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diff --git a/16006-h/16006-h.htm b/16006-h/16006-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..05e8b89 --- /dev/null +++ b/16006-h/16006-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1721 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Lha Dhu by William Carleton + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lha Dhu; Or, The Dark Day, by William Carleton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Lha Dhu; Or, The Dark Day + The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two + +Author: William Carleton + +Illustrator: M. L. Flanery + +Release Date: June 7, 2005 [EBook #16006] +Last Updated: March 1, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LHA DHU; OR, THE DARK DAY *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1> + LHA DHU; + </h1> + <h3> + OR, THE DARK DAY. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By William Carleton + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img alt="plate075 (131K)" src="images/plate075.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img alt="tilepage2 (53K)" src="images/tilepage2.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + There is no country in the world whose scenery is more sweetly + diversified, or more delicately shaded away into that exquisite variety of + surface which presents us with those wavy outlines of beauty that softly + melt into each other, than is that of our own green island. Alas! how many + deep valleys, wild glens, green meadows, and pleasant hamlets, lie + scattered over the bosom of a country, peopled by inhabitants who are + equally moved by the impulses of mirth and sorrow; each valley, and glen, + and pleasant hamlet marked by some tearful remembrance of humble calamity + of which the world never hears. How little do its proud nobility know of + the fair and still beauty which marks the unbroken silence of its most + delightful retreats, or of the unassuming records of love or sorrow, which + pass down through a single generation, and are soon lost in the rapid + stream of life. We do not love to remember sorrow, but its traces, + notwithstanding, are always the most uneffaceable, and, what is strange as + true, its mournful imprint remains ever the longest upon the heart that is + most mirthful. We talk not now of the hollow echo, like mirth, which comes + from thousands only because the soul is wanting. No; but we say that as + the diamond is found in the darkness of the mine, as the lightning shoots + with most vivid flashes from the gloomiest cloud, so does mirthfulness + frequently proceed from a heart susceptible of the deepest melancholy. + Many and true are the simple tales of Irish life which could prove this. + Many a fair laughing girl who has danced in happiness, light as a mote in + the sunbeam, has been suddenly left in darkness, bowed down in youth and + beauty to the grave, and though the little circle of which she was the + centre may have been disturbed by her untimely life, yet in brief space, + except to a few yearning and stricken hearts who could not forget her who + was once their pride and hope, her Memory has passed away like a solitary + bird, viewed as it goes over us, and followed wistfully, by the eye, until + by degrees it lessens and lessens—becomes dim—then fades into + a speck, and ultimately melts into the blue distance of heaven. One such a + “simple annal,” brought about by the inscrutable hand that guides the + destinies of life, we are now about to present to our readers. Were it the + mere creation of our fancy, it might receive many of those embellishments + at our hand with which we scruple not to adorn the shadowy idealities of + fiction. + </p> + <p> + It is, however, one of those distressing realities so often produced by + the indulgence of vehement passion, that we are compelled by the + melancholy severity of its truth to give the details of, not, alas, as we + could have wished them to happen, but simply as they occurred. + </p> + <p> + The village of <i>Ballydhas</i> was situated in the bosom of as sweet a + valley as ever gladdened the eye and the heart of a man to look upon. + Contentment, peace, and prosperity, walked step by step with its happy + inhabitants. The people were marked by a pastoral simplicity of manners, + such as is still to be found in some of the remote and secluded hamlets of + Ireland. The vale was green and shelving, having its cornfields, its + pasturage, and its patches of fir, poplar, and mountain-ash intermingled, + and creeping up on each side in wild but quiet beauty to the very mountain + tops that enclosed it. At the head of the glen reposed a small clear sheet + of water, as calm and unruffled as the village itself. By this sweet lake + was fed the pure stream which murmured down between the banks, here and + there opened, and occasionally covered by hazel, black-thorn, or birches. + As it approached the village the scenery about it became more soft and + tranquil. The banks spread away into meadows flower-spangled and green; + the fields became richer; the corn waved to the soft breezes of summer; + the noon-day smoke of the dinner fires rose up, and was gently borne away + to the more wide-spread scene of grandeur and cultivation that lay in the + champaign country below it. On each side of the glen were masses of rock + and precipices, just large enough to give sufficient wildness and + picturesque beauty to a view which in itself was calm and serene. In the + distance about a mile to the north, stood out a bold but storm-vexed + headland, that heaved back the mighty swell of the Atlantic, of which a + glimpse could be caught from an eminence above the village. Nothing indeed + could be finer than the booming fury of the giant billows, as they + shivered themselves into spray, and thundered around the gloomy caverns of + the headland, especially when contrasted with the calm sense of peace and + security which reposed upon the neat white village in the glen. + </p> + <p> + How sweet of a summer Sabbath morning to sit upon the brow of this + delightful valley, and contemplate in the light dreams of a happy heart + its humble images of all that is pure, and peaceful, and soothing in life; + the little bustle of preparation for the cheerful but solemn duties of the + day; the glad voices of bright-faced boys and girls, eager to get on their + Sunday clothes; the busy stirring about of each tucked-up matron, washing, + and combing, and pinning her joyous little ones; and the contented father + now dressed, placidly smoking his after-breakfast pipe, looking upon their + little cares, and their struggles for precedence in being decked out with + their humble finery; now rebuking an elder boy for his impatience and want + of consideration in not allowing his juniors to get first dressed, and + again soothing a younger one until his turn came. + </p> + <p> + “Barney, troth you ought to have more sinse, avick, than to be quarrellin' + wid poor Jemmy about gettin' an you. Don't you know he's but a child, an' + must of coorse get his little things an before you, espishially as this is + the first Sunday of the crathur's new jacket an' throwsers. Blood alive, + Barney, be manly, and don't make comparishment wid a <i>pasitah</i> + (child). I hope you've got off your lesson in the catechiz this mornin', + and that you wont have to hang down your head wid the blush of shame among + the <i>bouchaleens</i> (little boys) in the chapel to-day. Go 'way, avick, + and rehearse it, an' whin your mother finishes him, and Dick, and little + Mary, she'll have yourself as clane as a new sixpence.” + </p> + <p> + Then came the moment when the neat and well-dressed groups issued out of + their happy homes, and sought in cheerful companionship with those of + different creeds, their respective places of worship; for, gentle reader, + the inhabitants of Ballydhas were, in point of religion, some Protestant, + some Roman Catholic, and others Presbyterian. Many a time have we seen + them proceed together in peace and friendship along the same road, until + they separated either to church, to meeting, or to chapel; and again + return on their way home, in a spirit equally cordial and kind. The demon + of political discord and religious rancor had not come among them. Each + class in the parish worshipped God after its own manner. All were happy, + and industrious, and independent, for they had not then been taught that + they were slaves and natural enemies groaning under the penal yoke of + oppression. + </p> + <p> + Their fairs and markets were equally peaceful. Neither faction-fight nor + party-fight ever stained the streets with blood. The whoop of strife was + never raised by neighbor against neighbor, nor the coat trailed, or the + caubeen thrown up into the air to challenge an opposite faction. There + was, in truth, none of all this. The people were moral and educated. + Religion they attended with that decorous sense of decency which always + results from a sincere perception of its obligations and influence. + </p> + <p> + Yet were they not without their sports and rustic amusements. Where the + bitterness of malignity is absent, cheerfulness has full play, and candor, + ever open and benevolent, is the exponent of mirth and good will. Though + their fairs and markets were undisturbed by the savage violence of mutual + conflict, yet were they enlivened by the harmless pastimes which throw the + charm of uncorrupted life over the human heart and the innocent scenes + from which it draws in its amusements. Life is harsh enough, and we are no + friends to those who would freeze its genial current by the gloomy chill + of ascetic severity. + </p> + <p> + Within about two miles of Ballydhas stood the market town of the parish. + It also bore the traces of peace and happiness. Around it lay a rich + fertile country, studded with warm homesteads, waving fields, and + residences of a higher rank, at once elegant and fashionable. The gentry + were not, it is true, of the highest class; but in lieu of that they were + kind, considerate, and what was before all, resident. If an accidental + complaint happened to be preferred by one man against another, they + generally were qualified by a knowledge of their characters to administer + justice between them, without the risk of being misled by + misrepresentation. This prevented many complaints founded in malice or + party-spirit, and consequently reduced litigation to an examination of the + very few cases in which actual injury had been sustained. + </p> + <p> + Many a fair day have we witnessed in this quiet and thriving market town. + And it is sweet to us—yes, intensely sweet to leave, for a moment, + the hollow and slippery pathways of artificial life—of that + unfeeling, unholy and loathsome selfishness of heart, and soul, and + countenance, which marks as with a brand of infamy, the fictions of + fashionable and metropolitan society, where every person and profession + you meet, is a lie or a libel to be guarded against. Yes, it is pleasant + to us to leave all this, and to go back in imagination to a fair day in + the town of Balaghmore. Like an annual festival, it stole upon us with + many yearning wish, that time, at least for a month before, should be + annihilated. And when the fair morning came, what a drifting tide of + people, cows, sheep, horses, and pigs, passed on in the eager tumult of + business, before our eyes. The comfortable farmer in his best gray frize; + the young man in spruce corduroy breeches, home-made blue coat, and bran + new hat; the tidy maiden with neat bunch of yarn, spun by her own fingers, + giving sufficient proof to her bachelor that a young woman of industrious + habits uniformly makes the best wife for a poor man. Various, indeed, were + the classes that, in multitudinous groups, drifted towards the fair green. + The spruce, well-mounted horse-jockey, with bottle-green coat closely + buttoned, tight buckskin inexpressibles, long-lashed hunting-whip, and + top-boots; the drover on his plump hack, pacing slowly after his fat + beeves; the gentleman farmer, trundling along in his gig, or trotting + smartly on a bit of half-blood. Here go a family group, the children with + new hats and ruffles, grandfather a little behind, with the hand of an own + pet boy or a girl in his; observe the joy of their faces; what complacent + happiness on the ruddy countenance of the healthy old man. The parents are + also happy, but betray the unconscious anxiety of those who love their + children, and are sensible of the serious duties inseparable from their + condition; the four little ones know not the cares of affection, and, + consequently, their looks are full of delight, eagerness, and curiosity. + What a tide of bewildered interrogatories does the fifth urchin pour upon + the ear of the old grandfather, who is foolish enough to stop the whole + group, in order to relate the precocious pertinency of some particular + query. There goes a snug farmer, his wife, and good-looking daughters, + seated upon a farm-car that is trussed with straw, covered by a blue + quilt. We will wager that some “good woman” has somewhere about the + premises a few cakes of hard griddle-wheat, to eat when they get hungry, + with a glass of punch, and, it may be, a good slice or two of excellent + hung beef or bacon. But now they approach town, and the stream thickens. + There go the beggars, mendicants, and impostors, showing a degree of + agility rather impracticable with their respective maladies, grievous and + deplorable as they all, of course, are; and toiling vehemently after them, + hops “Bill i' the Bowl,” pitching himself along in a copper-fastened dish, + with a small stool or <i>creepie</i> supporting each hand. But now the + whole sweep of the town and fair-green open to us; tents, and standings, + and tables, and roasting and boiling are all about us; for the <i>spoileen</i> + fires are in operation, and many a fat sheep will be cut up, as well for + those who have never tasted mutton before, as for hundreds who eat rather + from hunger than curiosity. Heavens! what an astounding multitude of + discordant noises all blend into one hoarse, deep, drowsy body of sound, + for which we can find no suitable term. Cows lowing, sheep bleating, pigs + grunting, horses neighing, men shouting, women screaming, fiddlers + playing, pipes squeeling, youngsters, dancing, hammering up of standings + and tents, thumping of restive or lazy animals, the show-man's drum, the + lottery-man's speech, the ballad-singer's squall, all come upon us; and + lastly, the unheeded sweep of the death-bell, as it tells with sullen + tongues that some poor mortal has for ever departed from the cares and + amusements, the trade and traffic, of this transitory life. + </p> + <p> + About twelve o'clock the fair-tide is full; for that is the time in which + the greatest interchange of property, and the most vigorous transactions + of business, with all accompanying bustle and activity, take place. For an + hour or two this continues. About three o'clock the tide is evidently on + the ebb; business begins to slacken, and those who have their transactions + brought to a close, meet their families and friends at the place of + rendezvous—always a public house. It is now, indeed, when the heat + and burden of the day have passed, and refreshment becomes both grateful + and necessary, that the people fall into distinct groups for the purpose + of social enjoyment. If two young folk have been for some time “<i>coortin</i>” + one another, “the bachelor,” which in Ireland means a suitor, generally + contrives to bring his friends and those of, his sweetheart together. The + very fact of their accepting the “thrate,” on either side, or both, is a + good omen, and considered tantamount to a mutual consent of their + respective connections. This, however, is not always so; for it often + happens that a match is broken off after many a friendly compotation has + been held “upon the head of it,” which means upon that subject. Let the + reader stand with us for a few minutes, and we will point out to him one + or two groups who have met for the purpose of settling a marriage. Do you + see that tall <i>sthreel</i> of a fellow, who slings awkwardly along, for + which reason he is nicknamed by his acquaintances “a sling-poke”? Observe + the lazy grotesque repose of his three-featured face, for more it does not + present, viz.—mouth, eyes, and nose. His long legs are without + calves, and he is in-kneed; yet the fellow has such taste, that in order + to show his shape he must needs wear breeches! Look at his coat, which was + made for him about five years ago, when he was but “a slip of a boy.” The + thin collar only reaches to the upper part of his shoulder; and as he is + what is called “crane-necked,” of course the distance between his hat and + the collar is incredible. The arms of the said coat are set so far in, + that they appear almost to meet behind; but, on the other hand, two naked + bones, each about six inches in length, project from the cuffs, which come + not far below his elbows. The coat itself is what is called a jerkin; and + as the buttons behind are half-way up his back, it is a matter of course + that the tail, which runs rapidly to a point, is ludicrously scanty. Now, + that youth, who is probably under no sense of gratitude to the graces, has + put his “co-medher” on the prettiest girl, with one or two exceptions, in + the whole parish. The miserable pitch-fork, the longitudinal rake—we + speak now in a hay-making sense—has contrived to oust half a dozen + of the handsomest and best-looking fellows in the parish. How he has done + this is a mystery to his acquaintances; but it is none to us—we know + him. The kraken has a tongue dripping with honey—one that would + smooth a newly-picked millstone. There they go, each of them laughing and + cheerful, except himself; yet the fellow, though conscious of his own + influence, enters the public-house as if he were going on the forlorn + hope, or trailing his straggling limbs to confide his last wishes to the + ear of the sheriff or hangman. He is, however, an Irishman at heart, + though little indeed of the national bearing is visible in his deportment. + </p> + <p> + Here again comes a second group. Keep your eye on that good-humored, + ruddy-faced young man, compact and vigorous, who is evidently the wag of + his party. Observe his tight-titling, comfortable frize, neat brogues, and + breeches, on the knees of which are two double knots of silk ribbon. See + with what a smart, decisive air he wears his hat—“jauntily,” as + Leigh Hunt would say—upon one side of his head. That fellow has a + high character for gallantry, and is allowed to be “the very sorrow among + the girls”—“a Brinoge,” “wid an eye that 'ud steal cold praties off + a dresser.” He is now leading in a girl, handsome no doubt, but who, + nevertheless, does not possess sixpence, or sixpence worth for her + portion. Not so the sword-fish we have pointed out to you a while ago, the + tail of whose short coat lay as closely to him as that of a crab. The + cassoway has secured a girl who, in point of wealth and dower, will be the + making of him. However, you know the secret, Solomon says that a soft + answer turneth away wrath; but what will not a soft question do, when put + to a pretty girl, where there is no wrath? + </p> + <p> + Here comes another party, fewer in point of number than those we have + shown you; a young man, a middle-aged woman, and her two daughters—one + grown,the other only about fifteen. Who is—ah!—it is not + necessary to inquire. Alley Bawn Murray! Gentle reader bow with heartfelt + respect to humble beauty and virtue! She is that widow's daughter, the + pride of the parish, and the beloved of all who can appreciate goodness, + affection, and filial piety. The child accompanying them is her sister, + and that fine, manly, well-built, handsome youth is even now pledged to + the modest and beautiful girl. He is the son of a wealthy farmer, some + time dead; but in purity, in truth, and an humble sense of religion, their + hearts are each rich and each equal. + </p> + <p> + Alas! alas! that it should be so! but we cannot control the inscrutable + designs of Heaven. The spirit of our narrative must change, and our tale + can henceforth breathe nothing but what is as mournful as it is true. + There they pass into that public-house, true-hearted and attached; + unconscious, too, poor things, of the almost present calamity that is soon + to wither that noble boy and his beautiful betrothed. Their history, up to + the period of their entering the public-house, is very brief and simple. + Felix O'Donnell was the son of a farmer, as we have said, sufficiently + extensive and industrious to be wealthy, without possessing any of the + vulgar pride which rude independence frequently engrafts upon the ignorant + and narrow-hearted. His family consisted of two sons and a daughter—Maura, + the last-named, being the eldest, and Felix by several years the junior of + his brother Hugh. Between the two brothers there was in many things a + marked contrast of character, whilst in others there might be said to + exist a striking similarity. Hugh was a dark-brown, fiery man when + opposed, though in general quiet and inoffensive. His passions blazed out + with fury for a moment, and only for a moment; for no sooner had he been + borne by their vehemence into the commission of an error, that he became + quickly alive to the promptings of a heart naturally affectionate and + kind. In money transactions he had the character of being a hard man; yet + were there many in the parish who could declare that they found him + liberal and considerate. The truth was, that he estimated money at more + than its just value, without absolutely giving up his heart to its + influence. When a young man, though in good circumstances, he looked + cautiously about him, less for the best or the handsomest wife than the + largest dower. In the speculation, so far as it was pecuniary, he + succeeded; but his domestic peace was overshadowed by the gloom of his own + character, and not unfrequently disturbed by the violent temper of a wife + who united herself to him with an indifferent heart. He was, in short, a + man more respected than loved; one of whom it was often said, “Well, well, + he's a decent man, nabours—a little hard or so about money, but for + all that there's worse. Sure we all have our failin's. There's one thing + in him any how, that if he offinds a man he's sorry for it: ay, an' when + he does chance to do a good turn, sorra a word ever any one hears about it + from his own lips. To be sure there's a great deal of the nager in him no + doubt, an' in troth he didn't take afther his own father for that. Devil a + dacenter man than ould Felix O'Donnell ever broke bread.” + </p> + <p> + His brother Felix, in all that was amiable and affectionate, strongly + resembled him; but there the resemblance terminated Felix was subject to + none of his gloomy moods or violent outbursts of temper. He was manly, + liberal, and cheerful—valued money at its proper estimate, and + frequently declared, that in the choice of a wife he would never sacrifice + his happiness to acquire it. + </p> + <p> + “I have enough of my own,” he would say; “and when I meet the woman that + my heart chooses, whether she has fortune or not, that's the girl that I + will bring to share it, if she can love me.” + </p> + <p> + Felix and his sister both, resided together; for after his father's death + he succeeded to the inheritance that had been designed for him. Maura + O'Donnell was in that state of life in which we feel it extremely + difficult to determine whether a female is hopeless or not upon the + subject of marriage. Her humors had begun to ferment and to clear off into + that thin vinegar serum which engenders the exquisite perception of human + error, and the equally keen touch with which it is reproved. Time, in + fact, had begun to crimp her face, and the vinegar to sparkle in her eye + with that fiery gleam which is so easily lit up at five and thirty. Still + she loved Felix, whose good-humor constituted him a butt for the irascible + sallies of a temper more nearly allied to his brother Hugh's than his own. + He was her younger brother, too, of whom she was justly proud; and she + knew that Felix, in spite of the pungency of her frequent reproofs, loved + her deeply, as was evident by the many instances of his considerate + attention in bringing her home presents of dress, and in contributing, as + far as lay in his power, to her comfort. + </p> + <p> + The world, indeed, is too much in the habit of drawing distorted + inferences from the transient feuds that occasionally appear in domestic + life. It would be hard to find a family in which they do not sometimes + occur; and when noticed by strangers, it is both uncharitable and unjust + to conclude that there is an absence of domestic affection in the hearts + of those who, after all, prove no more than that they are subject to the + errors and passions of human nature, like their fellow creatures. No + sister, for instance, ever loved another with stronger affection than poor + Maura did her brother Felix, notwithstanding the repeated scoldings which, + for very trivial causes, he experienced at her tongue. Woe, keen and + scathing, be to those who dared, in her presence to utter an insinuation + against him. + </p> + <p> + “If she abused him, she only did it for his good, and because she loved + him; an' good right she had to love him, for a better brother never + breathed the breath of life. Wasn't he a mere boy, only one-and-twenty + years come next Lammas; and surely it stood to reason that he wanted + sometimes to be checked and scolded too. He had neither father or mother + to guide him, poor boy; and who would guide him, and advise him too, if + his own sister wouldn't do it? Only one-and-twenty, and six feet in his + shoes; but no <i>punhial</i>, no cabbage upon two pot-sticks, like some + she knew, that were ready enough to give boy a harsh word when they ought + to look nearer home, and—may-be—but she said nothing—as + God forbid that she'd make or meddle with any neighbor's character; but + still, may-be, they'd find enough to blame at home, if they'd open their + eyes to their own failings, as well as they do to the failings of their + neighbors.” + </p> + <p> + Another circumstance also strongly characteristic of the woman's heart, + was evinced in the high and vigorous tone she assumed towards Hugh, + whenever, in any of his dark moods, he happened to take Felix to task. + These fierce encounters, however, never occurred in Felix's presence; for + she thought that to take his part then, would remove, in a great degree, + the 'vantage ground on which she stood with reference to himself. + Difficult, indeed, was the part she found herself compelled to play on + those delicate occasions. She could not, as a moralist and disciplinarian, + proverbially strict, seem in any degree to countenance the charges brought + by Hugh against Felix; nor, on the other hand, was it without a command of + temper and heroic self-denial, rarely attained, that she was able to keep, + her indignation against Hugh pent up within decorous and plausible limits. + During the remonstrance of the latter, she usually pushed the charges + against Felix into the notorious failings of Hugh himself, and this she + did in a tone of irony so dry and cutting, that Hugh was almost in every + case, as willing to abandon the attack as he had been to begin it. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, indeed,” she would proceed—“troth an' conscience, Hugh, + avourneen”—avourneen being pronounced with a civil bitterness that + was perfectly withering—“troth an' conscience, Hugh, avourneen, it's + truth you're speaking, and not only that, Hugh darling, but he's as dark + as the old <i>dioul</i> betimes, so he is, and runs into such fits of + blackness and anger, for no reason—Hugh, <i>dheelish</i>, for no + reason in life, man alive. Are, you listening, Hugh? for it's to you I'm + speaking, dear—for no reason in life, acushla, only because he's a + dirty, black bodagh, that his whole soul and body's not worth the + scrapings of a pot in a hard summer. Did you hear me, Hugh jewel? Felix, + go out, avourneen, ye onbiddable creature, and look after them ditchers, + and see that they don't play upon us to-day, as they did on Saturday.” + </p> + <p> + Felix, who understood the sister's irony, went out on every such, occasion + with perfect good will, and indulged in an uncontrollable fit of laughter + at her masked attack upon his brother. + </p> + <p> + No sooner was he gone than Hugh either fled at once, or gathered himself + up against the vehement assault he knew she was about to make upon him. + </p> + <p> + “Why then, Hugh O'Donnell, ar'n't you a dirty, black bodagh, to go to open + upon the poor boy for no reason in life? What did he do that you should + abuse him, you nager you? and it's well known that you're a nager, and + that your heart's in the shillin'. Oh! it's long before you'd go to fair + or market and bring home the best gown, or shawl, or mantle in it to the + only sister you have, as he does. Ay, ar'n't you the cream of a dirty, + black bodagh, for to go to attack the poor boy only for speaking to a + dacent and a purty girl that hasn't a stain upon her name, or upon the + name of one of her seed, breed, or generation, you miserly nager. I + wouldn't say that before him, because I want to keep him under me; but + where, I say, could you get so fine a young slip as poor Felix is'? My + soul to the dev—God pardon me! I was going to say what I oughtn't to + say: but I tell you, Hugh, that you must quit of it; he's the only brother + we have, and it's the least we should be kind to him.” + </p> + <p> + During this harangue poor Hugh's flush of passion usually departed from + him. As we said, he loved his only brother; and so vivid were Maura's + representations of his virtues, that Hugh, his passion having subsided, + was usually borne away by the pathos with which she closed her + observations respecting him. A burst of tears always concluded the + dialogue on her part, and deep regret on the part of Hugh; for, in fact, + the charges against Felix were such only as none except they themselves in + the very exuberance of their affection, would think of bringing against + him. + </p> + <p> + The reader is already acquainted with the allusion made by Maura to the + “dacent and purty girl that hasn't a stain upon her name, or upon the name + of one of her seed, breed, or generation.” This “purty” girl is no other + than Alley Bawn Murray; and although Maura, from a sheer spirit of + contradiction, spoke of her to Hugh in a favorable point of view, yet + nothing could be more obstinately bitter than her opposition to such a + match on the part of Felix. + </p> + <p> + This, however, is human nature. To those who cannot understand such a + character, we offer no apology—to the few who do, none is necessary. + </p> + <p> + The courtship of Alley Bawn and Felix had arrived, on the fair-day of + Ballaghmore, to a crisis which required decision on the part of the wooer. + They went in, as we have shown the reader, to a public-house. Their + conversation, which was only such as takes place in a thousand similar + instances, we do not mean to detail. It was tender and firm on the part of + Felix, and affectionate between him and her. With that high pride, which + is only another name for humility, she urged him to forget her, “if it was + not plasin' to his frinds. You know, Felix,” she continued, “that I am + poor and you are rich, an' I wouldn't wish to be dragged into a family + that couldn't respect me.” + </p> + <p> + “Alley dear,” replied Felix, “I know that both Hugh and Maura love me in + their hearts; and although they make a show of anger in the beginnin', yet + they'll soon soften, and will love you as they do me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Felix,” replied Alley, “my mother and you are present; if my mother + says I ought——” + </p> + <p> + “I do, darling,” said her mother; “that is, I can't feel any particular + objection to it. Yet somehow my mind is troubled. I know that what he says + is what will happen; but, for all that—och, Felix, aroon, there's + something over me about the same match—I don't know—I'm + willin' an' I'm not willin'.” + </p> + <p> + They arose to depart; and as both families lived in the beautiful village + of Ballydhas, which we have already described to the reader, of course + their walk home was such as lovers could wish. + </p> + <p> + Evening had arrived; the placid summer sun shone down with a mild flood of + light upon Ballaghmore and the surrounding country. There was nothing in + the evening whose external phenomena could depress any human heart. The + ocean lay like a mirror, on which the beams of the sun glistened in + magnificent shafts, in whatsoever position you looked upon it. Not a wave + or a ripple broke the expansive sheet, that stretched away till it melted + into the dipping sky; yet to the ear its mysterious and deep murmurs were + audible, and the lonely eternal sobbing of the awful sea, struck upon the + heart of the superstitious mother with a sense of fear and calamity. Felix + and Alley went before them, and the conversation which we are about to + detail, took place between herself and her youngest daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Susy, darlin',” said she, “you see the happy pair before us; but why is + it, acushla, that my heart is sunk when I think of their marriage? Do you + hear that <i>say</i>? There's not a wave on it, but still it's angry, if + one can judge by its voice. Darlin' it's a bad sign, for the same say + isn't always so. Sometimes it is as asy as a sleepin' baby, and sometimes, + although its waves are quiet enough, it looks like a murderer asleep. Now + it breathes heavily avourneen, as if all was not right. Susy, darlin', I'm + afeard, I say, that it's a bad sign.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother dear,” replied Susy, “what makes you speak that way? Sure it + wouldn't be the little-sup o' punch that Felix made you take that 'ud get + into your head!” + </p> + <p> + “No, darlin'! Look at the pair before us; there they go, the pride, both + o' them, God knows, of the whole parish; but still when I think of the + bitterness of Felix's friends, Susy, I can't help being afeard. His + brother Hugh is a dark man, and his sister Maura is against it. God pity + them! It's a cruel world, acushla, when people like them can't do as + they'd wish to do. But, Susy, you're a child, and knows nothing at all + about it.” + </p> + <p> + Felix and Alley walked on, unconscious of me ominous forebodings which the + superstition of the affectionate woman prompted her to utter. The + arrangements for their marriage were on that night concluded, and the + mother, after some feebly expressed misgivings, at which Felix and Alley + laughed heartily, was induced, to consent that on the third Sunday + following they should be joined in wedlock. Had Felix been disposed to + conceal his marriage from Hugh and Maura, at least until the eve of its + occurrence, the publishing of their banns in the chapel would have, of + course, disclosed it. When his sister heard that the arrangements were + completed, she poured forth a torrent of abuse against what she considered + the folly and simplicity of a mere boy, who allowed himself to be caught + in the snares of an artful girl, with nothing but a handsome face to + recommend her. Felix received all this with good humor, and replied only + in a strain of jocularity to every thing she said. + </p> + <p> + Hugh, on the other hand, contented himself with a single observation. + “Felix,” said he, “I won't see you throw yourself away upon a girl that is + no fit match for you. If you can't take care of yourself, I will. Once for + all, I tell you that this marriage must not take place.” + </p> + <p> + As he uttered these words his dark brows were bent, and his eyes flashed + with a gleam of that ungovernable passion for which he was so remarkable. + Felix, at all times peaceable, and always willing to acknowledge his elder + brother's natural right to exercise a due degree of authority over him, + felt that this was stretching it too far. Still he made no reply, nor + indeed did Hugh allow him time to retort, had he been so disposed. They + separated without more words, each resolved to accomplish his avowed + purpose. + </p> + <p> + The opposition of Hugh and Maura to his marriage, only strengthened + Felix's resolution to make his beloved and misrepresented Alley Bawn, the + rightful mistress of his hearth, as she already was of his affections. + Nay, his love burned for her with a purer and tenderer flame, when he + looked upon the artless girl, and thought of the cruel hearts that would + make her a martyr to a spirit so worldly-minded and selfish. Their + deep-rooted prejudice against her poverty, he delicately concealed from + her, together with the length to which their opposition had gone. As for + himself, he acted precisely as if the approaching marriage had their full + sanction; he saw Alley every day, became still more deeply enamored, and + heard his sister's indignant remonstrances without uttering a single + syllable in reply. + </p> + <p> + At length the happy Sunday morning arrived, and never did a more glorious + sun light up the beautiful valley of Ballydhas than that which shed down + its smiling radiance from heaven upon their union. Felix's heart was full + of that eager and trembling delight, which, where there is pure and + disinterested love, always marks our emotions upon that blessed epoch in + human life. Maura, contrary to her wont, was unusually silent during the + whole morning; but Felix could perceive that she watched all his emotions + with the eye of a lynx. When the hour of going to chapel approached, he + deemed it time to dress, and, for that purpose, went to a large oaken + tallboy that stood in the kitchen, in order to get out his clothes. It was + locked, however, and his sister told him at once, that the key, which was + in her possession, should not pass into his hands that day. “No,” she + continued, “nor sorra the ring you'll put on the same girl with my + consent. Aren't you a purty young omadhaun, you spiritless creature, to go + to marry sich a <i>niddy-nauddhy</i>, when you know that the best fortunes + in the glen would jump at you! Yes, faiks! to bring home that mane, + useless creature, that hasn't a penny to the good! A purty farmer's wife + she'll make, and purtily she'll fill my poor mother's shoes, God be good + to her! A poor, unsignified, smooth-faced thing, that never did a dacent + day's work out of doors, barring to shake up a cock of hay, or pull the + growing of a peck of flax! Oh! thin, mother darlin', that's in glory this + day! but it's a purty head of a house he's puttin' afther you; and myself, + too, must knock under to the like of her, and see her put up in authority + over my head. Let me alone, Felix; your laughing wont pass. The sorra kay + you'll get from me to-day.” + </p> + <p> + Felix, who was resolved to procure the key, saw that there was nothing for + it but a little friendly violence. A good-humored struggle accordingly + commenced between them—good-humored on his side, but bitter and + determined on the part of Maura. Finding it difficult to secure the key, + even by violence, Felix was about to give up the contest, and force the + lock at once, when Hugh entered. + </p> + <p> + “What's all this?” he inquired. “What racket's this? Is it beating your + sister you are? Is the young headstrong profligate beating you, Maura, + eh?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Hugh, not that; but he wants the kay to deck himself up for marrying + that pot of his. God knows, I'd rather he did beat me than do what he's + going to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Felix,” said his brother, “I'm over you in place of your father, and I + tell you that it'll cost me a sore fall, or I'll put a stop to this day's + work. A purty bridegroom you are, and a 'sponsible father of a family + you'll make! By my sowl, it's a horsewhip I ought to take to you, and lash + all thoughts of marriage out of you. What a hurry you are in to go a + shoolin' (to become the rustic <i>chevalier d'industrie</i>). You had + betther provide yourself the bag and staff at once, for if you marry this + portionless, good-for-nothing hussy——” + </p> + <p> + Felix's eye flashed, and, for the first time in his life, he turned a + fierce glance upon his brother. + </p> + <p> + “She's no hussy, Hugh; and if another man said it——” he + paused, for it was but the 'hectic of a moment.' + </p> + <p> + “You'd knock him down, I suppose,” said Hugh. “Why don't you speak it out? + Why, Maura, he's a man on our hands, and I suppose he'll be a bully + to-morrow, or next day, and put us all under his feet, and make us all + knuckle down to his poppet of a wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Hugh,” said Felix, “I am willin to forget and forgive all the harshness + ever you showed me, and to remimber nothing but your kindness, and you wor + kind, to me; you're my brother—my only, and my eldest brother, and I + beg it as a favor to one that loves you both, that you'll not interfere in + my marriage this day.” + </p> + <p> + “So far only,” replied Hugh, “that I'll stop it for good an' all. You'll + get no clothes out of this press to-day. In ten years or so you may be + thinkin' of it. There's Madge M'Gawley, take her, with all my heart; a + girl that has fifty pounds, five cows, and threescore sheep: ay, an' a + staid sober girl. To be sure she's no beauty, an' not fit for 'gintlemen' + that must have purty faces, and empty pockets. I say again, Felix, I'll + put an end to this match.” + </p> + <p> + This was too much for Felix's patience. After several unsuccessful + remonstrances, and even supplications very humbly expressed, a fierce + struggle ensued between the brothers which was only terminated by the + interference of the two servant-men, who with some difficulty forced the + elder out of the house, and brought him across the fields towards his own + home. Maura then gave up the key, and the youthful bridegroom was soon + dressed and prepared to meet his “man,” and a few friends whom he had + invited, at the chapel. His mind, however, was disturbed, and his heart + sank at this ill-omened commencement of his wedding day. + </p> + <p> + “Maura,” said he, when about to leave the house, “I'm heavy at heart for + what has happened. Will you say that you forgive me, dear, before I go? + and tell Hugh that I forgive him everything, and that the last words I + said before I went, wor—'that the blessin' of God may rest upon him + and his,' and upon you too, Maura, dear.” + </p> + <p> + These expressions are customary among Irish families when a marriage is + about to take place; but upon this occasion they came spontaneously from a + generous and feeling heart. Felix saw with sorrow that his brother and + sister had not blessed him, and he resolved that his part of a duty so + tender should not remain unperformed. + </p> + <p> + Maura, who suddenly averted her face when he addressed her, made no reply; + but after he had departed from the threshold, her eyes followed him, and + the tears slowly forced their way down her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “It's no use,” said she, “it's no use, I love him, I love my kind brother + in spite of every thing. May God bless you Felix! may God bless you, and + all you love! God forgive me for opposin' the boy as I did; and God + forgive Hugh! but he thinks it would be all for Felix's good to stop his + marriage with Alley Bawn.” + </p> + <p> + Felix, who heard neither his sister's blessing nor the expression of the + affection she bore him, passed on with hasty steps through the fields. He + had not gone far, however, when he saw his brother walking towards him; + his arms folded, and his eyes almost hidden by his heavy brows; sullen + ferocity was in his looks, and his voice, as he addressed him, was hollow + with suppressed rage. + </p> + <p> + “So,” said he, “you will ruin yourself! Go back home, Felix.” + </p> + <p> + “For God's sake, Hugh, let me alone, let me pass.” + </p> + <p> + “You will go?” said the other. + </p> + <p> + “I will, Hugh.” + </p> + <p> + “Then may bad luck go with you, if you do. I order you to stay at home, I + say.” + </p> + <p> + “Mind your own business, Hugh, and I'll mind mine,” was the only reply + given him. + </p> + <p> + Felix walked on by making a small circuit out of the direct path, for he + was anxious not only to proceed quickly, as his time was limited, but + above all things, to avoid a collision with his brother. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0001" id="linkimage-0001"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/plate075.jpg" + alt="Page 75-- Felix Fell Forward in an Instant " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The characteristic fury of the latter shot out in a burst that resembled + momentary madness as much as rage. “Is that my answer?” he shouted, in the + hoarse, quivering accents of passion; and with the rapid energy of the + dark impulse which guided him, he snatched up a stone from a ditch, and + flung it at his brother, whose back was towards him. Felix fell forward in + an instant, but betrayed after his fall no symptoms of motion—the + stillness of apparent death was in every limb. Hugh, after the blow had + been given, stood rooted to the earth, and looked as if the demon which + possessed him had fled the moment the fearful act had been committed. His + now bloodless lips quivered, his frame became relaxed, and the wild tremor + of horrible apprehension shook him from limb to limb. Immediately a + fearful cry was heard far over the field's, and the words—“Oh! yeah! + yeah, yeah, Felix, my brother, agra, can't you spake to me?” struck upon + the heart of Maura and the servant-men, with a feeling of dismay, deep and + deadly. + </p> + <p> + “O God!” she exclaimed, with clasped hands and upturned eyes, “O God! my + boy, my boy—Felix, Felix, what has happened to you?” + </p> + <p> + Again the agonized cry of the brother was heard loud and frantic. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yeah, yeah, Felix, are you dead? brother, agra, can't you speak to + me?” + </p> + <p> + With rapid steps they rushed to the spot; but, ah! what a scene was there + to blast their sight and sear the brain of his sister, and indeed of all + who could look upon it. The young bridegroom smote down when his foot was + on the very threshold of happiness, and by the hand of a brother? + </p> + <p> + Hugh, in the mean time, had turned up Felix from the prone posture in + which he lay, with a hope—a frenzied, a desperate hope of + ascertaining whether or not life was extinct. In this position the + stricken boy was lying, his brother, like a maniac, standing over him, + when Maura and the servants arrived. One glance, a shudder, then a long + ghastly gaze at Hugh, and she sank down beside the insensible victim of + his fury. + </p> + <p> + “What,” said Hugh, wildly clenching his hands, “Mother of glory, have I + killed both? Oh, Felix, Felix! you are happy, you are happy, agra, + brother; but for me, oh, for me, my hour of mercy is past an' gone. I can + never look to heaven more! How can I live,” he muttered furiously to + himself, “how can I live? and I daren't die. O God! O God! my brain's + turnin'. I needn't pray to God to curse the hand that struck you dead, + Felix dear, for I feel this minute that His curse is on me.” + </p> + <p> + Felix was borne in, but no arm would Hugh suffer to encircle him but his + own. Poor Maura recovered and although in a state of absolute distraction, + yet she had presence of mind to remember that they ought to use every + means in their power to restore the boy to life if it were possible. Water + was got, with which his face was sprinkled; in a little time he breathed, + opened his eyes, looked mournfully about him, and asked what had happened + him. Never was pardon to the malefactor, nor the firm tread of land to the + shipwrecked mariner, so welcome as the dawn of returning life in Felix was + to his brother. The moment he saw the poor youth's eyes fixed upon him, + and heard his voice, he threw himself on his knees at the bedside, clasped + him in his arms, and with an impetuous tide of sensations, in which were + blended joy, grief, burning affection, and remorse, he kissed his lips, + strained him to his bosom, and wept with such agony, that poor Felix was + compelled to console him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Felix, Felix,” exclaimed Hugh “what was it I did to you? or how could + the devil out of hell tempt me to—to—to—oh! Felix agra, + say you're not hurted—say only that you'll be as well as ever, an I + take God and every one present to witness, that from this minute till the + day of my death, a harsh word 'll never crass my lips to you. Say you're + not hurted, Felix dear! Don't you know, Felix, in spite of my + dark-temper's putting me into a passion with you sometimes, that I always + loved you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes you did, Hugh,” replied Felix, “an' I still knew you did. I didn't + often contradict you, because I knew, too, that the passion would soon go + off of you, and that you'd be kind to me again.” + </p> + <p> + “Yeah, yeelish,” said the other, while the scalding tears flowed profusely + down his cheeks, and the deep sobs almost choked him. “Oh, yeah, yeelish! + what could come over me! As judgment's before me, he was the best brother + ever God created—you were, Felix darling—you were, you were!” + He again pressed him to his heart, and kissed his lips with an + overwhelming fulness of remorse and love. + </p> + <p> + “An' another thing, Felix dear—but first tell me are you gettin' + betther?” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” replied the youth, “my head is a little confused, but I have no + pain.” + </p> + <p> + Hugh raised his hands and streaming eyes to heaven. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, thanks, oh thanks an' praise be to God for that news! thanks an' + praise be to you, blessed Father, for what he has said this minute, for it + takes the weight, the dead crushin' weight that lay on my heart, off it. + And now, Felix jewel, here, alanna, lay over your head upon my breast, an' + I'll hould you anything I whisper into your own ear what 'll make you as + stout as ever—keep away all of yees—the nerra one o' ye 'll + hear it but himself. Sure, Felix dear,” he continued, in a lower voice, + “sure I'm willin' that you should marry your own Alley Bawn. An' listen, + sure, I'll give her a portion myself—I'm able to do it an' I will + too.” + </p> + <p> + Felix, on hearing her name, looked around and endeavored, as appeared by + his manner, to collect himself. He put his hand to his head for a moment + and his eyes were without meaning. Hugh observed it, and felt his grief + instantly checked by a fearful surmise as to a possible consequence of the + blow which he had not contemplated. + </p> + <p> + “Felix dear,” said he in a voice low, hollow, and full of terror, “what + ails you? Is the pain coming back?” + </p> + <p> + Felix spoke not for about a minute, during which time he had become quite + collected. Then with an affectionate look towards his brother, he replied— + </p> + <p> + “God bless you, Hugh, for the words you have said to me! Poor Alley? Hugh, + God bless you! Would Maura consent? Will you consent, agra, to it, Maura + dear?” + </p> + <p> + Maura, who had been all this time weeping, now advanced, and, smiling + through her tears, embraced him tenderly. “Yes, Felix, darling, an' I'm + only heart-broken, that ever Hugh or myself refused to consent, or ever + set ourselves against it.” + </p> + <p> + The boy's eyes sparkled with a light more brilliant than had ever shone + from them before: his whole face became animated, and the cloud of sorrow + which had rested on his pale brow melted away before the effulgence of + reviving hope. In a few minutes he arose and expressed his determination + to proceed and keep his appointment. Hugh and Maura requested to accompany + him, and the latter begged to be allowed the privilege to give the bride + away. + </p> + <p> + “Maura,” said Felix, “will you desire the servants to have a decent dinner + prepared, and we'll eat it here. I intend, if you and Hugh will let me, to + bring her home at once!” + </p> + <p> + “Och, God help the poor boy!” exclaimed Maura—“yes, darling, all + that must be done.” + </p> + <p> + When ready to depart, he again put his hand to his head—“It comes on + here,” said he, “for about a minute or so—this confusion—I + think I'll tie a handkerchief about my head. It 'ill be an asy thing for + me to make some excuse, or I can take it off at the chapel.” + </p> + <p> + This was immediately acquiesced in; but at Hugh's suggestion a car was + prepared, a horse yoked in a few minutes, and Felix, accompanied and + supported by his brother and sister, set out for Mass. On arriving at the + “green,” he felt that his short journey had not been beneficial to him; on + the contrary, he was worse, and very properly declined to go into the + heated atmosphere of the chapel. A message by his sister soon brought the + blushing, trembling, serious, yet happy-looking girl to his side. Her neat + white dress, put on with that natural taste which is generally accompanied + by as clear sense of moral propriety, and her plain cottage bonnet, bought + for the occasion, showed that she came prepared, not beyond, but to the + utmost reach of her humble means. And this she did more for Felix's sake + than her own, for she resolved that her appearance should not, if + possible, jar upon the feelings of one who, she knew, in marrying her, had + sacrificed prospects of wealth and worldly happiness for her sake. At + sight of her, Felix smiled, but it was observed that his face, which had a + moment before been pale, was instantly flushed, and his eye unusually + bright. When he had kissed her, she replied to the friendly greetings of + his brother and Maura with the most comely dignity, well suited to her + situation and circumstances. Then turning to the elected husband of her + heart, she said— + </p> + <p> + “Why thin, Felix, but it's little credit you do me this happy morning, + coming with your night-cap on, as if you weren't well;” but as she saw the + smile fade from his lips, and the color from his cheek, her heart sank, + and “pallid as death's dedicated bride,” with her soft blue eyes bent upon + his changing color and bandaged head, she exclaimed, “God be merciful to + us! Felix dear, you are ill—you are hurted! Felix, Felix darling, + what ails you? What is wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't be frightened, jewel,” he replied, “Don't, darling—it won't + signify—my foot slipped afther laving you last night on my way home, + and my head came against a stone—it's only a little sore outside. It + 'ill be very well as soon as the priest puts your heart and mine together—never + to be parted—long—long an' airnestly have I wished an' prayed + for this happy day. Isn't your mother here, jewel, an' my own little + Ellen?” + </p> + <p> + Her eye had been fixed upon his countenance with all the love and anxiety + of a young bride about to be united to the husband of her heart's first + choice. She saw that despite of every effort to the contrary, there was in + his mind a source of some secret sorrow. A single tear rolled down her + cheek, which he kissed away, and as he did it, whispered her in a tone of + affectionate confidence, that it was but a trifle and signified nothing. + Maura took her hand, and assured her that no cause for apprehension + existed; so did Hugh, but as he held her hand in his, he perceived that + she got pale again, and trembled as if seized with some sudden fear. + </p> + <p> + When the ceremony was concluded, those who attended it of course returned + to Felix's house to partake of the wedding-dinner. He, indeed, seemed to + be gifted with new life; his eyes sparkled, and a deep carmine of his + cheek was dazzling to look upon. Courtesy, and the usages prevalent on + such occasions, compelled him to drink more than his state of health was + just then capable of bearing; he did not, however, transgress the bounds + of moderation. Still the noise of many tongues, the sounds of laughter, + and the din of mirth, joined to the consciousness that his happiness was + now complete, affected him with the feverish contagion of the moment. He + talked hurriedly and loud, and seemed to feel as if the accomplishment of + his cherished hopes was too much for his heart to bear. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of all this jollity a change which none observed came over + him. His laugh became less frequent than his shudder or his sigh, and + taking Alley aside, he begged she would walk with him to the beach. + </p> + <p> + “The say-breeze,” said he, “and a sate upon the rocks—upon our + thyme-bank, where we've often sat happily, Alley dear, will bring me to + myself soon. I am tired, asthore machree, of all this noise and confusion. + Come away, darling, we'll be happier with one another than with all these + people about us.” + </p> + <p> + His young bride accompanied him, and as they went, her happy heart beating + under that arm to whose support she had now a right, her love the while + calm and secure in its own deep purity, she saw before them, in bright + perspective, many, many years of domestic affection and peace. + </p> + <p> + There they sat in the mellow sunset, until the soft twilight had gradually + melted away the lengthened shadows of the rocks about them. Their hands + were locked in each other, their hearts burned within them, and a + tenderness which can be felt only by souls equally pure and innocent + touched their delighted converse into something that might be deemed + beautiful and holy. + </p> + <p> + Artless, humble, and happy pair! Sit on and enjoy the only brief glimpse + of this earth's heaven which you will ever get. It is the last time that + heart will beat responsive to heart, and soul tremble to and mingle with + soul between you. + </p> + <p> + Long before the hour of their, return, Felix had felt much worse than + during any preceding part of the day. The vivid and affectionate hopes of + future happiness expressed by Alley added to his concern, and increased + his tenderness towards her, especially when he contrasted his own physical + sensations with the unsuspicious character of her opinion concerning his + illness and the cause that produced it. 'Tis true he disguised all this as + long as he could; but at length, notwithstanding his firmness, he was + forced to acknowledge that pain overcame him. With the burning chill of + fever bubbling through his blood—shivering yet scorching—he + complained of the shooting pain in his head, and a strange confusion of + mind, which the poor girl, from some of his incoherent expressions, had + attributed to his excess of affection. With words of comfort she soothed + him; her arm now returned the support she had received from his; she led + him home, languid and half-delirious, whilst she herself felt stunned as + well by the violence as by the unaccountable nature of his illness. On + reaching home they found that the noise of social enjoyment had risen to + the outrage of convivial extravagance; but the moment he staggered in, + supported only by the faithful arm of his wife, a solemn and apprehensive + spirit suddenly hushed their intemperance, and awed them into a conviction + that such an illness upon the marriage day must be as serious as it was + uncommon. Felix was put to bed in pain and danger; but Alley smoothed his + pillow, bound his head, and sat patient, and devoted, and wife-like, by + his side. During all that woeful night of sorrow she watched the feverish + start, the wild glare of the half-opened eye, the momentary conscious + glance, and the miserable gathering together of the convulsed limbs, + hoping that each pang would diminish in agony and that the morning might + bring ease and comfort. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Poor girl, put on thy stifling widow's weeds, + And 'scape at once from Hope's accursed bands!” + </pre> + <p> + We feel utterly incapable of describing, during the progress of this heavy + night, the scorching and fiery anguish of his brother Hugh, or the + distracted and wailing sorrow of poor Maura. The unexpected and delightful + revulsion of feeling produced upon both, especially on the former, by his + temporary recovery, now utterly incapacitated them from bearing his + relapse with anything like fortitude. The frantic remorse of the guilty + man, and the stupid but pungent grief of his sister, appeared but as the + symptoms of weak minds and strong passions, when contrasted with the deep + but patient affliction of his innocent and uncomplaining wife. She wasted + no words in sorrow; for during this hopeless night, self, happiness, + affection, hope, were all forgotten in the absorbing efforts at his + recovery. Never, indeed, did the miseries and calamities of life draw from + the fruitful source of a wife's attached and faithful heart, a nobler + specimen of that pure and disinterested devotion which characterizes + woman, than was exhibited by the stricken-hearted Alley Bawn. + </p> + <p> + There was something in this peculiar case, as, indeed there are in all + family occurrences of a similar nature, which induced them to try upon the + suffering boy the full extent of their humble skill, rather than call in a + strange physician to witness the disastrous, perhaps fatal, effects of + domestic violence. Had the cause of Felix's illness been unknown to Hugh + or Maura, they would have procured medical advice in the early part of the + night. Let us, however, not press too severely on the repentant brother. + Shame, and remorse, and penitence, ought to plead strongly for “the hope + deferred that made his heart sick.” Hugh's passions arose to violence, but + not to murder, a distraction which both law and morality too frequently + forget to make. + </p> + <p> + When Hugh saw, however, that nothing except medical skill could save him, + he forgot his crime and its consequences. Stung to madness by his love of + Felix, and his fears for his recovery, he mounted a horse, and had almost + broken down the animal by over-exertion, ere he reached the village of B———, + where the doctor he sought lived. + </p> + <p> + After an impetuous and violent knocking the door was opened, and a man + pale and horror-struck entered, whom the doctor was inclined to receive + rather as the patient than the messenger. Yes! haggard, wild, yet weak and + trembling, he staggered into the room, and, sinking on a seat, in a voice + husky and hoarse said— + </p> + <p> + “Docthor! oh, docthor, you won't refuse to come! It's thrue he was my + brother—but I had not—I had not—oh—no—no—I + had it not in my heart to murdher him! My brother is dyin'. Oh, come, + docthor! come to my brother, he's dyin', and 'twas I that struck, the + blow.” + </p> + <p> + With a vehemence of grief that was pitiable, and an exhibition of the + wildest gestures which characterize despair, he then uttered a cry that + rang through the house. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Felix agra, my brother, I'm your murdherer! My sister and I are both + wealthy—he's dyin' docthor—come, come. Oh, agra Felix—agra + Felix! To see you well—to see you well—the wealth of the + world, if I had it, would go. My life—my life—docthor! Oh, + that would be but little—but it, too, would go—I'd give it—all + we have, my sister and I, to our blanket—to the shoes on our feet, + and the coat and gown on our backs—all—all—you'll get—if + you can save our brother, that I struck down and murdhered!” + </p> + <p> + The doctor, a man of great skill and humanity, immediately ordered his + horse, and mounting him, accompanied Hugh to the sick bed of his brother. + On arriving there, they found him worse; and never before, nor during his + whole professional experience, had the doctor witnessed such a scene. Hugh + took his place behind Felix, who, by the doctor's direction, was placed in + a half-sitting, half-recumbent posture in the bed; his arms were placed + distractedly about him, his breast was his pillow, and his cheek, wildly + and with voracious affection, laid to his. He was restrained from crying + aloud, but his groans were enough to wrench the heart from which they + proceeded to pieces. Sympathy, in fact, was transferred from the sick boy + to his brother; and perhaps more tears were shed by the lookers-on from + pity towards Hugh than Felix. + </p> + <p> + But where was she, the bride and wife of a changeful day—of a day, + in which the extremities of happiness and misery met? Oh, where but where + she should and ought to be, at his bed-side, hoping against hope, soothing + his wild ravings by her soft sweet voice; and when, in his delirium, the + happy scene of the past day seemed reacted, then she knelt, ever ready to + lead him, by her words and caresses, into a forgetfulness of his present + pain. In his desperate struggles he fancied they were tearing her from + him; and when the strength of several men could scarce restrain him, then + came the mildness of her power. With her gentle hands and her fond, kind + words she laid him in peace once more, and, kneeling by his side, cooled + his burning temples with her pale fingers, and wetted his parched lips + with the draught prescribed by the physician. When the crisis, however, + approached, she saw by the keen glance of observant affection, that the + doctor's manner betrayed his hopelessness of her husband's recovery. Then + did her strength give way, and one violent fit of hysteric sobbing almost + broke down her reason and physical powers. Unavailing was all their + tenderness, and fruitless every attempt at consolation. Even her own + beloved mother failed. “Alley, asthore agruc machree,” said she, “don't + give way to this, for it's sinful; it's wrong to cry so bitterly for the + livin'. You know that while there's life there's hope. God is merciful, + and may think fit to pity you, anien machree, and to spare him for the + sake of our prayers, that your heart mayn't be broken. Here's the priest, + too, an' sure it's a comfort, if the Lord does take him from us, that he's + not goin' widout the holy sacraments of the Church, to clear away any + stain of sin that may be on him.” + </p> + <p> + Felix, tranquilized by the satisfaction that always results from the + consciousness of having received the rites of the Church, yet moved by the + deep sobbings of his miserable brother, took his hand, and thus addressed + him— + </p> + <p> + “Hugh dear!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Felix, Felix, Felix darling, if you spake kind to me my brain will + turn, and my heart will burst to pieces! Harsh, harsh, avourneen, speak + harshly, cruelly, blackly—oh, say you won't forgive me—but no, + that I couldn't bear—forgive me in your heart, and before God, but + don't spake wid affection to me, for then I'll not be able to bear it.” + </p> + <p> + “Hugh,” said Felix, from whose eyes the keenness of his brother's + repentance wrung tears, despite his burning agony; “Hugh dear”—and + he looked pitifully in the convulsed face of the unhappy man. “Hugh, dear, + it was only an accident, for if you had thought—that it would turn + out—as it has done——But no matter now—you have my + forgiveness—and you deserve it; for Hugh dear, it was as much and + more my own thoughtlessness and self-will that caused it. Hugh dear, + comfort and support Alley here, and Maura, too, Hugh; be kind to them both + for poor Felix's sake.” He sank back, exhausted, holding his brother's + hand in his left, and his mute heart-broken bride's in his right. A calm, + or rather torpor, followed, which lasted until his awakening spirit, in + returning consciousness of life and love, made a last effort to dissolve + in a farewell embrace upon the pure bosom of his virgin wife. + </p> + <p> + “Alley,” said he, “are you not my wife, and amn't I your husband? Whose + hand should be upon me—in what arms but yours should I die? Alley, + think of your own Felix—oh, don't let me pass altogether out of your + memory an' if you'd wear a lock of my hair (many a time you used to curl + it over on my cheek, for you used to say it was the same shade as your + own, and you used to compare them together), wear it for my sake, next + your heart, and if ever you think of doin' a wrong thing, look at it, and + you'll remember that Felix, who's now in the dust, always desired you to + pray for the Almighty's grace, an' trust to Him for strength against evil. + But where are you, asthore? My eyes want a last look of you; I feel you—ay, + I feel you in my breakin' heart, and sweet your presence in it, avourneen + machree; but how is it that I cannot see you? Oh, my wife, my young wife, + my spotless wife, be with me—near me!” He clasped her to his heart, + as if while he held her there he thought it could not cease to beat; but + in a moment, after one slight shudder, one closing pang, his grasp relaxed—his + head fell upon her bosom—and he, Felix, who that morning stood up in + the bloom of youth and manly beauty, with the cup of happiness touching + his lips, was now a clod of the valley. Half unconscious—almost + unbelieving that all could be over, she gently laid him down. On looking + into his face, her pale lips quivered; and as her mute wild gaze became + fixed upon the body, slowly the desolating truth forced itself upon her + heart. She then sank upon her knees, and prayed to God that, if it were + His will, and lawful for her in her misery to utter such a prayer, He + would not part her in death from him who had been to her far dearer than + all that life now contained—without whom the world was now empty to + her for ever. + </p> + <p> + Quietly and calmly she then arose, and but for the settled wretchedness of + her look, the stillness of her spirit might have been mistaken for apathy. + Without resistance, without a tear, in the dry agony of burning grief she + gently gave herself up to the guidance of those who wept, while they + attempted to soothe her. In reply to their attempts at consolation she + only uttered one brief sentence in Irish. “Oh,” said she, “God is good—still, + still, this was a dark day to Felix and to me!” + </p> + <p> + At the inquest which followed, there was no proof to criminate the + wretched brother; nor, to speak truly, were the jury anxious to find any. + The man's shrieking misery was more wild and frightful than death itself. + From “the Dark Day” until this on which I write, he has never been able to + raise his heart or his countenance. Home he never leaves, except when the + pressure of business compels him; and when he does, in every instance he + takes the most unfrequented paths and the loneliest by-roads, in order to + avoid the face and eye of man. Better, indeed, to encounter flood or fire, + than to suffer what he has borne, when the malicious or coarse-minded have + reproached him, in what we trust, is his repentance, with his great + affliction. + </p> + <p> + Alley contrary to the earnest solicitations of Hugh and Maura, went back + to reside with her mother. Four years have now passed, and the virgin + widow is constant to her grief. With a bunch of yarn on her arm, she may + be occasionally seen in the next market-town; the chastened sorrow of her + look agreeing well with her mournful weeds. In vain is she pressed to + mingle in the rustic amusements of her former companions; she cannot do + it, even to please her mother; the poor girl's heart is sorrow-struck for + ever. She will never smile again. As it is, however, the steady subdued + melancholy of her manner increases the respect, without lessening the + love, of all who know her. Who, indeed, could see her, and hear her sad + history without loving her purity, and her devoted affection to the memory + of him that was only the husband of a day, without pitying the stricken + girl who suffered so much, and wishing that time, which weans us from our + greatest sorrows, may, by its influence, mellow her afflictions, until the + bitterness of their spirit passes out of her soul. + </p> + <p> + Reader, if you want a moral, look upon the wasted brow of Hugh O'Donnell, + and learn to restrain your passions and temper within its proper limits. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Lha Dhu; Or, The Dark Day, by William Carleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LHA DHU; OR, THE DARK DAY *** + +***** This file should be named 16006-h.htm or 16006-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/0/0/16006/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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