Stories From Carleton

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 Excerpt: ... a quarter of a mile before them. As they approached the door the husband hesitated a moment; his face got paler than usual, and his lips quivered as he said, "Kathleen" "I know what you're goin' to say, Owen. No, acushla, you won't; /'// ax it myself." "Do," said Owen, with difficulty; "I can't do it; but I'll overcome my pride afore long, I hope. It's thryin' to me, Kathleen, an' you know it is--for you know how little I ever expected to be brought to this." "Husht, avillish! We'll thry, then, in the name o' God." As she spoke, the children, herself, and her husband entered, to beg for the first time in their lives a morsel of food. Yes! timidly--with a blush of shame, red even to crimson, upon the pallid features of Kathleen--with grief acute and piercing--they entered the house together. For some minutes they stood and spoke not. The unhappy woman, unaccustomed to the language of supplication, scarcely knew in what terms to crave assistance. Owen himself stood back, uncovered, his fine but much changed features overcast with an expression of deep affliction. Kathleen cast a single glance at him as if for encouragement. Their eyes met: she saw the upright man--the last remnant of the M'Carthy--himself once the friend of the poor, of the unhappy, of the afflicted--standing crushed and broken down by misfortunes which he had not deserved, waiting with patience for a morsel of charity. Owen, too, had his remembrances. He recollected the days when he sought and gained the pure and fond affections of his Kathleen; when beauty, and youth, and innocence encircled her with their light and their grace, as she spoke or moved; he saw her a happy wife and mother in her own home, kind and benevolent to all who require...