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

rate looked keenly at the prisoner, and immediately glanced with an expression of strong disgust at Nell M'Collum. The other female surveyed Lamh Laudhe

of the female with an earnestness that seemed to

s a serious charge against you. I trust

hat it is first," replied Lamh Laudher, "afther

d to her room, after which she added, rather unexpectedly-"And now your worship, I have plainly stated the facts; but I must, in conscience, ad

Connor's door, I stood behind the porch, merely to thry if I knew who they wor. I seen this Lamh Laudher wid a small o

you yourself were abroad at so unsea

where I ought to be, at all times; but last night, if your worship wishes to hear the tr

w did you form so sudden an acquaintanc

Nell; "I've seen her in other

r with her last night-were

she was a stranger, an' of coorse was glad to s

asily have chosen a more respectable associate. Have you a

replied the woman, "together wit

e acquainted with Nell

h more presence of mind, went over to the magistrate, and whispered somethi

e, "otherwise I shall be much more inclined to consider you the thief than O

ould write, and being replied to in the affirmative, he placed a slip of paper before

gistrate then appeared satisfied. "Now," said he, addressing O'Rorke, "state, fai

ve on oath, that Nell M'Collum and her niece, Nanse M'Collum, along with two men that I don't know, except that one wa

nestness the incidents and conv

e would take to the high-road, in ordher to get money to enable him to marry Ellen Neil. Yes, you villain, Nanse M'Collum heard

me placed any reliance on Nell's assertions; he immedi

d. He concluded by declaring it to be his opinion, that the prisoner was innocent, and added, that, according

some of their friends, made their appearance. The old man, however, declined to take any part in the vindication of his son. He stood sullenly

the constable returned, and sta

ce morning," he observed, "and they don't k

two of the constables, with strict i

to regulate her motions. I cannot expect," he added, turning to the stranger, "that you should prosecute one so nearly related to you, even if you had proof, which you have not; but I am almost certain, that she has been someway or other concerned in the robbery. You are a modest, interesting wom

nnocent of the robbery as the child unborn. It's not my intention ever to thin

osom heave with a hysterical oppression under which she sank into a state of insensibility. Lamh Laudher More and his wife were proceeding to bring her towards the door for air, when Nell M'Col

s sake!" said his wife; "he

the magistrate, "that th

e your honor," said th

llum's," h

n' so. I mean it's false for Nell, if she says it. Nell, sir, never had a daught

onishing strength and fury she attempted to drag the insensible creature from O'Rorke's grasp; bu

e woman bega

tear herself from O'Rorke and his wife:- "Their hands are bad about you," she exclaim

ary, she laid her head on the bosom of O'Rork

n, "I am an unhappy, an' a heart-broken woman! For many a year I

d and kissed it affectionatel

ill I ever be able to meet my husband!

d the stranger, and pressed her to her bosom. "May God bless you!" said O'Rorke hi

stamped her feet upon the floor, and struck it repeatedly with her stick,

mh Laudher More, my debt's not paid to you yet. Your son's a robbe

ntered his mind, but not with sufficient force to fix with certainty upon any of those present, except Nell and Nanse M'Collum who had absconded. If Nell were the woman's mother, her anxiety to bring the criminal to justice appeared very natural. Then, again, young O'Rorke's father, who seemed to know the history of Nell M'Collum, denied that she ever had a daughter. How could he be certain that she

mble hero, "how do you know, O'Rorke, t

from that day to this she was never six months from this town

usiness were you abroad last night? I

character's gone. I cannot be worse, an' I will tell no man

he magistrate, "you can have no hesitati

r; "I was disgraced, an' that is enoug

ed him in the opinion of a man who knew something about character, we

much to young Lamh Laudher's advantage if t