Law Can O'Htaherty Maqqiqd The Widow.

Law Can O'Htaherty Maqqiqd the Widow .

SfiffitfjOM O'FLAHERTY tho subject of this most sTjlwJf veracious tale , was a Major on half-pay in Her " ™~ S" Majesty's army . I need not mention tho disyjy tinguished regiment to which he belonged , as it *§ 'W has nothing to do with our story ; but I simply * mention the fact that he was an " oltl soltlier !" thc life—and almost , the pot—of his mess and regiment , tho " soul of honour , " and the child of mirth , blessed

with gooel health and a fine brogue and a decent competence . He was one of the most cheery and pleasant " mates " a man could own—as good a specimen of an officer , a gentleman , anel a friend , as you could findas someone has put it— "in a day ' s march . " Whether he was wanted for a cricket match or an eight-oar , whether ho was required to " stand by " a friend or

help a lady in a crush or a scrape , whether you sought his company , his aelvice , or his intimacy , he was alike agreeable to know , anel ono emphatically of tho right sort . As Lieutenant Dawkins liked to say , ho was " such deuced good foarm , " that no one ever could be ashamed either of his looks or his companionship . He was a fine , good-looking fellow in himself , and boasted

a moustache and a beam which had long been the admiration , aud even onvy . of countless beardless " subs " and unhirsuto heroes . Anil then , when you add to this that bo was one of the most sincerely kindly , gallant , and loyal of men , who never deserteel his friend and never turned his back upon his foe , and while full of fun anel harmless gaiety * of heart , wns both serious

and sentimental , anel well rend and well informed , the portrait before my readers is , I think , a pleasant ono "for all , " and tho character I havo sought to pourtray is invested with something even of the heroic . Yet , strange to say , this good-looking major had romaincd unmarried , and , stranger still , somo of his friends asserted loudly anel boldly ( a fow female cousins

especially ) that ho never would marry . Indeed , it was once averred by his intimate crony nnd companion , Dr . Finuenne , that Tom hatl been heard to say lie woultl rather "lead a forlorn hope , or face a battery , or mako a rush at infuriated Zulus , than havo to encounter tho serious responsibilities of married lifo or the angry roproaches of an incensed " faymalo . " And as Dr .

Finuenne was a married man ol long standing and great experience , his unmarried brother officers always used to say thero must be somo reason in Tom ' s objections and Finucane ' s shakes of the heael . It wns tho ono thing the doctor resented to bo asked after Mrs . Finucane . Whether it was that Tom wns afraid of crying babies or heavy bills ; whether it was he feared to face

a female partner for life , or dreaded a matrimonial t'tc-ii-tele deponent saycth and knoweth not ; but this ono fact was clear and certain , and patent to all na any fact can be in this sublunary scene , that at tho mature age of forty-eight our friend was still unmarried . When our story opens , Tom hatl for some time been tho guest of his old friend De Visum , in his comfortable

ancestral Manor Hall , and who was , as a prosperous squire nud M . P ., nnd Master of tho lleaulieu Hounds ( for lleaulieu Manor was Charles tie Vismc ' s habitation ) , delighted to welcome his old captain once again . As a gay lieutenant in other days , Charles Do Yisnio , M . P ., like many another " good man and true , " had vowed eternal friendship to that warm-hearted and

pleasant " Paddy , " whose deeds of gallantry in the held , and whose cheery sociability in barracks , and whoso many good qualities of heart nnrl head had endeared him io hie , in-other officers , one and all , from the still' old colonel down to thu youngest and lightestheurlod subaltern . -And so , ono evening , when host , ami guest wero sitting in tho comfortable panelled

dining room , nnd the old butler had thrown another log on tho lire and replenished their glasses with good old port ( mark thai ) , Charles do Visnio opened out her heart to his friend . A fair poetess in other days wrote some pleasant lines , which linger with me still , and which describe tho situation to well that 1 must impart them to my readers : —

" Uefore n hla / inn tire , U'itlieii an .-triuc / i .-iirsnut , ' , Hi * hands upon his bosom crosseel , I li , feet upon thc meet ; His brow without a wrinkle . And hi , heart without a load' 1 here evat a Italian ) itcntleman , 'J he master of the noele .

" lie-anil bis friend together Had hunted all that day , And o ' er sriinc verv olel port wine Had washed all ' rare away ; Anel o ' er their speirt conversine ; , tbey sat them Ifle ' . ei-firi ' , Aieel feii ' i-d in their mi n wise hcnels , ' The ladies will be late . ' "

For thc truth was that . Mrs . De Visme , a very charming anil agreeable hostess , and her lady friends—including Mrs . Mulcolmson , a very graceful widow , and one or two yiiim , " men , brothers and cousins—had gone off to a juvenile hall , from which ihe Mast or of thc Hounds

and Tom O'Flahcrty hacl begged to bo evented . "Tom , " sairl Charles de Visme , after a little pause , during which the smoke from their cigarettes seemed to wreathe itself about them , " I wonder , old fellow , that you don ' t marry and settle . Heiirictlu was only saying

Law Can O'Htaherty Maqqiqd The Widow.

to me yesterday ( Mrs . do Visme , kind reader , ) thafc it was such a- pity that you hadn't a good wife , as no oue could seo you without wishing to know more of you , and no one coulel know you without liking you a great deal ; and you know I always have a high opinion of my wife's good sense , to say nothing of her gooel looks . Now , old boy , listen to me . She and I have a little

plau of our own . Why should you not ; many Mrs . Malcolmsou , that mosfc agreeable widow , and become thc squire of Combo Manor ( for everything is in hor own power ) , and live closo to us for tho rest of your lifo . By Georgo , what fun it will be to see you a squire , with six thousand a-year , tlio mosfc agreeable of hosts with the mosfc kindly of wives . Why , we will have all

tho old follows down here , and what pleasant gatherings wo will havo . Tom , let mo speak seriously to you . I once laughed at matrimony like Eversley , or feared it liko you do , or was disconcerted at its responsibilities liko old Finucane ; but I havo come to find what ifc is to havo a good wife , ono who cares for you , loves you , likes you , is never in the . way , never bothers you , never

gets you into a mess , but is the best of friends , the truest of mates , and the most conscientious of advisers . " "Ah , " replied Tom , " my dear Charles , your eloquence is as remarkable as your port ; but , to say tho truth , tho advice yon give is , I feel , indeed , very sound , yet tbo very word ' matrimony ' always seems full of warning nnd peril to me . The charms of you fair

widow aro great , but the liberty of bachelorhood is , in my eyes , a greater blessing , inasmuch as the probabilities and possibilities of matrimonial life always seem to mc to counterbalance its attractions and its desirability . You well remember poor Michael O'Connor , tho Captain of our Grenadier company . Until he was married , no happier mortal coultl be in Her Majesty ' s

dominions , but aftor that ho met that famous dragon whom bo afterwards espoused , no more wretched spectacle of manly depression can bo scon on this good earth of ours 1 " " Never mind Mike , " said Charles De Visme , " orany other illustration of matrimony . Thero is no rule , old fellow , without its exception , mid you certainly aro not

likely to' be a ' green goose , or a ' mournful example . Just listen for a fow minutes . Mrs . Malcolmsou is , as yonr eyes havo told you , I rather BUS ) eet , pretty well already , n very charming person indeed . She is | not only most well-to-do , Imt she is a Woman of great cultivation and a most kindly and sociable being . If I am not mistaken , she is much impressed with your ' pleasant

presence , ' my dear Tom , and a little perseverance is only necessary on your part to carry oil the prize from so many admirers and competitors . It is quite clear to mo that sho will have nothing to tlo with old Poulter , tho rich but stupid Squiro of Ponllcrsby . He must go back , poor louoly widower that ho is , to his broad acres and his prize pigs . Neither will sho give any

encouragement , wise woman as she is , to Sir Clement Newcomer , whose ancestors date from Richa rd the Second , at any rate , and Mounscy Hall must still remain for tho present without a fair mistress ; for the Baronet , though an excellent man , is a great bore . Neither has that good - looking vicar , Mr . Molesworfli , flic slightest chance , Broad Churchman as ho is in all respects , for Mrs . .

Malcolmsou told my wile in confidence that she would not marry a ' parson , ' under any circumstances ; and as for my rattling cousin , Harry tlo Visme , Ksq ., Harristor-at-Law , tho truth is ho will have to marry a certain Miss Carlton , an old llamo of his , so that his incessant flirtation with that di-tVi'ii net ire widow must shortly ceuso . Therefore Tom , our own old Tom of oltl , screw up your

courage , my boy , to the proposing point , and , like one of our own 'boys , ' who were never known to flinch , march forwards ! Widows , like women generally , liko a little ' pressing , ' and so let me bvo to congratulate you as a neighbour in our good county , and ' possessing one of the most prepossessing wives a man can boast of . '" Wo need not pursue this touching dialogue further ,

deeply interesting us it is , further than to say that it seemed to make a visible impression on tho cheoiy " major , " ami wo must leave its result to thci ' i' / i'iKi ' iiie'id of this story . It was observed by all nest day , that for somo reason or other tho fair widow and Tom were thrown , accidentally of COUITI > , very much together , lit ) was

admitted to the lathes Killing room after breaklast , when ho sang a duct with Mrs . . Miileolnison I ' or the evening ' s entertainment . When they went to ihe dairy , he was with that most agreeable woman , who explained to him the whole process of butter making . After luncheon she rode with this . ' party to her own stalely mansion , of which she ditl the honours , and where all tho

company hail tea , anil m the evening , after sitting next to her at dinner , and making himself very pleasant to her , he was by her side nearly the whole evening . Two days after they acted charade's , ami one of the charades was " matrimony . " "Ah , " said the widow , archly , to Tom , " 1 wonder you are going to act to-night , for thev sav vou are

nlraid of the married stale . Wliat Tom ' s reply wits no one ever knew , it was delivered soil . ) run- in ( he con . servalory . Charles Dc Visme always declared that . Tom kissed the widow ; Mrs . Dc Visme declared , wilh a gleam in her eyes , that she would uphold her friend's uiiimpc'tohahlo propriety . But be this as it may , verv soon afterwards the public

papers iiiinomiceil the mnrringo , ami great " was tho rejoicing of Tom ' s many IVienils . Tom is now the best of husbands , squires , magistrates , fathers , the cheeriest of the cheery , and the happiest of the happy . He has constant visits from his old friends , and the lone of conversation lit , the "Mote" is very military indeed . Do any of the readers of the Christinas /¦' , ' . ¦¦ „ . US .. H ask what is the moral '<

Law Can O'Htaherty Maqqiqd The Widow.

Is it not plain enough ? If any young man is hesifating on tho brink of . matrimony , fearing to take the plunge , aud really has the chance of obtaining a good wife , do not lot him vacillate between two opinions , but , like Tom O'Flahcrty , mako himself happy for lifo ,

cither with tho female of his choice , tho woman of his heart , or somo agreeable and pleasant widow who is possessed both of virtue anel competence , and is not a moro adventuress , but a true and loving woman . Be bold , I say , and foar not 1

Chirstmas.

Chirstmas .

tef ~ * pIRISTMAS comes once more to-day , F \ "M ^ '" ' E 0 , 1 g and carol and roundelay . f" ?^*^* 1 Christmas ouco again is hero , / ¦ ("•* J "< With pleasant memories , soft and dear ; " f As round the hearthstone of old days « M » Wo gather still from far and near .

If somo aro missing from our foasfc ; 'If some , from earthly cares roleast , Aro wanting to complete our score , And tearful memory counts them o ' er ; Ah ! wcll-a-day ! wo all then say , On earth wc see them nevermore !

This is thafc twofold solemn tone which flings A calm refinement on mirth ' s glad strings , And in our Christmas revels nigh , Touches our gladness with a sigh , As wo think of those no longer seen When joy and merriment ask reply .

There is tlio soft face , calm and clear , Whoso presence cheered us mauy a year ; There is tho grace , so glad and fair , Which of old conld charm us everywhere . AU , nil , aro fled , and wo alone To sounds of revelry repair .

Ah ! memory , ever dear and true , Which takes us back , kind hearts , to you , Still whispers in our hearts your namo—Your gentlo goodness—your growing fame , And cheers us with tho hopo all bright That you aro saved from enre or blame .

Ah ! Christmas time , as upward swells The merry chime of your sweet bells , As songs and chants tell of tho hour Of joyous Faith ' s consoling pow ' r ; I feel for one a solemn thought Of faded scenes , of faded flowor .

But silent , bc , poor heart , and still , Let pleasant faces with fragrance till Those precious moments as they fly , And youth ' s gay banter sound on high , And bid all huil to Christmas day , Which , in kind humour , hastouoth hy . » , «* .

Miss Donothy's Thanksgiving.

Miss Donothy's Thanksgiving .

Bv HELEN M . WHITNEY . 1 . tV | CAN'T seo that 1 havo much to bo thankful for , ' ' eJti grumbled Miss Dorothy to herself , as sho caro-¦ sfja fully polished tlm parlour stovo , using , [ lorhapg , - » a tritlc more " elbow grease " than was absolutely 5 necessary . " Of course , I always return thanks » when I say my prayers at night and morning , that

I m kept well and out of trouble ; but as for any special cause for thankfulness , 1 can't seo it . " Miss Dorothy didn't know sho was talking slang , or she would have altered the construction of her last sentence . " I've half a notion not . to cook any dinner to-day at all ! The turkey and things will keep , nnd there's cold

sweet potatoes , and a whole pumpkin pie , and hero ' syes , here ' s n pan of pork and beans that I baked day before yesterday , and haven't scarcely tasted yet . " Miss Dorothy had finished blacking the stovo now , and was examining thc contents ol u littlo milnut ctiphvnnl that did duty as i : pantry . "There ' s not much fun

cooking a Thanksgiving dinner , anyhow , when there ' s nobody but mo to eat it . " Here she glanced into the little old-fashioned looking , glass that hung over the cupboard , and heaved a sigh , as she thought of how different tilings would have been if she had not refused Jack Farris when he asked hor

to marry him , and if Jack had not taken her at hor word and hurried oil" to China without giving her a chance to explain that , although she had said no , sho had meant yes . She was pretty Dolly Digby then , and , though she hacl inanv other offers of marriage ,

somehow the memory of Jack Farris' blonde moustache and dark eyes always came between her and the eligible bachelors and widowers who sought her hand . Aud so it happened , that though ten long years had passed away , still she wns Miss Digby , or rat her , Miss Dorothy , as she was called by the village folks , both old anil

young . " There's no oue but myself ( ocook for now , though , " she repeated to herself , with another sigh ami another glance at the littlo mirror . Suddenly , this line of Scripture Hashed into Miss Dorothy ' s mind : " The poor