“Faith,” responded McKenna, “ye did that! I remimber ye perfectly! I wor just a little under the influence, on that occasion. An’ it’s that way I am much oftener than is good for me moral char_ac_ter! But I’m jist reformin’ a bit now—by the same token, will ye have a sup wid me?—I’m flush, an’ don’t mind tratin’!” “I don’t care if I do have a taste,” answered the schoolmaster. During their trip to a saloon where the pedagogue said they kept the best Irish whiskey in town, McKenna gave out that he was just in receipt of his pension from the government, granted him on account of wounds he had suffered from while serving, under Commodore Davis, on the flag-ship Blackhawk, at the capture of Memphis, in 1862. And it was well taken by Birmingham, as was the liquor, when they had found it. McKenna managed to water his portion considerably, so that its effect upon him was not noticeable. “I suppose from the company I found you in at Pottsville,” said the teacher, “that you are an Ancient!” “An’ phat is that?” “A Mollie Maguire!” “Sure, an’ you’re wrong there! That is a thing I’ve heard of, but know nothin’ about.” “Just the way with all of them! I believe if I asked Pat Dormer, he’d deny being a member, point blank! It’s all right, though! Every man to his faith! But I’ve known some who are Mollies and, at the same time, quite decent people and honorable citizens. Now there’s Jack Kehoe, for example, in the tavern over the way. He’s the most staunch man in the business, but, for all that, a very good neighbor, an’ I never saw him drunk in my life, or beating anybody, inside or outside his saloon. That you can’t say of everybody, Mollie or not Mollie!” “I have heard of Kehoe,” said McKenna, “but I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance. Before I lave the borough, I mane to give him a call. Still, I wants ye to understand that, tho’ rough appearin’, an’ given to rather hard company, I’m not quite a Mollie Maguire!” This was thrown out as possibly suggestive to the citizen that he invite him into Kehoe’s; also, by denying all knowledge of the society, to cause the hearer to more firmly believe in his membership. Birmingham did not, or would not, take the hint, and neglected to ask the new-found friend across to see Kehoe, but, as had been intended, he did gain strength in the idea that McKenna was connected with the mysterious brotherhood. Some further talk ensued, when the men separated, the pedagogue to attend to his pupils, and the operative to pursue his investigations. [Illustration: “_Kehoe’s Residence._”]