ■>-» »» poor u,,^ " ' *°°''' '"■"• f" too well, Mary! an' I don't V. came over ,j„,-„ what low dhron broke i> ■ """' -t her on the .treet , e wo d "t ^ZT^T"'' '" '^ "^ loo much offended to 11102, "! T ''='' "'"7 «' you needn't core a rap (or aL If ,h "'""'«' ""^ ' -etter than «., Would'.'r^^^hl'S,"""-''" "" '»' ^- -ufd::: "r::;^tr:™„,Trr7 ^-^ -- "'» alwaj-sdo for yourself Zt »t! .! '>'='■ ""'e way you wenLt-ifyouwe™!'; von ,,?'*'' '"'"°' y»»-yon're " Don't ho lit , y™ 'rf "o t ' """' .'"'"""'^ ' ' -m Luky turnin, ^"Vrt "tl"'! 'ir;:??, '""r '" sround that'll <«»/<..• j,^,, any way " Put tl!. ' ° an'emokoit." 'yi*ay. Put that in your pipe ^t^ " Whafs that be sa« 1" ■ ' '*" ««'•» i', l.e may talk li he Xi'" '"" "'" "»"-*'-'«■ i.^ „ S" ""•» 'vaa the new, b „„„h U ,'" '"" "''° '-"" ' ho .' ho •' ^'-«3 the ,a,t the M X ::"\f '''"^' ='"' ^">- -<< ^ay to eome. She made he • ownTM ^''^' ''"' '"""y » lon's t^o.waii;:;:;i:^tr^:^;-:--e^^^^^^ renewed their .^rief and n..J f "'-'^'^ "^^ ^^^^^^ "t-" to'iei, ana Uessy saw at a o-lanrp fhnf ♦!, was only too true a'ance that the news ■ " '"<'<'=<• I ^M," Bessy replied, ■■ but I couldn't, I-, u • me at .11 that there was any truti in it. I dec tl y- v ™ ■•Her HZ'"" •" ''"''' ''-"> "' "^ ~" " Her death !■ repeated Aiiy in high disdain, " her death • otr ha'tThyr tt tr ""' '~"'""'' ^ -'^ "'°" "« gettiu. .econli, d t™! t-bul:' r r "^^ ""■ '™''' ^^ M well as any of ua the Vw , v "'' ^"''^ ' '■"" '"">'' o «ii; ui u8 tiie shame and d strrace oh^ ha.. !...„ x . on us all-what we'll nejer cet ojf bnaghl Growing her black apron over her rca'An'T^r""' '" """ ioto a hysterical flt of'crying a:;d 1^/"' "^'^ ""' '■«^'" -, -couldn't wear Z" sorrrLt T r^^ra:: 192 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, Luky Mulligan the ragman! a fellow that at home rlarn't look the side of the road Mary Murphy would walk .— ocli ! och ' if he was honest or dacont, or had a good name, sure rags an' all, tliey'd try to make the best of it, but the greatest s°camp in tlie sevon paviyhos-an' comin' from a bad breed into the harf,'ain— arrah Bessy Conway! what'll wo do, at all ?— what'U the neighbors say at home when they hear it ?— God help us ! what m?i they say V "But, my goodness, Mrs. Murphy!" said Bessy earnestly, " how in the world did Mary fall in with him, of all people?" ' "At the dances dear!" the mother replied with angry emphasis, "at them rascally shin-digs, if its that they call them— I'm thinkin' it's dcvil-dign they our/ht to call them, in place of 5/uVdig3. Oh Bessy! achorra machreo! if Uy unlucky villain had only kept away from such places, as you and eve y other sensible girl does, it isn't this way it would be with us now. My curse an' the curse of God be about them for dances, for it's them that has left me a heart-broken poor woman this blessed night !" " If curses would put a stop to gatherings like them, mo- ther," said Ally, " there wouldn't be many of them goin' on, for there's many a mother an' father, too, gets heavier sorrow and disgrace by them than yor.ve got— and ifs bad enough, God knows ! Oh the villain of the world ! couldn't she have dancin' enough here with ourselves where there was no fitrangers—but that wasn't low enough— we hadn't any Luke Mulligans here ! Well ! well ! God look on ns all, anyway !" Bessy was just thinking what she could say by way of con- soling her friends, when a tap came to the door, and in answer to Ally's "Come in!" Henry Herbert made his appearance. There was a flush on his cheek that was not natural, and a glassy look in his eyes that Bessy, at least, had never seen there before, and she shrank back in alarm she could hardly have told why. Herbert did not notice her at first but addressed himself at once to Mrs. Finigan. THE iRIsn GIRL IN- A„,„,,^^ 193 •vou-S z:tz r','?""' "™- ^'"'--. »•""■' »ad sort of fcl|„,v_i j,„„, " „ " ■ ^^ ""'"«"" i-' ""' " ''"Iping 11,0 groom of an oil r" ''"'''"' °"""""o-door, made bold to tin, l,i, ,'„ '° '"''>* I'»»l»rior «I,c„ l,e took to the ralr™ ,',;"" "^l T' '"'^' ™= >"''<"■<' "« tl.at maudlin slo'e'whco oT^in o,:^'!.^;" '" ''■"'""«' '""" BHiIfJot found it hard (o " ? ""^ ""■'''akon. >- .'o«.„ a p.,, f:r^l,er'«'::Lwr •'■/.""' '™'"" """ coupled with I,is words shouorl T » ' '"°°'""' "»'. >>« fncdij-. She iook'd „, ; K. V" . '° '° "'"""'^ - didu.t, a„. it'^onV ,e,' Tf rau™".™?"'' '° '""'' ^"" must think verylittie'^, Nea ,, thV,!V°f ''""" """■ ^™ Mi.t::r;edi It rt:th'"°'*^- """■ ™^«". r-e„ce. I thought to /er "/o ."^.rhrerT/^^ ""^ '"'"- reconciliation, which, of course ,v„,tu 1,^„ r '"^ ■'' S™""-"' e»t, seeing that honest luky Tin Z r, , ' '■°"'' °"" '"""■- saufTup your noses till you snf,.^,""' '"""'X »»'', and if y„„ of it." "" '°'* *"»■ off. it won't put him out over, "I'd thank youtotll''"'." '" ™ »"<"" l-'ilfag Oearingl Ifs n^c^doyo^rftrtf '.""';! "'"'"' ''" ™' to say to such vagabonds--!." °° '° '■"'= »">•'";« lot BESSY CONWAY ; OR, " Take care. Mistress Finigan ! take care! if you throw dirt on your respectable brother-iii-law some of it will fall on your- self. Ee wise in time, ma'am ." "Take care yo«, Master Henry Herbert!" said Mrs. Mur- phy, provoked beyond endurance, and. rising slowly from her rke';;:; ; '°'""" "'^ -^--^-^ young man with a look like that of an ancient Pythoness when about to deliver the oracular dec.lon: "Take care you. an' don't make Bridget Murphy speak. We kno. you^^-^n^l she raised the fore-flnfer of her right hand with a warning gesture-" we know yoursdf an^ your fatker, too-a:, you'd best keep a civil ton'ue 1 your head when ...'re to the fore. Do yon mind wh^rr n sayin' to you. now ?" ^ ^^ Herbert was awed in spite of himselt by the old woman's solemnity, and his bold eye fell before the Lry look th ^Ihe fixed upon him. He muttered something about minding his ou;a business for the time to come, and was turning away to leave he room when he caught sight of Bessy whe.; she had Luky Mun.gan, he went up to her and made to take her hancJ. Why, Bessy, are you here ?-how did I happen to o-.r Jook the blooming rose of Ardfinnan ?_what! you wonV «h,>e hands with me r' vvwu . bpay.e J7^ ^' *'!'"^'? ^"^ ^'"'^ ""* ^^ '"^^^ «o f»-«o. Mr. H..Dert r said Bessy, her cheek crimson with anger wav «!.f 'r ■' ''';\S«°^'" ^"d "-l^-^fc laughed i. a scoffin way that annoyed Bessy still more; " little Bessy putting ou won t you give me your hand ?" '•■ Jfo, sir, / u^ai notr said Bessy with becoming spirit: "1 don t want anything at all to do with you >" " You don't, eh 1" In an incredulous tone ''No. I don't, sir!" said Bessy with unml.cakeable sincerity believe my word, I don't!" And tuning away coldly bL' asked Mrs. Finigan if she was goin^ down stairs. ^ ' you throw dirt ill fall on your- saicl Mrs. Mur- lowly from her lan with a look to fleliver the make Bridget the fore-flnger know yourself !ivil tongue in nind what I'm 10 old woman's ^ look that she lit minding his rning away to ivhore she had tting all about ako her hand, sn to o-crJook won't sha>:e Ir. H'yiDert ''* I it; a Ecoffiii sy putting ou 1 my honor* i:5 8jiirit; "1 >le sincerity ; r coldly Bh« THB iRIsn GIRL IX ^,,,,j,^^ Yes All ' ^^5 "-vas both «'iev;d\;H,: ,": 7^ T' ' ^--^ '-/^ Jeavo you here after us " ^°"''^"^ ^^ »"annorJy to ''«'^Txt?r::7-^--ongen.rtto3 ^y;"te." ^'^•'l ^o «<-iy, if you'll stop one ' Not one word I'M h -usual vehemence, and sT' !^[J^Ta''i ""*' ^^^^^>' ^'^^ o escape the very sound of hi 1 !"."!: ^'^^ ^ '^ -^-'o.. at all to do with you !■• And befor.\ ^ ^"" ^'°" ^'^^ nothing thor eCbrt to detain h«r sh tn.? '""^'^ '"'-^^^ '-^"y ^ur^ ^fy " good night" a,s t: ZrTr ^'^^^'"" ^^d a ~an. between her^Ii/r?,^^^^ «»- stepped lighirabn.' PH,?'/"'"'' "'^^ «^« '^ ^-elf as the Dowery. ■< .,,/en "s%! Hj ITl '"• ^^'« ^^« -"'^H. " will it be hereafter 1" ThankL^ , f ''''^ ^"''" «« «««", how to see him .- ^^^'"^ ^''^ •' ^^^ •' thank God I happened "That little cousin of yours ho« „ camo to New Fork," said He Jt to 17;":^ '^"^^ «''"^« ^^^- familiarity of their present int'l. ^^^ ^^"'^an with the easy on a seat behind the ba, ^°'^'^°"''«^' •'^"J he threw himae^f Ned was a h'ttle surnrised of « . , and a glance at RerLt tTl^:]'- ' T"""^'^ ^^«-^-n the matter stood, and he lau.l ed L b-"" ' ""'"^^^"^^ ^^^^ good-humoredly : "^^ '" ^^^ sleeve as he replied "I'm afraid. Mister Herbert v x^ , a^ well as Bessy." ''*' ^^"' ^ "''J^ ^Poils many a ono "That's true" •'ni^ tt i. "P otauo, who 196 BESSY CONfWAY ; OR, havo heen ratfng me like a pair of troopers — only the rejjarr! I have for yourscii", Ned, I'd swear against over crossing ycur thresl)')ld again." "Hut, tut, Mr. Herbert! Haid Ned evasively, "you havo more sense than to mind what the lilies of them say. I sup- pose it's makin' fun they were, an' yoit took it iu earnest — that's all !" "It may be so, Ned, it may be so! Holla! Dixon! is that you, old fellow 1" And starting up he hurried to the door, where he had cauglit a glimpse of his worthy companion mak- ing signs for him to go out. When Bossy reached home that evening, sorely troubled in inin'1, she found Fanny with a most ungracious aspect, sewing I« the kitchen. " What kept you 1" she said in answer to Bessy's salutation. " I wonder at you to stay out so late." " Why, it's only a quarter past nine," said Bessy as cheer- fully as she could ; " you don't call that late, do you 1" "It's late enough, and ton late for a respectable female to be out alone. What do you think Mrs. Hibbard's been a-doing V " I'm sure I don't know," said Bessy, taking oft* her bonnet and shawl. " Why, she's bin and given mo a lable-cloth lo hem, and 1 hurrying so with my own dres?." " Well ! what of that ? haven't you drosses enough for Sunday r' " I kMo\^ I hav(," Fanny replied with increasing petnl.irco, "but that an't any reason why Mrs. Ilibbard t.' ■> .!<1 usU mo to do any sewing for het, I U'll you ii an't righi..'' " What did you say to Afrs. Ililibard when si.. .i.->i>e, Mrs. Hihbard' it anU my busines.s a„d I «lmn't do it ! I k„ nv my duty and I'm willing to (io what's right, but nothing more!" Panny always ciuinciatod her M'ords meet distirjrtly, bring- lug out every syllable with marked emphasis. Everything .he «aM, therefore, was spoken in a deci.led and nomewhat dicta- tonal tone that was anything but agreeable to the ear and did not at all comport with the Christian humility so 'ccii- stantly professed by Fanny. " Another thing I told Mrs. Ilibbard," she went on, " that I shan't wash any more for that old nigger. I an't accu, tomod to do such washing, and I'm .letermined not to do it " "Well, but, Fanny!" said Bessy, in her most persi.asive one, poor Wash has always had his washing done in the l.ouso, and cross as Bridget was I never lieard her object to it." ^^ I don t care what any one objects to," said Fanny IcftHv Nobody can teach mc what is right or what is wrong-thai.k God I know my duty, and I'm willing to do it at all time., Til' ^ '""'^' ^"^ ''''^' ^*'' "'''' "^'^ ^"'■^''>'' ^'"^ ^ ^^'"'''^ Bessy smiled. She was just thinking: "There it is over aga.n, but she took c, re to keep her thoughts to herself, X:/".'/I'' "' ''' ''' '""••' ^ "''' '"''^'''"' -^^^ '' Cut dnn't you know it's a charity, even, to wash the poor old man s clothes 7 He has no one to do it for him, and he couldn t very well afTord to be paying out for it " "Dear me I but we're charitable !" said Fanny with a to.s afraul but I m donig my share of it. A girl that pays to threo or four Confraternities out of her month's wages is surely not behmd others in charity." 198 BESSY COXWAY ; OR, "Well! that's true enough, Fanny," said Bessy feelingly; " I know it's a good deal for you to do, and I hope God will reward you and every one else that helps to keep up the Con- fraternitiea, for, sure we all know what good they do,— but still my notion is, that it's just as rauch charity to do our old man's washing, and help to keep him clean and comfortable. Even if Mrs. Hibbard wishes it done, I think one will have their reward for doing it, as thqy would for any other act of charity, if they only do it with good will." " That may be your notion, but it an't mine," Fanny re- plied in her authoritative way ; " I'd rather do charity in some other way than washing for that old Wash." " Oh ! very well !" said Bessy, as she left the kitchen j "you can settle that with Mrs. Hibbard." THE IRISH GIRL LV AMERICA. 199 CHAPTER XV. Mrs, Hibbard and Fannv van-tod nn th^ i.- her down a little, but not for her smviLll T ^^'^ under .„y g.ven circumsmncca, was . „„4 and, n,„re var a rrftjioKs impossibility. Quite so P,n„„ ,i ™°™'>™'^. "• course, What Fanny tho„,M It La r™f """'''"' """' °' ^.yestin, .,,0 idea orv:t:xvis:^;Li:- and more pungent Miarpor 200 BES3V CONWAV; OK, .op= you J get a bettor companion than I was-anrt-Mra II.bba,.d a bettor .orvant!" „„iob intorproted meant " I „„„"' 5 o„ won't, tb„„gb !■■ She migl.t have been flahing for a cm phment, too, bnt if .o she wa, disappointed, for lie,,,- "d ad e, ongb of her empty piety, and was well content to got 11(1 of lier eternal self-laudation. Fanny's place was filled next day by a little meny-facod dun,py woman somewhove in the neighborhood of forty Her name was Onny Quigley, and she came to the house' recom mended by no loss a person than Paul Brannigan whoTe cousin she was. 'b^", "nose Bol^y"'^^^^^^^ of my own," said Paul to 15oss> , I m not a bit afeard to speak for her. She has been ^n a very good place for four or five years, and I know her mistress wouldn't part her now. only she's b;eakin' "s and gon.' away to foreign part.. I have that from the ady's own hps, and she said, by the same token, that Onny was worth her weight in gold, and she didn't brieve there as such another little woman in New York city " Bessv lanLr '' T''"''' '''''''' ""^ ^''^S beyond that," said 1- J . , aoiry. i^iLtie fat Onny was the best nnH kindest and most considerate of fellow-servant Z . faithful and efllcient of '< help." She m l^Ctic ar dT sf dxv H rr? '"'' '' '^^^^ '^^"' ^^'"' - ^^hine. every Sunday and holy-day. and somehow little Onny neve com Plainod of want of time, or found it hard to get out in the mornmg. In fact she was never in "n fn«« -. '"'^'J" "»« wm, anything, and many a tn^^hTwa: I ■.odoTr W rr ,^!\^""y ™» "'""J-' in good humor, her round ro,v ftco as bnght as the full moon, and her large white teeth!! -and — Mrs. THi^ mmi ami m America. — 201 'Offe of blood and 1„,T"' „ """'' '" ""y. "i«> the nrivi- ,"»'.".rt «.e door j:Tirr:r""' "'" "^ """ «■•"'« cover." '"""'"" '"""'"'4 take tl,o book by the "y a'.y chance, talked of"vhaU, 7,™ "° '''""""•' """ '"^""^ pcfoctions in any way. If M , ,„m ",■ 7 ''^""''"' '""■ °»" fault with anj^thing ^ife did and i, ^h "'"' ""''"'""' "> """ Onny was neither hurt nor „o«iW "' ""' "^"'™ -"■"="«'. »e,youk„„w,„n,;t„; "' °"r-; ';■•'•-" the same t^ »" t"M again how that part c„hr M • " """^ '""' ""^ '<> ' "ow is it," Mid Bes.v ,„ 1 '^ ™" "> '"' "<>'«■ you are a.way,, content wit .,Zr"v"'""' « "'■ 0""^' that " Wliy, child " I«„„k "'"""'"<"'<"■ happens V to ,,lease „yse,f_it fJZZTll^''"' ""'' ^"» " ""'^ whatever way they want it LZLl^T' '"' ""'■™' »" Qu'gley. One mistress wants a Ihil \ '"""' '» Onny »i«tre,s wants it«^, y,aTZT' """V"'' "y, another ">ora all, if I can. EveTl/r d , . ' ' ""^ ''"''"«» to please " for Ood's sake, Bes,; "r Lten M '\"" ""'' ^""o ''I <>• jome to know all about relicom "'"'' >■"" «'^' '*« always feel as if I was s r'v r/oodT' r"'" """ "^' ■"" Ho sets over me for the tine^uZ' """'"" "'™' zz ' '""■ ""■'. "o >-°u k„ w, Csy :" "'"^^ "' "■"» »« hard words since Pve been at s^rvi^e " "■■ «"' '' ""^^ ' "olieve you, Onnyi" ^ni,l n ' you wouldn't Please, .n- r ^i T\l '"''^ '''''^'''' ^^at - • - ■ tell y,n, there's fe^y of them that 202 BESSY C0N1VAY; OR, U'on t bo pleased if a girl lays herself out to do it. Let airf,;*"'" T'"/'?^ ^l-y-ay.thoyknov the value of a fa,th ,.1 «ood sn Mhon they meet her. To tell the truth "ores so n.any bad ones going that it makes people u - p.c,ous about thenUill they try them and see what, hftln " True for you, Bessy !'> said Onny, " there's a great deal in the g,r s own hands, and I think there's n.any a ^ne of them would be better off" than they are if they'd only pay "0" mistress Well ! I declare talk passes timo-doesn't it, Bessy 1 I neve,. fou„,i „,y,,if ^oing that job, and now it's fmished." ' gra^'so'k to ;T'i "';;''";'•' '^'''" theHght-itwas an old grav sock to which Oimy had been adding a new foot now ;ust completed. "The mistress wouldn't b lieve n e ' 1 vl It done to-night-what'll she say now." And Onny an !L with the light-hearted gaity of fifteen. ^»»'»ea Bessy in the same strain expressed her admiration ; " and maybe A\'ash won't be pleased when he finds his old socks changed mto new ones !-God give you the worth of it. Onny r She spoke with feeling, for she was thinking of her p ous and charitable friend Fanny, who thought it so far bone th "er to do anything for " the old nigger." If Bessy had been more cTnversant with book-learnin^ she m^h probably have said to herself: "The Athenians W ^hat IS good, but the Lacedemonians practise it." But Bessy had no need to go to classic lore for a simile, she had one o her hand ,n the Gospel narrative, and as she sit with her ey s fixec on Onny's beaming face, she murmured half aloud Isn t Fannys. p,ety like that of the proud Pharisee that the pnes so Often tells us about. Turning up her nose ev y isn t Ike'^f " T' r '""^' ^"'^ *^^^^""» ««^ "^'^t she in t hke them Now here's poor Onny that scarce knows B from a bull's foot and never praises herself at all, and still she does twice as much good as Fanny. She always seem do the very thin, that's best to be done, and everythinVgot T"K IRISH GIRL IN AMKRICA. 203 '» ^^"Iclou, or never "„u,'l,ll "/ "" '""" ""'"''""" '""* family. TI,e „e„-, ,ck^ ™ , ,^f """ ,"? «•"■'"" '^"■<^'-' of Ih. VI-.1 ..er l„ ,.,U rL' , "" ,"°'"'°''' "■'• "-^-"- ad- «II so™ thing tamed n thi I ""' "''■""■"« of doing, ""t and drink, and pay tl.e la^d ' rd "'" "' """"Sh «» wrote Denis Co„wav"f„,,^f' "''' """ content," «l>aro, a, y„„ k„„ v ' „ ^ .ri" "' " "" ""'' """ » "'«» 'o «.in. in «,„ „,.„,o «:;; t;." -T;: iirr;;' -'t ^°^ -^- >va« a comfort to „s all til .!,„ ,„ ■. '"" '"""'' «"" 1>'"1' l.or fortune bojond , „ ° , " ''" '"""'."' «° «"<» >one.on.e. Ood .ra?:;l:'r;:C ^e i, '"' ^'■'' '^" "^ »" wo rue your going every dxv ", "° "• "'^^^J' "'"ore ! but Y»,"-' "o matter, -G^l'.Z'JlTJ "°" "' ""^ "-• she's down-hearted about you' "„''""■»•'""■ '"oilier „ hen IIo'll take care of Bessy Z " *=""''■' ""^'^ '. '"nd -mo day When weVo Ln^ed of T' r" ^''"'' "" ''-•' '° "» the floor to us, Polly , ,",":, "' '°'°f'"'- S''o'lI como in „„ dun, so .eaveit^;"^„ it :„:::.:'"", "", '"'•■' """ -" "nnss will turn „„,, stil i "in, ' ""'' ''""'" "=" '""' persuaded not to fret For „ .■ ^ ^''"" I'""' mother was hardly fl, for anything the vav*"^ """' ""' ""■"■ ^'■'' she used to beep watchin:,' wit chin, th T"" "'" '"""'■ ^"" to be coming hack to her Of »,»: ,°°.' '' ''*'''" "''"''' 'i"lo be„er reconciled, a, d „^' :' f."'^ "osinni„. t„ he a you again she's content to w! V ^ ,, " "'"^ ''"'' '» «« followed a long accou^ o aH „ J . '""'^ """'■" '"'<"' from all the nei.hbo," av ' f" '■" V™"'' ''"^"■''' "'"' "'ossages well, thanks be" to «;,? for ^ T.' T^'- '""' """«» "-o As for the Murphys, De'i.l Z" th^VLv"":;'™"" ^"'^^ „iii mcj a have beeu as well 204 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, at home, " and that's my word comhig true," said ho, " for I often told Peery he had best let well enough alone, and stay at home as long as he could Jive at home. Sure the world IcnoT^s that all that goes to America can't do Avell— they're not all of the right stufi' for doin' well anywhere, and for one that has good luck and good guiding half a dozen has not. There's thousands of people goes out to America every year that are not fit to make a decent living at home or abroad, and myself thinks that the like of them have a worse chance abroad than they'd have at home. I suppose that's what leaves so many of them the poor creatures you say they are in America." " So I tliink that's all I have to say," continued Denis, " only I was near forgettin' to ask you what's the meanin' of all this talk about you and young Herbert '? Only we know you have the grace of God about you we'd be afeard that there might be truth in it, for it would be a great temptation to most girls of your age to have the landlord's son looking after thejn. But you know well enough, Bessy, that it isn't for a good end he'd be talkin' to you, and you know the dirty drop that's in him, and so your mother and mo doesn't feel a bit uneasy, because we know you have the fear of God before your eyes, and that the Holy Mother of God can protect you in America as well as at home, and will never let you open your ears or your heart to a scape-grace like young Herbert that's only makin' game of you, maybe, or followin' you for his own bad ends. Let no one see you in his company late or early, and if you meet him on the street don't stop to bid him the time of day. That's your mother's advice and mine, and we know you'll not go beyond what we say. You never did, and you'll not do it now." "God in Heaven forbid!" was Bessy's fervent ejaculation, as she kissed the letter again and again, and then folding it carefully placed it in her bosom as the dearest thing she had on earth. " That would be the black day for me when I dis- obeyed the best of fathers and mothers ! Oh no ! if I thouirht it would over como to tl.at with me I'd bo willin' lo ,1- ., msht before the „,onow-de„,. know., I wou d A foM "'" bort, thank God! the greatest danger', n^sl th„ „^ , " a.ai„ under the oid rooM:fo '1, Z ^^^^J^' '! -' 1 keher th.ng, came to pass," said she honefullv " ^^Ib^ : n- n '° "r-.''" ""'-°'' -^^^^ - "-;! Tuft ,;,x "s^r:-? ""': ^'"^-''"" ""° ''"-■° pas., too J„h„ ,„^l';,. t °T ^'''^ """""^ '^''°"' '» another, and Bess .:;« .o^'^Str .'S':' ^f^' »" r'f • ",f."""-'»>'"°-b„t rd bos:;; „"r\ :''";,;;:; ix.van something worfh whn^ ^^ i • fe'^'ng I'atiier l.ouse. Well. InleZl ir " "'^" "'^"''^^^ ^"^ ««'^«o'- «. home witl: ZeClt' U irTerro T^ ^^^ '» noppbrr.bi;r-r;r aside the work which sTm i,^^ ^ "^'^^ '^°*'" ^^^'^s- I^aying 'hesitation of manner that Bessv conl.l nnf nf *v, moment understand • " Bessv i w« . °*^ "^^ *^^ want you all to join;- ' ""' ^'^'"^ '' ^''^^'''' ^"^ I What-rin'tJie' "''/"^^ ^^ '^"^^^' "*^=« ^ ^ new move wnats in the wind nowl" Alond ^T.« .ovi t '-'^- 1 'iiouglit you were too 206 BESSY CONWAY ; OR^ good a girl to refuse to join in the prayers of any family with whom you lived!"' " Catholics are forbidden to join in prayer, ma'am, with any except people of their own persuasion." " And why, may I ask V '' Why, because the prayers are not the same, and the belief isn t the same either " "Bessy !" said Mrs. Hibbard sharply, " e believe in tho Lord Cluist and His atonement !" ^^ " I know you do, ma'am," said Bessy in a deprecating tone, but still there's many things loe believe that you don't sown couldn't pray with you at all !" "Oh! very well!" said the lady coldly, "we'll try tho others I hope they are not all so-so renj rigid as you, Jiessy !" ' But the others were not much more yielding than Bessy— Onny refused flatly and at once-Ellen hesitated and seemed to calculate the possible consequences of a refusal, but catch- ing tho eyes of her two companions she took heart of grace and said no ! she wouldn't do what would hurt her soul. " Hurt your soul !" repeated the mistress haughtily and angrily. " Do you mean to say that it would hurt your soul to pray with t<5 /" " Well! ma'am, I don't know much myself, God help mei'' ^aid Ellen stoutly, "but I'll stand by whatever Bessy and Onny say, for I know they'll say and do what's right." "In that case," said Mrs. Hibbard sternly, "vou can all— but-you may go down stairs for the present. Vash ! you of course, remain !" ' Much did the girls wonder at this sudden prayer-mania of Mrs. Hibbard's. They could not possibly unravel the mystery unless on the supposition that their mistress had turned Quaker and was moved by the spirit to move them. They were wronrr in their calculations— it was the Reverend Joel McCIashen Avho had moved her directly, let the spiritual agency be as it TlIK IRISH GIRL m AMERICA. 207 ".at ,1,0 rich Indtui .Zl, T "'"" """"""' '"'™'»'='^ ■■-' -..ee z u," : :•:;.:■;:; Tr""';-""-"' Ho-vove,. that might be, the go a « nttaau , a "*:, ""• "■ to convince Mrs. llibba,-,! iL, ',"""' ''"'' '"^en pains on her with roanl ,„ n ,, , '"'"^ ■■«Po,>sibility rostcl no hopca "f h ' wn sal r,- ""',"'" '"'"'■ ''""' """ "-- "'oro from the burlr a, r''°° ""'"'"'"' ™"'«'>'«' "'°™ "■■»* pr...- «: ::::»„t,:, 1 ii„™ "rcrr^T-; reading. Under th;« ««„/ i . couise, Scriptural assist at familv-,>ravBr, , '"'"""f"""" ""e summoned to cation whe" thev ,„"',rf f"" """ "''■ "»"'»'■''■» ■»»■""- obstinacy "^ '"''""-'""' '" "»«--=P''ctodly (hoir Komish Jrs,::!rptfer,LTa;r;;-r^rr"'.-^- '■- the girl excused herself on the cle „; / '" ™"' "'"' missed at a weekW O "°""^?'' """ "''''^ ""^ '""- to heiself ,n,l f/J^ 7 ° unplnasant consequences Bllon ha b"' ZVel:iT7l *"'"^, ""'' ^"'^='""»- » we have described he, °"" "'" """^ ™-^'"»' •-' "'^i'^iS, ci Cauiulic lady 20S BESSV CONWAV ; OR, vl,o.so fam,]y wns ns s.nall as I,er moans woro lar^o. She was ho ..fo Of an on,inont physician in lar.o an.I lu^ratlv' pra H-o. y.t they hvod in a plain, qniot way, boin. both avorL to parade and ostentation and tho turn.oii and t.^u.lt of society Then- fannly consisted of a dan^hter of ten or twelve and a nuM-o of tho Doctor's, some years oMor. They had a 7on too ut ho was then at college preparing for lUs't^ttlr V, -'o : .on. It was just tho place for Bessy, and somehow he heart told her .o l.om the time she first sot her foot withinl ( "n>, and I Innk. for what I saw of them, the people an- .l"st as homely m their ways. There's nothing troubhL ^ne ea.n, here only partin, with you, Onny. for J hardly Txpea to fall in with such another comrade girl." "Hut! tut!" said Onny smilinnr through her tears, 'don't be saying thatl-don't you know the old saying Ifone IveuZd ^7\ There's plenty Of good decent'gi^s li^^ro H' Quigll;^"' "' ''' ''' "• ^^"'" "'^^'^ ^^"- '^- P0-- Oony Bessy shook her head, and wiped away a trickling tear and Baid she didn't know about that. "At any rate.'' d'sTe rri:^:::;:^- ''-' -'" ^^ ^— ^-- -^^ -: " Well ! God grant it!" was Onny's response, and they said "o more about it at the time. The word was lightly said then but It came out true before many months went by ' Before Bessy was so happy as to get Onny again for her companion she had many a sad and comfo'rtlL day with others. It so happened that Mrs. Delany was obliJed to an ft^'^oT "T ^''"^-^"-^ the first three m1nth« and ,t also happened, probably for the same reasons tha Bessy eouM not make a friend of any of these birTof ^a Omn: burr "" t ""^ ''"-'''' *« '''' ^^- --^t-- about Onny, but being so short a time in the house herself she was '•"K inrsir auu. is AMEmcA. 209 """•'"".jj to mako 80 fron as .n ^ e;^ tluvso ccnnons u,hI «ooroV o M """''t ''■"•"'^'' '"'^'^ '<^ !' - point to toll each of „ ,, '^ T"?"' '""''"-^ «^'" "-^^ •" ''- -on,in. One no, U i U I ''^ 'T; '^'"^ "^^ ^<> «« out appointment with ro-ranUotI.o ° ""'^ "''^'''y ^'^^f. lier was the only ono tlrU n • ' ''''' "^ "" '^^^ount. Lossy ^"t ^-n the froauon' chan 'nf : " 'V"" '?' " ""^ ^'--' ^^--^.-or. Howovor it ha,>; rod o fi ''"' ^^ '" "''^^ ^^"'^^'^ ^ 'nany months, eyery onVw r"' '^^"""'•^-orl. ^vithin as ">^''^^-ont about hLr M ,s ' f"'' ?'' '"^^^«^' "^^^'^y -;; over .,ain -Poatc.U,^" ^ J^ ^^ ^^^ --« ovot Sally and Bridget in Mrs. Ilibbarcl .''" '"'■^^''"^^^^ ^* al>out this important duty of ro if'; """" ^^'•'^^ossnesH -J^om .he sa^y in Mrs. Delal- 1! i'^'"""^ '^^'^^-^ ^^ those whoso members wero all h\ "" '" ^ ^^^^^'olic family re.u;..i.ahoirh-fo i:, raTolV'^'" ^^" ^^"^'"^^ -^' ^very Sundav mm.- '^''''"^'^ ^o be no excuse. t'-e L «om:^tr r ff^Sr^ - ^^^ ^^ came round, "> ^'-om eight o'clock Mass ''" '^^'■''^- ^^^^"^ ^'-^^n^ ;; Well! Bessy, has Anno been to Mass?" ■W — no, ma'am !" "No! ^vhy, you don't say so r- i>own to the kitchen goes ^w\ n i ing about with a yery cor.seln i , '"^ '""^ ^"^"^ ^"n^ "^oy. «ho was doing wro,;!; °"' ^'"^^ "^ "-"^h sho kno.v >yoIl 210 BESSY CON'WAY ; OR, Ann. trio., .,t ,„,t to oxc„.„ hcrxolf „„ tl,„ ,„„„, pj^^ „,., of .mc-tho breakfast to I,„ r„,, a„,l ,„ f„r„, ^"^' ™°' NonsiMise, girl !" says Mrs Del inv " ,l„, ■ r, yoiu ic.a-KctUo on, t ion }iuf»-v niV tn p»,mh«i. - i ..;;. ;o .oi,„ „,.t so oaw. .:;rio„;:?iLtitLtrtr at least an hour to prepare it." " Woll! I an't particular about goincr to-dav— T'li r..; ♦•„ next Snnrlnv " rru- -.i '=""'r. i" uaj, — 1 11 wait till nature '■ '^''" """ "" '"^'"^'•■•"™ "' «-'-"■» good- nl^,llZ'%' ""'V"! ""' S„„day_you „„,st hear Mass pe..a,ty if I aiio.ea you t 2^^, Z' . ' v: ZTZ fast.-' ^ ' '"'' ^'""' ^""^^'^' " "" I g«t in the brcak- " Never mind the breakfast— wo will see tc fhnt for you haven't a moment to lose.'- '~^" '' ""'^^' Away tramps Anne upstairs, with a slow and heaw sf.n on one of the landings meets Bessy ^ '^P"~ " ^Vhat's wrong with you, Anne ! you look fretted '• TriE IRISH cm, i.v AMRnicA, 211 ••- ni .„,., ,„ a ca.„ot m^ ,"""^:;,J«;"- •;■» ;"<' '-« was at the bolto ra IT.Z m '"'""' "'" '"I' B«y '^'»ci"« .1. tlie way'„r ™ '"" '"" *'"'""'""« ™'<'« a.":';l'"i; !:,■,'::"„":«""',;■""' ™ '"- '""""- -» «"« «»- Laclc'l will, a f In , ""■'■','°'"' ''" '■"''■ ™''°"' '"■«'' co„- ••^ tall, g J„fu, :; " r ''^ "" "■""' """'""•'• «'- «- .■>.aracleri,.ic of Z «1 , ' f."^""'^'- "'""-'y of «-„re«i„„' been passed in the noIM,?,! •. T "" '"■"■ ''<""'' ''a* »i!very accent ^ L,'' e't CJ' i;^; „ ";"".™ --■ '^^ "inning i™„„s, „„ „,, , j"";' ^'Y™'" "'■■'»'. ""^ ">o« '-;.;oc„™ng to ^:^:^x:^i^;:::j^:::^'^ -"''■■ "Bessy," said Mrs. Dclanv "I .,v,„, , ^ay to almost any other y^unl p/™"*' ' :™"W»'t '-cause r know yo,,,- faith I .ir^JlZCwZ "' gious instruction bevond thnt „f 5^' ""'' y""'' '■"'i- fee, hunrhied and mo ed is drr'lt"' "/ 'T' ""'■ ' '■■Wi,y.dearme, how is *Tt :i-.a J '^slid^lv •"'' '" ".arm as she riacod the cotfee-p'ot upon the ,f "' '" ""^ ■r.* rid d= ^r T; r: '- -"-^ ' - - -- aem yourself since you'have "he " Tel vr' l™"^ °^ «°«n any of them fully impressed wi h T , '■^-''"'^ y»» ot iaearing Mass on Sunda™ "d T* *!.?'?" """"-"on ' vaaja :— lor my part, 1 (i 212 BE3SY COXAVAV; OR, have met very, vorj few d«rir,g the ten or twelre vear« I L... been employing them-almost erery me of iZr^ \ same trouble to get tl.em out ZZ ^"'^' ""^ "'^ -e shudder to thinVl 0.^12^0" wb ' 7"'"- '' "'''^^'^ (That uill do, Be.v Jn ; l^^L L" ^r if'"^' '^""'"- count fur it ?■' ^^ """' '^™ »'" ac ■ " That may account for it " ^i->ifi m-c. t\ i -*c took ,.r place .t t MaWe ■ lut ittl! '.""f ""■"^- many of them careless and S ''''"^'■^' ^'^ ^'^« «'^ the house of God t "" "^^^^^^^^^ them as they are whl Tth J fr """ ^'''' ^''*'» '"> «^- m.ne,. went up sta.T, toi^te': l^Jr::,^ TT "'" fl«tasked M«.BeIanyif .shewouM ple.30 toZl t; ' , ':f »he wanted the breakfast things removed " «i?,"i:— t^e tr^Ltth^t-rr""" "- Mrs. Beiany. thought,. XheThS C; e^di ^rtrr'S from the original idea TJ.n,. „, » ""^t'gea a Jittle and the Docto'r dee.atd it e^reLr, ,7 i^ ""' "^^' and its musie, and all the rest. • For rnV '1 t '''T"'"'- always feel more devotion at a W Zs llee ' •','' Maria , Of course, your notions J^Z^r^iZ:!:^: THE mRH om, IX AMEBIC*. 213 ialf satisfied, as it y^^rTZZ a ? "t "= """""• ^ ■"" ""'y you know, i, „,e p,,S -j^^ ' >'<'"' Mass, ft. the High Mass! « bound to assist at it. If thev d<, ' '?. "'"' "'"' """ «™ and that, you will allow is .„'L>, '' 1'"°'' "'^^ *« so™o„, «f hours spent at Grand IZT^Z tf '" "° "■" ^°'""» desert of lift_surrounded by eveml'^T" 'P°' '» "» with prayer, and praise andZ / ""'"' '"* venerable, floating around, oh rthle areTnd-d *'" ""*' "' "'«"»<' 'he ve:.ed and world-harassed bet ,K """"^ °' P'"'^''' """" «3 week-long care,, and is at re^t ,' °™ "" '"' •»"•<"" "^ anrrnnTrratTbrottt fbr '"?? ''''• "'-^'^ '«"« the Doctor forgot for the ti ' . ," '° B'^'^'^W and even He -Idon, won't .0 G d IL '1 r.fe"';'""'"^ ''™''™'"^-- Oaty, but he went that dav IT: , 5 "'"* "' Professional tha« hi. Wife had et i™",!!::;^""" """ "'"<' ^'"°"««™ 214 BESay CONWAY; OR, CHAPTER XVI. could be. away from home. Si" had a ,„ !,,, "" "' *" whom she loveil almost as well as M« wl " I ° "'""'^'"^ advantage of bem« of W „ . '"'' "'"' "'« S'l"" co.npa„i;„. She'";.; a': . Td ^1 1^"" ."""^ '"'■ "" and smoothly in fh« .^^^ I '','''* ^^^ ^'^« ^owed oji tranquilJv seemed to Bess,- that she ..ad 1:;;?^ . ^t ^ir' ' Her lands in the Savin..a' Bank «•.,-. 1. i-, " '*""" '""■• the world was going ^ ,1 wuh Ler ''*^'" f -.""™»-g. and since she saw him at Ned Fim^Ly's she hT.ru ' .oln, the.e,and ^e .in^.^^^^Z^J^ ^1^7^" absence, wore so offended that they neyer wonf \T meant, so thai all intercourse between 111. ' '*'^^'' '' rr::^::^Ltirst"r\''"'^^«'--^^ -^e.^th^theL;:;-d'resst^:r;i:^ix^^^^^ THE mrsir girl is America. I'-okin? so unlike I,i„,se7f «„,„! "■""■• ''*""' "'o har "'"i stoM he .at there J th ,1,,^ 7 "I ■""■ """ ■""> heavy "ance oharaotertaic of he 1 , "f "." ''""'"y <" »™te I'- Ned wa. ,arg„ a„/,te,to'C TT™'^ """"''"■•'• -"■.eMyanda h,.,,,e„ ,„ mil r^r '■'""''' ™- ■f ••■nwho.awhimhadch ! °, ' '"f ""' """*""<>» «l.»t c„,.„r„„, ,„a„ Of ,„„X';-\;: r /"?""" ^™" ">'o face ™ no longer what it had b °n ^' !. ' SOo^-l'-mored ■■overed with a sort „. „„rnri, ""• ""'' »»■■»<' and ".er increased by snndry b' Ltch"' ltl"™'l'"""^" "^ '- eyes, once bright and twinWi" "„•.. j' ""'"""^'es, and the ''"" and nnmeaning, protr, *L r f "" """""■' ''"" ""w An altered man was Ned p /jn a^d T' '"''" '"'^^*^- ™s his wife. What Ned had „,' ., °" "'""'""' «°">''n. 'oo, AH that hearty plnn,,™! ^ttTof "''^■*' A".v had lost f'om the healthful plains of rin "^ "^ >'™iWl.t ivith to, """S behind but Ski Id b'nr'T''" S™». '-ving ,1 eonntenance over which flfteeXtr," "/'"'^-'-Xlng ^rn "•ould seem to have passed C." "^ ""'"' "' '»"'■. as material went, bnt there was a ne.r? T '"" '^'^ "■' ««■• everything „„ her that contrlstertt /;,""'"-^' ""•" =""•"' My " round-about" little won a ha . '' '"'" *» "^"^ ' Imes of care were deeply indeZd . ^ ""'" '° "">• The :f her dapper Httk LlltZiZXZ "'"'""''•' ''''-'"'> ; ;»Mvi«. yea«. SurelySg^tre'o ?"''"" ''"^'•"^' he Fmigans as they did in d^v. I * "« "' "e" W"l a^ -^een flowing ^II^X^TL!':. Whether wealth hemg either happy „r prospero* T,! ' '; "''"'"' ''" '■•'"» And who were tli« / ""'• '^"at was plain. '"■'ered the ba^roo^'Irrn r!':.^:""^"^ '^"- '-at -, ■— ""^1 summer evening, 216 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, just as the day was fadini? into night 1 Why, one of them, to be surn, was Dandy Dixon, and the other Henry Herbert, There was not much change in either of them as to outward appearance, Dixon was still the swaggering " swell," combed and moustached as carefully as ever, with his small hat resting on the top of his frizzled locks as jauntily as could be, Her- bert was still the same handsome, reckless-looking fellow, as well dressed as usual, but dissipated-looking withal; his cheek habitually flushed, and his eyo habituaPy restless and unsteady. Jlis habits had not been improvinr' — tliat also was plain. He and his worthy companion had beer laughing obstreperously as they entered, but seeing Mrs. Finigan be- hind the bar with Ned, Herbert winked at the other, and coughed signiflcantly. Nods being duly exchanged, Herbert said in his frank way : " Good evening, Ned ; what's the matter that you look so grave? Thinking of the great Kepeal demonstrations at home, eh V " Well, no— I wasn't thinking of anything— in particular."— ■ " You wasn't, eh 1 Well, anyhow, send us in three stiff brandy-and-waters— two for us and one for you, and come along in to take it— cigars, you know, in quantity." "Deed and he'll not, then, Mr. Herbert," put in Ally, sharply; "not a drop of it he'll taste this bout, anyhow." Herbert laughed, and Dixon smiled superciliously. "What! little Mrs. Finigan mounting guard .'—putting on the inexpressibles!" roared Herbert. "Well, if that isn't rich !" " Laugh as much as you like," said Ally, " it'll not do me any harm." Ned said nothing, but kept on mixing the liquor according to order. When the three glasses stood ready on the waiter, flanked with a bunch of cigars, he ordered Ally to let him pass. "Not a foot you'll pass here, Ned; I tell you that now!" THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. there, and m send ,„ .h! , ™'' ''^ '>■■'"«'"'. " Sit dow- " Nonsense, wt: ';:,;? ^y^.'-'.^-'—n." wia your foolery ." and 1,„ , ' ^'" °"' °f *» ™y no. succeed, ' ''" '™'' '" *"'• ler "Bide, but dii " i'ott mv just as well sit down " said A»„ -.u determmed airj "you l.ave t,i '^' "'* * "»" n.e that salver til, 1 send it in" '"°""" '°'' ""' "''y- «-» ^n"eran';i\;:r/j:t:r'"! '"-"-- -- others who chanced to be pros n.Vd 7 °/ "" " ">■" B"e poor Ally a kick that ? ,,' ™""' •"' f°°' ''"d "■ay, and in he „a 1, » , , f ""■/""■ ''"°"="'' ™' "' >* l-y tl.e two worthy assol;:" ' °' " '°"^""°'- ''''"»-«'> " Well," said Ally V^^^'nrr 1 "-•s a God in Ileat'en" t' ' fe I,'' t -t:'?; T' ""'! «-« •'■1 '>eco.ne of the likes ef me v- T,' '^^ ™™ ' "■''"' -went on with her work, she wast'lZ:'" l^ri.rtoS «ou":;\::st:?o?Lr. i"-" ^-'^ "-^-^ - ---^ ™n„e,. She ever had. Isn^ts^tir"^, '" ""' '°^ ""»' eoho^" I'-Uottbott: "rj""™"' ■■" "« -"---a Shan I say_i^;„de *: '" ""^ °' *'• '""'san's-hem-ha- • ^M^^Jed rp-;;;"-?;',,:;;: '"•^°"' "-''. '^ y°" p>easer. was, sir-but vou'eewon^e'hT ""'' taP"dent-never '«- about thL^s.::^ r;L Tall 'it • TT "°""™ "' - take-ahem !_that I take a ,M '° ''" '""«' """ I Tbafs the Whole trutht:: an^""' *!" ' ""'"'" "^ '™™. 'rtf, at all. Mister Herbert"' nor IZ "'n'"'' """= " "> y""- -~ - -■■. • said^Herbert drily, ..r„ bound to 218 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, I flo matto , ne,a ,jour friends, Nod! ami as 1„„, a, ij.e ;; UudouModly >vo will," .aid Dixoa absently -vsaTd'"^^,,°i:r„:s,/rr;ii;^f^^^^^ "Oh! don't mention it, don't mention it" siid irorh.rf nagnan.mously. but his color rose very hi^h •' i? ,i, ,' no-,v, you kno^7, and I don't cm fn / ' ^'^'''''^ C,<>»' -"et the bottle on the an • itve'tset^"'"" "' r' '"""^ '*""■ I""'"^- " fedn . 1 Haven t set eyes on him \n an acre " N.7^'" ' ^' ^'''''' ''"^" ^^"''^ '^^ «"''«-' ^« he used " said l!: da^r ^^^^ '-'' "^^ ^^ ™^'^ ^° "- ^-t of health ^ " ^^'^'^P' ^« h^« go"e the way of all flesh~eh Ned ^" Th;« wae byway ofajoke, but it came harsh and bi'ttl from 'he THE IRISH Ginr. IN AMERICA. 219 ha! ha!" ' ^"'^ ™^' ^"« '^^^^Pany down below. Ha! "Ila! Iia! ha!" ^,hoed Dixon- "Wo ♦, tomer, that hunchback l-h^^^o't a '(l"^^^ ^ ^"^^^ ^-- -nnite /•«..-.«,,„,, ,y j„J;^;^f ^ -^ «>- l^^e a rattlesnake - doesn't do so n'rchl od atlh' '"'\f "" '' "'^ ^^'^'"^^ "-^ J'"", sir. or you Zmnt nn ^ ''"^' ^ ''^"^- ^«" ^^""'^ know the samo breatl," '"'^ ^'"^^^^ ^"'^ "^« ^Id Fellow in " I know him like a book '" said TT«,.i. . , n^-ingly; suddenly startin. he struck th."> '''''""^ ""^ " I'll tell you what it is. Ned "he V^ i ''^"^ '"'^ ^^^' '• tl-t misshapen, misbe^ottl^in.;!" ' 7 "'""^^' "' *^""^ cousin, Bessy Conway v' ^ ^" ^^^ ^" J'*^"'' Pretty ^^a'^z'Tf:^:^':' ^^^^ --^--^ -d ^ed.^^. ''Well! MastL irrrf"lale'< '"' ^' "^^ ^'-^^ ^'^-• ^vorld for fun !" ^' ^''' '"^" ^"««gh you beat the " If you take that for fun vnn',.o«, i . gravely returned, " I never wa^ rl '^'^taken," Herbert my word !" ''^' "^^''^ "^ ^^^rnes', I give you " If I thought as vou do " oo;^ n- : - ,-. - 0. «.;,e .r letter :s: shot of their discourse If J? "'^ *^™^ ^^""n ear- I'ttle man had 1 X 1" 'T'^"^^' "^'^^ ---g- that the finding himself. befoilL L t """^ '"^^ ^^^'^ ^^PP^--. ^nd thoughthewo;ddj^ d;opirsr\'^'';"''^^"^^^^^^^^^^ Ally with her eyes red and sin / ^'"'^^"^' «« f°»^°d than he had Zr iZ" 'r'^'''' '^^ - - seen .. Taere were several persons in the -f. 220 BESSY CONWAY; OR, thing lappenea Ned r. ""■ """• * '"'«'»" ' "»» any- which it was meant- " 1,^, ,! "'' °"'5' ""o ^" <■»■■ -er. He's rSi'l.imLr '^ °"' """^ ''=^'" «»-« 'ha„ to do!" "»">h,ra. God help me I I don't know what '■Does Herbert frequent the house still v hi«"a 'not iims^^'i'nVrrt TZ T '""'°"™"- "« "«« «e.i.ht the; tai^etTomp :;-;,: Ta'n'tT; 7'"^'" they're here, if it's ,r„e to themselves"^ ""^ ""^ just for lreJ'itZ-°lTT'f:'r among them ^e^^rr^tdr'-"^^^^^ f " «* t-uair under it and whisnered • " Tfo «», • u open Paul rs^^ 1.1 . ""P«'ea. it s an inch or so A^e^pio^r/tra r^^^^ -e- - in you next to God himself !" ^''^ "^^ '^"«' ^« It so happened that there were no others in th^ thing rather unusnil m ihoi u n " *"® '*°o™ (a nothing mor« jiot>,in« 1 , taoie-taik of the tavern, liking, and he never willingly put himself in the way THE iniSir GIRL TX AMKHICA. 221 of seeing thom All nf exciteii. Ilnrberl laid ,1 """'' °"'™'' '"" "'""'i™ wa.H towanl, Jfo,! ast, ^ ™ °" ""■ '•■""°' »»<> '■""'"■S over "=, I.., tl,I» WsZ' ,„ 'i ';° " «"»"- '">■'<'»' follow as you " Well . rn i„ ', , M ''"'"' t^spoctations V N«., wi ; ,: J™ '-•' "-' ''. «-tor Herbert !" .aid Lave made money " and hi = /',• ' "° '''""" "'" ™ you 1;„„„., Mr. Herbert, thart the ntj ., °'°'"'5'' """■ «- -...,», a, „,y o,„ ..neT :„::'. d"r:-'"°'';^ r'" rnee penny of his own too for h„ ^■~'" ''="* « u«cl to go to Liverpool «ce a fot^, T " "'''"'""'■ "'"■ ""■' -= 00..M ijic. „„ L„ey",n:::L':t;.::ri""^-'- "-■=""■ 1-0 :.i: rneriatri: did"''*' '^"" ' ^™ -^ ^- " Tf ,-«„'^ .; ^'^ y^" want?" She tbi,! J!!..""" '"^'»""'-'' *' ■'■» A.ly-,,he thinks- wJvercrtr,:'::'..™"'-'"' -^ "-->•'- »"-' ".m-^^i- " Wliy, she thinks the business dee=n'. ha! ha!-sl,e's a mighty earefoTw "'"^ '"'"' ""-'"" people ought to livobyruTe trr°''? '°°' ""^ ""■"'" i'.Jse every day Of his life Ce's no"" ' " ""^^ "= » ..•"'.' e':'d o-i't; riCa,,:." h" °"' """' «°« »- • Ins glass. -"^'onally. Ho pointed signifleantly to ..f gettin. fl; like Z^Jr^^, I ",' -"• She'd be afeard tearin'the flesh off mv hn. " ^^ •— and, I protest she's She says r„ a burder.o " 1^ "r°""' "' """ ^^">» f'"- raen to myself and every one else. By the 222 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, a^^ ! «I.es not far wrong in that!" he addod. parenthetically ^ "a do you tin-nk's the cause of it, Mi.ster Herbert r^' _ Herbert and Dixon exchanged looks, and the latter drew Ina hand over his face affectedly, in orde; to concea Te 'nl Una wo„ a corne. -^^-bert tried hard to preserve hi. .Jvi; as he hastened to answer • t,itivuy to vo* haid-that yott lead a gentleman^^ life, i^ f„etr ' Of course," subjoined Dixon, " of course. ;f „ur «„„<, could only get up a good .„,art fit of U.e gout, he wo Id" a"» for a bori, gentleman. Ha! ha Mia i" "oma pa»s ■■ He ! he ! he !" chuckled Ned, " I wish you could hear our AI y so,„eU,„es-„hy, it was only yesterday she told Teif I iotning II What the d 1 did you see ?" cried Herbert an..rily on It *'"' ^"^^^^^^-^"^ -as right^oh Lord ha;e mercy His eyes were still fixed on the window and his words were to himself_he seemed to forget that others were present Herbert to his companion ; " let's see if we can't pound them into him again." So saying he struck Ned a smarf ti th JtTsi'c; t^ --ira'pr oT:r^ v^? '^ -'' 1.1 • T, Pa^^ ^^ 6yes> liord save imt blazing hke two coals of fire !" "Stuff!" said Herbert contemptuously "It's fha h.. a getting to your head." ^ ' ^^® ^'^"^^ THE imsii ami. in A^mi: , ooq flood Of Jis,,t ,■„,„ II "h™" ""■ '" ""■"" " "P"'- Tl.c "'i"« thin, „L'2',;' 'i'". 7'«--'"' .li».i"ct„e.,, „„t „„' 'aughort till their sides ached 1, ■ "''',""■■>■.' •■""I H'e two cotrntenauee. * "' '"" '""■^'^som exp,e»io„ of wo^u;!e:™::t':„ta7a^:z ^/"■^'"■'"" -<- «- •- "If yon do," said ho " T'?i r,„ rnake n.e smoke " ^^^'^-''^"Jle, and maybe «ho wouldn't "Pooh, man! what of her raillerv >" .nM rr , .- r:„„r fSt:r J;ni:r "^ "-'■ "-■ -' - frisMenei ,„ away." '° ''"'™ '"" "'""o ! ''o ha, brZhresvMvh:::;;: i .r' '^r '" ■=*" ^"^^ "-<" ■■" " Wl„t ■,, '"'°-" ""^ raatter iv.th yon, Ned, honey?" Tho f,^w, J , ^^ "'*"^Q many there '2" was oee„,ea .y p^i.. rXT^irrSZ^ BESSY CONWAV; OR, ^hero was no confldenco sub.sistinjr between then, and neither tL '!:: T ' ■" "' r.r ^^-^-^ ''^'^■^'"- ■" ^'-^^ -•" " V, ''"'"•" «^f^""'«, whilst Herbert Avas workinrr }.!« «„•, s n;;,!'r""' -^^^^ '^•"' >■ "- »"""';:;„"; ■ « 'i^aer, Oniiy l,avi„s go„o out to inako sonio n„,.cha,^« »l.en a knock oa„,„ to i,,e b..,o„,«„ door ami Z tZ^Z open „ »h„ .„w a tall, „,oaciat«, .ornau^TJli :::';:,::" ■" ^ '°""^ '™''' ^---^ -- -'i>-'fo;':oi° to work, so wo ha'nt got a thing in the house " ° ^° God help you. poor woman !" said Bessy compasaionatelu 1 11 iio and see if there's anything for you •' ^P"'^^'^"^^^^^, She returned in a few moments with a larrre slim nr ^ a and some cold .eat. The moment the eh uTaw t she Z pcd her tiny hands and laughed : ^^' " Ha ! ha ! mother, I guess wo sha'nt give father any-shall '81.1: so drunk, you Know, he can't eat-can he " " bluit up!" said the mother ancrrilv nnri n r;r r " "-^ ^"^ ^- - - -^^-n-oS I' The Lord in heaven «ave us ! is it you. Sally -?" 1 guess you're under a mistake " fniri ♦>,« s..a... ..... «a.„e a.„t Sall"%„r ItrX"™:: " 1' a,nd sezn'T tlie rhilrl h,r fu young fle.e,. tj.e„ a.a.,,a It ^p zi^i^ z:;.:::^ " Bessy stood a moment lookin- after thn m". ^ , "'^^' won..l.., eoala It .e Sa,„ s.^ l^r.t: "'r U Z"!;. ''"^: uuHH t;nu. is America. .. , 235 optical dolu.sion Tl,„* -eyo,,,., :« ."'IT":"';;;:""'"''' "•"■■•"--' '- "■•- «« it „.«,-„,„ ,.„io,_„,e „°' „„! '° "f "■ "•" f-'^—ahored '»ng, lank (Iguro movi„.r „,,!, nvlr , " '°'"'""' ''" ;'l"alli,„ c„i,., ,y .„„ ,,„;,, "'s"„"; '""f ■''" "- "ill la.iiI.-|,o,,t ,vhe„ a miserable 1,, /"•■"■■'""' "'""^n-l piteous accents: wretched parent, crying in "Oh! daddy! don't boat mammv' Rh« i -* noting at all !" ^^mmy \ Bhe ha'nt got noting— <^i-;i=ri"t;~t;;~^ man's face she was at no lo tl ' ^"'"'^ '"^^ *""" «» ^l'« black n.oustache, the volb rj^Tr^fo "" ^ ''' ^^' ^^- and the matrimonial expectatio^'f n ''"^^'^'^•'"1'^"^ "ad told so many lies, spent o' I ^""""" ^''''''"^'^' S-"y tbe best place she ever T '^' """"'y' ^"^^ Anally, Jo«t Bessy had seen a,H j.eard onouah Rhn ,^ agme the altercation betu.l ? ^ ''^"^^ ^^^''^ *"'- «tances-the wretched p 31.;," .' T''' " ^"'^^ ^•^^"- Partner of his misery as bt^td'h?"'^''"" "" ''^^^''^ of food for herseir and her sUrvlL rm '"' ''''''' ^" ^"-' with the hope tb t some cha'^rb /, I" ones-watching her pence whic!. he might no.sf. "*^ """"'^ S'^'" '^^'^ ^ '"'^w cither by threats r^plr on To'''"' ," ,^'^^'"'"= ^''-'^ ^-• with the vile stuff fofwhk InW Tv '' '"^ '"^'^'^^'^^^ "^^^ rible ! hcH-rible ! an I Bess vL,^ f '''• ^' ' ' "^« ^^-- into the con.fortable Id ebrwr'^ '''^ ^^ ^"^^'^ ^^^^ not enter. ^''" ^'^^"'"^ ^^«« or 'Jepravity dared vi^t^^ dr::r:1;;t?^,::^^' - -^^-y. dancmg and " "P' and lymg and scheming !_how oftsr. 226 BESSY CONWAY; OR, I h«e seen her mimicking other,, even U,c,e she wa bound respect-what a sight ehe i, now her,elf..-.hrvonM„U bear a word, or lot any one say she did wrong, ^t ah 'd flv a Ln ; hit^™*^"°"' '"^ "^^ '» •>" -P -"* everytHn 'Ld a.k he, b,t from door to door, in misery and dirtand ra,>, wm -arning to „„ and e^ ^liker 'Z rnl S . r'::ru:'t!m"'^ """i'^ "'^' ^''> ">'«-' "»• ™ « ™ round Ihi^? ■ ' " ""^ "' '""■■ "»'" ' ''"P" who'll "me round th,s way aga.n, for I'd like to do what I could to help mo^nl t'lscrind T" *"' ™^ "=""' ""^ ^•"™ ™*» -<' hadrr'rie ^ Witer'arT'^rt '" ''''■ ^'■'' .™ had a decided a^^^^^^^^^ f Tn!:;^- „t str r^rergritr^-r-r Principles, ™sal,oLhe::*';''theouestL°'''r '^ '""' rr air;;;^™ r-;.!rd?the^rmt z or.so, lounging -n^^atrtrjlre: ^^r; sll back ro„™ on the fourth "lory of a te„emant-ho Je ' Z" rUE IRISH GIRL m AMERICA. ^21 continued sje, an7he 'be 'me^^e t" i "'^^^ ''' "'^^ -« curable drunkard we have InTi,n " "''' '^^"^"«' '^- It may well be supposed thif «(nu . ter^por was not sweet nod anvbvh' "''"'"'^ ''^^•^''^'^ ^' To .a, the truth. If she lad to .^.. r T "'^'^^ ""•''«=«• ;-de the shabby fellow pay a ,v ^'for'" "^^^'i^^^' •^™ s^e Imn from morning till nUrht .Zr ^^'^ ^'^'^ «^^>Iding - Jim used to sa^y to ^^f^r^:;:rfZ: "" '^'''''-- ''^ setter on a dro^vned mouse and " ! ?, ' '' ^'^'^ ^^"-"^-"'^ f ally's tongue didn't b^r.^^'su iTei J tf ^^'^"'^ "^^'^ ^^ ^-^ a Wide berth, and seldom ma" w^^'" ''''' ^« S-- was peaceably disposed, and hirdrun "'''' ^"^ ^^"'^ the stupid kind, rather ti.an the liM o ^^r" "^'l "^"^"^ «^ when a brace of squallinc. chid en 11^* ^' '''' ^^^V Sally's time, and sickness "came t^n . "^ " ^""'"'''^ «f that she could no lon^e work as T ^T'' '"' *'^^"^' «<> aberrations assumed a Cg 1: f/^^f,'^"^' "^^ ^-'.^ ness cleared his heart of human n i 'v o V '°" '^ •''^^^^- The sight of Bessy tl at nT w ^ ^ "^'"''^^ ^«'«^tion. Planted in Sally'sTrLhel h^t It' 'f ^ ^^^^^^ — bleeding wounds half healed by custom n/^''" '^^'" ''^^ lous indifference. It reminded Lrf^ '''''^ ^""'^ cal- what she might have be'-^of the .on J ^'^ ^"^^ ^^■'^■^' ^"^ advice by Which she never pro^d '/Tf ' '^"^ ^'^ ^^^ Of all she had sacrificed for the ^nT.f ^^ "^'' ^'^ ^'^'^t, and cious promises had lured'h:: ^:T'^Z^ T'-' ''" fie, she was tottering down the stroT^.-! f "' ^''"''^ "" ^'^ a.m Of getting away from Bessy, .J^LVj^im a '"^ '°"'"^^^ popped out unexpectedly from iCT/ J '""^ ^'"^^ «««"> To his harsh demand folrnoZysL " '"^''^^^'"^ ^^^ ranied by some epithet trueJou 'h inT ' '1^ '''''''' '^^-'"- very complimentarv. That nndf ^ ^PP^'cation, but not Perated Jim that h'e fi^- -.^-'" • i _*^'«appointment so exas. - "'••-«i^^-«b,s foot and gave her a kick 228 BESSY CONWAY; OR, wh,ch almost threw her to the ground, then, before she recov- ered her balance, followed it up with a blow that would cor- the uJ;rfr/''' "'^ "^^^ ''^^ '^ ^^•-^^'^-^ ^^ destination Z «ie uplifted arm was caught by an M. P. passing at the m J ment, and the valorous Jim was hauled away to the lodZ provided by the State for such contumacious lieges. ° " The e der child renewed its cries on seeing its father so Ule at ention to one or the other. Jim's brutal assauU com n.g at such a moment, completely paralyzed her. She suc- ceeded in reaching her dreary abode, and lay down on a bed of sickness from which she never rose. Some charitable ties, obtained her admission to one of the hospitals, where a few days closed her earthly career. She died in a stat of de iruim. without priest or sacrament, and her two little chil- dien, deprived of their natural protectors, were, of course adopted by those benevolent individuals who mak merchl' dize of the souls of men. t=i»-iiau It was not for years after that this sad denouement of Sally's f e came to the knowledge of Bessy Conway, and when it dfd a^l hat remained for her to do was to breathe a prayer for her ^oul, and drop a tear to her unhonored memory THE IRISH GIRL IS AMERICA. 229 CHAPTER XVII. and often when , th' "u , 'f '" °"^ '^■'«* »' «"-. her, for, wi,h ,„ hi, efrLtel to oil e ' f " °""™'"^'' Mn^elf .0 far a/ ot JeTtte r "","' "' '>'"" "^ ^-8"' marked out for himsllf „ „L • '"" "'""'' "" ''"' '"«'««» »>.rnnk from encZL!'; 1'":?:";;^° "■■* ^-. '«' ■"cl glance, and the aching voM tC It I 'T* '""" °' '■<"■ dearored to fill „„ by the L' V '" '''^-' '"' ''=«1 ^n- table and the upr' arfou i t !f TTT "' ">= «^"""«- kne,v well that every IZ ClJ • ,, "'""' "'""'''■ "» separated Wm j„.t .T^t^h X fr %"""' "' "'"■'''"°" >™ torture to him and vet !„ !, ^'''^- "'= "'""gl't «»il habits that ^"'re /ather r T "" ""'"'■' '" °^^''=™"= ""^ >.at.d himself, ir^ fhT, r^ets" itdlrf'"^ '" '"'■ "» his soul there were yearning. Z, *' '^°'' ™"'"'here in tbe companions of wnolL"!?™' ''°= """'''■ "" '""=« tbe world and langltd „' Z ' "°"^ '''''"™''''^ ' '"""'"^O votaries; all his bZ, ■*" '°-'=""''"' ''''■'"™ "f ib one g«;:"p': w rC;Co„r "''"'^' '"^"°°'^«'^ toage it is true, had wa.erdimr^.olL r'"'""- "^' passed into years and «a« them s,,""a'n.~!.!^".°' ■"™*' 230 BESSY CONWAY J OR, had never entirely forgotten Imr ii.^ ■ eflaced. ^«'oO"en Her-tho image was never wholly Whether it was Ned's relationship to Bos.y that kent >,• hovering about Tup CA^-rr^ v, i. i "-"Psyinat kept him Ned's fnp,]f nobody but himself could tell J^ed s facalties, never of the clearesf Ti-,^ i the best f,.io„„ „e „ad in the worM W tl h7j r k"',™ Ally, or Paul, or any one else. Of late Allv hn^ °' hopes of ever seeing his eves nn.LT m ^ ^''''" "P "" and was in the habi^ o a^ " ^""^.^Is r 7^' •' '''''''''' no more-that fool of a man won'U m " ''' ' ''" '' tell him the truth." "''' ''P^" '"^ "^^'^th to "Nevermind, Mrs FiniTini" t>„ i '»cau.e you're doing all for the bel" " '"'"■ °"^"y' "Ah! but, Paul doar! I'm vaitit,' . i you see yourself what a «,wi, "^ ''"" °°"'' ^n^ He's drunk mo t of hi. , ■;. f"" '"' '"■°"S'" '""'^^'f '». or the other onlys ttn'hel"n °) ""'"" "' "" °°» """S his life-time "„' me L - I ^ '"^ °' ""'"'■ ^'"'"'' "'"y and mail ;, :„dTm e't' ;:d ' '°'"'' °" "^ "'--- and She fairly burou cX-^'m^r ''""'■ ^^"' '■'- death he',, get-sudden and u^nprovMefbl f ' r,""""" times and you'd think there ^rJnlZptul T hedy but What's up in his head. ManyaLe r t ' ," '" .no iithat b^ghtrbi^a L :r ''vr:L::i\r'"' THE IRlsn GIRL IN AMERICA. 231 to himself, " huinph !_ay r ifg abonf r ebance of a change-maybe T ... ''~^ ''' '^''''' °« now " " ^""^^^ ^ ^^s ^''-ong not to do it before " Do what, Paul ?" »->.vtl.ing about it f„ N™ or an?^ """'°«- '^<"' "'""'»'' ^ay ».th her assurance that she would Z ■, "^ '""'• ^"* of it, Paul strutted away L br 1 ru'V'""™ "" ">» '""'I """* coruing fancies-''^ du , ; "f "" T^"""''"-" »'* ^s plans and proiects v7,T ^ assummg shape and form 'on..headed L^Z. ZrZ'LT^T''' '"'"' »" '^ on a grand design ^o wllT 1 .'""''''"■"""« ^ork »» Kaphae. or Michael An'e 1 to"' " """=" ''""•S"t conceptions. ^'"° '" ""o of their gi„ri„us and t°Chi: ::;::;, j:r>."» P-^c" OhVer street ,y. the quiet shadya en ottr'oM r""™^" '°'° »» of which he soon reached DrDe! ° \®^'^°«' ^"'!. following His timid knock at t, bte" J: tor"""' "'"" '" ^'°'""^''- Who, Of course, was eyer so gad to IT ""'"T^ "^ 0""^- vited him in. No no pj,v 1 ■ ''™ """^ "'"''"'^y in- aro„nd.,„o„,huthe'on;™tedt3 'r "'™' "''■'' "- Langhing pleasantly and savint^, "^ t " "'"''• ^"* ""''y- his promise. OunywIntba^'^sItttBTs:; """ ^^"™''- Why, goodness me Panl i. *i,- ^' ■•" '" said Bessy all in ', aZy ^°''"''" ^™'' ''o- come »-..i.e':ur;nrr i^z::xt '° "^^- ''™ ^ ^-^ yor.rarNtr^ijgr.s'^r^iu-r '-^ '- "^- O'clock. Can you do thatr ^^ """''"'« '"'O"' «oven "To he sure I can. the mistress never refuses to let mo out 232 BESSY CONWAY; OR, Is anything wrong at Noel's r ^""^ "" ""^"' ^^^^ ^ " 'Deed and there is thon ,^i j. it »oo„ enough. Say noZl^f ■? "^ yo„s-b,u you,, ,„„„ ril be biddin' yo„ -/ood-bve „f ° T ° ""^' ""'=■ "''" "nnv. ;; rou may/l,, n'ordlstpoTnlyr """■ ''" """^^ °" ^""•■' queerest creature livllT'"' .""' Ifhe is.rt ,bo well ! I'd like 10 l.„„,, ,,,f,, fT'-'^'-y <">» kno,™ Hat- thing past the commr I „ IT-. ."""■' '''"■ ' ''" "'^ ^™''- tbere. -plenty «r„"ru.er"-h'..'at.f"', ''"'-''■' -^' poor Ally!" "" '"^t^ just it-God help pr":: t t^?:t,r:r rr™'^ -' «- ^'^ <" '^<' .•- which Paur appeared to irelrr"';"''""' ■■> '"e business and unhappy Z knew not w y "Hrrt'X" ^'^ '^" '™"»' moment and she looked forward ^r,TT^ '"creased every feverish impatience never Mt before""' """'"^ "'* » aay'sbityr i::''^tn '"^->- "--".-« passed away, and the l.he- „ 1 ","" '""'"" "' " »•'". " >.oy so ea,I;,y expeeVdtrnlrtt.d™'™" "" "" '"^ AuturnnvatterdXrdvi::^!;;:^^" '"- '- •"« »bort. It was a raw, cheerle s ovenfn .andT «"" ™"'"« along Prince street after leaving « ."''''>" ™""'<< creeping over her and „ . i ° '""«^' ""= ''■» « chill bardly a\le to mo 'e "alV "s,;:r 1 "" ""' """ '»" '- the sensation that cam "er he at", T"'"'-'"' ""'"'"^ '*" ■■ Lord save us i I „f7° f ' ■■ *" "'""' "■i"'i° berself ■ maybe ifs w t I °T. ZLf '"",'" ''''"' '■^'"''^">- Ho,y Mother preserve m„r "" "" "'"■ '''''"=' «" "i" T"E IRISH GIRL I.V AMERICA. 233 A low smothered lausl, reached !,„. !"•" that she started and looked 1 .!""■ "' "" """"""'' »° '" "'or supposition, faneifm as i, ," '"" "■" '''"' """S «» by her side, his "I ^^ " ^';°",""'. ''''■■ "-y IForber! iook-haif fend, hair mocWn! °" "" """ '"e strangest -M'i«rr;„fet:;""^' ^°" ««---" -r .h„ "Did I?" he said very softly '' w.in •.. very unfortunate, indeed Ih.f r ^ , , ' '^ ' '■'''*'^^'' ''•'^'-'l- ^' - - Ion. so yo^tT^^r '"'"''''^y^'- ^"^^h- should the sight of n.; a arm "^l"? "^^f ^ -- so, M-hy •"e-don't, I beseech you - r^'-"^^^ ^'«»'* '""^ au-ay f.on. «o you needn't fear me --fea,- 1 ' f '"'"""'' "'^"' ^'^•^«>'-' If to himself, " why shonT,] Z ^ ^^Peated bitterJy, as ^^-^i When I ,z:^z ,-b::::. !r "^^ ' '' '- •"^^' ^"- oseape-no^v, will you fust listen to nieV'' ^'"''' '''''- '^ " For God's sake Ma tor TT ? ^ *"' ''"^ "^^'"«"t 1" -•^ Bessy i. . ^^Z^^^ ^^'^ ^^'^ to me at all;.. ^or I don't want Ned's peon Lto « ''''^' ^ ^"^^ °^ >'«»' tl^ere I'm going now/' ^ ^° '"" ^^^ ^'^h me, and it's tog'etlL'r '' ^"' ""'''''' - ^^^--'« the harm if we wallc to"ni^tu;n:^^/^-C-"^' "-dagreatharm, " Well I m see yoi the,^ ', «, ^ '"' ""^ ^'^^^^'^ "^« alone.'^ !•" do as you tell me B mtd l"" :'' ""' "^^^^^'' " - "'•ght,sonomore tricks, BeC' T,T"'.''"^ "^"' ^«" this Cast.k, I'll go to-morrow to Dr ZS''" T'^ ^'°" ""' ^^^'^ will." ''' ^'^^ -Delany's.-choose which you " I'll see you at Ned's, then sir " .^n t? sence of Mrs. Finiaan " ' ^^^^^ Bessy hastily, "in pre. 234 RKSsv con-way; or, ".eant to take .he C- .";',. ," "'J. -,"=«-' ,- if »» Ned wa, sUlinT ?> , "'°"' '"'""'S™' Matures, waitor wl,o in rttte i^^ "'", ""■"-"■'"=•■ '<> "'o nimble little Wliat iviU you lal;o, Mike 1" said Pi.il („ i • paiiion, as (!iou"h th-,t ,v, ., ° ""^ ''"""S "="">- "But are I nee". ,• \ ,- Jl*" '''™"' ""J""^' "^ *" ™it- «.an icnonad M,. Fi'i';;:/"" /"'?,'! -"""=" ''^■'ger t-o «la.es Of t„e nic^tleror;: ^'JI ' J";',!,' ^ ""™ .oatecmke. l,e ,vc„t bade and wLl^erctUo 7,1 ' uul liessy come yet V* " ^'^^> yes, more than an hour arro qho'a « ;u abroad in the little room." ° ' ""'^^ "^^ ^"°^^^^ ;; Very good, very good. And the other person V Not come yet-husht! there he is no^v Be off n. f. . you can !" -"^ °" ^^ fast as ti-e'iZttt^rT^t-: r-r^'"-™"- «-^'°^ tone did, Mister Herberf " ooiri ah there," pointing .„ ,,„X' ^"^ ^"^ 1™%. "*»•, inside bent'lhfwaulrLdheV"'* "'■"■ -■" " ■"°"'™' •' -'" H- angryast„nW™eot:lt:^^d'r:,::f- !"^ "''*"'="'"" " to where he thought Tes y was Ilnn , "T"""' "'""' 8°'"^ in Whom he knew to'be „: Mend „; h"' "" '"""^ ""• ^-'"'y. THE IRISH GIRL ix AMERICA. 235 "There's nothing yoii can winf f« .» * Henry," »ai,I B„.y calmlv "Lt,ta 7 '° ""■ '"""«■• She's my frio„,lan/well.w.lr" """"'^ "''^" "''■•• ^^ '^Ood ho knows tkai-s true," oteer.ed Bridget with a k:„d ., ' ^''^' ^ ^^^« J"«t heard of my father's death the trouiie ol::^:^;^;!:;."! de'"'; 1'"^ "'■■"'^'■""^ ^^ Henry ! very sorry !" ^^^ ^ "^ '°'"''J'' faster " So am not I," Herbert replied. " There was lUtl. T :^:Ti:r::r„™r^-t\r7i^^^^^ thA fanTf Ta„ r "imiiierent SOD. I know not where me fan t Iay_I suppose we all had our share of it-h,„ ,h ! our Lrria;j_a7,:::r.o rj;rh:ri:r.°r'-'» '» r:hXrLtn-S':rh""?-"~^^^ niuc, liessj !— will yoii be mv dear wi fp i xviii „« share my fortunes ?_mmd I will never LIZ ^ " not-oh ! do not refuse me now" ' W ^""/Sa.n-so do held between both his own and llLd T"1 ''' '^"' '^ as utterly forgetful of Bri^ett rten^a ^7^^ ^" I'' '''''' were in existence Presence as if no such person J' luu^n ner heart and bram were throbbing. 23G BESSY CON-WAV J OR, ' Lord l)Ies.s mo ' M-i«i>nr ir Of suol. things-^.'' "'"''^' ''''^' ^ i''^^ for you to talk " Will yo„ „ .myl7' f: "■"" '""^-"'"S '^"«"™<-o '-nd-I want .„ lit Z'-^::' '" " '''"' --»■ " >et go „,y Cndgot liastonofl to brin-r imr n i, • "n-l ™t bo b„lhori„.r the doce,' / f ^'' "''°"' '"' ''»^">"» "Woman! be silonM" v,„ ••." .' 'viW t„at it ««hte„e bX™:;* : 'T" ""' ^"'"- ™ »aid he ll.™,bon,ll„„„ver,l™ " "'■ "''''■■"'•■■'" Bionate entreaty, .■ Be^, Ly Tate a'7 '"'"" " '''"" "' P- answer-you may save m^ b„, ^ .'■°''" '■"l'^"'' on your can make me what y„„ ", Lw"^,-""' '""'' '™' '•'■"-^<". cut the only link ^i, J ^'^ „" ^ ? " """""S-"" "ot adrift on this wide cold w riHe J,"'"","'" ""' "™" "- you will be a lady " *° '"""" '» Ireland— better go V ® ' ^^^^- ^urpliy ! hadn't M-e tollroLr'" ''""""" '-" «-^-'. W3 wrath be.innin, 4Z Z rrd\rfeS": °"f 1^^^''' "-■ ""' «-e went to his heart, it was ,e bl 'jr " "" "''"■ " '»* that "Bes^yr" ],„ 1-j • ""'^^^h'lS, so sorrowful beIieve7ouc::el!!;'^^^^^^^^^ ^-e, ^^ I eannotl.n, not "Master nenr,r. saM L"^. ^Uhl 'rc^ °^ ^^« ^^^-•"' could command, "before I could Vo ^ "'"P^'"^" ^« «^« there's many things would have oh T' *° ^'^'^' ^^^ ««I^. " What are they %" he iovfln , '''"'"^ "P'" at this shadowy of hope "^ ^-^^'aimed, catching eagerly Before Bessy could answer, Ally mad« T, -. that Mr. Bi^on was an.ry ;» ^^^^^Z^^^:;^ '» TIIR IRISH nuu. IS AWERICA. 237 " I'll see you soon arrain " TTori^^.* i • Ima into th„ lar? r „! J ! °"? ""' '""•P''^ '"""wed ™o,>, too. t.„,' .e:rr:t,:,zx tt.,;:;,'^; -^ «" ">- Ills yoiiiiK friend, their Iem„„.„i ! "' "" "S »'"' happened that a ho ™„r ,." """"'""' "'"■'"■•' '"™>- " "o >.« -ic, With an „„„atura, attompnl .aier."' " ™"" """■ ■ef.w:Tho„Mha;r ""' "° "^^ '"'"'■"' '". *at before »„ ^r:;:;rt,:tLt':i^"° -.-or. a. ,.,,„., -t :» 1 irrzr :rh r.^^'. ---- - - you?" *^ ''^^''" ^«a; "you're there, are ,u;i;T;:ir;7„r'otrr;e"^"'' "'"••"--^ »•-" wish for him than I haro." J«""-«'/-has a groator " ^'"u'lo a bitter old coon " ei.vi w. . . left the room ' ""'""■' consciously as he ::p-'«*i::.---^^"-"^-^S: "He's on the hook"RT;rl i,» . t. bnstling up. ' '''^'^^ ^^« shrewish matron "yVhy, I'm sure Mr ITnrhr^vt *%, Every eye wa/turned - Paf;T:T ° '7^« '"^et,..-.- ins S-.ure at !„•„,, a» tl,o„:.h to L " „ n ' "■""" " "'>^'^- yoii!" "oUiosay. ' Do your worst-I defy '■WJiatdoyoumean bv tint?" c«-i i.t , «3 ... was, cat.,,, the J:J:':IZ^^^'- "'■ '"'"^' ire »im?i5 to crack a joke " sa?rl ' ^^•^"- are rather bUter for n,ost;e':;,;:;i^;:^"' """' "'^ ^•■"'- ^aid Paul rrnta.''rS I^hif." •""'""- »''•• ""■"ert!" '■ tie nigM you give Luky M^m 1'° '^'^ "'" ''" "" *»■ ofEooseveltandChlthamo ' ",' "'° ""'»''■ ^' ">e come; """" over two years ago 1" int mis„ ,,,„,, „ j„K„,^^ 239 "on't moan A,, Ti'"],, ™';.,;;';';'!. «Xing up a liUlo. •■ Vou eavo that money forLL' ''° ^vorW-aI,em ! what he a.; :^r:::r :-:::— ,----... ♦'^ p , ., havin- knowledge of l^r.^'^^^.^Z^''^ '' '' '''' °"'^ ^^ouf it, for I know the paJorLT '"" '""^^ ^ ''O'^ in Ireland, and as Mrs. Murnh; to! ""' ' .'""^' """^'^^ ^^ ho'"" "1 It that-r want you to hear Zf ""'^ ' ^ ''"'« ^e^^ret M.-. irerbert won'ftell .s • ,^77,,' f " ""^ ^-^^-- As Mike! my man, I believe Jrr.n '^ '""'^'^'* *''^^ "''"• -'-t you heark passi . a t I 7;' ? "" ^'"'^'^ ^^^ "« and Luky Mulligan !" "^ ^^^"'""" ^^'^''^ gentleman "Ned Finijian'" rt,M Tr« u x Mo i« .oin; somewhat I??: Tc''^ ?' "^^'''""^ "^''^ that you would allow „,e to beVnlu T '"^ ^ ''^^"'^ ^^P^^' your presence." "'"''^^ '" ^our house and in "Well! it's not mv wish \r, w ,. embarrassed, "nor neitler i, " .""" ''''^ ^'^' ^""^h -an that's doin' it al yo" e ,7 "''~''' *^- ^ool of a playin'. " ' ^"^^ '^^"'t s some of his pranks he's ^"Qoon, Mike!"saidPauT " ^'''"^ '"^^^'ay from here, Dixon '" «,n?^ w ., nervous excitement, " I shinV 1' H^'-^ert, m a state of Dixon stood up but beir,?. ^ ^ ""^'"'"' '""^^'••" 1- pretended to 'lol^fri^r;,;;^^^^^^^^ ^here it was. Meanwhile l.f:.:l??"£' ""T'"' '''^ ^^-" " "" '■^•"'"g ^J'at had passed 240 BESSY CONWAY; OR, indignation. ^ ^'^'\ exclamations of surprise and "Mr. Herbert!" cried Ned " Arr tt i . ^ Herbert ,,,, „„ ,„„^ ^„ _^;^^^. ^^/^-/"■'"t do Ihatl-Mr. There's for vou!" said All V " t\ , . io yo„ think „f-„,at now' .^ '^' "' " '"^ '""'■ ""■" '— »»' set 't'ti, ';; ;:":e;u":„7:f t-"' '',""■" ■■-'=---' '''=<'■ ■■ «» Wack-UropCInr;:::^^;'::;",;, ■-;'«-''e^ 1=' at bin,. »kin-flint of a father ho I,ai ?„ , . ^°°"' "'' "■» «''M Ned ! Oh ! the curso of a w7 ■ f^""" '''"' '"■ " ^'^» ••>» 7.«.M„rph/ja;rh::r:^::^i;:°r-''7"!" make her sit down a^ain '■ t„ ,, ?' Bessy trjing to man now when he", dead 'it T '"?"" '""■" »' '"" <"« enongh you „ay hi sure .~ "' "°" ' ^■"" ' *' "'^^'> •"•<> .ook;:rrr:;:n:rh'srar"" -r' " " -^ ■""• ^- -^ ^""-d „„;,?' '"■" ""^^''■' "= «-' »ave such gee, ,„„ „f y„„, "My name is Mike Milligan, Mr. Herbert i" .,-., ,v ■ "■edeslly, yet with an air of selflrespec " I ' ., ""^ ''* boy, vendinj, He jp^,-, „ ^_^, ,' ""P""^'' ' «s then a news- sir !-no,v n„ , ,wv • ""'t^-™'' ">»ny a one I sold y„„ tba„,.toth^rae rvrjodtdte'r™ ;- "'-' »'-' Brannlgan " " ^'^'^'''® ^^ "^^ «^^ar fnend Paul -:n:;;i:^sX::r':;t:r,:^e^-'r*'' days for your special benefit - '^""^ °^ "^^«« "I wouldn't if I were von " coM htm ^ I-P your .oney. si^ Co.I n^^L-l^^^J^j; ^-- old woman to say a prayer for you." "^ ^ ^'^ '^""^ " Very well, >^y Jad I verv wpII i tmi i depend on it." ^ " ' ^ " '^'^^^ '"^ eye on you, TheXTof Iml^ZMt'"'^. ""'■'"=' indifference, exclamations Of „„ o.C «r" "f,,™"'' ""* '"» ™'io.» ™ concentrating hi, thou:h"s for f ?°''"' ""^ ^^d- »'» but what with the an^er and M * "" ■"""* »° Herbert, ^"en imbihing, he coutd tZ"''Zn'°' """^ '« ha, Ho 'tood „p a„a^„,,^ an attLT, ,"r"' i-'-^liisib'-. eyes«tarting fr„,„ their socket Si ..* '"^ ''''«''. W» «e'ght of his Moated body a„d 1 it T^ '"'""'•"^ ""^"^ ""' " Mr. Herbert !■■ said he L.wt "'" '"'"'» '■''""''""S. ""■•d, "Mr. IIerbcrtr„w ir "."""''""'""i-g'" et-ery jj^-for a ftie„d-Chi Xr", ,t° ''"" '"' "' ' ^ '""^ iWttll'B.Ws friend you ,vii ,• '™"8-i' was Inky •houghtyou weroag^ttaar,; fr """" ^'^^ ">'•"-! Plainly_y„a,„ nosuci, hto°' v ,"'"-^"' •'-">" I W, yo„ «•>; Of ffly house !■. '""'S-you're a scoundrel, sir J-get Very ungrateful, 'pen ho,!t " '^ ' '■■• ^'"'S'"' '■" J-o- thanks, nerbe;t,X h n^^'^'^" "'■"»"• " ^Lafs , " And ail the hours I end 'd T '' '"" ''""" *"■■'' '" temptnously to Ned "all 1,1 company," pointing con- --« > no u,atter.' Di^'T "CZ^ ' """^"^ "^'"ed to bave my reward." ' "'" 'anguage of Scripture I " What's that !" said Ne.t „•„ , " K"K»a. ,.. cried h!;,;";: ™"f> «»»i' »f animation, looked around ,vi.h the smi.lf / ""^ «■='--"•'" and he Paiouith H.O intensity Of ™ ",„"'" """"S demon, bis face figure of the Landlord. ' '"' """"""i '» «'» ungainly " Blessed Mother '" without heeding her CCrt'!";''^ ''°"™^ '''''"' death , others to keep s°Ie„t '"' <"'' """"l motioning to the -de a show of m'e beZe ^ „" ^tZ'^l'^''^ !"! «- day h'e J, I-a-e.^.,,, or lin^ Garric/c. 242 BESSY CONWAY ; OR "mb''ln.^rr'T™''^ °" every feature and on every ™1I If I dfdu' TatTv'o '° 'rJ ''^"^ Herbert-alas! ;:^ o-.vn pleasant thoughtslarfor von t ^'" "^^ '" ^'''' dark scowl of hatred " ..^0. ' ""^ ^' Paul with a ^>i 01 nauea, as for yow— your time will come »" I defy you !" said Paul calmly and flrmlv T , me no harm whilo T wnit • ,, ^ ^"^ ^'"^^y* you can do lord l„„k t„ hhn this day r '"'°'' ■"" """"■• The " Ton may mil say that, Paul !" said Ned ftllm, l,.i > , ■nto In-s scat, and looking all the miservVw , , ""^'P'^^'y .ot express ; "Vm do.. Pa. . rm don '' " ^"^"'' """ a creature on God-s ea,tl l-^lecro'Ti;; "T"'"'^"''''""' I'utoh! what did I do ,„,.'"'°"S'""'''»s'>'S revenge 1- done to me • I don t bh„ i ' T"'"'^ "'"' ''*" •>« ha, it to „e many a .tae-hu;?,!! ' hi tt therl'"'' -=-:,rhutr;°^-"-- he " "«'.>«"" Id gn-e all I'm worth in the world to ^^fZX^Z^:^-'"-"""^""^^-'" put in Her. "Take him awav!" said Npd "♦^t-« i,-„ . „ THE IRISH GIRL IX AMERICA. 243 Orwherbacktoherseae Hi! n!" '""«'" ^^ *»"<• 'nd «■>-- lingular »'•«", sit down and make v„„r„7' '■"■''^''' "id Mr. ■'e » »-eat hand at teUint sCi^ ™ "'"?*'""• ""=* '» of <> good one „„„, it wo^ld pur;o, r''^ " ' """" ">'"k 0- looked and ^noClZr^tT'lr, '"""'"" the,T oar,, and so strange waa the nronn' ■, " ^'""^'' ''="«™ ■>«■■ in which it wa, made H at IT- I "■'" '"'^ ""' "■=»" lieartny, declaring that th^ dtrfh fd"'!:?' '"•™" '""S"^'' li'ey both sal, and Herbert ranned it . , '' '""""■ ^'""' "Tbe story by all mean X"l ,t " f" ""'--"'« I nod and nodded and cleared h" hr a * ' "^ '" '"''"' S''°- 244 BESSY CONWAY ; 01^ CHAPTER XVIII. Just as Paul was about to commence his story the waiter knocked at the door to say that Tom Cassidy and old Mrs Sheehan were outside and insisted on being let in with the rest. "Is there anybody else?" asked Paul through the key- hole. ' "Nobody only Teague Moriarty from near Ardflnnan " "They're all welcome," said Paul applying the key to the lock. "Bad manners to you, Paul!" said Cassidy as they en- tered, "is it makhi' masons you are, or what, that you lock the door on yourselves V " Ask us no questions and we'll tell you no lies," said Paul curtly; "sit down all of you-Mrs Sheehan, ma'am, here's Bessy and Rlrs. Murphy and Mrs. Finigan-come in here to the corner, there's room for you. Now, Mr. Herbert ! I know you're a good warrant to treat people— here's a nice little company of us now, most all from your own place at home— what are you goin' to do for us ? a gentleman like you ought to have an open hand." The cutting irony of these remarks made Herbert wince. " That back of yours stands you in g uod stead, if it weren't for it you should have your answer pretty quick." " Paul !" said Ned in a voice quivering with anger, "I'll not stay here if /je's in tlie room." " 'Deed an' you will, then, Ned!" said Paul, " to oblige me THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 245 S Z'tZ^"' " ""'"' ^ » -"- »o. for r. 8„i„, ,„ "Botheration to vou i" m,ui i ,. tliinkyon," "'"'"''"» "age whisper. " Shall we stay, s there to aid his C y ""^, ""V^" -«» cahalisti^ -"ost of his auditors were and mu T. T"^ """ "»='''"" as ^'ories, there w., soJewli /< "* : "'"-" ^or hearing «-e,r attention, and they listened it """""' "»' '"''''o'i ""happened in a place at , "^ ^"'"- "<>' '>%• resumed Paul " that', iLZ ^l ™' ""^ J""" ''""'v wll ■■ ,. Why. to he ^ur:::^' „r,t^:rr' °'"''"'""»-" ' t«on was doubly excited vJ'T\' ^""^'^ ^°«'« ^"en- sJiaking olFa drowsy fit' "''"''''^ himself like a do<. -;j«:7-oru:r-:,,rr.''--.uo«^^^^^^^^^^^ interrupt C:/"l',:r L"':!: T""","'' '-»"-■ -^ ^^.-t -at. the very reason Zt^ruJ^ h^ ^ .!, ^^ ^"' -stri^An 246 BESSY COXWAY ; OR, Co?tfounfI i!" saul. Herbert an trrilv "rfn vn» «ti - r the whole countrv for ^- ^"f ' "^' '' ''^or that was over .wiuie country lor miles rcnnd in n v;..y1 ♦« *»,„ used to be heard in fhn i r, ? ^'*^"'^' ^^ "^e "O'so that _ uc nearci m the lonesome place wih ?" ° '"''"= '™' •"" "-e dead I.„„r o "H,t f ITr '",", "'"'"' ""' '"""^>' "' *» .0... « .0 „a.o the ha,> of o?;:-',!" ^ re"?""^'"'"' 'Remember t!" cried Tpirrn^ nr • "^ "" ^""' rM.M „,,.,r t.ere, one^'.^Ml":/!: ^'plr/;™'/"' ^ Abbey." ' *"' ■"■""S"' >" ™ sight of the onld H.M;p''--et,„^^^,^^^^^ a srand illumination in it." "'^'■® ^*« "Ila! ha! ha !— ho ' hot hni ,v,.^ r, Herbert laughed vocL:;iy;^;A;Ht"of:^^ windows !-why man thorly. ^ ^^'""^ °^ ^'^ht through the ages." ' ' ''"'^ ^"'^ '^ ^«^» ^ ^indo^v there for " No matter, Mr. Herbert! it's all the same " said P.„i .< W what Teague means, and I'm sure h's^e 1 ng tre U 7^ for I often saw the light myself." ^ '^' " ^''0 you in earnest 1" " Meed I a„, Mr. irorb,.,-M "■kins about U to Billy V,U T '""'" "" ""•" """ I m « -.or „to„e.. "«„,! r.^o'l^:,^;- "-""t ..a«M t,„ '"f: "7- P'°"'"B against ...ogl^'^: '•™ps -vit„ thoir „„ad., ■nw-ha! hal hal" Enosts!- down amonj the dead loading o^iy^™«^°'" '"M ^"ywith hreallles, eageme,,, ;t;^-'^e1i'^^^^^^^^^ «.ey. indeed, ,. St- Finian's Church." "* ^^^'P ^'alch by night in V/iiTist save iisr'__«T^ , ,, 'v -^oits! ««e; Paul! what d;d you Tet .7 T, "^"' ^^^^^ did you DolJy Sheehan. ^ " ''"' ^^*°^« ^" This last was fro,^ " Did you see Ihe black dnrr 7-. , Pa-I paid little attention to, "'^'^ "°^*^«'-- around him-the we dtli^ ''"''* -^clamations of those -or his own strange 1;^^^^^ "'^" '^"^^^ ^^ ^-od^?: ;-m the grave of ^anish^^d ye," 'T7 "^ '^'"^ «^^P- «-^ed on vacancy yet gr.duallv v' if '""^ ""'"^ ^'« ^^^all eyes ^r^ohond bent forward anl.fs^/ "^'^^ ^"^'^^^ Are, hi f - ^hin pale lips were CL nd"t ."f "^ '^^ ^'^ ^-e 'ons motion yet they gave fo^th no '"'^''"» ^''^^ a tremu- fi-^ed on him but no one venturl, ? "^^ ^'''^ «^« ^as ;-got his levity, and sat sUenZt ITT' ^^''^ «-^-t '^0, and appeared ill af ease ".."''' ^" ^^^« P^^e n^ost intently. '^'"' ^^^^^Wng Paul's countenance " What did I see V' g„f j p speakh,g very slowly, ■• , saw'^teTd^'" .?"'"»" "'■' ''^»'' "1 was a dark dull night ,•„ the h! I " ' "P^=' '« »«. It -If wentup.0 the Ab ey audaT •"" "'^' ='"^ and ^ ^" '"'' « ionesome tramn .. ,... . . 248 BESSV COKWAV; OB, e>o„ ,„ j.l,g,,t what a placo it i, „„ aecount of tho ,"eZ moetn, overhead and the hig bJack rock, that look a, if ,|,ov «^ro ready to fall a-lop of yo„. Myself r„U a little da,„„..d »he„ ,ve go to the old Abbey and seen it Blandiu' up between U.S and the sky, and indeed it was only the i,M of it „•„ 0^1 ee th,,n„, the thick darkno,.,. Billy trudged along ., .„ nted as.f he wa., walk,,.' down the street and the MenJ, an »h,n,n' over him, Billy never kne,v what fear was. 11 ' ™s so used to diggin. down among the dead and handlin' the, white bones that he wasn't a bit afeard of them and I didn't care to let him know that / was either "Well! when we got to the Abbey there wasn't a thing to be seen barnn' the great black wall, and the trees about then" hak,ng ,„ the wind, for it was hlowin' a little at the ,e Od guard us Billy 1' say, I, ■ isn't it a lonesome place ,1, r Its a ,u,et place., says Billy back again, 'a brave quiet 1 lace_I see no sign of Ihem yet-' who,' say, I, • „.,,,. the „ c nts/ ,ays B lly, 'maybe they'll not stir out the nigh, U' "o dark and d.smal.' Billy laughed but / didn't la^gh for made the ha.r stand on my head to hear him talkin' ihLt, a sh T l'^r:r' '" »"^" - P'^^- ■»■'-- are w- g t " ■ shelter, B.lly V says I to him, • wc can't slay here lonf unl.s^ we get under cover, for I'm thinkin' the weather is'oi"' to Change.' We'll see,' say, Billy, - maybe we wouldn t Ze o »y long, bat, at any rate, I think I know a place wher we can have a new of the im^ide, and bo in ,helte,- too Wtol was a httle fellow I spent many an hour amo,g these uins o7d r" ^"' ■'■""' ' °"'=" "''^ '" °' - Sunday to see he old place and sit awhile among the quiet dead I have a great w,sh for the dead, Paul! espaycialiy the monks hatl awhr"V°'f,°°^ """ "'^"^ '" ""'W''""' I »"- pel awhde p.ckm' the rubbish and the weed, from about S ombstones, an' when I meet any bones lyin' about I gatto '!.em „p and pile them all together for fear some ofTem THE IRISH GIRI. m AMERICA. 249 tnight belong to the monks or thn nhi... holy people. If it was dayl Jt P u P rt n '?" '' ''^^"^ you-a nice little pile right in it T^ '^'"^ "'""^ ^^ -here the alUr used to Stat/ .llr^^^^^ ^'^^ ^^^^"^^^ says I back to him 'but iv?' « ^""^^"^ to you, Billy!' heap of dead men's'bones.'" '''°" ""'' '"^'^^'"^ ^^«« ^« * I'll break your bones" Kairi ij,.-t. x don't either get on with ^ Zryo'tZl TT'' " " ""' out!" "^'^^ ^"^ <^P®n the door and let us " Have patience, Mr ITprh^,.^ u . , „ getting on finely, s/r ! whe e was '.-^if. '^"^ ^'^ ' " ^'"^ bones-well! Billy laughed rLv^^f \ ""' ^ ''^' ^' "^« anyhow, we wa Jd ro;:;\re S^t U le "^' ''^*' '"'' place vrhere it and the Abbey joined and Bil. "T *' ''' a narrow passage-in the waill thTnk -f ^ ""^ ""^ ^^^"^ flight of stone Bt«ps-he had t^ l^^M T""''^ "^ * ^'"'« way, myself not knowin' wher. ^ """ ^^ '^" "™ ^" *he Jast he pushed me down aid I fo T '"'' '' ^"^ "^^ ^^^^^t stone bench, and <^TJl'r^;Z7ZT T' ^" ^ was an opening before us liJ ! ?' "^"^ '^^ *^*t there 'if there's any^thingl be seen hTe T '•'''"'' ^^^« ^"^^ Paul! sit there now Z'itTfZT^^ "'^^*' ^^'" ««« ^t, get a drop.' " ' '^ '* '^'"^^ «" '"omin' we wouldn-; '' I suppose it wa u;i:l"tSr'' '""'^ °^ ^^"^'*-' crows!" ^ ^® ''^^^'^y yo»» were, among the "Ha!" -no, though not ve ™high it fl j ^f "'"•"' ""'" "■" -^we„ca.„g „ou.ru„/a.„;g:frtrrz ci';: 250 •^ay; or, in the villai;,. below n , f '"3""'""' "V lilHo ">on. wason ;i*cj: i;,:,^::'; ""' ""'- -■-"-,'«" ".« care <„ lell Bill. h„„. i «(. ' " "' °"'' "•"" ' ^'"^"'^ " • I lliink we're „„ly |„,i„. „„ t,„,„ ,,j , , ' We both «nf n f ' '^ ^' ^'^y*' ^'«-' ^'«ten !' hear i „„i.r through the darkness. I did d n „,;rerd "°"°';' "" "° """^ '«-' «' "-", ' one fr/n! H • "'""'""-"d Billy, and his voiee sounded like do™ :;:Zhe iir-z'^i^^j^^ t «>- " -- ^ "o,..a think I saw 1" ""'' '^'°"'' »"■' «•'»' do you w;i™ith:::::rert:r"«- I'Bnmstoneyourgrandmothe, ri Herbert. And (i^rnres were there in ti sh „f ^ with a pointed hood on his L, l ' .,' , "' "'='• ™o ■out hi™ like What z:onZ'::t:^zrLT-'''' «nnn,„. and ,an,„in. a. one another and jalLriike'^Tn^: "'" m«n om,, ,„ ,>„„„^ 1 "^ '" '""""■If, "can r Pvo- f ° ; , ■ ^"'■''•'"MMho J^o-thc, on th, d,.,i „::",„'" ""' « P»ok „f ,„,, „,^ "■at lAowind roso t„ a I,„„ " "■" "''olobmldin.. With •••sain wm, every „„,, an, r ,?"'"'""' """"'' «an, ., „ 1 bo""-." laughed l„„d„ „„a ," ™' '";■"■ '"'»'•'>, I...t .be ,I,i„<^ ■* •■«. and dealt H,e o" rd, nd k "'"'"' "'^ -^'^ '" ""ll Tie, of rror „ere I,e„d on ^^ '° "'"'■■" ' "■' ««ag, ,„., story A Vl 7 "'"''' "'"'" ?"„! reached '.« n h... .eat and laid his hand o" Pa! r?"' "'"""'^ J"»Pod Maybe they weren't dead at „n ," ^'"''''^'• '■•Pooredan:do„,lyi„.„ ,;;;!«,;''" "'■" "ondln, ,or„,„„ There were darfc ,1^.- '^^' »aid Bridget Mnrp.y "Ts'J"''"' "" "■"•"' ">o ,a„,e time • "•a' here." She lo'ol^d o.'LT" ~"'" ""' ^'"> "-at "he ,hndde. ''"^""""---"-^.-.ohunchba...^,,., Ihey were ffha^ ' /r in iv ^ ^ •■ Tho strange; tb4'"„ ■'^/,:'-':> "l;-"'^," .■ in Herbert -ere« dead face,_yo^d, wear 1 '^''"'' "" ' ">« face, '"oy talked a, natural a. 11^. ■ """' '" '""'>'■ men, and ^;' 252 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, " I should like to have heard them," said Herbert with an air of incredulity ; • I daro say you woro nodding asleep and dreamed all that. Could you favor vis with a little of the conversation V The ironical smile on Herbert's lip disappeared before the keen sf -utinizing glance which Paul turned on him. " I can," said ho with startling abruptness, " I can favor you, Mr. Her- bert! The one that dealt the cards— he sat right fornenst me, by the same token — laughed as ho flung them to one and another, and says he ; ' Now for the cash.' " " Ha ! what more V "And with that he th'-ew down a bright gold piece — on the crown of a hat, Mr. Herbert ! set right on the bones, and says he, laughing louder than over, ' If the old fellow at home saw that now, he'd have all the police in Ardflnnan after u.s to hunt up his gold — but I'm bound to win it back this night, or I'll bid good-bye to the Abbey !' " " Ha ! ha ! ha ! a likely story !" sneered Herbert. " A pretty fellow for a monk !" " 'I'm about tired of tho joke,' said the same speaker," Paul went on. " ' Confound you for a coward !' said another, ' there's no spunk in you.' " ** It's a lie," cried Herbert starting to his feet, his eyes flash- ing fire ; " it's a lie." " What's a lie, sirl" asked Paul drily. Every eye was in- stantly turned on Herbert who, sensible of his error, threw himself again into his cliair and forced a ghastly smile. " Excuse me," he said in a husky voice, " I meant to . , . that your story is altogether improbable — a regular Mun- chausen affair — eh, Dixon 1" Dixon only nodded, he was deeply interested in the story, and his eyes were riveted on Paul. There was a sort of half smile, however, playing about his moustached lip that Herbert did not like. " Go on, Paul ! go on !" said Ned, " I hear people in the other roonij" THE IRISH OIRL m AMKnrOA. 253 hear a ,v„r,l „„. and „„ cli„"l' '''"■■" ""-""> -« could ""O"'- After „ nttlo they Cafl 1?,"? '°'"'° '" "' '""« tlioir dice n„d the MuJ„ZZ f> ? ""' ™ "'"'■■ «"■''» »'"» 'y.3 were starling from i wA \ "^ "'™ "'=" """' vorjr neither heard the ItoTmnor »?■""" '' ■°™'"' ■» '' "-X you-d ''.inkthewhot„:rth;„„t';':i,:''%''-°:'«'' "' "-^^ onon,h-d„„.tZT„^o:niTra::r?;!^;h'r^^^ Of flesh and bioo,U ."e l;^"," 177," "'"' '"'^ -™ -".^ """USI. I knew Ihem-avefe l,yt,e ,? " "'™' """ ™™ »nd piay card, on the tol t:i" Te ith "'"' r" ""^°' Ro'_ on their trail at iast." '^^'^'''■' '^'"' !"'»''» " Why didn't they take tliem 1" .,1,1 ir i voron, smile. "And ,rty d d" '. j"'ff =■■"-•'•'"« cada- thew wonderful doings V ''°'° ""°"'J' ''^' »' Paul answered QuickTv VeII! I have seen It worse than that-ay! when vou'd fh;„v ^^^V.llam! hissed Herbert through his closed teeth. " I am no liar," said Paul, with increasing solemnity "the Lord who will judge us both, knows that I speak fe' truth vhen tell you Bessy Conway ! and all you who hear me'^:!!!: andlr ? ''•'^ ''^'" ''"''^ H^^bert, with sudden fury and he made a spnng at Paul to catch him by the neck Tlfe '■'That there he stands," went on Paul, pointing slowly with Ins finger, "who dealt the cards en that awful ni^ht in Ih" nwful place, and threw his dice on the dead men's bones n 7b consecrated walls of Ardfinnan Abbey -- ^ ^^' Hur''lt;w'M''fv' ^""^"" '^^" 1^- seat with a wild iaugh, I knew, t!-I knew it was he! I'm blowed if that wa'ntarumidea!" *" "lowea it that ''You'd best keep a close mouth, Dixon," said Herbert with a threaten nrr rrcsture " T?,^o^:^ ^croen, beaten." ^ ^ ""''^^ ^'"^ '^P' to get "Let us out, Paul," said Mrs. Murphy, makinrr for fh^ itnoM f"'"' Ally after her; "let Lout ;:ra;d:alr L s no^^lucky nor safe to bo where he is ! Oh, oh ! oh » who'd" innk there was such wickedness in the world 'l Come alng I tell you, Ally, never lufnd Ned." ^' 250 BESSY CONWAY; OR, -pon'dedt.;' "^ """'' "' """''^ "■» '-■' ^^ -, be,- So saying, the two made their exit wiflinnf r one look at Herbert so great w^ thl fr T ?! "^ "'"'" What 11 we do with her ?" said Ned to Paul " n. iv laws she frightens me, bo she does." ^^ ^^® Eerbert, confounded and overwh^lmi^rT t., ^ , Bessy stood, w, heart was melted „„!:,", i? ^™ he was at hpr si,i« „„,i • • I ^ ' -^^ '^^ mstant in fct;,-„Tv:,t': '"^ '" ""■• ^"' '■-''■ "= -"> " Bessy ! I know I am an outcast-I acknowled ce, id- len h! ne ril !" I 258 BESSY CONWAY OR, CHAPTER XIX. _ We will now leave Bessy Conway for awhile, and return to the old homestead she left behind " On that bright spring morning long ago" When she went to seek her fortune in America. Full seven years had passed away since Bessy left her father's cottage and eventful as those years had been to her they were not les^ 80 to " the old folks at home." " The summer sun was sinking With a mild light calm and mellow," and ita slanting rays rested on the straw-thatchod roof of Denis Conway, but there was no beauty in the picture, for the look of comfort and neatness that belonged to the place in former days was gone, and had left scarce a trace behind. The thatch so trim and smooth in those by-gone days was broken m niany places, and covered with patches of moss, whilst ch.cken-weed and darnel flaunted their unwelcome verdure on the gable-tofis. The white walls beneath were discolored and stripped here and there of the " pebble-dash" that had cov- ered them all so neatly. The small windows, too, were disfig- ured with sundry pieces of board nailed on as substitutes f«r broken panes, and altogether the house had a desolate, ne- elected look in painful contrast with its former appearance. The haggard was empty, and so was the byer-the horse was gone from the stable, and even the sty had lost its tonants- thc overgrown sow was no longer there with her squeakinancy, wo ro not so with a, cheerful an alpect a» 1, ^r ""'^ "™'' '•°™"'' handing a s„,al. h ; tX ' Vh? trr"' °"' °' "'™ at the pot on the Are and N f * ""^ "' """='' »»» wretcheS "uhstitl X;" .f '-Jt:"!'', '" *'" "" ''" looked at each oth,.r ;,n . > /' '"""" »"<' ""'her t^e .unke„°:i;e:rar/„rt;:'v;r"'"' """'-' ^' clear that each one avoH.^ "<"' eyM of tl,e,r sons. It was took courage! "'"""^ ""'• ^' '"^t "« father •; Well, boj-8 ! iid you get any work V wh.etj;a,?car? ;:;'/"*"■■ '^'^ "" »'^- '^ther, ■Be than'r„=irmrr"rf ™ ":™s'"'° "'^' '' ""^■"- they wouldn't £iv,u, an " , As »e were brothers, wo only workerf;:::^'^:: - '''' ™* """-" -^ moiht ^n;:^™'' """ '° '-=' *» •■i'<- '0^ IS"-," =aM the was none in theLuThuT^ o/d^^rurdt: -ra""":'"^^^ that sa,w „s standin' .here idle gave Tom Jv 7 ' «"'""™'" for holdin- his h<*o an' w. I f ,1 * S'^-l'-^y piece -gar." He a.led „;' s^fu" fi° t ^ """","' ""' "' "^ ""^ oould not speak a, otltrwor .rw"; "'"';'''''''"" "'^ lighter spi.it though equally lick »M T ■■; *<™'"'kat a the sentence "and XT ■"■'' "'"'-'"'o'' to finish bought hread for Lie „;:" ^ftT" TT "^ '"''^" •» ' ^ ^'1. »va.gn t that fin© dealin'. mothflr ->" 202 BESSY CONWAV: OR, dJ}T'^''rr''^ ^''^ ^°"' P'^' ^°y''" «^'^^ tho mother ten- tbat ha( n t your hearts in it when you Lad it. Och ! och- but thoy'ro the awful times these !" ' " Well! it's one comfort," said the younger son wit?) a poor attempt at gaiety. « ifs one comfort that we're no wors! fj an our ne.ghbors. I saw Denny Ryan of the Hill the oaw il ago carrym' home a stone of Indian meal on his back-and with the dint of hunger !" "«.«"u "Poor man! God^elp him!" said Denis compassionately ' inm t at had full and plenty of everything such a sLrttfe ago. It s httlo he'd think of giving more than that to a beg! gar goin' the road !" ^ " An' Jack Ilagerty's wife an' two children are down with the sickness," said Tommy. at'ln'v^ ^'^T.r """"^ '""" ^'•' ''^^^'' ^°"^''^' «" "^e people at al]' said Mrs. Conway in a desponding tone ; "there' no hu for any of us, I'm afeard, but death and starva tn Och Dems dear, isn't that girl of ours cruel and hard-hea ted not to answer any of our letters V _ "You may say that, mother!" said Tommy in a tone of ind,gna .on; "she was very good at offering us money when .ve didn't want it, but when the bad times came on us and th L til :f '' ""' "" '-'''' '''' ^^^«'-' everything w ad, then when we wrote to let her know how matters stood she could j^ve us the cold shoulder and wouldn't even S us a scroll. That's the way with the world-when you^ I down, down with you !" The young man fixed his eyes moodily off the dull smould- enng fire, and sat silent and abstracted with his brows knit together and a bitter smile curling his lip. "Well now," said the ever-hoping father, " I think you're all too hard on Ccssy : there's something tellin' me that it isn't tier fault— maybe she never got the letters." WE m- „. omi, ,N- AMKRicA. 263 <^xcuses, now, Denis. I tdl vm, h , " ^ ^'« ^''i-'f^ to make " What are wo goin' to d" IZT' ""^ ''''''' ^'' '^'^'•' bert altorrotliGr nn' ,r. / ' ^°" '® ^'^''SetUn' Mrs. Her- «."..■» c:l.°' "'" ''"°"""»' "'» I'^iliTBau. tl,o last " Know it ?" said hU futh^,. u , '" B,u „„™r mi d cwt:' ""^ '""'^ "^ =»"'" <■-=-' "en if .hat tyrant o a w ^T^ d^?;" ' ""' '^ «°""' """ U3 >vill, a shelter I Bo J yTf, T "" ""'■ ""'" I'™"''" This was evidently meTnt tlT Tl "'^ ''"^^ ''"<^" "'f ■nent, and the rest, eve obT t^rt!'".':' P»''-"-- -o- atto«t,on on Elian who was ,C„i '""'"'■™. """od their -|to do so, for She ZIVZ^^^^' ""' '=^" "--O" ■•" -; I'^t^rthr i"r ;:::'^ ?r™^'» ™«"«<'. -<> n was the terrible year of th' p ' ="■ ""'' ^'"""■' »' '■■»ta-;. «ue»ed, and the ruin whi , td h ' °' "" ™'""- ""' ""^'' i"S the previous yearJo Lti'!:" '"■"S'"-'-"* '■•'Pidly dur- --i the failure of crop, , a" 't T"?'"' '"'P'-''^^'"". farmers of the country a„dL„ ^° "'^""'^ "'" »'"»" »nd his family, t„ the n «' t,,^ ,•""' '"'' "'""•' Conway What money Denis LThad I '." ' "'' "■"" ^°=" '"-' w'..»t was r?penin ' in his fleidTf >" f ™'' ^°"'' ^ "->™ <"• "ot the means to p'u cl a e s ed tf ",' "° '"'"'=-«"'= '« '«" °->t oating, and one after „„u''rev f T^ ""' '"•" "■•'"- fi'ir and sold. Mm and tet I'' °°' ™' '"'™ '" '"» and what was worse than all £h„ 1 "°''?°' """' "''"' 'h™. it wa, little compared wrth"to°TT,'I''"'' '""^ ""■""S'-t- time-had most of it ,o g„ ^ a 1 ° , """ '''"' "' """«'" Mn,. Herbert's bailitTs. SoVom bL I' "'""""■""^ "^"""^ of till everything wa, wantin" h ,, "''"■'° """«= «-' «■•. i. wantmg m the once-plontif„I ho.,.....,.' 264 BESSY CONV AY ; OR, . everything except tho grace of God and Ills holy peace. That was still (here in as great abundanro a.s av^r, and faith ai \ hope, though at times, perhaps, dimmed by the hen vy clouds of sufTcring and privation, were never wholly obscured Tho old man himself never allowed distrust or fear to enter his nnnd : no patriarch of old ever trusted more firmly in the Lord Almighty, and tho darker the clouds that gathered aroun.l J,im tho mote .steadily he fixed his eyes on tho liglit that glimmered afar in the firmament. It was sad to see the failing old man wandering in the morning or evening twilight around his fal- low fields where in other years the golden grain would, at that season, wave luxuriant, ready for the sickle, and the ru-crod loaves of tho potato-stalk covering whole acres with their dark green hue of promise. Now tho tall rag-weed nodded in the summer breeze, the dock-weed spread its broad leaves on tho and soil, and the fiery nettle grew and flourished where a weed dared not rear its head before, to dispute possession with the carefully-ten i .vould sit down on a broken stile, or ono of those huge bouiiers-goological puzzles-so common in the inland as well as the maritime counties of Ireland, and buryincr lus face in his hands, give free vent to that natural sorrow which he could not but foci at sight of so much desolation At home, the old man tried to conceal his feelings, for he knew that the wife of his youth and the children of his love were pining and wasting day by day under the blightin-'' low enough, too, only she do'esn t w "h t •'' ''" "°^^«^ '^ «he can keep on her feeL Oh ! Lord v.^^ '"^ ^' ^^^^ "' Bave them from this trial iZV ' ^ '^ ^^ P^^^''^' *« you come yet !" ^^^^ ^"^^'«^' ^^^ sorest of all that's befwCn «:• ^xt hirrdiiT ^^^^^™^ ^^^-^^ ^^^ inan's heart almost ceLedrbJas h ""'""^' ^"'^ *^« ^'^ in. eye. jo see which roadVe^^M^.V"'^'^' ""''' ''-^- it's this way they'. . comin'-L, , r * ' *^'^ '^ °°*~ay •' them in the ho'use w tTn ^ri wail aZr ' "'^ '' '""^ '«" On and on they came till tL^we^ tj^^^^S^^^^^-*'' from where he sat. when they stoppid 'hort 'f '' '°'^ eacaped the anxious watcher ' ''°*^ ^ ^''^ °^ J<>y lo^gtTat: Trir ^o: r r^^'" -^ ^^ ^- ^ correcting himself Wv^ \''''^'°'^ heart-instantly then, doeln't pov rty' ^r^ant w""""' ''''^'^"^•- " ^^^' forgive me ! sure I nVdnC'ofce ,\r ""' '^"^ ' «^ they're goin' to Peter Casey's 1^2?^ ^? "°' '°'^''^' ^''^ than there is with us >" ' "^^°^«^ there, more body with you." ' "^^ *^°"S^t there was some- "No, dear, not one but mvself i T'm ^ ♦ v 268 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, "My goodness! father, what'lJ they do at all, at all i an' the ould granny at death's door, and Peter himself dowi: with the fever 1" "Listen here, Nancy!" said her father beckoning her clcso to h,m Imwatchin' them ever since they came in sight- 1 wa.s afeard it was here they were comin'-husht ! don't say anything !" and he pointed back over his shoulder " I know, father, I know !" whispered Nancy p,.le as death, but do you think they'll come here ?" " God knows, dear, God knows !" "If they do it'll kill Ellen!" " No, it won't Nancy, no it won't^she'll live as lon-r as Qod pleases, let them do their worst. Run in, agra ! they'll won der what's keepin' you. I'll stay here and watch i" "Bessy Conway's letters-ould Denis Conway's letters'- no! ho ! ho!" Such were the words that reached the old man's ear as Nancy left him, and turning with a start he saw a big round fleshy face on a level with his shoulder, and a pair of leade,! grey eyes staring at him with a curious look, half wise half foolish. It was Bid McGuigan, the woman with th^-Vast Oram and the most head of any in Ardfinnan. An h -om ber birth, the light of intelligence had never dawned o. Bid's mind, and her life was a blank, but not a dreary one, for Bid was blithe as a lark-blithe as life and ruddy health could make her. She had flesh and blood enough in her stunted body for two ordinary women, though her stature was that of a child. Her hair, refusing the restraint of a cap, hung do«-n in elf-locks on either side her face, whilst behind it was cut short by the pitying care of some kindly hand. A stranger would have been startled at the apparition of such a ficrure'so suddenly at his side. It was too familiar to bis eyes to alarm Denis, but the words ho heard were passing strange in the mouth of Bid McQuitran, all ? an' Vfl with er closo sight — in't say i death, THE IRISH GIRL IS AMERICA. 269 "What's that you're qTvfn' ti-j o.i » tone. ^ '"^'" ' ^'^ ^" he asked in a soothing "I don't knovv!_liot hn i t? was up at GoorgyBrovn's'-'"^ T ""'^'^ letters '-Bid was Oeorgy Brown Z t' , ^""^^^'^ ^"'•pn'^e ^or Deni.s. It Befo^e the" old In co^ld J V ""'""^^^ "' *^« -"«»-• l^and. and shouted , ^ ^'' '^""'^'^"^' ^^^ ^'^PP^^ W " Ho ! ho ! hero's the bailiffs comin' " ^n f t, very door. ^'° * ^^ 'hey woro at tho as God 11 won- ters ! — ear as round, leaden J, half bast rom Bid's »r Bid could uiited at of down is cut anger re so ilarra R the 870 BESSY CONWAY OR, CHAPTER XX. " Weli, ! have ytoti the rent for U3, Conway ?" said the inso- lent bailiff who was Mrs. Herbert's fa,: toium-tlie other was merely an assistant. " 'Deed I haven't, Alick!" said poor Denis Conway trem- bling all over ; " I told the mistress I couldn't raise a penny till I'd get it from America-I'm expectin' a letter every day from my daughtar Bessy that's in New York beyant." "Fudge!" was Alick Bowman's emphatic reply "You might as well give us a draf^, on the man in the moon. As you haven't the money, Conway ! we have a duty to perform— you must march !" " Why, sure, Mister Bowman ! it isn't turn us out you'd bo do.n- ?-sure Mrs. Herbert wouldn't do that on an old tenant like me that's on the estate since-since the old master's time— that's Mr. Mullady, the heavens be his bead, this day !" " Can't help it," was the man of law's curt reply. " Come Charlie !" to his companion, " lend a hand, will you ? we've got plenty of work to do before night !-it's like there's not much hero to detain us." In the bailiffs went, but Denis was hi before them, trying to soothe as well as he could his wife and their daughter Nancy who were sobbing and crying and wringing their hands in a paroxysm of grief. Ellen was just sitting up for the first time propped up in her mother's old arm-chair, and on hearima the direful ne>vs she fell back fainting, though not insenTible. THE IRISH GIRL- IN AMERICA. 2n She had not strength enough to make any demonstratior f ner foenngs. The poor father had only time to say. " don't despair, for your hves don't! the darkest hour, you know, is the iour llZ\:jvr' '''' ^- ««^ -"'^ '^-rt us though th. The words were still on his lips when the two ofncials were Mard at work turning the poor menage inside out. The beds -such as the hard times had left-chairs, tables, pots, pans and so forth, were flying through t^e door-way with little re.' gard to loss or damage' on the part of those who trundled ^ena cut The family within sat looking on in hopeless an sent after their goods and chattels. W-7'"\^'^ T'*" this," said the afflicted father of the family as he saw his wife wrapping a thin shawl round Ellen- the Janketa were gone with the rest. " God sees all this -" What are you about, young woman 1" cried Alick and denly A little hand had been laid on his arm. and a soft feminine voice bade him stop. " Who the d_l 're you V' The Conways answered the question. Father, mother, sis- ter^-even Ellen-rushed forward with hands outstretdi d and the one word " i?cs5v '" esranp,? ih^ v ^ "ei^cnea thrilling cry of joy. ^ ' ^ '^" ^'^^ °^ '^'^ ""''^ ^ Bessy put them all gently aside with her hand. "Lotus get the bailiff out first,.^ said she; "oh! father, fl her flow did t ever come to this with you 1-EIlen. darling, sit down-! you're not able to stand-oh ! you haven' a seat," ee-Lnl m a chair I" said she to the r^tonished bailiff. an under seizure, and they're a-going to be sold by and "They're not going to be sold," said Besay with quite an 272 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, ;^' Now all tho other things-put them in, I tell you?" old n n •''°'''/?"Y''''' '^'^""^^'^ doggedly, "unless the ^M inan ,3 ready to hand out the cash." Th« by way of a ^" How much is it, father 7" demanded Bessy " Oh I indeed, it's little use to tell you, ashore •" " Well ! well ! let us hear it, anyhow." .r^7n^'' ^" '""" *'" ^^"' '^ ^°" ^"^"^ '^ ^^^ to hear it " hnin!'"""? ^'"P"^^""^' "'^''^ twenty-three pounds, t a Wlings, and seven pence halfpenny." He and his colleague rnfol'; 7'' ""' "'^^^^"^ ^^^ y°""» -«-- to be qui confounded by so startling an announcement. She was not larraml-n:'' '''"'' '^ ''''' '' ^ ''"^'''^^^ ^-«- "and'tZ"", '' Mrs. Herbert," said she with a quiet ^ile, and tell her she w.ll oblige us by sending a receipt in full-: LTr 17 -~''' ""''°' "°^ ^"«^^« 0^ r«nt duo on Denis Conway's farm." „,"!'!,'!!"!'" ' '"''"' *'" ■'" "S"« of ao -"oneyr' de- manded Al.ck. '. Of course, she', not such a fool as to «re 1 receipt without knowin' for what 1" ^ " I'll tell you what you'll do, father," said Bessy after a receM." ' """ °"* ""^ ""' «»'""' ""^ 8<" ^oar wi;hre::7„\ro:r-rs\o-r""''^'" -'^ «"'■'"'" ga;!::™:^ " '""^ """™ "• ""- ^^-^ »' "■■• said Bes,y in her Hearing this the two bailiffs took off their hats, and simnl- Uneously declared that they didn't wish to put Mr ConT.y or h,s family to any inconvenience. They weren't to Z burned, they were only poor n,e„ earning an Ze t p^nny and >» forth In proof of their good dispositions, Alick ordered h,s a,.le.dc-ca,nj, to take in the things as the declnt mil misii oim, ly Aucnic*. 213 Si.-. »aW, and " be auro ,„u p„t t„e.n in their p,ac,, ,gai„, aoor, only kept from rasbing i„ by tho i!,!', ' ' °' ""^ .he pobcemon. Deni, ™ b°.ie,i rbutr I b"*::,' Be.sy „a, payi„v:,s b:';;;:rt:c tiittta"^^ place was still to bo theirs " Hern', th. "^"'^[^' ''^"'l the old «on „,hi. deiighted friend, a'd IthC '"" "''"■"- " ^^".i"' Ood be praised, Denis i" cried on« " i,. wa3n'toutofthe„eedofth;trelief,a„7ho:7' ' ^ '" ^'^' Thanks be to God. Denis !" said another, "you can honl^ up your head now like a man I" ^ °"^*^ ♦v"^^T. ^"'^ '*" ^°"' ^^"'«' ^»' GK^d speed you -" Bhout«H . »Ytiilst Denis was gone it affordi.fl m-^K " HeLt^h , / r ^'""'' '''""' ■' beaulifully," A^.^IZ' "" "'="''■ ^"^l' »™'' you make then, un. .,™, 2t4 BESSY CONWAY; OR, " Well now, who'd thiuk ho was so bandy 1" Toal Joukod savage, and shook his flat at the rustic wa-s but they only laughed, and went on just the same. T^e policemen strove to silence them, but it was no use. There they talLod and laughed incessantly, the crowd increasing every moment, till Denis came back with his receipt in hi^ hand, and then they all pressed up to the door after him to get a Sight of Bessy. The policemen no longer opposed any resistance, their duty being at an end scrM^'^i^ tl|at followed may be better Imagined than de- scribed. Whilst Bessy and her parents and sisters were ex. changing their fond and joyous greeting, their friends outside were dismissing the bailifls and policemen with derisive cheers and sundry expressions of mock condolence for their disap- pointment. This was as much, perhaps, with a view to leave those within time to give expression to their feelings as any- thing else. That delicacy of feehng intuitive in the Irish heart ,n its natural state kept the people from flocking in till the re-united family had enjoyed the bliss of their meetln- for a fe^y moments without witnesses, no matter how friendly f ur hermore, there was that love of fun, also inherent in the' Ins h nature and which no circumstances can ever wholly tZ7:^T ''" '"'' ' ''''''''' «PP-t-ity of having I laugh at the expense of their official tyrants could not pos- .ibly be let slip. The others bore the ironical merriment of ltr7!rlr''^°°'^°"'"'"'*^^" ^^^Sht have been ex- pected. Ahck Bowman was particularly free and easy and 'humored the joke" in a way that was quite refreshing'^ s e n a man of such high official authority. He even conde- scended to throw out divers "quirks and quibbles" for the amusement of the crowd as he marched away, pretty much in the same way as a bear showing off his steps to a gaping crowd at a country fair. ^ ^ ^ THE IRIrfH Mil,, ij, AMERICA. 275 loarful, wiU, .1,0 hai„l „r 1 ^ ^ "^ ^"^ "'""' """1 clasped i„ her, P ^1 m "°"''' """"""^ ''""S'"''- needed lU-didn-t I tol, y„„ Ood wouH „eve d. en Ilr "' _^B„d,et „„„.odded „.e„t-.ho .a, .„„ ..a^r^Leh "But, father dear!" said Bessv "wW ^-i .. ;; Then you diU write 7" said Bossy in groat surprise Wiite! wliy to be euro we did '?-didn'f xv„ V enough that you'd ask no better use ff "^ '"'" helpin' us in our sore need oh v"^ ^''"' '''""'^ ^^'"^ to you .ince the hard tiLel'canv .n ^ ^^ ^""'^ ^'^^^^ ^^^^™ ;; And you got ne'er a letter from me all that time 7" Not as much as one scroll " " Well ! I'll tell you what it is father " sai^ n '''t^!'T\''^y^-^'^^^^^i^ «-y wuh a Thatsjustwhatlthinkmyself, Bessy !•. Nanfy '"suTe 'l':,"^*' "^^^ -"'^ --e of them 7" cried tbeyb;tothemr ^^' "" '''''' '''''-' ^^^^ "- would Bessy looked at her father and her father looked at ber. W 276 BESSY CONWAY ; OB, '• That's what wo can't foil," «aid Denis, " but I heard a riddle the day that'll maybe throNv some light on it, when I yet it read." The curiosity excited by these words was suspended for the tune by the influx of friends and neighbors, anxious to ofler their fehctations to the family, and still more so to see the live hon all the way from America. The house was hardly empty that whole day, one sot of visitors makinj? their appear- ance, porhap.s, before the others had made their exit If Bessy had been the owner of half a dozen toi,:;uos she could Jiardly havo answered all the questions put to her, not only about her own affairs but those of every person that had left that part of the country for more years than Bessy had been m America. " Nancy dear!" said Bessy taking her sister aside, " I want to speak to you a moment." What passed between them was a secret, thourrf, many ears were open to hear, but whatever it was Nancy threw a shawl around her attenuated form and vanished, after in turn whispering her mother. Up rose Brid- get with alacrity, and made the best fire she could and over U hung a large pot of water, bustling her way throu-h the sit- ters with an air half consequential, half good-natured Denis watched his wife's movements with a curious eye and so did Ellon, too, but neither asked any questions. After a little Nancy returned with a largo basket of baker's bread whilst a bey from the village carried another containing tea' sugar, butter and meat. By that time the water was boiliucr' and Bessy said to her mother : "' " Now you sit down, and Nancy and I will do the rest'" ^^ " 'Deed an' I'll not sit down, then," said Bridget jocosely It 8 long since I had any cookery to do, an' do you think I'll et you an' Nancy have it all to yourselves, now when it is to be done V Bessy laughed and said, " Have your own way, then '" and tucking up the sleeves, and skirt of her brown merino dress, THK inrsir girl is AiiEnicA. 277 "" '"Wo for ,„„„„. .7 '„.,'" ."'" ""'■' «"''. <""' «»t "•■"I iHiv- .o,„o l„„ff „io„ r "dv/"?;™" "'° '"''"•" «"'! ■-'«■. P'o„„rti„„ai„ ,,„ar lity n J' ^„ """"'"» '"""""S 1'""" in •«n .„ol, ,,repa,ali„,. for a" „ „f r';'" ""'' °"'' "'"•'' ''"d e^'edy oyos »UI, whic, ifol™ "°" '""''"' '" "'» "■» Strict propriety wo„l a 'Tr':,U "" "7 "'""""""■' '■'•™' '■ow .1,0 fartl,or tl,„ p.epa ° "1", , "™7' ""'"'■ >"" »»""'- «"«r -aitej ,.. »aid he to 1^:7 " mu, '"'^ " ' "*" ""> K^o. Thaf, ahvay, «„„*,(,"'''' P"" "'«'"res were make a show." ^ "'"' "'"<> »»in™, wanting to thJh;::^:;;i:°:<"2';'- thewo.d we„t .„„„a .Lt ;""»'■■ «-d <-r rathe;!'. wnTal"; ''"'"' '""■'^•' ™° """ haven't heard of your eomil" " °"' °' "'"'■ " "">J' -a^': ™?rz:e";:rrr """i"'^^"' -^ »--. ■■"us, to see that all was i„ 7, a ' °°'' '"» '■•°*'"» "PPa- "ilhin the door of the roomH hH"' '"'T' ''"»»" J"" opposite the fireplace wiL I, t '"'' "' "'" "'"'•''■en, "ttle open, she had a view „ 'l. fn ,'"''""°" '"" "'"" «'- »» WhoT, 41, ^^ *'* t^iat passed When the young „en ca„,„ i„ .„,, J„„,;l_ ,_„ _ .. . 278 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, eyes, and they stood looking round them liko persons recov- ering from some strange dream. Where they expected to see only penury, and want, and woe, there was comfort and plenty and smiling faces. A bright Are burned on the hearth, the table was spread for a feast, and the place was redolent with the grateful smell of frying beef. The kitchen was full of friends and neighbors, all looking as gay as could be in anticipation of the good cheer, which they began to suspect was rot all for family consumption. The young men looked at their father, then at their mother. More wonders : the wo-begone look of the morning had vanished, and hope and joy were beaming in the eyes but late so dull and heavy. There was a twinkle of sly humor, too, that brought old time? vividly back, and made the brothers smile they knew not why. Even Ellen was no longer the same— the pinched, parched look was gone, and the ghastly paleness of the sweet features was tinted with a more life-like hue. Ellen was smiling, too, and smiling cheerfully and hopefully as she used to do in the days when peace and plenty were their lot. It was strange, passing btrange. Every object wps so changed that it seemed as if a magician's wand had waved over all. A chorus of glad welcome greeted the bewildered brothers, but they heeded it not. Their attention was riveted on their parents. " Father ! mother ! what's the meaning of this V cried one. " We heard as we came along," said the other, " that some- thing had happened at home, but nobody would tell us what it was!" " Can't you guess 1" said their father pleasantly. "Well! either Bessy's come home, or the fairies have been at work here since wo left." A shout of laughter followed and a general clapping of hands. "You may as well come out, Boasy!" cried her mother, " those lads are too good at gueesin* to be kept in the dark." THE IP.I3H GIRL IN AMERICA. 219 1-arts, now ^ushe^d from ^ 2 T "°' '^"''^" '^^"^ "^'^ do^^•n their LoC X.V ?^ ^' "^'^ '"^ '""^^ ""^^^^I-'i If t.vp,. M ' *'"''°^'°" ^^« ^^^ared by all present 1 rrj;:,: -7 V' r ^"'^^ ^^^^^^-^ ^'^^ - brother. Tinuln WtT "^^^ -'•^- 'he sister and the tender. ^""'^ ^""^^^ ^° ^«°J'"g ^oHer or more " So you came back to us Besw r" co;^ v , , , looking at her aa though helere b, h„^ ""^ !"" """""'■ •• Well! wo had most given you „ "" »' "-Mentit,. " How is that, Tommy i" worirCo/s'r:.'"^''- s°' •?= ■"" «■» -' »' '-o ' ty siff/it, out of mind' and tr,A l^.,*. now what we thought," ho\dded cheerf l'~a' el T" " the same Bessy still i" ^«"uijy, 1 see you're little girl V ' difference do yoa find in the alive! how could Bessy or anvoi ^ v '« "^^ !~^vhy man beyant and come back th - ^^ '' ^°"^ '" ^'"^"^^ if 3he did, itT:u':?, saVrr t ;rii~'^^" -^^ ^^^^^^' bail, that verv girl » and L^T/7 ^barpness. I']] go now than any' one i'n th:;aXb : in^ ufe"^^' l' "'^T "^^- Leary_coraenow,Besw. what ^ ^hepnests, and Master you learn more s nee you went to a" "' "'r^^' •-•^'^"'^ your whole life before r "'* '^"'^ ^^^ ^'^ •» "WeUl I declare I dnn'f v«^„. t,-, ... ., _ .,non, ^ack r- said Bessy with a 280 BESSY CONWAY; OR, eniile. " I suppose I learned something, anyhow ; experience is the best teacher, they say, and I've had a good deal of it since I saw you all before. But that's not the quesUon now ! sit over to the table all of you and have some supper— just a snack, you know !" " To be sure, to be sure !" said her father ; "sit over every one of you!" And Denis rubbed his hands in a little ecstacy of hos- pitality; then taking his place at the table, renewed the invitation by an imperative gesture, which, of course, had the desired effect, every one protesting, however, that " they hadn't the least occasion;" most of them were "just after eatin' when they ;eft the house," and indeed, to hear Beshy Ccn.vay's guests on that evening as they drew their seats to the table, you would think it was all a mistake about the famine, and that times were particularly good just thou and provisions in the greatest abundance in that part of the country. Before the meal was over, the company was increased by the arrival of other friends, and, of course, room was made for them, too ; the greater the crush, the more fun there was, for, as Denis jocosely observed, "the more the merrier." So a cordial welcome awaited all comera. Of course, Bessy was the great centre of attraction, and every one was more than anxious to hear her adventures in America. " I had no adventures," said Bessy so shortly that it took them all aback. " Well ! well ! anything you seen that was new and strange." " I hadn't much time to see sights," said Bessy again " I was busy mough most of my time." "Lord bless us, isn't she mighty short!" said a big woman to Jack ; " wouldn't you think she'd be glad herself to tell whnt she had seen." " It's plain she doesn't want to be questioned," returned Jack in a whisper, " espaycially about her own affairs. It'g THE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 281 He winked at the big my opinion there's some secret in it " woman and she winked at him sudd!:,'/''ItW f ?/'°''-"' ^'-yr- said her fa.„„ "And is that all j-ou know about itl" eiclaim.^ n I'm loth to tell it " niid Raoo^ • i. , Ned !"_her voice sank tn ^^ '" * ^'^'^^ ^"^'•^^- " ^'^' with etu;^'"^^:!':^''' """ '°"™^ » =■ ™-- ^""'^-s What did h^ie oTbXP"" ''°°' °"' ^'™^' ^•'' *™" -p c ^pX^diraiireith-'^i^i^ - right she had. for nn -.« :!. p l'",''..^" *^ ^"°- And good ,.., ,„^i« yy jjgjj^j. j^ ^ moti^er than he 282 BESSY CONWAY; OR, was to her. He's as comfortable now as he could ^sh him- self, and has a nice little shoe-store of his own, and I tell you he 8 making money fast. God increase his store, for it's him that doesn't hide his face from the poor, anyhow ! He boards with the Murphys " " Oh ! that's true, and how are they doin' 1" "Well! pretty fair. Peery and the boys are very steady and they re most of the time in good work. They have some money saved, and live very nice and comfortable. I believe Ally ,s going to give up the business, and it's it was the un- lucky business to her !~^u6. go and live with the father and mother. Don't you mind what I wrote to you, father, about Mary marrying Luky Mulligan 1" "To be sure I mind it well, Bessy! but I was forgettin' to ask you how it turned outi" •All eyes and ears were open to know what came of such a match. Nothing good could come of it, every one said. Wei ! you're hot far wrong there,- said Bessv, "they ^Zla V ^^"^ '"°"*''' ""^'"'^ ^^«" ^"ky ^^"t off and 1 sted and was sent away out to Mexico, I believe it was, and Mary had no other shift but going out for a day's work oa account of a poor cripple of a little girl she had that was born after the father went away. Sometimes she used to get leave to take the poor child with her to vork, and there she'd be all cay trjing to mind it and mind her work; if she left it in the tenement house where she had part of a room it was worse st.ll, or she'd be fretting about it all the time. So that's the way It went'on until she was fairly heart-broken, with poverty and want, and the height of wretchedness, for the pride that was m her wouldn't let her go to her own to look for help At ast, she took to drink, and her unfortunate child was burned to death one day when she was out for something at the gro- eery, and she didn't live long herself after it: I believe she died over on Blackwell's Island, where prisoners are sent for THE IRISH Gim, IV AMERICA. 283 ^t;;^;„Lr'''"^^^^^'^*^'•"^^''-^-"'t -title the. to ber Mary Murphy, the prettiest girl about Ardfinnan. ay! and themernefit,too! Soon after the neighbors be^an to dron When ttrf ^''^''*^°'^^' "•■"'^- -^ MaVMLp;;' When the last was gone, Bessy told her father what she did not choose to tell before so many, that Ned had died a h:id hi™ ?^'^'f *''" '^'^'"^ ■• *^^^ '^ ^-^ f- - n t horrible shapes, and fairly out of his senses, • '^ And that's the way he died, Bessy V " That's the way he died '" grwl!"^" "^ ""■"'*"^ "' '«'"""'■ "">"""« »"■' "Shs and 284 BESSY CONWAY ; OR^ CHAPTER XXI. Before " the Lammas floods" rolled that year oyer tho sun-parched holms of Tipperary Denis Conway's house had assumed more than its former appearance of comfort and neatness, and when the family sat down to their Ilallow-Evo supper on the last night of October the ban, had grain and the byer had cows, and a fine young colt wa^ munchin^ his hay through the rack of the well-covered stable. perhap"s en- joying the sense of comfort as well as his owners The bier ark was packed full of new meal, and the flitches of bacon were again pendant from the snow-white rafters There was a fire blazing on the well-swept hearth that suggested the Idea of a grond pyramidal turf-stack somewhere in the imme- diate vicinity. There was no other light in the kitchen but what the fire gave, tut that was .0 I -ight that every object was plainly discernible, and it needed only a glance to establish the fact that everything there was "like a new pin." The antique pewter on the dresser, and the tins on the wall hard by were reflecting the warm fire-beam like so many mirrors, and the wooden ware beneath was as white as any one had ever seen it in thj best days of the Conways. The supper was ready, and every one seemed as ready for It. Ellen, now qnite recovered, was bustling around givin- the last touch to the preparations, whilst Nancy and Bessy were hurrying to put the last stitch in a new stuff dress for their mother. One brother was reading aloud a passage in THE IRISH Gllir, IV ASIKRICA. 285 Columbkille's Prophecies for the special entertainment of his father who was listening with great attention; the other was teasing the girls " on the sly" about their skill in dress- making which Owen affected to rate very low. The mother «at looking at them all with her calm, sober smile of happi- ness, pondering in her mind how God had brought them out from such a sea of misery. " Well ! I think it's all along of the faith that Denis had," she said within herself, " like Job that the priest tells us about so often, that got to be better off after ail his troubles than he ever was before, and all on ac count of his patience. That's just the way with Denis-he bore everything that came-ay! things that fretted the life and soul in me, and now see how the Lord sent Bessy home to ^s with plenty of money just when we were at the lowest- It 8 a wonderful thing to think of, anyhow !" Drop, drop came down the rain on the rough stones outside liiQ door. "Well? sure enoagh," said Owen with a gay laugh. " it's a hard night for the fairies !" "Husht! Owen, husht!" whispered his mother all in a tremor; "let ''"''=«"ig''"," cried Tommy aloud; I m sure that's her voice." ' He rushed to the door hnt Piior. «.- • , a5.^^..erhando.th;^r— ar^-^ nlhtr.hir' " ' " ^'' "^ ""'' ^^*^^ '^'^^ -^-^« -ch a The door was opened, and in stumped Bid McGui^an as doleful an object as could well be imagined. The helvv drops were dripping from her elfln locks, a'nd every hi .0' her was drenched with rain, yet the placid expressi n of he^ big flabby face was no whit disturbed. The young men laughed and Owen said: "There she ,-• now for you-the queen of the fairies. I declare >' wit?Ld'" ^•f.o'r: 'f *'' '^""^ "^'•^ ^- °^«^'^ occupied with Bids pitiful state to pay much attention to won 's dry 'okes. Many questions were put to her, as to why she wZ abroad at such a time and in such weather but Bi Jonly shool her head, and smiled and said " Bid's cold" '' It was God sent her," said Denis looking at the poor idiot with tears in his eyes. " it was God sent her.L a ha'reof o„^ Hoi eve supper. It's an honor He's doin' us. blessed be His name! so hurry and put dry clothes on her in'wrilL W here next the Are." "^'^ The clothes changed and Bid established in the old man's arm-chair by the comfortable hearth, the table was d awTup nearer the fii-e and the family took their seats well-dispoTed to do justice to the pile of buttered potato-cake, with it Wa.^ o he nicest oaten bread, not forgetting the tradition! dTsh of caulcannon" steaming right in froni of Denis wUha we of melted butter in the centre. And to be sure that trtbe supper that was well relished. No roval f.rr.'.Z ^ was as happy that night as J^enlsLZC^XlZZ r r mi:^~ "^^ --''- ^^ ^- -nectionTs:! IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. 287 well she fared. Thw, .1,. . . • ^f"""™™ <"> matter how with keen relfeh wS ev r w fl 'I ''! "'='" ^""^ -«"^ ins w.th „„,.,„,.„, eye/thrL'^ nho! Ztrr' "?' muscle raovinff in her own n^ V,^ around hf?r, not a wandered to L.;::„r:, the "rioi-fii °r"^'- ■'" ^^» The young people all laughed at the «r,„ voice and the nnmeanin.r word, ^'- "■"'•"'•"ke her che,t. ' "^ """"■ '"^'"S ''^■- '«' "«'« hand on amlT' '" "'°''""' "''' *" -""'■• "led Na„eyn,„eh -f-^^^Sn:;?;:^,?.:^' -- --.-- "Well! now isn't that queer, father'" said n... seriously; "see how long she his tW ; T '^ ''^''^ though you'd think she ^.^ '*'^' ^" ^^^^ n»o«th, • " But thZ^ ;'''°^/^o ^ad no memory at all ?" iiut that's true, father '" said T/^Tv,™ « .o::ar/:hre^tf;:rr:r^^^^^ about that." ^''^ Father Ryan -iit'^di'tweTt:' ''r /'''-"■"' ' ■'™'' '••"»--^" wa. never wr L l^w ^Vl .1?,' " v" ""'"-"'■' "'"^ •in to let that mo.T^^L':^,^!:.''''' "" » ■»»«^ 288 BRSSY COXWAY ; OR, "Now, don't you know, Tommy!" said the Father mildly, " that tlie fault was Mrs. Herbert's more than his 1 You ftoo she tried to put him out of his situation, and make him pay up all he owed her. What could the man do? sure ho couldn't see his large family of young children turned out on the street 1" " Now, father! it's a wonder you'd talk that way!" said the son so angrily that it Avas easy to see the object of the old man's well-meant equivocation. " You know in your heart that you'd starve and die yourself before you'd do such a thing, and what makes you try to excuse that yu.aint If Mrs. Herbert wanted our letters for her own bad ends, waa that any reason he'd give them to her, an' him on his oath to take care of every letter that comes, and give it safe to the right owner V " )Vell, but. Tommy ! if you're a Christian » " If I'm a Christian it doesn't prevent mo from seeing justice done," said Tommy, with a most determined air, " and if God spares me life and health I'll expose Georgy Brown and the Madam too"— his face was crimson with anger, and he struck the table with his clenched hand. " If the law affords ua satisfaction, we must have it, and that's all about it." Bessy, too, was of opinion that the treacherous postmaster should be prosecuted. " If Mrs. Herbert comes in for a share of the disgrace," said she, " I think, father, she's well deserv- ing of it. See how she served you and Tommy when you went to ask her for the letters— if you were dogs, she couldn't treat you ^ny worse-and then she didn't even give them to you." " How could she give them, you foolish girl I if she burned them, or tore them up, or something that way 1" " Well, dear bless you, an' say no more about it !" said Mrs, Conway, " there's time enough for all such things, an' let tliem alone for this night. Go on with your supper, children ! an' if you want to talk, talk of some^.hing that's pleasing !" TiiK inrsir girl ix America. 289 gratitude, when „., tbi, k „f f ^ '"■ "" '"'""''"'■»' «!«■ that hasn't bit or «,,„ . Hiousands an' Iboosands ble^in' on l,em l.T ' '", T';:'"" ""■"''»' °' 0°" »»' '"T " Ibe go rpeol J ' ""''' ",r" »"<> P'-'y 'o „, all ' nigbt," said 0.ve„ ^ Lr T " ,""" P'""" "' " '""» «■• month—!'. ' ""'"''"' "•'" ""■>■ '""1 'W" night t«l'. " I'M"'' I tell yon to let than alone '" said hi. ™„.i • tone of alarm " u ii,»„ . . ' mother in a " Wl,v .1 , °"^ ""° '" '""'in' to you Owen 1" >Vhy, mother dear!" said the Rn„ i.„if •>^.""' ""n 1 I'm sayin' nothing bad of them 'w^ , "'"°""''' """" tliomill, I'll „o bail tLv'l , " ' """"• »"'" <"■ did be in Ms. Herbert slo, tl, Z T """'■ ""' ' """'"■'•t " And why so 0,vet r a . 7^ "" " "°" ="" °' """"'^ '" " Oh ' thaf', t;„. '' ""'^ "■'■"' ««« earnestness f-Uriesalonim re!,;, ,"•""" '=°"'''"'' '« "^ 'h- ui. the rathi:™'' b.^nt:: ■■"' "°-"'° """ ^° -" "■■* ahi' wi'ui'f dV:,','::;."'^" "^^^^ '- '-'"-• •• ^-^y- - > --ly oniy Mi'CrowLdIC Gr°'"f' ',^" " ■"" '» ''» '' broke bis arm before ever 7 '"'"'1''-^^ "'» same token, Bill the Job, and na .y GZes foTd Tl ^ '"^ '"^^ '^'^'^'^ deadintl,ebyera'wer„;t";.''"' "" "^ ""- '^'■>' .'.eyoome,.„dfa,':n:ay7he;,T"" """ ""^'■"'^ "'^ BessI'" bo,: Uu'fth*:' '"" '™' "■° '""' "' " ""'■■ -M ^otbin, more„;, said":: thl u": ^^oirM'Ir °- 13 --. — diJ mm m 290 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, J>or eviction of the pfgmy cornmuniiv of the rath Tim niernment whicl. isualiy characterize. Hallon'-ovo in Iri^h households was that night ao.ocwlxat subcluod or, account of me raiserahlo state of the cout,t v, and the family after ^ayinr- thei. usual prayers in common, retired to rest early, a com" furtahio shake-down being made for Bid McOuigan In the chnnney corner. Next day the wholo country was thrown into a state of foarful excitement. Word went out that Mrs. Ilorbort had been found dead in her bed that mornin?, and as soon as tho awful news had been fully verifled, it was set down as an act of fairy vengeance. People crossed themselves and looked at each other, and shook their heads. " She knows the diflbrence now," said ono with reliijioiKj solemnity. ** " I'll go bail she does," said another, " and I think she has her own death to answer for-if she had let the forth alone she might bo a living woman yet, for sure there wasn't a oray hair in her head, an' she always had tho best of care Ha ' ha ! herself an' himself are both gone now-ay faith • whe-e they'll have no poor tenants to harry-I'm thinkin' there's more landlords than tenants iJiere.'' Such were the general feelings of the people. Even Denis Conway's family, though shocked to hear of such a death did not fail to view it as an act of retributive justice on tho part of Almighty God. Why was it that Bessy alone felt a softer emotion, and actually dropped a tear for the fate of that cold, >arsh woman who had never made a friend oa earth, never had ono to love her, unless it micrb' - ^he kindred spirit who had walked the world with her '^ h the years of her wedded life ?_why should Bessy ■ ,,^ '■ who had been the worst enemy of those she loved! Mourn she did not-that was certain-yet there was a " deep note of sao^^e.. struck in her heart by the news of that woman's nnh. <>w»d death. She saw the terrible judgments of God rUK IRISH Mi ' IN AMK1UC4. 291 ""• '•"<:<' "'"yl-ec-a,,,, 1,1,1, ,,„,„,," ";['",' '™" ■^'"""S wy to do will, tl,.nM ic,.i- ;""■ " lixt linil Bossy Con- .0 I'm,';';:!;:'' i:';;:;/' '™:' '°^ *'^ '■"■ '™">"<--'ho„5i, ino,v ,vhar^ eol „ ";j:"f :,r 'T, '" '" ™'" '"<>"•' " Well > ,vw ■ "' ^■"' """'» "'" 'ruth I" Anolho,. ,l„-„„ ly™ r^"' "' "."° """" "' «° ">=">)' '""Sings. -■ p-p.0 pail,' t:: r: :r„:f -2" ^-m., r„. <:.. Bossy's face was s^nrU, • ™""' "'"'""«''» said before!" -nno sati,sfa:tion o foe n" Geo r''' ''"""^ "^""'^^ ^-^ It was understood tbat'^^rrrl^^^^^^^ '^' ^^^^«- tobearoutheauthoritiL n ir ?T> ^'''" ^^*^"Sht ^ 'ill 292 BESSY CONWAY; OR, into consideration at a special meeting of Lodge No. — , it was duly resolved that Brother Brown must not be cxposed'to the dangerous ordeal of a public trial. It was not hard to persuade the Dublin officials that a man for whom my lord Marquis of Tumbledown aud my lord Viscount Pamperton condescended to interest themselves— not to speak of other notable representatives of " the landed interest"— could not possibly be far in the wrong, and that dismissal from office was a punishment quite severe enough. Nevertheless, Geor^ry waa smuggled off with his family— to a good farm on the Tumbledown estates, and the Con ways were quite content that the villain should fall into other hands than theirs. So long as he was removed from the situation of which he had proved himself so unworthy, they had nothing more to wish in his regard. Ivy Lodge was a drear and lonely spot after the death of its mistress. Strange noises were heard of nights in the halls and chambers, and on the staircases forma which mortal eye might not see were felt brushing past the living. Autumn's " melan- choly days" were saddening the earth, and the winds were abroad in the long dark nights, and they made a dismal howl- ing through the lofty halls of the Lodge. The few servants left by the executors to take care of the house, having their imaginations full of gloomy fancies on account of the recent disaster, of course set every unusual sight or sound down for something supernatural. They soon got frightened out of their wits, and ran away from the house without waiting for leave or license, wages or anything else. The report spread like wildfire that the Lodge was haunted ; all manner of wild stories were told in relation to it, for the inventive faculties of the whole country were at work on a theme so fruitful. Never was poor spirit seen under so many different shapes as that of the late Mrs. Wilson Herbert, nor ever sounds so dismal and 80 wild awoke the echoes of a haunted house. The place was utterly deserted, save by the venerable rooks who, time out of THE IKI3H GIRL IX AMERICA. 293 Thl'I^''' f.'/ '?""' " ^'^ '-^"^'^"^ ^-«'^^' --1 the bate hat flappea their leathern wings at evening'^ ghostly hour through the silent halls of the deserted manor-house Seeing the ruin that was coming on. so fine a place peoule began to wonder what had come of young Herbert, or XS ha was st.Il alive. With all his faults, there was a certa n ^bat „,,ght be expected considering the detestation in which 1.0th hKS parents were held. Now that ho was probably de d n.any fine traits of character were remembered that b "re ha,.l passed unnoticed. People began to say : "Well! to give t le Devd h,3 due. Master Henry had a good turn in him after ali He was a w,ld harum-scarum fellow-every one knows that-but sure ho done more harm to himself than to anybody else-he never harried the poor, anyhow " "'Dood then he didn't, an' to tell the truth, many a one 1 e relieved unknownst to the world. Don't you mind th! tmje Paddy McGarry's cow was a drivin' for the'Infy ces!- well ! I know for certain it was Master Henry gave him the money to go an' pay it an' get back poor crummie for te ch. der-them was his very words, an' sure I had it from Paddy s o«-n hps, God be good to him ! but he bid him for his •te say nothmg about it, for fear of it comin' to the ears of his father or mother." ;' I don't doubt it a bit." would another say, " for I knew l.:m t^ .end Widow Fogarty a load of seed-potatoes one spring «n h.m only a gossoon at the time. If it hadn't been for him ^elly andthe children would have been badlv off that ve^; season. There's no one can say but what 'he was u fine c::mp!^"...''"^^ '""""'" '' '" '"'"" ^'^^- "P -'^h bad Some such conversation took place one evening around dropt m on their mW.. An attentive observer mi.h. ,,... noticed that the several speakers, although very much iu earl 294 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, nest in their remarks, had a secondary motive in view, for many a stealthy glance was cast to'wards the corner where Bessy sat spinning flax. Bessy's countenance revealed no- thing. If she was takijig note of what passed no one was the wiser concerning her thoughts. Her eyes were fixed on the filmy thread that her delicate fingers spun so deftly, and her peachy cheek never chan-ed its hue. Once or twice she bent over the wheel when there was no apparent reason for exa- mining hack or spool, and it might be that a tear was trem- blmg in her eye, but if so, no one saw it for Bessy's face was calm as a summer lake. Seeing this, the visitors were taken quite aback, but some were unwilling " to give it up so- and thought a change of tactics might perhaps effect their object. " But that's true, Bessy! weren't you and Master Henry out to America together 1" ^ "We were in the same ship," Bessy answered without rais- mg her eyes. " An' of coorse you know all about him" after he got there " " Of course I do not," said Bessy with a very quiet smile • " surely you don't suppose I was watching him all the time ^ Tommy"-to her eldest brother-"! thought you were goin-r over to the dyer's to-night with that wool." " To be sure Tommy was going, and Owen with Tommy, and their going was the signal for a general move. Before the visitors retired, however, one of them, an ancient dame who was the mother of a large family of grown-up daughters, took occasion to -ask Bessy would she advise any of her girls to go out to America. " There's Jenny and Peggy," said she, " an' they have a great notion of startin' next spring." " Well ! I'm not over fond of giving advice," said Bessy, " but as you asked my opinion I'll give it, and then you can't blame me one way or the other. America is a bad place for young girls to go to, unless they havo their father, or brothers or somebody to look after them." ' niE IRISH (!IRI. ,x AMERICA. 295 " Humph ! who had y„„ ,„ l„„k ^fter y„„ v daJI;;,; "°'"'"'"- .i* have the sa^er. asked .he mother as ever you were-^n^ I ^'^ ^""^^^ ^ athome-huTtheel torn!r*™ °" ^"'"' ""0 """•-• '*"-•" >'- «- ^^ f.eI"grrthe'nT"°"' V"""' """ '■"'"■«"""''>" '«''«=« ">" up '"^^jiir^r:^;:'!':;^ .;,;":"'' '"" '"'- "^-^^ The es housands of Irish girls in New York (of course that s the cty I know best) that are as good Catho he Tany war wLT n ""t' '"' """''' J"'' "' "-""y fte other •^ay. What would you think of an Irish girl that would tell you she was seven years in America, and had neve, been t! Sit;.'.'™ "■ "" "■"' ""=-"">•"» »- «■■ 'wico t:c"n! oni.Suo:;;::;^^^'"''- ""'''- -'^'-''.■'rou're "I know that, mother, but I.,n only telling the truth and God knows! n,y heart bleeds to tell it. I knew giriLel hat were just as I say, some of lhe,n that would laugh Tt yo f you spoke to them of saying their prayers mo,ni„g"„r „ 'b and would never think of crossing a Chu,.ch door if som bo y d,dn.t make-lhom go. That all comes, as I told you, otl^Z So.ng out alone to Ame,!ca. without any one to advise J d,™ot then,, and them falling into bad plac'es at the very L if ,™ r%"'- °'""°' "' ""''' ^°-^ Sirls at home- oTng run . "' " "" "'°-'' """ '"''''' ""^ " "'»«- '" TJIE IRISH GIRL LV AMERICA. 291 Oirare; " ,fs best keep them under . ur own eyes Good n^ht. and God bo with you al,." The visitors t^n .ot" Nvondenng much at what Ihey had heard. 298 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, CHAPTER XXII. The trrecn fields of Erin were covered with their sprincr carpet dotted over with white daisies and yellow buttercups" the pale primrose-flower of sweetest memories I-was peep- ing forth on every sunny bank; the modest violet gave its faint perfume to the air, and the graceful blue-bell waved Its fan-y petals in the gentle breeze; the earth was balmy with the breath of opening flowers, and the trees were don- ning^ their summer foliage through the sunny showers of Denis Conway and his sons were hard at work all day-and every day of the six allotted for labor-putting in their crops wheat, oats, and early potatoes. The whole household was astir from morn till dewy eve, each one employed in their own sphere of usefulness. Nancy and Ellen were assisting out-of- doors whilst Bossy and her mother attended to the business of the house and the dairy. One evening when the boys came in from work they men- tioned as something very strange that there was smoke risin.^ from one of the chimneys of The Lodge. "Maybe there's some care-takers put in," said Bessy "to keep the placo from going to ruin." "Why to be sure," said her faiher, "now I come to think of it; I heard tho other day that old Darby Dolan and his Wife were back again in the big house." "My goodness! it's a wonder they'd go back," said Mrs Conway, "after them leavin' it in a fright like all the rest of rilE IRISH GIRL IN AMERICA. O99 wore i„ it "° """ ™ ""-""" »f ""> '""S "Lot U.0 dead ill "s id th th "'"^ ""''^ '^"'•" the matter ended. '''' ''^^''^^"^^' '''"•^ ^^'^^^ It made Ilnle impression on BessvV n.,-n^ / ,, afloat conceriin^T ni r ^^ ?• '^'"'^' ^*^'' ^^^"-^ ''"'nors and .^e\c jo:;t,?:r*:h:ira?*. ^ f °"' """'"• a di,corda„l concert softened,. , , '"u""'" "="""' "P .ar. The "tree. It ,1,!^, 7 '"""^' ''"' ■=''=""•'•■ °" U'" ;-'- .....»=c": r eS'n it'-r.-rr;; '•'"; "■° eave. „„, t.e „„„ ,e™, trcn^ie/lMT: rt ^cTI^ the heart ,vI„CJ ' ™' '""' °' "'°"' "'^Ws when Mould be aitate „, t,,|, ,^„^( j^^^^ ., 800 BESSY CONWAY; OR, and the sisters were not without feeling the charm that hun- around the lonely spot. " Well ! isn't it curious, Bessy V whispered Ellen as they appi oached the gate ; " I'm not a bit afeard-are you r "No, indeed," said Bessy in her usual tone of voice • "so far from being afraid, I could find in my heart to sit aU night unde'^ one of them old trees, with the wind rustlin- in the branches, and tlio moonlight dancing on that stream. Ono could fancy the fairies whisking about ou the soft green grass." ^ "Bessy Conway! it's all your own!" eaid a voice from wiLhm the grounds-a strange sepulchral voice it seemed too-where it came from the girls did not wait to see, for w,th an exclamation of terror they ran ofi: as fast as their limbs could carry them. On reaching their home it was some time before either of the sisters could tell what happened. Seeing them rush in pale as death and gasping for breath, the others were almost as frightened as themselves, and more questions were asked than they could possibly have answered. " In the name of God, girls ! what did you see V' asked their father after standing some moments silent, waiting for them to speak. "Nothing at all, father !" said Bessy. stiU panting, " we saw nothing— we only heard:' " Lord bless us ! and what did you hear V cried the mother eagerly. _ The girls looked at each other. They hesitated to tell hav- ing each a misgiving that it was a warning of some kind. ' But the more unwilling they seemed to speak, the more anxious ne others were to hear. At last Ellen told what they had heard. Her mother clapped her hands and cried out "God save my child !" The father said nothing, but shook his head, whilst the young people tried to put it ofl-with a laugh, seelncr how frightened the others were. TIIK IRISH GIRL IX AMERICA. •^01 a Zed h.!!;;;'". •? ;™^''>' ^^ ^-. ^'^I^!' -id Owon With good turn." ' ^' ^''^^^ '-'^ ^" ^^^- dark, it'll do ,ou a -i^ti: elder :;^r^^^^^^ Plavm- .tnck on you, Be.,!- " ^^^^ ' whatever it was " ■qiiri n "I'<1 -thor hearnon^oroaiout;;- "' " ' "'^'^"^^ *-^' There was something in her lont ..i - , sner.ced them all, and thesul LV , '" ^^'*" ^«'^« "'at Not many days after an m ^ '^ ^'"'^P'^^ '^•- ^^'^^ ^ime. -ce, no j« a i::!:'Z:'^;;^z:'u: Tt '' -'^'^ fright which the ffirls had crJ \ I ^ ^'""^ ^'^''''^ ^^ the HKe all other ^o^ae:r!^ttZ:'::\:^i:^'':' "^"'' ^^^^-•-' passing from mouth to mouth L T"""^ considerably in onVinal narrators wouM : 1^ ernt:d'r-^^'' '''' ''' adventure in tho well-.arnished ilu u u " ""'" '™P^« made up piece by piece An n '''',^'^'^^ "'« P^^^^c l^ad by implication, wa sure to ^o " Ti'"""-" '^ "^'^ ''^-^d' -en I^ad the facult; of cenl. o T'n '""' '^^^"^"'^"' ^"^ ^- docs his game slmw tT^ '''''''''''''''' ^ r>olntev Of the Conway gWs' adf T '^ ""' '" '''' ^^'^^^ ^^^ ^'oa^d Off he startJcftf ei ttt;e%?'^\'' '''' ^^''^-'^ ^-- himself. """^^^ ^"^ investigate tho matter for would think you had ° ' f , "" ''=°'''° '>'*. »»» Could I .peak . word : • h Tl^"' '"'^' "'" -"-»»■ •■ if your dauahtor ne^e'r dife„o,ld T"" " «'"'"■" ' """-^ wmor than Billy Poto .he *!?„'" '"""'S'"- "■■ '""><1- So (he tTOwalkedonr ?''"""»'"'»"«-*'' is'" «.»e .hoy reac:ed t .tend oTh f '"r ,'"-"°*^^' "°'' ^^ '"» <'«..tial, and when they Parted ,7. ^'■°™ """"• <•"«- ..nderslanding that they C!, " "''''"'■ " ™» »•'■"> -•■■ "ming ou th; eronit '"' '" """" »='"" '" "«> ^-".o plaoe 302 RKSSY CONWAY ; OR, Her mother and sisters were very mud, puzzlo.j to know what ^^•as going on between Bessy and Humpy Billy. « if ho hadrj't a wife and children now," said Nancy with a merry aiigh, wo d be suspectin- Bomething, but as it is I don't know what to make of it. Tell the truth, now, isn't it some- lm.g about the ghosts ?^suro every one knows that Billy's a kind of a ghost himself." Bessy put it off with a laugh, but the color rose to her check when she found her mother's eye fixed on her with a keen and searching look. Neither spoke, however, and the gir s hurried away to resume the work which Billy's entrance had interrupted. When the cows were milked that evening, and the milk strained up, Bessy tied a handkerchief over her head and throwing a light shawl round her shoulders, stroHed do 'n the' boreen little affected by the raillery of her sisters and brothers -the latter having been put in possession of the joke as soon as they entered the house. ''If I was you, Bessy," said Owen, " I'd have nothing to say to Billy Potts— sure the whole parish knows what >- is." " Will you not be botherin' me now, Owen V she replied with a good-humored smile ; " do you think Billy has dealings with the fairies that he'd make sale of me to them t Never fear but I'm wide awake-I have travelled too far to be asleep on my feet. The only thing I ask of you all is that vou'll not be watching to see where I go to." She was gone before any one could speak a^ain. She knew her wish was law to the whole family, and that no one in the house wouhKfollow her to the door after what she had said At the cross roads below she found Billy in punctual attend- ance, and on the two walked side by side, taking the wav to St Pinian's Church. "It's curious," said she, "what a'notion I have got in my head about seeing th« old Church ever since Paul told that story. Long as I lived about Ardflnnau before I never cared to go next or near it." THE W.mi GIRL I.v A.MI.:,MCA. 803 '» »ee it again. Now „ it '" ?■"' '"'" ■"" B''^"' "M, for all / k„ow-I declare ,,„ " ''" '""y '"' -^'^ '. tl'o AbWy, a„d stood t„/etl"JTn L of f "°" ™'^'""' rolgnod Lore wbo„ Iho hoh nil '°"° """'■ " S"™™ ■"■ould bo n„„oi»o„ di,NH ^'"■"° """i ^"'y tiioro quiet gr„vo3. But ,tb r/ro r "? "'"" "■^^''^ "' "-"■ tog on" "" "^ "'™' !■'>"« Paul was ,,,eak. "^'iX'a'tlitbl"-" ;;'"'„.;"' ""-'■ ■■'" "■» w-^ "est come in beforo it goU a, via' „ '" f ° "'™' >»"'<' te tj.a ,, , .„ ,„„„^,^ ^^^-7 !ate. „ „a,bo ,o,. .o,.,d.,. P'aco cr,;, tbat Fatho,- Et^nt ^ to ',' ' ""' '" "'^ ""> one of tbcso days. Ho ,.v, i/'. . ° "'™ "'"1 <^omo places now and then ' "^ ' " »""""'''' ""'"S to visit such yo^tTu'r-ati'di:::;?;:: ■'■= T' "-^ -- ^ - « certain motion of Bel?, ' , f; f"" f '" "" had caught or tbe cross. Bess/^iiiUti t ^a '^ '"" ™ ""> »'«» liuilding. ^aiiiuy and they entered the The place M-as not dark for fim ^^ • through many a rent in the 1 ! "'"= '"" ''''' «'''"'"? ^ gray stones and 1^1^ ^.f "'"^^l-^^' ^'l^ing the^M forgotten, and f^^t:^--^^^ ^^ ^-. «ince " r^ 01 light and beauty !.'i lii; 304 BESSY CONWAY ; OR, over the loiipr, dank Rrass and the broken colnmna and shat- tcrt'd romainR of arch and corbel. "Blo^od Mother, who is that?" oxdaimed Bessy In a voice of terror, catching hold of Billy's arm. "Look mere! look there !" Following the direction of her eyes, Billy observed the flguro of a man kneeling in front of the ghastly pile which IMS hands had reared. It was a thin, attenuated form bo.ved ^vltl. weakness or with sorrow-perhaps ])oth-and the face Been in profile, was sharp, and pale, ard woe-worn-very unlike one well remembered, yet Bessy trembled as she looked, and Billy muttered half aloud : " If it's not himself It's his ghost, or an evil spirit. You'd best come away, Bessy it'rt nothing good, you may be sure !" ' lie tried to draw her away, but go she would not. " Let It bo as it may." said she, " I'll see it out before I go. flush ' ho hears us!" It was not so, but the figure slowly arose and moved to another side of the choir, then knelt again with his back towards them. They retreated farther into the shade and Bessy whispered in a tone of horror: " It's his ghost Billy* it's his ghost-who knows but that's his punishment, forever going round and round them bones!" »' Hut, tut, you foolish girl !" said Billy In the same low whisper, " sure you couldn't see a ghost before sun-down !" Again the figure rose and moved to another point then knelt as before, and Bessy saw a crucifix between the clasped hands. This made her heart beat quicker, but when, xvatch- ing the face intently, she saw the color come and go and finally saw the hand raised to wipe away a fallinrr tear she l03t all control of her feelings, and cried out in Ihrillina accents : * "Oh, Herbert! Henry Herbert! is it you that's in it ? if the bre.ith of life is in you speak to me, for God's aake!" A voice came from the lips, but the figure remained motion- THB IRISH OIRI. ,.v AMEHIOA. 305 I caunot iiumjih '" said IJ'Il t'>"'o «a.s il«,i;,„,i hI,',ofl iriilafl'^ ;°"'I'o«"re, " f thousht f'^ith ! it's mad ho is, or It "„ h T "'^ '' '''" ''""««' «"». "'•^^ ' ir you tako n y " ^ '^'^^ '^ '^ ^^^ such trado a, -« fast a. you can-no onoca;t 1 ""'"^' ' >'°"'" ""''J^o ^"ft- " That is not the f^co of a n f ''' "' '"'^^ ^"^« "--f-" ^"•".", "«eo ho.v fervent ;L .''"'' ""'' '''"^^ ^^'" ^^-- I.i.s heart!" ""^ ^'" '"^^y«' Oh? if Ood has touche^I ^-ely. " it. a tr^^IZir'r''''' '" ^'^'^ -"'3' pro- win a bet." ^'^'^'"^' *'»"d "otJ'ins eI«o-maybo to By this time Herbert ho,! a, • i , tl.o placo wl.ero Bo.,.y .Z^fl'"'"" ■■■^'^''^•' ■^=""» forward to 7» to ,.oacI, „„. 1,„ „;:";„: ;;■"," -• "i» «-t ,•,„„„„„ tb™a.ai„, l,o.,aid,„o„r„;„ ! ■ '"' '""'-■'"J' ».-.W™>vi„; No! no! I dare nnf i r ' "Mr. Ile,.ber. ?:«';''''•'" ""''"'■^''' ;■ "Lat I,a» eomo over you at an ' '" ". ''""'° """l^ «"JiWe, a ».ro J eS ■'.:::;;:, ,::' ertt°"'" v"""'' """°^' "•"'■ . ono Who has ou.ragea heaven b° hi, 17^° """"'^ .™" *as compromised you i„ p„r.uit of ■ "'•^'""'"«-o..e «1,„ t.o„-„ue ,vho ha,, i„ sh,mtnmnL '"? """''' «'»"«"■ passion," ""'■ f"'""0'l no doty, restrained no " Mr. Herbert J Mr. Herbert ■" eried P ■■er liand, in horror, '.for Ood, ll "''' ''°''""« "P ''"tl. never co„M have been ,„ bad i't'hau^ "^ "° ""^ ' >- ■'ir- ■•• 'ad, yonT:;:!!""'-'"?."" '-^ With a de,p„„din„ °— -u,a not know how bad I was!" I .fr 306 BESSY CONWAY; OR, "Faith! you were bad enough, Master Henry!" put in Billy with his stony smile; "to my knowledge, there wasn't an ill turn done about Ardflnnan but you were hand and foot in it ever since a yard of cloth made you a coat." "That's right, Billy! that's right! heap it on and spare not," said Herbert mildly, " you can say nothing worse than I deserve." This touched the old man's heart, hard as it seemed to be, and the tears actually started in his eyes as he exclaimed in a glow of feeling: "I'll never say an ill word of you again, then, Master Henry! never while breath's in my body!— there was good to be said of you the worst day ever you were, and, by the laws ! the bad is all gone now, however it happens.'' Bessy still stood in wordless anxiety looking up in Herbert's altered face. Suddenly he raised his eyes and ventured to meet her gaze for the first time. " Bessy !" 3aid he, his pale cheek flushing like a young maiden's, " Bessy ! I have been guilty before God and the world, but not before vou-I have never injured you in thought, in word, or in deed— I have loved you, God only knows how well,— you have been my star of hope— my rock of safety amidst the racrincr billows of this sinful world-it may be that you have praj^edl-or me- tji .haritif'—he said with emphasis—" if so— if at any time you have invoked the God of mercy on my behalf, and Mary the refuge of sinners, you will now rejoice even as the angels of heaven do— in a sinner's conversion !" The tears gushed from Bessy's eyes, and drawing a step nearer shejaid her hand on his arm. "Are you in earnest Mr. Herbert !— may I indeed hope " ' "Hope everything, Bessy!" he replied, his voice uncon- sciously assuming that softened tone in which he was wont to address her. " Like the prodigal of old I have returned from the desert of sin to my Father's house, and have found true peace within the one fold, where alone man can expiate sin and wash his soul white in the blood of the Lamb." THE IRTSH f;iRT, IN- AMERICA. 807 Mr. Herbert » Honry Herbert! you don't mean to say that you are a Catliolic V cried Be.sy in utter amazement. ^^ It I were anytf.ing else," he replied wit>> a sad .mile wculd you find me undergoing a penance like that V And he pointed back to the f«;ene of his former sacrile-e •' This IS tko ninth day that I have done what you saw m« do but now, a.d that painful task I imposed on my.elf as an atone- ment for t!,o sacrilegious outrage of which these consecrated walls and those venerated relics were the witnesses and the obJec^3 ! If you still doubt me, ask Father Ryan-he can tell you all— much more than I have told you yet." " I will ask lio ocie-I believe all you say V said Bessy her voice broken with sobs, "but how-when-where did this blessed change take place 1" That's jist what I want to hear," put in Billy. " Whoever did it, it was a great job entirely!" Without heeding the sexton, Herbert sat down on a broken column that lay near and invited Bessy to follow his example adding with a faint smile : " I am not the man I was, Bessy -J God knows if I ever shall be V " Oh! Mr. Herbert, don't speak that way!" said Bessy with ti gush of feeling that brought the tears to her eyes, "you'll bo soon as well as ever, please God!" Herbert shook his head despondingly and sat a few mo- menta silent with his eyes cast down, then raising them sud- denly he turned them on Bessy, and seeing the tears which she sought not to hide, he smiled with something like his former gaiety and went on : " You ask me when and how I became a Catholic I will go back a little in order to answer your question in a satisfac- tory manner. You must have heard that I was not in New York when you left for Ireland. I had gone with Dixon to BaL.more on what he called ' a speculation,' that is to say a gamol.n- expedition, my excellent friend having reason 'to baliove that hm line of business was brisker there than at 308 BESSr C0N;7AY ,• OR, a.tho„„h the agr;e>„e: iuZllTZc '"" """• ' "'"^ vision of Urn nrofil, „.!,„„ •. slarling vras a fair cli- for BalUmoro. I was »^rv »„„! '"° ''• """ »"' turned alone lo Now V 'f/^ ' "' ^°" "'"'' ''«""''. •■>'"' «- a..a t„e .::;ifer:i^.:f\;a"7tr''!rr ?^"'°^' "'^^ <-xl,a„.„„„ at tl,o time a raUotlherlfr "■'■'■"''""' man co„l,l l,e. Even the oomfort of 1 " ""'"""' '' ;oro z ,.earAn:t iz:^: ir^; ;;r>;\r For me, I care not wl,„ 'l.no! " T , '''"', "" "■'"'"' '™"' ' angry wiu, „>o, for ,„„ k t ^t « af L™"'/" ""' "" thought it wouM srieve one hear wW ,,,'„"',; .''"^-I my life to win— I thought f,>r„!. „ '""''' 8»'™ iu.n,y.,e,f to destruc fon T™ p antL a'n ' ""V" ''"°'- "« heart that had .o coldly .^Z^T^tLZZlTZ '" au«el What wonder *at^\ti::;;: ryVeSl":"! for an w.ckednes3. But heaven ordain J that I w ar„„tT THE IRISH GIRL ly AMERICA. 309 opposite direction. My deliverm-, « J ""mediately ,n an conyeyed me at ono. L o„ *"'''"= "» "" '"" ''■""1 pened't o b^ he Irest and eon'"""? """''"■ "«^" ^"P" «cio„;,r '"""" '""™"""' »-^. half uncon- hs fiend MiVi» m;ji;„o », -^ saw rau! l>rannigan and «.te„ we,;:'::i«'i'r rr:^ :-■ rryrr '" wounds. 'Thankfinrli'oaM *», ■ ,, aressmfr my opened „y .;: .^'n'^^ ,?. ^ 'r,:!;/:"^" ''^ r^ ' poor soull' I never f«r.rnr *^ f ^ '^''''"^^ ^<^'' '"« vor With Which the;"J~,ra:d", t' ""^'^ *'^"''"^" ^«^- the fear of «n^'o * , ^ ' °^' ^'^* * ^^^h of lightnincr tLt :;deifet:we'rr/''"^^'*^^^^^ ^ ^^'' forbid LtoTpeak 1^1?' "l"' ""'' "'*''^"^^ *^« ^««'- filled with adt JL t^hHld :'r ""^^^^'^"- ^ -« that thi« poor man whom rrJ^^'f' way« of God, seeing Iiospital-bed, Pan! neve"; failed to ."'7'' '"^'^ ' ''^ '" "^ «oon began to look In , ''* ™^ '^^^'"^ ^^.^. ^nd I fa^ a. rj .-r.'A^'^f l^^^^i- '"•« q-er. old-fashioned --- ---^ -xiytniflg. The stumping sound of his 310 BESSY CO.VWAV ; OR. heavy foot was music to my ear for T «rna • i to mv bed nnrl ^ ' ^^^ ^'"^^ ^"*^ confined my oea, and ho was mv only visUnr v„. i .. i i»>Heait. Hespoketomeoftheeternaltruths-of.lo.,.! • . s «rr "f ',""' °"" ' -■-"»-' ^"'^ 1 '>i;; i Tved hli ,,f:" 1 '" "'" """"'-'-"in, sisters a,, thev me to W, w!f if Z "'"'""'"g '<> ae Mok, a„d a»koi W , n • °« °' ™^ di^Posilions from Paul. tl,e dZL jomed tl,e,r pio„, ezhorlations to the I„s,r„c ion l\Z already received, a„J, by the time I became cr4,"sce. I ^n: :o":rut?.." ^^-^ ^"'^"- '- "- ^'-' -"':- ;; Thank God !■• murmured Ee..y with intense fooling. Billy. "What w.ts be had are gone entirely M. ^ Ilerbcrt looked at him with a smile, then went „, . « r„v .ns the Hospital, I paid the Sisters f;. their Tronble i^T fullest extent of my means-barely reservi" en ut to ,!l .rst:rrt„Ttrr '■T^-"--"~™^^ rl«hf T rr, ' ' '^'^ ^ '''''^' "« ^«c"«v could pay th^ »::: ofratr;riL:;i— - -- "-'™ - ou:r;:L^d";r^.:r;r::r]r::- -hen tribes scattered T^ ^^^rSr I'sl^U ""= """" «"". >N AMEniCA. pnlh on ,vMc,, I „'<,„„'" i" "7",,""" '' "■" ""^ '" "'" "ew Jerusalem. ■ We nJlT'" "•''"' """ '™* '» "'« l.e. rai,,-,,-; Ms soft dark eves !1 ?""" "*'"''" "" ™'"'.' «ai'l Lome ..-and „e pol„te, „p,var<, J tT™' ' "" •™""" '^ "" ll.-st star of evenin.r was i„' ," • '"'"''' ™"" "•'"■'■'' »'» «'™.,gl, tl,e wilderness of nS , r , ""' ™^ "'"' '"=* I'eaven, a,„, ,,e „,Xn 1! ' '"%'",""' ^oMo,, gates of I hope to see ,„,. a,a , m ' 1^:™" '"! '""""■' *'" '■ T'-ro -W, you and ali I .o"v 1 e, h ,r„"" \" """'"" '""'' "^'"■^'> of oternity.' Oh' Bessv Ms "™"S'""" <•>» '"'"f^s ages I ftlt at t,fe n,o,„e„f Is" r'T'* "»''» "'^ "-« - -nT^drlJrlaX-r^^^^^ M and Willing obediene'e T tis ^ "^ """"^^^ ='-- a Chnstian of her by showin,. her what » I ' ' '° "^'"' '>«de in me, b„t relribnt „ . . "'"'''"^'"■''"sion had before I conld ask I r b, 1 „r '^ '"' '"'"» "<■■• "o"™ l-ast „nenees_and then ihl r° ° ° """'" '" ^P'^'" -y in all Prohabinty,Vi«U '; :r";,r,T" « '""' '"' ■""' "r that eternity in which she wis s'o s^^nf T "' °""' o..t a moment's preparation. My ,°Z """ ","'„"""" """■ Krieved for the yeara that were na '^ L '" ' ""'' ' ■"•"■ ' -cb a„ Of „s w„„M ba.e ra-^I mrr 312 BESSY CONWAY OR, worlds were they mine to have my parents still alive were ifc only to ask their forgiveness and toll them hov/ sorrv I was for my past disobedience. Too late ! too late ! all resolved itself into tliat one sad thought, and I was utterly wretched. I found myself possessed of wealth and houses and lands, but I saw the old homestead lono and desolate, and I missed them,, cold and hard and unloving as thev were. My first consolation was found in a visit to your good old pastor. Father Ryan, whose paternal kindness soothed ->y tortured heart as his counsels directed me in the right rath. I felt that I had found a friend, wise and prudent iTnd deeply interested in my welfare, temporal and spiritual. That WAS one point gained. By his advice I paid a visit to the Abbey, the scene of my sacrilegious folly, and there, amoncrst the mouldering relics of mortality, meditated o» the end of man. Sitting on yonder tomb, I asked myself how it hap- pened that I alone was spared of all who had desecrated the house of God by unhallowed revelry. Father, mother, com- panions, all were gone-why was I left 1— why was I shown the way of truth when they all lived and died in the darkness of error 7— why waa not I, too, cut off in my sins 1 Filled with gratitude that God had dealt so mercifully with me I so unworthy of His least favor, I humbled myself before' His awful majesty, and inflicted on myself for nine successive days, by way of expiation, the penance which you have seen me undergo. I have now told you all, except " " Frightening Ellen and mo that night up at the house," said Bessy quickly, " I'm afraid you have that to answer for as well as the rest !" ' "I'll be sworn he has!" cried Billy chuckling gleefully; " I was just thinkin' when I heard of it that if my gentleman' was above ground it was him was in it. Oh ! faith yes, I knew it bravely." " Well!" said Bessy drawing a long breath, « it's so like a ''"'' '^'''' «^«f' i-v .,rnmcA. t^'-f^am that lean har.Ilvh r- "Mrs. Murphv'.s wnT-ai • ;«° it appoa„,;*; rrP^^^^^^^-'^ea,,. then ," '»M me that when Poarv ani,,? " '"""" ''•"" ".-Paul "■>■«-... they ,vi„ an Ze hlX T ""'" '"■""'■"■" -o™ f-l -hat ab„„t Pa,„ i eT/p.?' "■" "°°^-" him here!" """' ' ' *""> "er 30 glad to see "Paul has no notion of comtn™ . • b;™-,„„d tssotaSen,,, ™"i;;; s " "»-? a nice l,t,e S . James' Church, and rar r, , , ''^' ®''''°'" ■='"« in which he is ensaged th,t ZT T"' '"'"'' "' '""i'y in •^"0 that he never for.^ets to pnv fl "" '"" •"" ""■''■ »"" for Wm. Another rne^.J.ll'l''' ^^'l' "^ '"> hopes yon do another opportunity. Tire de"! f,n-"' ' ""' ''^■''^"•0 ">'•" f«r •-^ bet. etrace o„r ^'Z:::^:;^!: ™''' -<> ''"i.* « *o ground as h'^htl/as t ^Vh t ll" ^'T'" ''"""■"S »'•- ric- was in a great hurrv ho^! "'"y Propelled a grasshopper "■"e«as Ilerh;,, and BLyTalr; f".^ ,'' '■■- '» hil':,r managed to keep Billy i^Iiihf'.f""""'""'' Still they OentV moderated his pace If L," "'" ""'"= »"" '•«'■>' P".- -arahot. It „,, strange tha°Br v^ '■" '° '■™»''" '"''"» afraid of heing seen i^n Herlertw " ""' '=™ '"= ''-'t srfebysidcvith him as co™„" >,""'■'■' >"" ™'k°'I ™ '- -ays heen ah^e rsp^^^' ^^^d ''i^'r'- "au ail at once 14 314 BESSY CONWAY; OR, acquired an easy conOdenco of manner and a porfecL hvU- possession that were very remarkable in one so modest and retiring. It seemed as if by anticipation she felt herself mis- tress of Ivy Lodge, looked up to by all the country round, and scattering blessings on every side. Now that Herbert was converted from his evil ways, she cared not wlio saw thorn together, for in her heart she was proud of his affection. And well she might, for with liis fortune and personal advan- Uages there were tew ladies in the country that would not have been flattered by those attentions so long and so de- votedly bestowed on her. " Bessy!" said Herbert after they had walked a little way in silence, " Bossy ! what have I to hope for now ?— will you trust me V She raised her eyea and looked him in ihe face one moment steadily. It was enough. The soul that beamed on her through those clear hazel eyes was all that sho could desire. " I will trust you, Mr. Herbert !" she replied. " Even to become my wife ]" " Even to become your wife !" Herbert took the hand which slio held out to Jiim, and pressed it to his lips in silence. The color came and went on his cheek like clouds over an April sky, and his eyes filled with tears as he turned them on Bessy. " This moment repays me for all," he said in a voice quiver- ing with emotion ; " may Heaven grant me grace to make you as happy as you deserve to be all your life long !" The round full moon was rising over the valley of the Suir and gilding St. Finian's ruined pile and the ancient Castle of Ardfinnan when Henry Herbert and Bessy Conway appeared before the astonished parents of the latter, Billy Potts bidding them " good night" at the door. Hearing how the matted stood, the old people were, of course, very willing to givo their consent that their daughter should become the wedded TnE IRISH cmi, is America. 315 wifo of their liaiulsome young landlord, and before Herbert loft tilt house the day of days was appointed. Just two weeks from that evening, Fatlier Daly blessed their union, and Be^sy Conway left her humble homo for tlio elegant dwelling of the Herberts. That was the making of the Conways, as the neighbors used to Pay. Denis Conway's farm was secured by lease to the family for " nin ty-nine years" at a nominal rent. One of the young men was made steward up at the Lodge, and the other remained at home to assist their father. Nancy was well married a few months after Bessy, to a " gentleman farmer" in the vicinity, who would not have looked at her before. Bessy and her husband would fain have the old couple go and live with them but this they would never consent to do. A grand house like that wouldn't answer them at all, they said, and they were sure they'd never find themselves at homo in it. So the old man and the old womai. jogged along in their owTi lowly path just the same as if Bessy were Bessy Conway still and they tenant,s at will as in fonner times. Ellon, of course, remained at home to assist her mother in keeping house. As for Henry Herbert, he was in all respects an altared man. Ho had sown his wild oats, as the people said, and hia real character was matured under the saving influence of religion. His accession to the estate was a blessing to the tenantry, for now that the impulses of his generou3°naturo were regulated by prudence and good sense, he became an example to the surrounding gentry, and was generally ac- knowledged to bo one of the best landlords in the county Tipperary. And Bessy was the happiest of wives, as she said herself to Mrs. Walters when that lady and her worthy hus- band came to spend some weeks at the Lodge the summer after Bessy's marriage. Captain Walters was at first a little shy of Herbert on account JJIG BESSY CONMVAV; OR, P"«"e that s„„,.,X , ,|k' "•",'■ ""r'- ■■■"»'■ ''i"n<^r in el,„. '■'» -an.. .0 ;„„ ca„' :t°; m™::^:;';;^'"""' --"<'^ I ««sc,UI,o tl,rosl,oM of Ivyl,„l„ „ '"""""■ S"""" <»«• Tl.mk no more „f ,vlnt ,1. • ^'"'' ■''"'' "'"• ■**''""•'■'• honor and (ah nam, LT.u^tlt , " «"""'»"■' "f ''" to his wife', request tl.at l,e TJ,T,' " """'"''' ""'^""^ «0M.n„ e,:,.„rjr:fsre:,r ^cf^: ^rc'jz::^'"' '- --""•^'"^ - ^ -, -ere well ac„„a nfed'rtfh i ,:"!"''•, ^"l "'=''"'*°""S P-'' McG,„gan was a fre„,e„t visitor there Zl' ""?: "'" youns mistress of the mansion .„. 7 • ?, '' " '""o '^o account of Bid's curtrZio" oT-U " '""" """ "" anO ...e ruhy that spark,e;;rh°".e°arf. „" 'Trfhr,""^-"""'" Of happiness that glided bv so smonf . , *, """^ y^*'''"« the dreary past seemed 1 fee a tr^M iV^' ''"^'"^ ^"^ ^" bered in blissful con^Lt Uh ' "^""^'^^ ^'^''^> only rernem- -ro fervent ..Ut:^:t^;!: ^::':;-^'^- ^ -"- for THE EXD. CATALOGUE OF BOOKS PUBLISHED A^'D FOR SALE BY I). & J. SADLIER & CO., 164 WILLIAM STREET, New York ; 128 FEDERAL STHEET, Eost' ; CORNER OF NOTRE DAME AND ST. 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