farmers' houses, and such scenes are not occasional nor unusual, all was
busy preparation at the shanties. The largest shanty in the "patch" was
cleared of all sorts of lumber. Forms, chairs, tables, pots, flour and
beef barrels, molasses casks, and other necessary stores were all put
outside doors. The walls, if so we can call them, of the shanty, were
then hung round with newspapers, white linen tablecloths, and other
choice tapestry, while a good large shawl, spread in front of the altar,
served as a carpet on which his reverence was to kneel and stand while
officiating. Green boughs were cut in a neighboring wood lot and planted
around the entrance by the men, while around the altar and over it were
wreaths of wild flowers and blossoms, gathered by the little girls of
the "patch" in the adjacent meadows, in order to prepare a decent place
for the holy Mass. At an early hour the priest made his appearance, and
was very much pleased to see the transformation which the piety of
these poor, hard-working people wrought in the appearance of the humble
shanty. For fifteen miles along the line the crowds were gathering, and
the works were suspended for the day. The overseers and contractors, to
do them justice, had no objection to this occasional interruption of
their profits. At all events, they knew it was a holy day; and even
they, with all their irresponsible control over their men, had ample
proof that, even in the wild deserts and savage woods of America, the
Irish Catholic "remembers" the Sabbaths and festivals of his God or his
Church.

Long before the hour of Mass, the shanty was crowded, and many were the
comments and remarks made on the physical powers and other external
accomplishments of the new priest.

Some remarked that his reverence,--God bless him!--need not be afraid of
travelling alone through these lonesome glens, for it would require "a