THE EMIGRANTS OF AHADARRA.


By William Carleton




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.