The Cross and the Shamrock: Or, How To Defend The Faith. An Irish-American Catholic Tale Of Real Life, Descriptive Of The Temptations, Sufferings, Trials, And Triumphs Of The Children Of St. Patrick In The Great Republic Of Washington. A Book For The Entertainment And Special Instructions Of The Catholic Male And Female Servants Of The United States.Quigley, Hugh
Religion
The Cross and the Shamrock: Or, How To Defend The Faith. An Irish-American Catholic Tale Of Real Life, Descriptive Of The Temptations, Sufferings, Trials, And Triumphs Of The Children Of St. Patrick In The Great Republic Of Washington. A Book For The Entertainment And Special Instructions Of The Catholic Male And Female Servants Of The United States.
Quigley, Hugh
Catholics -- United States -- Fiction; Irish Americans -- Fiction
She then proceeded to tell how that young lady he had just seen had been
adopted, or rather kidnapped, by the family she now lived with; how her
name was changed from Aloysia to Alia; how this scheme was planned and
carried out by Miss Sillerman, Mrs. Goldrich's sister, who died not long
since; how, till of late, she was brought up as one of the family; how
carefully she was instructed in all the ways of the Presbyterians; and,
above all, how they endeavored to conceal her family name, for fear of
being claimed by her friends. "But, mon pere," said she, in
continuation, "though I forget the family name of this young, lubly
lady, I have an article here (loosing an old-fashioned workbag) which
may tell her family name."
With that she handed Father Paul a neat ruby necklace, with a rather
heavy gold clasp, on which were carved deeply a cross, interwoven with
shamrocks, with these words, in italics, "_The O'C---- Arms_." This was
enough for Paul O'Clery; he had no doubt of having seen and conversed
with his own dear, long-lost sister, a few moments before. He sunk down
on his knees, buried his face in his hands, and tried as well as he
could to suppress the emotions that pervaded his bosom. After having
prepared old Judy for heaven,--having first prevailed on her to make
these disclosures in presence of witnesses, on condition that the
circumstances of her revelation should not be published till after her
death,--the priest retired from that palace, promising to call again,
accompanied with another gentleman, in the afternoon. Lest his feelings
should betray him, he retired from the house with as little delay as was
consistent with politeness; and he trembled all over as he a second time
returned the greeting of his dear Aloysia, as she conducted him to the
door.
With as little delay as possible, he sought the office of his legal
adviser, and, accompanied by a judge of the Supreme Court of eminent
character, and the legal adviser, and a third, all Protestant gentlemen,
he sought the sick chamber of the old negress again, and there her
deposition, and a confirmation of her previous account of Alia's
bringing up and captivity, were obtained. They had scarcely concluded
her testimony, when poor Judy bid farewell to the world and its crosses,
and the priest had the satisfaction of bidding God speed to her soul in
its passage to eternity, having read for her the last benediction a
second time.
The presence of so many strangers in the house naturally created some
surprise among the inmates, and shortly the death chamber of Judy was
filled with the members of the family, of both sexes.
An explanation of this unusual and unauthorized proceeding was demanded
by Mrs. Goldrich, which the eminent judge consented to give, provided an
_adjournment_ to a more appropriate court was agreed to.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account