The Emigrants Of Ahadarra: The Works of William Carleton, Volume TwoCarleton, William
General
The Emigrants Of Ahadarra: The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two
Carleton, William
Ireland -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
On looking at the back of this singular production he was thunderstruck
to perceive that it was addressed to “Mr. Bryan M'Mahon, Ahadarra”--the
fact being that, in the hurry of the moment, he had misdirected the
letters--Bryan M'Mahon having received that which had been intended for
Kathleen, who, on the contrary, was pressingly solicited to lend him
thirty-fine pounds in order to secure “Crazy Jane.”
Having perused this precious production, Hycy, in spite of his chagrin,
was not able to control a most irresistible fit of laughter, in which he
indulged for some minutes. The mistake being now discovered in Bryan's
case was necessarily discovered in that of both, a circumstance which
to Hycy, who now fully understood the mature and consequences of his
blunder, was, as we have stated, the subject of extraordinary mirth, in
which, to tell the truth, Bryan could not prevent himself from joining
him.
“Well, but after all, Bryan,” said he, “what is there in this letter
to make you angry with me? Don't you see it's a piece of humbug from
beginning to end.”
“I do, and I did,” replied Bryan; “but at that time I had never spoken
upon the subject of love or marriage to Kathleen Cavanagh, and I had no
authority nor right to take any one to task on her account, but, at the
same time, I couldn't even then either like or respect, much less lend
money to, any man that could humbug her, or treat such a girl with
disrespect--and in that letther you can't deny that you did both.”
“I grant,” said Hycy, “that it was a piece of humbug certainly, but not
intended to offend her.”
“I'm afraid there was more in it, Hycy,” observed Bryan; “an' that if
she had been foolish or inexperienced enough to meet you or listen to
your discourse, it might a' been worse for herself. You were mistaken
there though.”
“She is not a girl to be humbugged, I grant, Bryan--very far from it,
indeed; and now that you and she understand each other I will go farther
for both your sakes, and say, that I regret having written such a letter
to such an admirable young woman as she is. To tell you the truth,
Bryan, I shall half envy you the possession of such a wife.”
“As to that,” replied the other, smiling, “we'll keep never minding--but
you have spoken fairly and honestly on the subject of the letther,
an' I'm thankful to you; still, Hycy, you haven't answered my first
question--have you any ill feeling against me, or any intention to
injure me?”
“Neither one nor the other. I pledge you my honor and word I have no ill
feeling against you, nor any design to injure you.”
“That's enough, Hycy,” replied his companion; “I think I'm bound to
believe your words.”
“You are, Bryan; but will you allow me to ask if any one ever told you
that I had--and if so, who was the person?”
“It's enough for you to know,” said Bryan, “that whoever told it to me I
don't believe it.”
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