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

ey-Raymond Na-hattha-Cabin on the Moors-M'Clut

as it were, by necessity, to the occupation of the day, seems scarcely able to rise, and does so with a sickly and reluctant aspect. Abroad, there is no voice of joy or kindness-no cheerful murmur with which the heart can sympathize-all the warm and exhilarating harmonies that breathe from nature in her more genial moods are s

and wasting poverty were both at her humble heart. She had on neither shoe nor stocking, and the consequence was, that the sharp and jagged surface of the frozen ground, rendered severer by the impatient speed of her journey, had cut her feet in such a manner that the blood flowed from them in several places. Cloak or bonnet she had none; but instead of the former her humble gown was turned over her shoulders, and in place of the l

o perceive by the beads which she held in her fervently clasped hands, by the occasional knocking of her breast, and the earnest look of supplication to heaven, that her soul poured forth its aspirations in the deep-felt and anxious spirit of that religion, which affliction is found so often to kindle in the peasant's heart. She had only knocked a second time when the door was opened, and having folded up her beads, she put them into her bosom, and entering t

' it is-for sure didn't I feel as if the very nose was whipt off o' me when I only wint to open the door for you. Sit near the fire, achora, an

to go near the fire when one is frozen or very cowld-'twould on

one's to judge by your dress; though, God knows, far or near, you have th

an three miles,"

n wh

three

you, an' pity you I pray his blessed name this day! Stop, I must warm you a drink of brave new milk, and that'll help to put the cowld out of your hear

e-I could bear all that, and many a time did-but then I had him! but now who's to comfort us-who are we to look to-who is to be our friend? Oh, in the wide world-but God i

-"Of coorse it's your husband you-whitch! whitch!-the divil be off you for a skillet, I've a'most scalded myself wid you-it's so thin that it has

life out of the natural goodness and untutored piety of the Irish heart. It is these virtues, unseen and unknown, as they generally are, except by the humble individuals on whom they are exerted-that so often light up by their radi

chen, buttoned up and prepared for the journey. On looking at her he seemed startled by the scantiness of her dress on such a morning-and when she rose up at his entrance and dropped him a curtesy, exclaiming,

e this morning, my po

liebeen More Mountains,

sent dress! withou

it was little the cowld, or

or I understand the cause of it too well-but

your reverence, to put t

ou did well and right in the meantime; still you must do better, Katt

e want of them; as I said, there's only one thought that I am suffering a

ey may fall upon you at another time-and before long, t

poke, his servant had the cloak already about her shoulders; "it appears," sh

p you on with the shoes and stockings. Now," she added, in one of those touching and irresistible whispers that are produced by kindness and not by secrecy, "if anything happens-as

e reaching the poor woman's heart. She wept as much from gratitud

ay be hope and that they won't be wanted. Still, how can I hope when

n,and they both set out on the

eep and precipitous, where rock beetled over rock, and ledge projected over ledge, in a manner so fearful that the mind of the spectator, excited and rapt into terror by the contemplation of them, wondered why they did not long ago tumble into the chasm beneath, so slight was their apparent support. Even in the mildest, seasons desolation brooded over the lesser hills and mountains about them; what then m

untry over which our two

strength, she in return guided him by a clearer sagacity. Neither spoke much, for in truth each had enough to do in combating with the toil and peril of the journey, as well as in thinking of the melancholy scene to which they were hastening. Words of consolation and comfort he did from time to time utter; but he felt that his situation was one of difficulty. To inspire hope where there was probabl

rder to prevent the whole pyramid from falling off. His person seemed to gain still greater height from the circumstance of his wearing a long surtout that reached to his heels, and which he kept constantly buttoned closely about him. His feet were cased in a tight pair of leather buskins, for it was one of his singularities that he could endure neither boot nor shoe, and he always wore a glove of some kind on his left hand, but never any on his right. His features might be termed regular, even handsome; and his eyes were absol

an possessed a bird of that species, with whose pedigree he was not thoroughly acquainted; and, truth to tell, he proved himself as great a thief as he was a genealogist among them. Many a time the unfortunate foxes from some neighboring cover were cursed and banned, when, if the truth had been known, the only fox that despoiled the roost was Raymond-na-hattha. One thing, however, was certain, th

es it happen that you are so early up this stormy mo

p! that's good-to be sure you're a pr

I ignorant of

that it's up late, instead of early,

f you trot on at this fate we cannot keep up with you." The truth is, Raymond's general rate

ks-ha, ha,-now make mon

e's no understanding you-where did you get the c

you ax if y

us for stealing cocks-e

tossed the bird up into the air, and certainly, after flying about for a few yards, he alit, and totteri

"but answer me-where did

I mostly roost it; an' better company too than most pe

he; "you've slept near somebody's hen roost, and

w; ha, ha, there now, ta

"I am told he is affectionate, and where he takes

en that in which Raymond was born, of course the poor fool was familiar

ccasionally to wipe the tears from her eyes; a slight change, a shade of apparent compassion came over his countenance, and t

od things that were brought to him-he ha

?" asked the woman; "I don'

notwithstanding the wildness of his manner, he is seldom without me

etch you to him; but you were both gone, an

n one of his silent moods, and appeared not to hear her; at all events, he did not think it worth his while to give her any reply. For a short period he kept mur

ich lay behind them. The priest and his now almost exhausted companion, to whom its scenery was familiar, waited not to look back upon its beauty or its richness. Not so Raymond, who, from the moment they began to as

, turning to the female-"Come," sa

leness of death and terror settled in her fac

em. Come-come fast-I'll help you

not go much faster through this marshy heath, but do you aid Mary as wel

and in some moments of more vehement feeling, absolutely chided, for not keeping pace with herself. They had now, however, came within about a hundred yards of the cabin, which they soon reached-the female entering it about a minute or two before the others, in order to make those humble arrangements about a sick-bed, which, however poverty may be forced to overlook on ordinary occasions, are always attended to on the approach

p turf-for the foregoing summer had been so incessantly wet, that the turf, unless when very early cut, could not be saved; a few wooden noggins and dishes; together with a bundle of straw, covered up in a corner with the sick man's coat, which, when shaken out at night, was a bed; and those, with the exception of their own simple domestic truth and affection, were their only riches. The floor, too, as is n

hole or window, which in summer admitted the light, was now filled with rags to keep out the cold. From this little room, however,

good deal surprised, "who could

woeful scene of misery. "God pity them," ejaculated the priest

feel obliged to him; but," said he, taking Father Roche ov

is that?-she mentione

are not conscious of his danger. I fear, howeve

s the time, the wife's impatience to have the rites of the church administe

Harman, they are comin'; hurry

d Harman. "Oh!" said the fool,

ees, exclaimed in a piercing voice, "merciful God, look dow

ce;-"you must all retire into the little room," said th

first left a lit rush light candle at his

y of them replete with the fervor of Christian faith, and calculated to raise the soul to the hopes of immortality. These the priest read in a slow manner, so as that the dying man could easily accompany him, which he did with his hands clasped, upon his breast, and his eyes closed, unless when he raised them occasionally to heaven. He then exhorted him with an anxiety for his salvation which transcended all earthly and temporal considerations, prayed with him and for him, whilst the tears streamed in torrents down his cheeks. Nor was the spirit of his holy mission lost; the penitent man's face assumed a placid and serene expression; the light of immortal hope b

o dread the approach of those whom he termed M'Clutchy's blood-hounds, no sooner saw that the religious rites were concluded, than he ran out to recon

approached, and clasping her hands, exclaimed, "To your mercy, O Lord of heaven, to your mercy take him, before he falls into their hands, that will show him none!" She then bestowed upon him a look full of an impatient ag

r readers, were uttered, or rather chaunted in a recitative of sorrow, in Irish; Irish being the language in which the peasantry who happen to speak both it and English, always express themselves when more than usually excited. "The sacred oil of salvation is upon you-the sacrament of peace and forgi

hing to see the eyes that,never looked upon us all but with love and kindness, closed on us forever. Oh," said she, putting her hands to her forehead, "an' is it-is it come to this-that I that was dearer to him than his own life a thousand times, should now be glad to see him die-be glad to see him die! Oh! they are here," she shrieked, "before the door-you may hear the

n the house, the priest and Harman having both

too of what you lave behind you! What is it? Oh! what is it to you-but poverty, and misery, and hardship-the cowld cabin and the damp bed-the frost of the sky-the frown of power, and the scourge of law-all this, oh, right hand of my affection, with the hard labor and the scanty food, do you fly

upon the sick man, "Give God thanks, he is dea

to the God who has taken him to his mercy before they came upon him! But here they are, and now I am not afraid of them. They can't insult my blessed husband now, nor murdher h

and was then a sordid corporation, whose wealth was parcelled out, not only without principle, but without shame, to the English and Irish aristocracy, but principally to the English. Church livings were not filled with men remarkable for learning and piety, but awarded to political prostitution, and often to young rakes of known and unblushing profligacy, connected with families of rank. The consequence was, that a gross secular spirit, replete with political hatred and religious rancor, was the only principle which existed in the place of true religion. That word was then, except in rare cases indeed, a dead letter; for such wa

from it. The squire and nobleman were too frequently both alike remarkable for the exhibition of such principles. Of this class was our friend M'Clutchy, who was now a justice of the peace, a grand juror, and a captain of cavalry-his corps having, a little time before, been completed. With this posse, as the officers of justice, the pranks he played were grievous to think of or to remember. He and t

rushed into the cabin with their usual violence and im

se name was Sharpe; "what's h

ther Roche; "

at. Come, Steele, give him a prod-a gentle one-and I'l

his bayonet, and commenced screwing it on

; "and the first of the kind that has

might be satisfaction, perhaps even joy, at his release; or it might be hatred-was on her face, and in her eye; but when

will go, before it touches his body. Oh, if you have

lave that-we're not in the habit of being checked b

d if it went to that, I would die for it-but I tell you, that before your b

ious. It's not possible that any being in the shape of man could be g

ged; none of your Popish interference here, or it'll be worse for you! I say the fell

addressing her-"keep aside, my good woman,

n-when, just as the bayonet which had already passed under the woman's arm, was within a few inches of O'Regan's body, he felt h

med-"don't-you'd hurt him-

ng the least tincture of humanity, would have more, force than the s

sier said than done, as the fellow found on attempting it. A struggle commenced between them, which, though violent, was not of long duration. Raymond's eye got turbid, and glared with a fiery light; bu

yonet to his neck, "would you l

oth his existence and his history, had not Father Roche and the widow both succeeded, with some difficulty, in drawing him back from the prostrate offi

o them the wanton cruelty of such conduct towards both the living and the dead. "I am ashamed of you," said he, "as countrymen, as Irishmen. Your treatment of this po

man to spake a syllable against my religion; so keep quiet if you're wise, and don't attack that, otherwi

nsulting religion, in the person of this r

the hell is h

u are so easily excited in defence of your own creed, why so ready

e; if the fellow's dead, why he has had a devilish good escape of it, and if not, let us clap him on a horse, t

e leave the house-and by the great Boyne, the first person that goes between me and him will get the contents of this

-stretched out in death before you, sufficient, by the very stillness of departed life, to calm the brutal frenzy of your passions! Have you common courage? No; I tell you to your teeth that none but spiritless caitiffs and cowards would, in the presence of death and sorrow-in the miserable cabin of the destitute widow and her orphan boy-exhibit the ruffianly outrages of men who are wanton in their cruelty, merely because they know there is none to resist them; and I may add, b

of manly truth and and moral feeling over them, that for a minute or two they quailed under the indignant

for her and his sake, and if not for theirs then, for the sake of God himself, before whose awful judgment-seat we must all stand to render an account of our wo

blind of an eye and deeply pock-pitted-"there's no use in quarrellin' with a woman c

Reilly's coffin-when we thought to nab him in the wakehouse-and when we went away didn't they set him at large, and then go back to

ou don't give him a tickle, I will-that's all-we're losin' the day and I want my breakfast Living or dead

said Steele-"that's

a mild spirit of remonstrance laid his hand upon his shoulder; but he had scarcely done so, when one o

aker, whose name was Harpur-"Go on-an

ment they once more grappled together. It was, however, only for a moment-for by the heavy blow he received from Raymond, the man staggered and fell, but ere he reached the ground, the

her amazed and apparently stupefied, "What," cried Sharpe, "is Harpur dead?" Two of them then pl

deed lifeless, raised his gun about to take aim at Ray

the words were uttered, O'Regan's wife threw herself upon him so effe

at's upon it-fight now-for God will be with us! May his strength and power be in your arms and your hearts, prays the woeful wid

ace. The four men immediately grappled, each one attempting to wrest the gun from his antagonist. Raymond, whose passions were now roused so as to resemble the ravenous fury of madness itself, at one time howled like a beast of prey, and shouted, and screamed, and laughed

n now took place, each pulling in opposite directions with all his might. At length a thought struck Harman, who all at once let the gun go, when the other having no longer any resisting power to sustain

rn now, but I

ther, "but in the mean time I will teach you to respe

f the gun to his ribs, until he had rendered h

the two. "What, however, was their surprise after each had expelled his man from the cabin, to find Steele down, h

gave us strength. Put this man out with the rest." This was accordingly don

was his shame-the touch of her hand took away his strength; and what had he within or about him to depend upon? could he look in upon his wicked heart, and be strong? could he look upon the darkness of a bad conscience, and be strong? could

g the poor child quiet and aloof from the fray, especially from his mother-now entreated that she would endeavor to compose herself, as she had reason to thank God, he said, that neither she herself nor her resolute defenders had s

re, how the wife of your heart fought for you? Your own poor, weak, sorrowful, heart-broken, but loving wife, that was as feeble as an infant this mornin'! But who gave her the streng

ns, who it was evident felt as much, if not more bitterness at their own

ide, when it soon became evident that the tragical incidents

e nursing of his father, she was scarcely permitted three hours sleep out of the twenty-four. If he could have been afforded even the ordinary comforts of a sick-bed, it is possible he might have recovered. The only drink he could call for was "the black water," as it is termed by the people, and his only nutrition a dry potato, which he could not take; the bed he lay upon was damp straw, yet did this patient child never utter a syllable to d

chedness and destitution. It is good, however, that they should be known to exist, for we assure the great and wealthy that they actually do exist, and may

es were not many minutes gone, when, to their surprise, he staggered back again out of his little room, where Father Roche had placed him, and tottering across the floor, slipped in the deceased man's blood, and fell. The mother flew to him, but Harman had already raised him up; when on his feet, he looked at the blood

r the sake of your poor heart-broken mother-I will, I will, my darling life, I will wipe

im. He had not yet spoken, but on finding himself cleansed from it, he

s-," he checked himself;-"Alas! my poor boy," he exclaimed involuntarily, "you are doubly dear to your-m

d with his woeful loss." As he spoke the boy glanced at the corpse of his father, and almost at the same moment his mother put wine and water to h

said he, "and I can't;" and a

blood; sure it's wine that Mr. Harman, the

ing me to my father," said he, once more stretching out h

d Harman, "and I'm sure you w

then," he replied, "and

as she took him in her arms, "it may ease his

won't you lie very quiet, and not sp

leep in his bed. I used sometimes to do it befo

d up in mute affliction to heaven; but still, notwith

"you must have your innocent and loving wish." She then gen

he pool of blood on the floor, and again he shuddered. All at once, however, he started and looked about him; but in a manner that betokened delight rat

he happiness depicted on his face. "Glory be to God," she exclaimed

his head-"Blessed he will be soon," said

nd the former serenity l

my life; you look a thousand poun

and smiled.--"I am," said h

, jewel of

voice;-that's three times it called, me, but it didn't come from the bed, although he's

n his fair head, he fell asleep in that affecting posture. There was a solemn stillness for some minutes, and a strange feeling of fear crept over

looked keenly into it for a few moments, and there certainly was the same seraphic expression which so lately lit it tip. Still she felt dissatisfied, till putting

then peered into the face of every one in the room-all of whom, with the exception of Raymond, were in tears. She then pressed her temples, as if striving to recollect what had happened-sat d

and outrageous grief. Father Roche, however, who had had a much more comprehensive

a short time they had a little stock of meal, butter, milk, candles, and such other simple comforts as their poor friends and neighbors had to bestow. Such is the usual kindness of the Irish people to each other in moments of destitution and sorrow. Nothing, on the present occasion, could surpass their anxiety in ascertaining the wants of this unhappy fa

lation, prepared to take his departure with Harman, leaving Raymond behind them, who indeed refused to go. "No," said he, "I can feed Dickey here-but sure they'll want

, Raymond?" sai

ke to see him kiss his father again-but I'm afeared somehow I never will.

of affection for the child-"don't swear, Raymond. The sweet boy will never waken in this w

me out of the room; but what'd she do without his white head before her?-what'll she do, and not have

or child had lain during his illness, and imme

bird to poor little Brian, for I prom

placed the bird down on the

you-won't you waken?-spake open your blue eyes, ach

le bird, the utter unbroken stillness of death, as character was so mournfully impressed upon the fair sweet features of i

r; "no, Mary, he will never waken-and the

'll sing you a song. I have nothing e

father, far

ends, and fa

go and cour

s the causer o

ey were, or where they are gone to, I cannot tell. Is your name," she ad

neighbors; "may be it may startl

nother, "for it has startled her ou

irst suggestion, without knowin

al the Vulture, that co

frightfully, across the dark and desolate scenery that surrounded the house. It was vain to pursue her; for ther