The Irish Penny Journal, Vol. 1 No. 15, October 10, 1840Various
History
The Irish Penny Journal, Vol. 1 No. 15, October 10, 1840
Various
Ireland -- Periodicals
Rose was invariably placed upon the _hob_, which is the seat of comfort
and honour at a farmer’s fireside, and there she sat neat and tidy,
detailing all the news of the parish, telling them how such a marriage
was one unbroken honeymoon--a sure proof by the way that she herself had
a hand in it--and again, how another one did not turn out well, and she
said so; “there was always a bad dhrop in the Haggarties; but, my dear,
the girl herself was _for_ him; so as she made her own bed she must lie
in it, poor thing. Any way, thanks be to goodness I had nothing to do wid
it!”
Rose was to be found in every fair and market, and always at a particular
place at a certain hour of the day, where the parties engaged in a
courtship were sure to meet her on these occasions. She took a chirping
glass, but never so as to become unsteady. Great deference was paid to
every thing she said; and if this was not conceded to her, she extorted
it with a high hand. Nobody living could drink a health with half the
comic significance that Rose threw into her eye when saying, “Well, young
couple, here’s everything as you wish it!”
Rose’s motions from place to place were usually very slow, and for the
best reason in the world, because she was frequently interrupted. For
instance, if she met a young man on her way, ten to one but he stood
and held a long and earnest conversation with her; and that it was both
important and confidential, might easily be gathered from the fact that
whenever a stranger passed, it was either suspended altogether, or
carried on in so low a tone as to be inaudible. This held equally good
with the girls. Many a time have I seen them retracing their steps, and
probably walking back a mile or two, all the time engaged in discussing
some topic evidently of more than ordinary interest to themselves. And
when they shook hands and bade each other good bye, heavens! at what a
pace did the latter scamper homewards across fields and ditches, in order
to make up for the time she had lost!
Nobody ever saw Rose receive a penny of money, and yet when she took
a fancy, it was beyond any doubt that she has often been known to
assist young folks in their early struggles; but in no instance was the
slightest aid ever afforded to any one whose union she had not herself
been instrumental in bringing about. As to the _when_ and the _how_ she
got this money, and the great quantity of female apparel which she was
known to possess, we think we see our readers smile at the simplicity of
those who may not be able to guess the several sources from whence she
obtained 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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account