CHAPTER I.—­A strong Farmer’s Establishment and Family.

It was one summer morning, about nine o’clock, when a little man, in the garb and trim of a mendicant, accompanied by a slender but rather handsome looking girl about sixteen, or it may be a year more, were upon their way to the house of a man, who, from his position in life, might be considered a wealthy agriculturist, and only a step or two beneath the condition of a gentleman farmer, although much more plain and rustic in his manners.  The house and place had about them that characteristic appearance of abundance and slovenly neglect which is, unfortunately, almost peculiar to our country.  The house was a long slated one, and stood upon a little eminence, about three or four hundred yards from the highway.  It was approached by a broad and ragged boreen or mock avenue, as it might be called, that was in very good keeping with the premises to which it led.  As you entered it from the road, you had to pass through an iron gate, which it was a task to open, and which, when opened, it was another task to shut.  In consequence of this difficulty, foot passengers had made themselves a way upon each side of it, through which they went to and came from the house; and in this they were sanctioned by the example of the family themselves, who, so long as these side paths were passable, manifested as much reluctance to open or close the gate as any one else.

The month was May; and nothing could be more delightful and exhilarating than the breeze which played over the green fields that were now radiant with the light which was flooded down upon them from the cloudless sun.  Around them, in every field, were the tokens of that pleasant labor from which the hopes of ample and abundant harvests always spring.  Here, fixed in the ground, stood the spades of a boon* of laborers, who, as was evident from that circumstance, were then at breakfast; in another place might be seen the plough and a portion of the tackle lying beside it, being expressive of the same fact.  Around them, on every side, in hedges, ditches, green fields, and meadows, the birds seemed animated into joyous activity or incessant battle, by the business of nest-building or love.  Whilst all around, from earth and air, streamed the ceaseless voice of universal melody and song.

     * A considerable number of men working together.

On reaching the gate, Peety Dhu and his pretty daughter turned up towards the house we have alluded to—­which was the residence of a man named Burke.  On reaching it they were observed by a couple of large dogs, who, partaking of the hospitable but neglected habits of the family, first approached and looked at them for a moment, then wagged their tails by way of welcome, and immediately scampered off into the kitchen to forage for themselves.