Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent / The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two

mmunication-Solomon Dances the Swaggering jig-Honest Correspondence-Darby's M

r Sabbath he took his usual prominent part as collector-raised the psalms-sang loudest-and whenever the minister alluded to the mercy that was extended to sinners, Solomon's groan of humility-of sympathy with the frail, and of despair for the impenitent; his groan, we say, under these varied intimations of Gospel truth, was more than a sermon in itself. It not only proclaimed to the whole congregation that he was a sinner, but that he felt for sinners-rejoiced in their repentance, which he often did in a nondescript scream, between a groan and a cackle of holy jo

erene and rather heavenly countenance looked up to the preacher, then closing his eyes as if in a state of ethereal enjoyment, he cl

ressed by M'Loughlin. Solomon was at this time an unadulterated saint-a professor-in fac

change, which disturbed and depressed their hearts. They slept, however, in peace and tranquillity, free from those snake-like p

Constitution Cottage a few minutes before Darby's arrival, had not seen him that morning. The day before he had called upon his grandfather, who told him out of t

all of his ability, turned back indignantly and rode home again. He had not passed more than about a h

cumstances connected with their duties, excepting a few interjectional imprecation

uch a devil of a fight (the infern

ngth of ten men, I'll never manoeuvre on

l had him,)-he's a bad bird, Sharpe, fool and all as he

took much part in it, barrin' once t

pheming old vagabond,)-none at all, S

aptain, and

ill be enough, for Harman-(he'll fiz for it

, but even if he escapes us

ap on, her gray locks were only bound by a red ribbon that encircled her head, but did not confine her hair, which floated in large masses about her shoulders, a circumstance that added to the startling vehemence of character that appeared in her face, and

nd, like a hound, "I would snuff it. No, no; he is not gone, but he will soon go, and what a catalogue of crimes will follow after him! The man's conscience is a gaol where every thought and wish of his guilty life and godless hea

rgy of her manner, as well as of her language, sai

blasphemer?-and who am I speaking to but the son of the ungodly villain

my bridle, you old faggot, or upon my hono

curses that rise out of an ill-spent life into his dying oar, until his very soul will feel the scorches of perdition before its everlasting tortures come upon it in hell. I am old," she proceeded, "but I will yet live to see the son that cursed his mother, and threatened to raise

ng his whip, and letting it fall upon her almost naked shoulders, w

tears. "My cup is not full yet," she exclaimed, sobbing, "neither is yours, but it soon will b

could inflict such an outrage upon old age, under any circumsta

valry, I'm sorry that you gave that blow; those men on the other side of t

ority over him, "what is it your business, Sharpe? Sharpe, you're a scoundrel, for speaking to m

is way, "I'm no scoundrel; and I do know that you ha

hil, "and consider

you attempt to come the officer over me, let me tell you you're mistaken. We're not on duty now, my buck, and you hav

my honor and blood, do

tleman-didn't Harman pull your nose in Castle Cumber, and you wanted th

espect, sir, to your commanding office

ame; you had better keep yourself quiet, if you're wise-a man that's

andsome Harry, and rode off, full of vengeance against Sharpe, and of indignati

, that ground was beginning to break a little under his feet, in spite of all his unction and Christian charity, we shall, while Darby is on his way to de

ret, for your own sake, that anything in the shape of a falling away from your opportunities should appear in you. I speak now as your friend, Sam, not as your master-nay, rather as your brother, Sam-as a man who is not without his own lapses an

myself this morning,

, Sam. There is an old woman in Castle Cumber, whose name I scarcely remember. She goes dressed in faded black

child-cadger, and her fooli

anifested in the peculiar state of this person. We know not, indeed, whether what we blindly, perhaps, term folly, may not be a gift to be

bout Poll Doolin,

t is a term I don'

means a woma

tand, in some difficulty, out of which, it seems, professional advice may help to take her. I expect her, therefore, about this time; and will you, Samuel, just stand at that window, and when you see her approach the house, do just, quietly, and without noise, op

nds with-'and he that giveth in s

slightly depressed in spirit, as it were, and moved, as

is, sir,

s declaration to the back office, and copy it as soon as you can-it is of imp

ftly opened the hall door, an

ression half of embarrassment, and half of the very slightest perceptible tendency to a waggish simile, we can scarcely call it-but, whatever it might be, there it certai

net, raised it a little, and without uttering a word sat silently looking

indeed-frail we all are, I grant you; but in this case am acting

ghlin and Harman's being about to break; and of M'Loughlin I'll soon hav

pable-but to prevent them, by an unjust act, from injuring, perhaps from ruining others. That is my motiv

en there was an occasion for trustin'

it is for that reason

remember the day you passed Darby O'Drive and me, on o

commendable discretion, which you will

, "you behaved

ther to yourself, and that you should be pressed to disclose it, which, of course, you could not be; but if a weak moment should ever c

he is, he never opened his

e, you are bound by your own conscience, or you ought at least-to lay it at his door-and that now you understand be

replied Poll, "the poor must a

Poll; bestow them on that, or

acquaintance I found you-any way not worse than another. Well, but you can

to remove for change of air to some quiet nook until health-which,

or wo

young wom

M'Slime; I know not

in it, and this is an act of the greater Christian friendship in me, inasmuch as in undertaking the management of this for him, I certainly run great risks of suffering in my own reput

can tell him whoever he is, that he could not come

e with thee! but Poll, remember one thing, Harman and the M'Loughlins

closed the hall door after her, with a quietness of manner that seemed to communicate

g, sir,"

o-go now." Susanna immediately withdrew, the few words he said seemin

have disgraced the activity of a sleight-of-hand man. He at last rose, drew a long breath, and wore a very smiling face; but this was not all-O sanctity! O religion! Instead of going to his Bible, as one would imagine he ought to have done,

y have imagined, although perfectly aware of M'Slime's knavery, that the pious little man had just concluded "a short exercise," in performing the Swaggering Jig. As it was, however, he found him in a state which might either be termed a religious meditation, or an

own, Darby, sit down, and whilst I am casting my eye over this note, do now, in order that we may make the most of our opportuni

ly conf

ear M

that is only to be glanced at. I give you my honor that Phil has tendered me two hundred, which I will not take, of course, either from you or him until the premises are cleared of the present tenants, This must be done very soon, and, I think it is much to be wished that Harman, who is a choleric scoundrel, should be put out of the way, if possible, If he is transported it will save us a good deal of annoyance. I should regret a meeting between him and Phil very much. Phil tells me that he once pulled his, Harman's, nose, and it is very natural that he should bear him a grudge for it. There is half a year's rent due this day, and the term mentioned in the notice to quit, expires next week. So far, then, all is right; we have them in our power, and can proceed safely. Parliament will, it is well ascertained, be certainly dissolved about the end of May next, so that we must work double tides to bring in his Lordship. There is a devilish spirit abroad, however, which will occasion us much trouble; but I cannot agree with you about renewing the leases, notwithstanding. It is just doing by those who are obstinate and ill-disposed, precisely as we ought; that is, holding a whip over their heads, and assuring them that we shall let it fall with rigor, unless they are agreeable as they ought

ime, "Yours affectionately and

h and nail at the Bible, Solo

ar M'C

s, feel themselves warranted even now in imitating. It requires, however, to be done carefully, and within the freedom of the perfect law; but, by no means, with a worldly or secular spirit, otherwise it will be deprived of that unction which renders the act a gracious exemplification of our Christian privileges, instead of a departure from rectitude, which it would be if committed by an ungodly person. These are distinctions, my dear friend, which I grant you is not permitted to many to make-only, indeed, I may humbly and fearfully say to such as have by long wrestling with the spirit been able to see truth, when the inward eye has been purged from the grossness of passion, for which to Him be praise and power. Amen! I herewith enclose you the proposal formally made, and will be ready to hand over the two hundred Christian manifestations of my gratitude at the proper season. As to Lord Cumber being a lose

eak, it might not, perhaps, be wrong-I am speaking, now observe, with reference to the cunning of the serpent, which you know we are enjoined to have, and if to have, of course to use when necessary; it might not, perhaps, be wrong I say, to cast

ol myself therefor. His conversion, however, will, I trust, be edifying to that interesting, but neglected class, the bailiffs of Ireland. With reference to them, I am engaged during the very few leisure hours that I can steal-so to speak-from my pr

hares in the Spiritual Railway Society-it is under Him the safest of all associations yet established. The arrangements are admirably adapted for the projects in view. All the seats are delightfully soft, and as somnolent as church pews, to which they bear a close resemblance. The machine men, and all those appointed to situations on the line, are mostly in orders; but belong to different denominations. The scheme originated in Oxford, and has spread rapidly thr

n in our family who tended our little olive branches and understood my habits. She is leaving us, and I shall miss her, for I am one of those persons, my dear friend, who have a heart for-and I tr

y I hope, a few of the graces of my ca

on M'S

o much is despatched, I trust we may have a word or two upon a subject of still higher importance. How do you feel in a spi

o spake, sir, for fraid I'd say ei

hich is a habit you contracted when in the bonds of iniquity; but y

hat I'll still get a clearer knowl

trifle to have had M'Clutchy to look at. Little did S

g up his eyebrows. "But, Darby, will you be properly prepared on nex

" replied Darby, "and you k

say that you are utterly fre

ot sure that I have a sufficient grip of the new light yet," said Darby, falling unconsciously into his usual style of conversation, "but, I hope that by next Sunday, I'll b

anxious for your spiritual welfare as I am. This awful swearing-I really

wid great submission, don't you think, si

y adverting to suc

nd joined this new reformation to it, wou

be much better to have no religion than the Popish. You have reminded me of one proverb, suffer me to remind you of another; do you not know, to speak in a worldly figure, that an e

he won't have to toss up for me; for I feel mys

in a very confidential matter, the management of which I imagined I could have entrusted to you. That, howeve

; who, in order to induce him the more eagerly to swallow the bait, pretends to withdra

y afeared that every person like me m

I do suppose, that since this desirable change took p

Now there's your two beautiful tracts, and may I never di

etter omit it, however-it sm

e truth is, that ever since I tuck to readin' them,

it is profane; say the enem

days, I may say, they have cleared me out as clane of honesty as the black boy himsel

in prayer, and you will ultimately triumph. Sing spiritual songs, too; read my tracts with attention; and, in short, if you resist the dev-hem-Satan,

feel as if there was a load removed from me. May the mother of heaven-hem-I do, sir; and now, as a proof of it, I wouldn't feel justifie

to me to betray confidence-I humbly

trick of speakin' disrespect

poor profligate man! Pro

greeable to you, I'd rath

O'Drive; but I forgive him, and shall earnes

verily, thin, I'm

ed Solomon, with something like a sli

d words-he said, sir, that if you were cut up into the size of snipe shot, there would

e him. Do you not s

indee

from the slightest taint of human infirmity. I am given to feel this de

your example had made the ould boy himself a worse boy now than he had ever been before he ever knew you I-that in temptin' you, he got new do

d and highly connected rector of Castle Cumber, and his nephew, the Rev. Boanerges Frothwell, both of whom take a deep int

utes, I may say-but what, afther all, is aquil to a good example?

, you mea

that's wh

do you see how I commit that letter to the flames?" placing M'Clutchy's under the side of a brief; "and even as the flames die away bef

and forgiveness of injuries, but antil this day I never saw them

after t

do not know what I'm sayin' sir-Religion! well if tha

member my advice-pray, sing,