General John Regan

by young Kerrigan, who played the cornet, paraded the streets for half-an-hour before the meeting. It played "The Bonnie, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond" three times over,

eness of the words about the banquet hall deserted, and the departure of the people who had used it. For the other kind of auction, that at which the cows of men who refuse to pay their rents are sold, "God Save Ireland," would be suitable, and anyone who heard it would know that though he might attend the auction he had better not bid. An ingenious musician would have no difficulty in finding tunes which would suggest the presentation of illuminated addresses to curate

nd the speakers. The rest of the audience stood about in various parts of the square. Men talked to each other on the interesting questions of the price of cattle and the prospects of a change in the weather. Women stood together with parcels in their hands and looked at each other without talking at all. But everyone was so far interested in the speeches as to join in the cheers when anything which ought to be cheered was said. The twenty stalwart listeners who stood out all the speeches attende

of him, he felt quite certain that it always would be. Mr. Billing, who was to address the meeting that day, was a stranger, a very distinguished stranger, one whose name was a household word wherever the deeds of General John Regan were remembered, one whose name would be still be

d the word "Bolivia" aloud and everybody cheered. Father McCormack moistened his lips and went on to say that Mr. Billing was not a woman, but Ir

of her own which no one need be ashamed or afraid to read. As an evidence of the confidence he felt in the elevating character of Irish newspapers he called upon Mr. Thaddeus Gallagher, the distinguished editor of the Connacht Eagle, to address the meeting. Then with the assista

r patriots mentioned by Dr. O'Grady. Now and then, in a very loud tone, he said the name of General John Regan. Whenever he did so the audience was greatly pleased. He ended by announcing the names of the gentlemen who were to form "The Statue Committee." Father McCormack came first on the list. Mr. Bil

wanted to, because sitting down is a far more dignified way of ending a spe

chair's wanted for the American gentleman? How is he to

ly succeeded in sitting down,

tter to be getting an

d you have all the chairs that's

courtesy. The hospitality, it was presumed, had already been shown by Doyle. Gallagher, who still had hopes of finding out something about General John Regan, and Dr. O

e only spoke for five minutes. Now an audience, even if it is not listening and does not want to listen, i

, "that what's required of m

in such matters, and we know that the nude is never decen

fancy titles on our side, but I guess it's different here, and your doctor is a smart man. I may not see that Lord-Lieutenant, gentlemen, and I may not see the statue. I shall be researching in the principal libraries of the cont

old man was unable to say that he did not hear, but he maintained an aggrieved attitude. "I heard him," he complained afterwards, "but what good was it to me? What I want is to have the Gospel druv well home to my soul." The feeling of most audiences is very much the same as his was. Unadorned statements of fact, or what is meant to be taken as

st of the audience. But everyone expected him to get up again and start fresh. It seemed quite incredible that a public speaker, with an audience ready found for him, could possibly throw away a valuable opportunity and content himself with a simple five minutes of plain talk. It was not until Father McCormack rose from his chai

ched with great dignity up and down through the people. They looked as if they expected someone to start a riot It is the duty of the police in Ireland on all occasions of public mee

f kindly advice to anyone who looked as if

ou, Patsy," he would say,

hn, that you'd be better this

alue of the domestic hearth than the pol

and crossed the square rapidly. He caught Dr. O'Grady and Major Kent just as they were turning to follow Mr. Billing into the hotel. Mr. Gregg was in uniform, and the determined way in which he took Dr. O'Grady by the arm would have made most people uncomfortable. It is not pleasant, even if your conscience is quite clear, to be grabbed suddenly by a police officer in the middle of the street. But Dr. O'Grady did not

out of that," he sai

wheel. The people scattered this way and that while the machine, darting backwards and forwards, was gradually turned round. A splendid burst of cheering pursued him when he finally sped down the street and disappeared. It was understood by those

o his office. He shut the door, offered his

s," he said, "and perhaps I oug

the Major, "I think I'll leave you and the doctor to se

Mr. Gregg. "But of course you'll regard anythi

you can't possibly keep it to yourself, whatever it is. You're simply burst

have it generally known that I told you. It wouldn't suit

id he might turn nasty. What an ass he is! Why can't

to put a spoke in y

nything again

ctly the

hing discreditable

this question a

knows a thing about the General. H

is whole business. What's the good of going on with it? A joke'

Lord-Lieutenant part of the business. I thought I'd bett

far," said Dr. O'Grady. "Wh

what he said to me this morning was that you couldn't possibly have t

-. It came by the midday post, just before the meeting, and I haven't shown it to anyone y

drop it now, whether you want to or not. You can't

blic function unless 'God Save the King' is played when he arrives. He simply must have that tune on account of

r. O'Grady, "w

you attempt to get the town ban

ou have a lot of influence with these fellows, but th

a riot," sa

r," said Dr. O'Grady, "if th

er police protection, and that's what you'll be doing if Thady Gallagher catches you corrupting the n

'Grady. He sat silent for nearly a minute. Then he aske

n Ballymoy, do you think, who would recognise 'God Save the K

" said Gre

d the Major would. Ford would, I suppose. Fat

ne,'" said Gregg, "he has no ear whatever. But

p his mouth shut," said Dr. O'

ng it on the town band under some ot

at it was one of

eople know it. Even if you shut up Mor

on of 'God Save the King 'with variations. I once heard 'Home, Sweet Home,' don

ing to recognise the tune it kind of fades away and you're left with the impression that small dogs are chasing each other up and down the piano. I don't see why something of the same kind mightn't be done with 'God Save the King,' The Lord-Lieutenant would be quite satisfied, because he'd think we were always just going to begin

d of one,"

If there isn't such a thing I might work o

al composition of yours, O'Grady, played by our own town band, will be quite likely to distra

ady. "I haven't got one of my own, and I'll have to strum

said Gregg, "if you succeed.