their sorrow was on myself;'-and the honest fellow turned aside to conceal the tear that started to his eye -the tribute of a nature not more rough than generous.

The brothers were tall, handsome, and robust; and although dressed in the fashion of the lower class of Irish farmers, there was a pride and intelligence in their demeanor that seemed to belong to a higher sphere.

As the time for their separation approached, they became the objects of general remark. Hand in hand, in the silence of sorrow, they stood gazing on each other, evincing only in the strained composure of their countenances, the strong emotions of grief which they were struggling in vain to subdue.

At length a little breeze sprung up, and the mate gave the preparatory signal :

All but the passengers ashore!'

The two young men started. Their features wore the deep impress of heartfelt sorrow: yet their words were few. Real grief is a miser of speech.

Be a man, Redmond,' said Phelim, hesitatingly, as if afraid to trust his voice, and certainly unable to enforce the advice by his example: Bear up with it— we'll meet again,'

Redmond replied in his native Irish: I cannot find the blessed hope in my heart.'

what's

Tut, tut, Rimmy!' said Tom Doolan, come over you avich? Sure he'll be back in a little, an' faix wid guineas galore in his purse, an' as high a head as any jintleman of thim all. Think o' that, an' take comfort. Don't we all know the goold is to be had for the sarchin' in Amirica? Rouse yoursel', Rimmy-give our Phelim, agra.' But perceiving that his words were either unheard or unheeded, he turned to the by-standers, and requested their inteference.

His eyes

A few hours after, the Mary Anne, with her broad sails swelling in the summer breeze, was sweeping towards the ocean. The sun, with a canopy of crimson and purple clouds above him, dipped behind the blue mountains in the west, and shed a golden light upon the landscape. By no one more than by the Irishman, is the poetry of nature appreciated. Phelim M'Carthy, (I have the remainder of the story from his own lips,) apart from all, leaned over the vessel's side. were now bent upon the sun-gilt waters, and now addressed to the green hills which encircled his home. He reverted to the hours of his childhood-to his parents-his brother-and, at last, to an object dearer still. But sorrow had worn itself to weakness. 'Pulse of my heart!' was his only ejaculation; and wiping a tear from his eye, he looked upon the green hills again.

These bitter thoughts coursed through the mind of Floyd Moore, as he stood, on a dark winter evening opposite a home which he could once call his own, and gazed upon the illuminated windows from whence issued sounds of revelry, as if in mockery of his distress, The frequent laugh of his host and his guests grated harshly upon his ear. The festivities of which he was an observer only, were to celebrate the arrival of his cousin Meredith at Moore-hall, a claim to the possession of which he had lately established. Two short years had effected a sad change in the fortunes of Floyd Moore. No longer did wealth afford authority for his vices or aliment to his flatterers. Degraded, as he himself expressed it, from the gentleman to the peeler, nothing remained of his former condition, but pride to make him more miserable, and desires which could no longer be satisfied. Like himself, his father had in early life given loose to those libertine excesses which so frequently disgrace the records of youth. He betrayed the affections of a young lady, his equal in rank and wealth; and the birth of a son, the offspring of their guilty loves, soon revealed the crime. Her insulted relations compelled him, at the point of the sword, to wash out the stain he had thrown upon their honor, by marrying the hapless object of his passion. In revenge for this necessity, tyranny was substituted for affection. A few years after her marriage, his wife sunk heart-broken into the grave-a last refuge from domestic despotism. The utmost caution had been taken to preserve the secret of the son's illegitimacy. Not doubting that his title to the inheritance of Moore-hall would forever remain undisputed, his father made no special provision for him by will. He was mistaken the secret had transpired. It was known to Meredith, an Englishman and cousin-german-a man bred to the law, and as crafty as the lowest arts of his profession could make him. The lawyer kept his knowledge and intentions to himself, until the death of the elder Moore. He then proceeded to Ireland; took immediate measures to ensure possession; and in a short time found himself the owner of three thousand acres, and monied wealth to a large amount. Thus when his hopes were at the highest, and his career of extravagance all unchecked, the Illegitimate suddenly found himself robbed of all, and standing alone amid the wreck and ruin of his fortunes. To obtain subsistence, he was forced to accept the situation of a common-policeman. He became dark and solitary; and often, in the stillness of midnight, he would wander around his father's mansion wrapped in the solitude of his own desolate thoughts. The comparison of past enjoyment with his present situation, fed the undying flame of revenge which burned within him.

For four years, Redmond M'Carthy was happy with his Kathleen. He rented a farm of some twenty acres -for much more than its value, indeed, considering tax and tithe, so that he was not always able to satisfy the agent when the rent day came around,-but then, the next year might be better than the last and if he should be deceived in that, still it might be better the next.' And thus he went on, with philosophy

sufficient to appreciate the differenze between poor and poorer; and in this lay the secret of his happiness.

In the summer of '26, however, a mournful change occurred in his circumstances, brought about by the great event which was then agitating Ireland-the Ca tholic question. To intimidate all further opposition to the emanicipation for which he was so fearlessly struggling, by an act so decisive as singular in its character, O'Connell in that year--depending upon some legal deficiency in the act for the non-adinission of Roman Catholics to the British Legislature,—offered himself as a representative to the freeholders of the county of Clare. Their patriotism on that occasion was not more praiseworthy than ruinous. For although the course adopted eventuated in success to the county, to the freeholders its result was fatal. We speak of the ten-pound freeholders, who, disdaining to have their just prerogatives any longer controlled by usurping landlords, in direct opposition to the aristocracy of the county, voted for O'Connell, and sent him in triumph to the senate. For this exercise of their rights they were afterwards turned from their farms and their homes with nothing left them but deeply-cherished purposes of revenge; and when goaded on by want and starvation the opportunity and excuse for their exercise were not wanting. Redmond M'Carthy was a Clare freeholder.

One evening as he was seated with his still lovely wife before the door of his neat little cottage, watching the gambols of two beautiful children, the pledge and blessing of their union, he received a message from Meredith to attend him immediately at Moore-hall. Kathleen grew pale. She knew they were then in arrears, and that Meredith rarely held any intercourse with the tenantry, except through his agent. Redmond labored to re-assure her, but in vain. Her heart, she said, was chilled by a presentiment of impending evil. He kissed her pale lips, and prepared to obey the summons. his way, he encountered Floyd Moore. It was the first time in four years they had seen each other alone. Their eyes met. Moore's fell, and he crossed to the other side of the road.

On

An ill omen,' thought Redmond, as he passed him. He, even he scorns me now,' muttered the Illegiti

has so long deceived the people by his hollow profes sions,'

He paused a moment for a reply, but received none. Knitting his brows, he proceeded :

It is my firm resolve, that whoever of my tenants countenances his return for Clare by a vote, shall at the first opportunity be stripped of every inch of land he possesses from me, Do you hear, M'Carthy?' I hear, your honor.'

Well then,' proceeded the landlord in a louder tone, do you be the bearer of this intelligence among them. Exhort them to be wary of their conduct. Of course, I am to calculate on your support.'

Mr. Meredith,' said Redmond with a mild but undaunted look, I regret that the first time I have been honored by your notice should be an occasion like this; for I must candidly tell your honor, that I consider it inconsistent with my conscience and my duty.'

Hold fellow!' shouted Meredith, unable longer to restrain his anger: do you tell me of your conscience or your duty? Eh? Dare you disobey the direction of your landlord ?'

I am no slave, your honor,' said M'Carthy reddening. 'Dog! do you bandy words with me? M'Farlane,' he added addressing himself to his agent, while his cheek became sallow with fury-how much is this villain in arrears ?'

Redmond made a step forward, but checked himself. His broad chest heaved with manly indignation. The agent referred to some papers before him, and, after making a slight calculation, replied:

For one year's rent, and another quarter in the course of the next month,'

So! Now mark me, M'Carthy, and don't presume to reply. You have a wife and children. If you dare to disobey my injunctions, the next month shall see them in indigence-struggling and pining in want, It will then be in vain that you curse yourself for their misery.'

The agent observing the wildness of M'Carthy's eye, rushed towards him and forced him from the apartment. He sought his home with a clouded brow but a determined heart. The election ensued. O'Connell was successful. M'Carthy, although his eye was fixed on domestic ruin, never flinched from the course which his patriotism had dictated. With his unhappy family, he fell a victim to his uncompromising principle. They were not singular in their misery. Hundreds were visited with the same merciless punishment.

Near midnight in the month of March, 18-, Redmond M'Carthy in company with a short, thick-set, suspicious looking person, was walking through a 'boreen,' or by-path, which led from the main road, in the parish of S. Once it would have seemed an extraordinary hour for the sober-minded, industrious husband to be absent from his home; but as the cause of that absence was the theme of conversation between him and his companion, we shall let him tell the history of his own wrongs. But first let us glance at the condition of the country at that period.

In the spring of 1830, were formed those associations among the peasantry which gave birth to the frightful

excesses of that memorable year. They called themselves Terry Alts.' Their object was to revenge themselves upon the merciless landlords who had driven them to desperation, and upon the strangers who had supplanted them in their homes; to compel the former not only to restore the land to those who before possessed it, but also to lower the rents; and to drive the latter, against whom their fury was most particularly directed, from the possessions which they usurped. These unfortunate men were frequently the victims of design. They were generally directed by some person in female disguise, who designated himself Lady Clare' and while they were often made the instruments of private revenge, their councils were as frequently controlled by government spies, who, under the protection of a mask, led them on to misdeeds for which they afterwards delivered them up to justice. It was evidently to one of their meetings that Redmond and his companion now directed their steps-for at this pe riod no peaceable man would dare to be without his door at such an hour.

he

And so Rimmy, avich,' said his companion, sthripped you clane out intirely; and gived your bit o' land an' snug house to the cursed Sassenach that was never in the country afore? Och! but 'tis we'll give it to him for that same-the unnathural baste, to thrate your father's son afther such a manner.'

'Just so, Shaun,' replied Redmond and my wife, myself, and our children were turned penniless on the world, because I had too much honesty to betray my country. My poor father and mother-Heaven rest their souls-had not strength enough to endure the shock; and they that lived on the land since they drew breath. I saw them close their eyes for ever, in a miserable, deserted hovel by the road side, where my poor Kathleen is now weeping over a cheerless fire, awaiting the return of her heart-broken husband. Yes, Shaun,' he continued, they died of sorrow, and cold, and starvation-my helpless parents--because the neighbors dare not be charitable to us, lest Meredith should hear of it. Well, I had five children to support, and the price of labor was low; for those that paid before, were paid themselves by strangers now, and who could maintain such a family as mine on sixpence a day? Oh my poor Kathleen and my little weenocks, Shaun! It was a sore sight to see them starving-they that were in comfort before. I could not bear to see it. So, instead of returning home to comfort them o' nights, I began to meet you and the boys,' at Judy Moreen's and talk with you about the Clare election, and what it brought us to. And very soon, to drown the recollection of my wrongs, I took to drinking; and then you know, Shaun, when the spirit was up in us, how we'd talk of revenge, until now it has come to this; but '

He stopped his companion suddenly, and spoke in a tone of solemn determination :

excesses of their desperation on the gallows, or as slaves in a distant land.

As they entered, they were received with a general acclamation-for the insurgents were proud of Redmond's countenance-as he was a man noted for excellence of heart and his superior intelligence.

Musha, Rimmy, agra, is that yoursel' that's in it'? said Tom Fitzpatrick, grasping his hand; faix, 'tis hard o' knowin' one now-a-days at all, at all, we're so starved out o' our nathur wid the poverty an' the oppression. An' how is Kathleen, the crathur, an' the childer Rimmy?'

'Bad enough-bad enough !-how should they be, Tom?' answered the wretched husband, his mind recurring to the condition of his deserted family.

6

An' more's the pity, that Kathleen M'Carthy should be in misery an' want, whin the wife av a stranger is sleepin' under her proper roof. Och but they are hard times for sartin, whin the Daughter of Michael O'Donohue is without a dacent house to shelter her, Orra, boys, was there no notice left for the thraitors to quit ?'

Faix!' exclaimed another standing by- if there wasn't, we'd desarve to swing from the highest scaffold standin' this moment in the brave ould county. Avich, it was mysel' that pasted the notice on the door t'other night, tellin' thim if they did n't disparse paceably afore another week, they would n't do it the next.'

'An' by the same token, the week is out this blessed night,' said Redmond's companion; an' may be we wont be afther payin' thim a visit on our way back?'

'Now, boys,' said M'Carthy. is everything settled? and are you sure that the peelers are not aware of our intention ?'

Och, thin, by my soul, Rimmy, 'tis we that are ;' said Fitzpatrick, who was a captain of the band; ' an' divil a peeler will cross our path this night at lastebarrin' he wishes to make an unnathural acquaintance with cold iron.'

And has no one seen the Lady' abroad? What delays her till this hour?'

'Why, you see,' said, Fitzpatrick, 'she's goin' to make her respects to a sthrange jintleman to night; an' you would n't have her go undacent, would you? Whin ladies go a courtin', they must be particular; an' course why not Lady Clare?' But hist! By the piper that played afore Moses, she's wid us now!'

As he spoke, the figure of a man in female attire appeared at the door. His countenance was masked; and, as if to prevent discovery, he spoke not a word. Making a certain signal, they all passed out, each grasping his hand as they made their exit, to give the secret sign of initiation. Meredith's house was at the distance of about a mile from the place of meeting and thither they now followed the Lady.' Redmond M'Carthy was among the foremost.

The police station of S was only a quarter of a mile's distance from Moore-hall. A number of men were collected on that night around a cheerful fire, which blazed in its guard-house, with their arms ready for immediate use.

What has become of Floyd Moore to-night?' inquired one of the number, in a thick, husky voice.

Where should he be,' replied another, but wandering, like a ghost, about the house of his fathers?'

To your arms, men' said the sergeant let me question him.'

While the policemen were obeying these orders, the sergeant proceeded to elicit some information from Moore. The young man paused for a moment to collect himself, and his countenance became deadly pale. Floyd Moore,' said the sergeant, in a calm, solemn voice, ' what is the cause of this dreadful outcry?'

Are ye not yet with Meredith ?' said he, starting as from a dream. I was in the lawn near his house, and saw the Terries' force their way into it; and before I could move to give the alarm, the Lady' rushed by me, and pausing for a moment to throw off his disguise, immediately fled.' Moore again shrieked to his comrades to follow him to the house of his kinsman, Not a sound was heard when they arrived.

They are fled-we are too late! They have murdered him' shouted Moore, rushing up the stairs, followed by the police, and making directly for the drawing-room. He forced open the door, and rushed into the middle of the room. Suddenly checking himself he turned towards his comrades, and pointed to some object dimly observable in the shadow of the distant end of the apartment. Twice he exclaimed with a ghastly expression of countenance- Look !-look!'

All eyes were turned in the direction of his trembling finger. Redmond M'Carthy, reclined upon one knee, was bending over the form of the murdered Meredith. His right hand grasped the handle of a bayonet, the blade of which was sheathed in the body over which he hung. He seemed insensible to the presence of the officers of the law; his arm rose and fell in his ineffectual efforts to extract the deadly steel. Floyd Moore continued motionless, in the middle of the room, until his attention was diverted from the horrid thoughts which swelled his bosom, by the cry which M'Carthy uttered when awakened to a full consciousness of his situation. The unfortunate man leaped to his feet, and gazed wildly around. The Illegitimate advanced towards him, and roared in his startled ear- MURDERER!'

The accused paused for a moment, and spreading out his hands and turning his eyes solemly upwards, he exclaimed:

'So help me Heaven, I am NOT his murderer!'

M'Carthy was tried at Ennis assizes—and, chiefly

upon the testimony of Floyd Moore, was found guilty, and condemned to expatiate his crime upon the gallows. We must leave the scene of heart-reading wretchedness and desolation which ensued, to the imagination of the reader, and advert to the history of the unhappy victim's exiled brother.

Long and bitter as was the war of passion in his heart, it neither changed nor influenced the conduct of Phelim M'Carthy. Although his mind would often revert, in anguish, back to the home and the loved objects from which he was self-banished, it did not retard the industrious enterprise which ever commands success in republican America. We cannot dwell upon the details of increasing prosperity. He established himself in one of the quiet villages of Massachusettes; and his sober habits, persevering industry, and scrupulous probity soon gained him an excellent reputation. As a faithful, temperate laborer, his assistance was eagarly sought by the farmers of the neighbourhood. His frugality soon enabled him to purchase a few acres of land; to which his untiring assiduity gradually made small additions, until he came at last to be one of the most wealthy and influential inhabitants of the village. Time gradually weaned his heart from an early and hopeless passion; and he was united to the daughter of a rich American farmer, who brought a generous increase to his worldly store, and an attachment which he repaid with all a husbands affection.

While his brother was struggling against tithes, and taxes, and rents-while oppression and misery were driving him to the scaffold, he was enjoying the luxury of freedom, the rewards of patient exertion, the society of his wife and innocent offspring, and of the contented community around him. He had maintained a constant correspondence with his brother Redmond, until nearly three years prior to the murder of Meredith, when either owing to the failure of his letters, or to other causes-all communication between them ceased. This long silence, and the apprehension which it caused joined to a lingering desire to look once more upon the country and the friends he had left behind him, determined Phelim to return again for a brief season to the still cherished land of his birththat green isle of the ocean,' to which we must also carry back the reader.

'An' so Rimmy M'Carthy is to be hung to-day for murderin' that thievin' Meredith?' said Tom Fitzpatrick to Shaun Alloway, as they trudged towards Limerick, on the road that leads from Ennis.

'Musha, Tom, it makes my eyes wather to think av it,' replied Shaun, drawing the back of his rough hand across his eyes; for divil a bether boy put foot to the ground than poor Rimmy-though it has come to this wid him.'

'An' Kathleen, the crathur-she loved him as WOman never loved afore. An' now what'll become av her and her little weenocks, the darlints? Orra, sure it is unnathural only to think av it; but heavy bad luck on the riffins that caused her tind her heart sich sorrow, this blessed day.'

'Amin, Tom, wid a heart an' a half; an' may be it'll come to more nor wishin' wid us yet. Och ! but it 'ud be the joy to meet in a lonely road wid the villain that brought the police on us that misforthinate

night when Rimmy settled accounts wid Meredith-the bloody informer I mane that witnessed against him aftherwards in the court.'

Faix, Shaun, you have no charity in you, to be timptin' one wid a hope that is jist now beyant cummin' at; but may niver my sowl rest in glory, if the first time I meet that riffin, I don't take revinge for the death av Rimmy M'Carthy.'

There was a pause in the conversation for some moments, when Shaun suddenly broke the silence :

Isn't it curious Tom, that Rimmy should deny the murdher all along, even to Father Pat himsel', whin he tould me that same night that he'd do it? I can't undherstand the manin' av that, at all, at all.'

.

It is it is puzzlesome for sartin-particular as he was found bouldin' the bay'net like a skiver in the heart av Meredith; an' the boys' all deny the honor of havin' done for him, by raison they were sarchin' for somethin' betther nor his life.'

Divil a help for it now at laste; but who is that cummin' down on the hill foreanent us, Tom?'

A peeler, avich, an' all alone.'

Your sowl you!' exclaimed Shaun, his countenance suddenly brightening. Blur an' angers, Shaun, where's the pistil ?'

Here, agra;' and Shaun extricated a large horsepistol from the skirts of his rough over-coat.

How nathural the little crathur comes out to its work,' said he, pouring a little powder in the pan. This is the boy 'll aze him, an' make him cry ochone afther he's dead, or I'm not stan' here.'

Whisht' said Fitzpatrick, placing his hand upon his mouth, as the startled wretch was about to shriek aloud in the plenitude of his fear: your talkin time is up, an' the last word you spoke is the last you'll spake in life. If you meet the soul of Rimmy M'Carthy in the next world-which is not likely to be, by rason your ways are different-tell him that 'twas just Tom Fitzpatrick and Shaun Alloway revinged him.'

Look, Tom,' said Shaun, as with one hand he unbuttoned the prisoner's coat; 'an' see if there's any near to prevint us doin' the job dacently.'

Moore struggled desperately; but he was in the hands of desperate men. His efforts were unavailing.

Quick, quick, Shaun,' cried Fitzpatrick; I see a horseman ridin' for dear life towards us, on this side av Clare. Quick, he'll soon be wid us. Hear him thramp, thramp. For love av heaven, haste, or he'll upon us!'

Shaun had by this time bared the breast of his victim; and placing the muzzle of the pistol as near his heart as his struggles would permit, he pulled the trigger. His exhulting shout mingled with the report.

Remimber the message to Rimmy,' said Fitzpatrick,

True, father-a few hours more and I shall be no more; but heaven hath blessed me in my sleep, and prepared me for the trial. Phelim-you knew him, Sir-I saw him in my dream,-and Kathleen, too, and and my children. They all looked so sweetly upon me, that my heart swelled with pleasure; and though the dream has passed away it has left peace behind.'

As the dreaded period approached, the jailer entered the cell and struck off his chains.

My limbs are free at last,' said he, playfully tossing his arms about. Darkness and dungeon walls are bad enough, but these dreadful shackles have been a weary burden. What!' he cried, as the jailer, silently and with professional coolness, pinioned his arms and tightened the cord that bound them behind him, 'do they grudge me an hour of liberty, and that hour my last ? 'Tis too much, your reverence; I fear there is bitterness in my heart. Father of Mercy,' continued he, looking upwards, shield the heart of thy servant, that he may die at peace with all men.' A smile gathered upon his pale lips, and his countenance relaxed into an expression of calm serenity.

At noon a dense crowd had collected around the pri son to witness the execution. Every place within a quarter of a mile, from which a view of the gallows might be obtained, was thronged to excess. The roads. the fields, the roofs of the cabins near at hand, the walls, the mounds, even the bushes had their tenants for the hour.

Owing to the disturbed state of the country, a stronger guard than usual was in attendance. Horse and infantry lined the way, and surrounded the scaffold -the dragoon, looking fierce in his dark accoutrements —the carbineer, prouder in military display, with his scarlet cloak, and plumed helmet-the foot-soldier, humbler than both in appearance, but conscious of his greater power in the desperate uses of war.

Gloom sat

It was a dreadful sight to look upon. on every countenance ;-the fatal rope swung to and fro in the breeze from the beam of the scaffold, and the silent coffin was beneath! All waited in momentary