The Dead Boxer / The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two

r, he found Nell M'Collum seated on a stone bench, waiting his arrival. The moment she espied him she sprang to her feet, and with he

did he show his fire-ar

aul; "he had neither fire-arms, nor staff, nor any thing els

t was done? Did you smash h

raced for ever. I struck him, an' he refu

I'll make that family curse the day they crossed Nell M'Collum, if I should go down for it. Not that I have any ill will to the boy

can't bear your revengeful spirit, an' what is more, I don't want you to interfere in this busine

ke either to her or of her! I don't blame you. Meehaul-I blame nobody but him for it all. Now a word of advice before you go in; don't let on to Ellen that you know of her meetin' him this night;

to the same determination

degrading insult he had just borne. Soon after his return home, his father and mother both noticed the singularly deep bursts of indignant feeling with which he appeared to be agitated. For some time the

d they, "what has happened to put

nin' shame-you'd curse me in your heart. For my part, I'd rather be d

tell us, La

ke a guilty man in your presence; an' except you want to drive me distracted,

hing unbecomin' a man. For my part, I'm not unasy on your account, for except

was not prepared. With a stifled groan he leaped to his feet,

he had withdrawn,

y the crass that saved us, if he tuck an affront from any of them, without payin' them home double, he is n

uted with great indignation the idea of her son's tamely

h, don't make a fool of yourself, old man!

he knew would be heaped on him the following day. What was to be done? How was he to wipe it off? There was but one method, he believed, of getting his hands once more free; that was to seek Ellen, and gain her per

en sufficiently cool for reflection. As it was, the only method of awakening her that he could think of was to throw up several handsful of small pebbles against the window. This he tried without any effect. Pebbles sufficiently large to reach the window would have broken the glass, so that he felt himself compelled to abandon every hope of speaking to her that night. With lingering and reluctant steps he left the garden, and stood for some time before the front of the house, leaning against an upright stone, called the market cross. Here he had not been more than two minutes, when he heard footsteps approaching, and on looking closely through the darkness, he recognized the figure of Ne

unt, that she should come

e husband's comin' to

that he needn't co

ifty guineas, if he doesn't get a customer, and that's worth comin

to listen, but no

sn't it odd that he lets her carry th

her care of it, an' puts it farther than h

hat trouble, any way," replied the niece.

he same pair was to meet us. Who is this stranger

is honest. I'm wondherin', aunt, wha

ays the best way is to do for her; an' I'm afeard of her, to tell you the truth-but we'll settle that when the

sation, but in so low a tone, that Lamh Lau

r the obscurity which he wanted. With stealthy pace he crept over and sat beneath it, determined to witness whatever incident might occur, and to take a part in it, if necessary. He had scarcely seated himself when the car which they expected was heard jolting about half a mile off a

evints. Maybe I have a child myself livin'-far from me-an' when I think of him, I feel

d one of them, "you won't

as given to this

or my good; but-well, take this shawl, an' let the work be quick.

struck the carman to the earth. One of them seized him while down, and pressed his throat, so as to prevent him from shouting. A

otions, that he had not yet had time even to speak; nor indeed did he wish at all to be recognized in the transaction. The carman, finding himself freed from his opponent, bounced to his legs, and came to the assistance of his charge, whilst Lamh Laudher, who had just flung Nanse M'Collum into the ditch, returned in time to defend both from a seco

he carman; "for wid His help an' your own good arm, it's my downri

ion myself," repl

r voice," observed the female; "we may at least as

ed; "a woman, or a devil, I think, that I don't wish to cross or prov

xpressions of deep grat

h harm, I would take it as the greatest favor you could

d saw them safely in a decent second-rate inn, kept by a man named Luke Connor, after which he re

be the sensation which immediately spread through the town and parish. The intelligence was first received by O'Rorke's party with incredulity and scorn. It was impossible that he of the Strong Hand, who had been proverbial for courage, could all at once turn coward, and bear the blow from a Neil! But when it was proved beyond the possibility of doubt or misconception, that he received a blow tamely before many witnesses, under circumstances of the most degrading insult, the rage of his party became in

. How do you know, an' bad cess to your tongues, all through other, how Ellen Neil would like him af

ogy for his son's cowardice but an instant challenge. Either that or

ed-room, "an' in presence of them that you have brought to shame and dis

ur own blood in me to be afraid of any man-but for a

mine. If he had my blood in him, he couldn't act as he did. Here, you intherloper, the door's open for you; go out of

me when you'll all change your opinion of me. I can't, howev

on had been dead; his tears, however, were not

eir wings and crow over us! If it was from any other family he tuck it so inanely, I wo

n. The last harsh words of the father had scarcely been uttered, w

s eyes, "and I never thought he would bring the bl

m, "for what has happened, both on your

it belongs to John. Come out here," sa

ot undressed at all during the night. The constables immediately observed t

bore it; "one would think you were

, got clean stockings, and after arr

do what you want me to do, there's nothing

urning to Breen; "an' in that case, how could I

uld suspect to be guilty of robbery. Upon my soul, Lamh Laudher More, I'm both grieved an' dis

ey exclaimed

d there's little doubt of his guilt. Why did he lave his hat at t

istressed woman; the father's brow changed from the flush

t-no, no-your father knows you're innocent of robbery. Yes, John, my blood is in you, and there you're wro

is son's han

panded the brow of young Lamh Laudher. He smiled while his parents wept, although his sympathy in their sorrow brought

ear that you didn't leave this house from nin

for it would not be true, although you think it

of his friends who were present, on hearing what

guilty of this, I'll never more look upon his face. John, my hea

e sympathy and the doubt it excited among his friends, he treated with silent indignation and scorn. He remembered that on the night

what to make of it, nor do I care much how it goes. I knew since yesterday evening, that bad lu

he old man waved his hand with sorrowful impatience, and pointed to the door, as intimating a wish that he should forthwith depart from under his roof. L

deigh, an active magistrate of that day, a