The Dead Boxer - The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two by William Carleton
page 72 of 104 (69%)
page 72 of 104 (69%)
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widout a child to shed a tear over us, or to put up one prayer for our
happiness?" The young man's eyes filled with tears; but his cheek reddened, and he dashed them hastily aside. "No, my boy, my glorious boy, won't refuse to save his mother's heart from breakin'; ay, and his gray-haired father's too--he won't kill us both--my boy won't,--nor send us to the grave before our time!" "Mother," said he, "if I could I--Oh! no, no. Now, it's too late--if I didn't fight him, I'd be a perjured man. You know," he added, smiling, "there's something in a Lamh Laudher's blow, as well as in the Dead Boxer's. Isn't it said, that a Lamh Laudher needn't strike two blows, when he sends his strength with one." He stretched out his powerful arm, as he spoke, with a degree of pride, not unbecoming his youth, spirit, and amazing strength and activity. "Do not," he added, "either vex me, or sink my spirits. I'm sworn, an' I'll fight him. That's my mind, and it will not change." The whole party felt, by the energy and decision with which he spoke the last words, that he was immovable. His resolution filled them with melancholy, and an absolute sense of death. They left him, therefore, in silence, with the exception of his parents, whose grief was bitter and excessive. When the Dead Boxer heard that he had been challenged, he felt more chagrin than satisfaction, for his avarice was disappointed; but when he |
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