said, "Please take a seat, Master Rowan. I have been told you wish to speak with me."

"Thank you," said Garrett, "I'd rather stand, Sir. I have come, Mr. MacDuff, to talk about a matter which, as you will know, unspeakably concerns me."

"Oh, yes," replied Mr. MacDuff, "your father, I suppose, has sent you with some meesage concerning that bond, which ceercumstances, I regret to say, have compelled me to put into eexecution."

Mr. MacDuff's conscience told him that his closing statement was a lie; and the lad to whom it was spoken was also aware of the same undoubted fact. He gave the utterer before him a stern look, which meant as much, but took no further notice of the falsehood.

"No," commenced Garrett, "my father knows nothing of my coming-perhaps would not sanction it but as a son whose parent, on his account, has got into sore difficulty, I have ventured of myself to come to you, Mr. MacDuff, to appeal to your kindness and merciful consideration. My father's debt to you, you must know, Sir, at any other time would be but a small matter; at a day's notice he could easily have met three times the amount, but, at this hour, things are in that dreadful pass that immediate payment of your demand is impossible; and if you force a settlement, I fear it will lead to a virtual confiscation of our property."

This was Mr. MacDuff's own settled conviction, and it was upon this supposition he had acted. He was glad, however, to have his belief upon the matter confirmed by his debtor's son, and the inward satisfaction which he felt produced a slight change upon his countenance.

Poor Garrett, noticing this, mistook it for a token of relenting, and with a still more passionate entreaty he urged forbearance upon his father's creditor. He spoke, however, to a man of flint, whose avaricious soul had set itself upon a most desirable prize, and which, almost within his grasp, he could not think of relinquishing. "It would be an unpardonable weakness on my part," was Mr. MacDuff's reflection.

It would take too long to record the whole of the interview between the pleading son and the covetous neighbour. It ended, however, in Garrett's leaving upon being told, "That a youngster like him could know little or nothing of business matters, especially such as the one he came about. That it was almost impertinent for him to interfere. That there was no doubt, even, his own father would say so; and that his duty was not to remonstrate, nor whine like a child before him, Mr. MacDuff, who was only standing upon his unquestionable rights, but to counsel his father to settle at once the

bond, and that Garrett-if he'd only do what was proper-should exercise his energies, elsewhere in helping him to do so."

With a heart almost bursting with anger and grief Garrett Rowan was wending his way homeward. He was on foot, having walked the two or three miles between Carberry Grange and Mr. MacDuff's residence, when, with head bent sadly over his breast, he was surprised, about a quarter of a mile upon the road, by a girl's silvery voice, which, calling him by name, addressed him. It was the voice of Mr. MacDuff's daughter, Jessie, and though Garrett and she had but met once or twice, he at once recognised her.

Her

She was about his own age, and, verging upon an early and comely womanhood, was possessed of no mean personal attraction. hair, falling in glossy curls over her shoulders, was of a light auburn shade; her eyes were of a tender blue, her complexion clear, and her features regular. She was, in truth, that "bonnie lassie " which her father in his fond admiration called her.

In a room adjoining she had heard most of what had taken place between Mr. MacDuff and Garrett, and her honest and sympathetic Scotch heart was grieved and distressed beyond measure. She had, in strong emotion, hastened from the house, anticipating by a little Garrett's departure. Her intention was to intercept him, and tell him her thoughts and feelings upon the heartless conduct of her father. On the way suggestions, also, of what was due to a parent came in upon her mind--and she thoroughly believed in a child's duty of honour

but, still pitying with all her young soul the Rowans, of whose high character and splendid benevolence she of late had heard so much, she could not resist the impulse of clearing herself from any supposed complicity in a meditated act which outraged her whole moral nature.

With face flushed from her hurried walk and inward excitement, she said—

"Mr. Garrett, I hope you will forgive my forwardness in addressing you, but, having heard a good deal of what passed between you and my father, I felt, Sir, as though I must speak to you. As a daughter I do not wish to say anything hard of my parent-God forbid ; but I assure you, Mr. Garrett, that neither my mother nor myself have given approval to his present proceedings; on the contrary, when it came to our knowledge, which it did accidentally only a day or two ago, we entered our protest, Mr. Garrett, against it. But some unaccountable spell has come over my father's usual upright nature; I cannot tell how to account for it, and he insists that he must and will have payment of your father's bond. Would to God we could move him from his

purpose; but of this I fear there is little hope. And I have hastened to tell you how much I grieve over the whole matter, and how deep is my concern both for you, Mr. Garrett, and all in your home at Carberry Grange," and into the tone of her closing words the young girl threw an intensity of feeling.

Garrett was absorbed in trouble, and almost stunned with sorrow, yet he could not but admire, young as he was, the beautiful face of her that spoke to him, to which moral enthusiasm and heart-felt sympathy had lent

an additional charm.

"I thank you, I deeply thank you, Miss MacDuff," he said, "for your kind expressions. My father and his household have indeed fallen into a sad and desperate case-one never dreamt of by us. Would to God that I had not been the occasion, nor your father the cause of it. However, since matters are, it seems, to come to the worst, why, I suppose we must only make up our minds to bear it. The Rowans have never wanted courage in active fight. We must now show our courage in calm and patient endurance; as for myself the remembrances of the kind words you have spoken, Miss MacDuff, will help me to fortitude."

"Do you mean it?" she said, a smile of pleasure lighting up her face. Then, with some coyness and hesitation, taking a jewelled ring from her finger, she added, "Can you bring yourself, Mr. Garrett, to accept a trifle from the daughter of one whom you must regard an enemy? Perhaps I should not offer it you, and you may consider my conduct strange, but our present interview is peculiar. Do take it Mr. Garrett-it is a peace offering," and she stretched her hand, holding the piece of jewellery, towards him. "It will help you to bear my words of sympathy in mind you know, and will also be a token to me, that you do not include me in the feeling of resentment which I know you cannot but bear towards my father."

The lad stood for a moment or two silent, surprised by the unexpected act of the lady and also questioning within himself what he should do, and how he should bear himself towards one of a family whose head meditated ruin to his home, and who had recently insulted him. At last, thinking over her generous conduct and kind words, and wishful to prove, as she had desired, his acquittal of her from taking any part in the covetous and iniquitous scheme of her father, he took from her hand the proffered gift, and then, with a gallantry beyond his years, he pressed it to his lips, looking into her eyes all the time with an expression of admiration and thankfulness.

The resumption of his way homeward restored to Garrett's mind its former sad and

gloomy thoughts, and yet more than once the face of Jessie MacDuff-very beautiful in its display of deep feeling and nobleness-came in upon his meditation, like momentary bursts of sunshine through occasional rifts in the leaden vault of a beclouded heaven.

CHAPTER IV.

"The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide."

MILTON.

IT would be tedious to describe the law processes painfully and eagerly gone through in the struggle of the Rowans to hold their estate, and of Mr. MacDuff to get his overcoming grasp upon it. It will be sufficient to say that the issue of the contest was in favour of the avaricious creditor-Carberry Grange was set up for sale, and Mr. MacDuff, through an agent, purchased it for little over a third of its value in the Land Auction Mart of the Encumbered Estates Court, Dublin. Low as was the price, however, fifteen hundred pounds or so remained to be handed over to the dispossessed Rowans, after paying off all encumbrances. It was felt to be a miserable salvage. All that had given them social position and dignity in the eyes of their neighbours was gone from them for ever; and with hearts proud as before, they were forced down to a despicable grade in the conception of the general community, namely, one poor and proud, the objects at once of pity and of scorn.

The day of final parting from their long and well-loved home was one never to be forgotten in the Rowan history. Mr. Rowan, the father, fell unconscious to the ground when the writ of ejectment was served upon him. This very likely saved his alarmed and agitated wife from a similar disaster, for, as is well-known, one shock is often neutralized in its effect by the experience of another. The poor lady, however, was pale as death, and "trembled exceedingly."

After an anxious period, through the use of powerful restoratives, her husband was brought back to conscious life, but it was only with a broken heart, which not long afterwards terminated his earthly existence.

Garrett bore himself more bravely than he expected in this crisis of the family history. It was because he had previously steeled his mind to the worst, and submissively contemplated it. He had, however, an arduous and melancholy task of it-aiding those dear to him as his own life, utterly consumed with sorrowand feeling deep down in the anguish of his heart all the while, that were it not for him and his father's fond desire to further his interests, this catastrophe had not befallen the Carberry household.

Having helped his father and mother to a

vehicle at the door, he was the last to leave the family dwelling, leading by the hand an only sister, younger than himself, who was weeping as if her heart would break. Never did carriage contain four human beings more broken in spirit and desolate of heart than that which rolled this day down the avenue, in front of Carberry Grange.

Outside the gateway the Rowans found the road filled with a crowd of their late dependents. There, were gathered to bid them a sorrowful adieu-strong men and delicatefeatured women, and numerous youths and maidens beside, who, many a time, in days gone by, had heard the kindly word, and known the cheerful and ready bounty of the Rowans. On every face of the awaiting throng was an unspeakable sadness. Tears ran down many a cheek, and not a few choking sobs were audible.

"God be wid you, Mr. Rowan, and be yer friend on this day of black sorra. Shure, an' it was you that used to be good to the poor and hungry. God bless you! And may the dear missus hav' the blessin' o' the Lord and the comfortin' benedicshun o' the Holy Vargin, Mother o' God, and the help of all the Saints in heaven, day and night, with her. Shure if it warn't for her and the masther's goodniss there isn't wan of uz i'd be here this day to see this heart breakin' sight. The best in the county lavin' it. We'd a' been long ere this dead and gone, killed with the hunger, and its takin' our long last sleep in Ballyrohan churchyard we'd be, and not, as now, givin' a God speed to yees. And, Masther Garrett, howld up yer heart, Alannah! It's a long night, ye know, that has no golden dawn. This is a woful time for ye, robbed o' yer birthright; but there's a good time in store for ye yit, Surr, and we don't despair o' seein' ye wan o' these days back again in Carberry Grange. And, Miss Katie, shure it 'ill be, all out, a dull and desolate place widout yer bonny face and fairy step to enliven it. The blessin' o' Heaven, flowin' over, be upon yees all, for ever and a day, widout ceasin'. Shure it's thim yer lavin' behind-it is that has the worst cause for sorra. What 'ill becum of uz and what 'ill we do widout yees? at all, at all. Left in the hans o' thim that knows not uz an' our ways; and strangers in the land have, iv coorse, no fellow feelin' for uz. Wirra sthru-we're clane bet, lost, and done fur. Would to God it war our lot to go wid yees, and sarve yees all the days of our lives, for nothin' else nor the love o' yees."

Such were some of the expressions which saluted the Rowans as, with sorrowful looks and overburdened hearts, they set out on their journey from the home of their fathers. As it

were, a tree torn up by the roots from a soil in which for two centuries it had been kindly nourished, and delivered to the sweeping waters of a devastating flood, to be borne whither none could tell, but with little hope of a second time anywhere striking root, or of uplifting its head again from the base and lowly earth, down to which it had been dragged, by untoward events, from its accustomed heaven.

CHAPTER V.

Reasoning at every step he treads,
Man yet mistakes his way,

While meaner things, whom instinct leads,
Are rarely known to stray.-COWPER.

WITH, almost, the slow pace of a funeral, the carriage, at the bidding of Mr. Rowan, was driven along the road until it reached the south boundary of the Carberry Estate. Its late owner wished to bid it a lingering farewell, and to give a protracted and earnest gaze at objects which had been daily and hourly present to his vision from his very childhood. He had a firm presentiment that never should he revisit them. Hence he craved to so fix upon his mind the details of the well beloved scene that the vivid remembrance of them should, far as possible, supply, in days to come, the want of their actual presence.

This retarded progress of the carriage gave the crowd of sympathisers an opportunity of following it, of which they fully availed themselves, still filling the air with their blessings and lamentations. Even when the bounds of Carberry Grange were passed, and the driver put the vehicle to an increased speed, many were those who tried to keep up with it.

The one longest to continue in pursuit was a half-witted lad- -a well-known character of the district-who was befriended by every one, and had been, mostly so, by Mrs. Rowan. In his unreasoning fondness, with an eager and joyous face, he ever saluted her as "Lady Mammy Rowan."

So long as the crowd moved, at a slow march rate, "Addle-headed Andy" (such was his cognomen) walked on quietly in its midst, supposing we dare say, in his confused way, that he and all about him were going to a burial-for large and thronged "berrins," as is well known, are an institution in Ireland.

At the quickened progress of the Rowans' carriage, however, he gave a start, the sluggish current of his thought was strangely broken in upon, and he rushed to the front to get some explanation of the unusual phenomenon ; namely, that of a funeral moving at the rate of a hunt.

What he saw, caused the true state of the case to gleam upon his dim intelligence, and also reminded him of a something which, hitherto forgotten, he was carrying hidden

between his buttoned-up coat and waistcoat. This was an oval piece of the finest and greenest sward, cut by him that morning from the lawn of Carberry Grange.

The

In some parts of the sister country there has been a curious practice in vogue for generations, one which, however, has nearly died out. descendants of certain families, whose estates were confiscated in the ancient troubles of Ireland, used to cut each year, and generally in secret, a green sod from some part of the ancestral demesne. It was done under a legendary belief that they thus retained a right to the land- —a right to come into force some day-since they had in this way ever kept up an unbroken personal connection with the confiscated estate, and in fact had never, in their idea, been finally evicted from it.

Andy had heard some of the neighbours talk over this custom, and saying that the Rowans, if they'd do right, should take a sod with them from Carberry Grange. The poor fellow though not clearly understanding the matterresolved within himself, that since it was a thing which it was distinctly declared would "sarve" his friends, he, "his own sel, would do the job”—would cut a sod of grass, such as was spoken of, the nicest he could find, from the well-known lawn, and would give it into the hands of Lady Mammy Rowan. "Shure, its the least I can do fur the love o' her," he thought, as he set about the execution of his self-imposed task.

Andy's surroundings in the crowd totally effaced from his remembrance, as has been said, the emerald sod, and the purpose of his carrying it.

The rapidly departing carriage, containing his friends, flashed, however, upon his thoughts his early intention. Violently loosening his coat, and seizing in his hand the object it had concealed, and giving a wild cry, he darted after the vanishing Rowans, waving on high the gift he wished to convey to them.

At first, surrounded by other pursuers, his shouts and gesticulations were unheeded; but when he left his companions in the race behind and alone pressed on in front, still uttering his peculiar cries, he succeeded in gaining the observation of those he solicited. Peter, the driver, was told to stop, the Rowan family, one and all, wishful to give poor Andy that parting shake of the hand which he so earnestly seemed to covet.

"Lady Mammy Rowan-Lady Mammy Rowan," ejaculated Andy, when he reached the carriage, and with great difficulty, from exhausted breath, in consequence of his long continued speed-"Lady Mammy RowanLook what I have fur ye, Maam, a piece I've cut, me very sel, from Carberry Grange;

don't fur the life o' ye go off widout it. Shure it 'ill make ye, in spite of all that man can do, Misthress, anyhow, of some part o' Carberry. Take it, Lady Mammy, take it, and then, tho' they tell me yer goin away from Andy, and that he'll never see ye more, yet, for an'ever ye sot eye on this, ye'll see some o' Carberry Grange still, and maybe, too, it 'ill make ye think o' me-yer own Addle-headed Andy."

Mrs. Rowan was aware of the meaning of the legendary act, the performance of which, only dimly and confusedly comprehending, Andy would force upon her, and she had no faith at all in the supposed inviolable right which it would secure for her in the forfeited family inheritance. She saw, however, that Andy had stumbled upon a real advantage, which the possession of an Emerald sod from Carberry Grange would secure for her. It would, indeed, make her permanent owner of a portion of the dear soil, and even when far away in person, would still make a part of Carberry Grange near and ever present to her. To the evident delight, therefore, of Andy, she eagerly, and with tears in her eyes, took his proffered gift, warmly thanking him the while, and pressed his hand long and closely for a final adieu.

Long did the fantastic fellow, laughing gaily and dancing merrily-from the high satisfaction he was in, from the success of his deed and the greeting he received-follow with his gaze the receding carriage. Long, until, at last, it was lost to view from a bend in the road. Then, a sense of blank desolation coming over him, his grotesque laugh was suddenly changed into an agony of weepingone that was often renewed in after days, when, on going up as usual to Carberry Grange, to experience some act of kindness, he found absent the one whose cheery voice and open hand had been wont to make him happy.

The destination of the Rowans was Clonmel, the chief and very beautifully situated town of county Tipperary. They proposed to themselves to continue there for a season, until some matters, pending, in connection with Carberry Grange should be brought to a settlement, and, also, until they should discover some eligible opening, and fix upon some permanent arrangement for the future. The fifteen hundred pounds which remained over, and above, from the sale of the family estate, Mr. Rowan resolved until then to put in a place of security; and, alas! the place chosen for this purpose was the Tipperary Bank.

We have used the word 'Alas,' at the mention of the bank, and all who know anything of the history of these times in the South of Ireland will understand the reason.

(To be Continued.)

The bells have rung the dead year to his sleep,
Hopeful and gay our midnight watch we keep;
For he who first shall cross our step to-night
Must gain a welcome gloriously bright.

Who stands beyond the frosted garden gate,
To bring good fortune, and defy dark Fate?
Go, open quick, lest he depart again,
And for our visitor we watch in vain.

Widely we throw the door, and gaze with joy
As enters straight a quiver laden boy;
And songs of happy mirth resound above,
Our year is safe-for our first foot is Love.

never saw yet, and that is the snake that, unprovoked, will attack a man. When provoked, however, their vengeance is fearful, as I have known a large dog die in three minutes after the bite, and a man in forty minutes.

Many an old bushman, if he were examined, could bear powerful testimony on the much disputed question of fascination by snakes. It is true I have never seen or heard of an instance in which man, or any of the larger quadrupeds, were subjected to it; but I have frequently seen birds, and some of the smaller quadrupeds, most decidedly fascinated by a snake. On one occasion my attention was attracted by a quail which was running backwards and forwards in the grass, and gradually

THE BUSH.

BY REV. THOMAS HASLEWOOD.

PEOPLE

in England laugh at their own native snakes, and go to see foreign specimens as a curiosity. Bushmen in Australia do not laugh at their own breeds, and do not care to see any other kinds than their own. Australian snakes are a curiosity in this country, and very nice to look at in a cage or box, but not otherwise. In their own land, as an American would say, "they are a caution," meaning, probably, that they teach the most incautious to practise caution. As a general rule they are of a most shy and retiring disposition, carefully avoiding the presence of a white man, who kills them, or of a black man or laughing jackass, who kill and eat them, too. Exceptions, however, are occasionally found, and when houses are built too near their abodes they sometimes try to take possession, or, if interfered with in their rambles, will show fight, in which case the only ending is death or victory. On one occasion, an acquaintance of mine, sleeping in the forest, awoke with the sensation of something on his breast, and soon discovered a large brown snake-one of the deadliest in the colony-coiled up inside his shirt. Fortunately, he had sufficient presence of mind and nerve to remain perfectly still until, as day began to dawn, the snake took its departure, taking a route directly across his face; and the bushman took his departure, considerably relieved at so satisfactory a termination to the interview. Two good points at least there are in Australian snakes-first, that they are capital destroyers of all kinds of vermin, and, secondly, that if they carry the old Scotch motto, Nemo me impune lacessit, they also carry, "Let me alone, and I'll let you alone," for, although I have seen nearly every breed of Australian snake, one kind I

front. On coming nearer I saw a large snake stretched on the grass, whose head was followI watched until ing every motion of the bird. the bird came within five or six feet from the snake when, forgetting the old maxim of "mind your own business," I killed the snake, and the bird flew away. If, however, the snake destroys the birds, the laughing jackass, or giant kingfisher, takes care to avenge his feathered neighbours, as he carries on a war of extermination with every snake in the country, single handed, and attacking even the largest fearlessly attacking the smaller specimens and deadliest when aided by his brethren. Let one of these birds see a large snake, and, by a peculiar cry, he will soon summon all his kindred within hearing. One or two will then place themselves in front of the snake and attract his attention, when another will The snake turns peck him about the tail. round, and is instantly seized by those in front, and in a few seconds the whole party will either kill him by the blows of their beaks, or carry him up into the air and let him fall, after which he is speedily devoured.

We have heard a great deal lately of floods in various parts, but while admitting their destructive character I must say that those of Australia exceed them in rapidity and extent. Standing by the bank of the Kangaroo river, I saw it rise two feet perpendicularly in ten minutes. On a subsequent occasion, whilst riding on the bank of the Shoalhaven river, I saw the drift wood of the last flood forty feet above the ordinary level; and, where the river left the mountains, the high water mark was fully ninety feet above the ordinary height. When that flood went down, the river had cut itself a new channel through the neck of a bend, round which it had previously flowed, and six feet of sand and gravel was spread over at least one very rich farm. The managers of a steamboat company instituted enquiries as to the whereabouts of a missing wharf and steamboat.