Page:The Social War.djvu/31

Rh were novel, and proved equally effectual when the time arrived for the fulfilment of their conniving.

As Deacon Stew was preparing to leave the bedside of Miss Lucinda Armington, Judy McCrea was relating to Pat O'Conner what a fancy the deacon had taken to her young lady, stating that Miss Lucinda despised the old hypocrite, when the following dialogue was held between the twain:

"Och! Judy, darlin', an' ye mane that dirty ould blackgard is in luv wid the purty Miss Armington?" said Pat O'Conner.

"An' shure I do," responded Judy McCrea.

"Be me sowl, I'll trap 'im, the squally old hypocret," said Pat.

"What will ye do to him, darlin' Pat? Be kereful of yerself, for the masther belaves him to be a parfect saint," replied Judy.

"Och, and ye nivir mind, but sind the ould curmudgon through the side doore, whin I'll plaster his nist for him. Mark, you kape dark on the matter," said Pat.

"I'll do it," responded Judy, and passed toward the bed chamber of Miss Armington; and who should she meet but the general and the deacon, on their way to the library.

They conversed for a moment, when Judy McCrea repaired to the library door and knocked, and, upon being asked in, she said, that Miss Lucinda desired her father to go to her as soon as possible, when the deacon was shown out by Judy through the side door, where another hypocrite—the faithful coachman, Pat O 'Conner was busily at work, who placed himself in such a position as to accidentally run against the deacon whilst the latter turned the corner of the house. Pat knocked the pious deacon under his chin, with the top of his head, sending the lover of Miss Armington reeling like a lightning-struck bull; and no sooner had the deacon recovered his balance than Pat humbly apologized: