CHAPTER XIX.

WHAT HAPPENED TO LITTLE EUGENE O'CLERY.


Fortune now began to smile on Paul O'Clery, and to make amends for the
long course of ill usage to which she had subjected himself and his
kindred. He had not only enjoyed the sympathy of friends, and his
talents had not only gained him the good will and respect of his
superiors and classfellows, but he now unexpectedly found himself in
possession of a handsome sum of money, the fruit of the honest industry
of his parents. The true Catholic training which Paul received from his
very infancy taught him the impropriety of immoderate joy or gladness,
and the severe trials of the last few years had chastened his naturally
hilarious and pleasant mind to a temper of habitual calm and reserve
bordering on melancholy. It must be confessed, in this instance,
however, that his spirit felt unusually buoyant and glad, as he
returned, under present circumstances, to the scene of his late trials
and humiliation.

There are few persons born, however propitious the position of their
horoscope, who have not, some time or other, to experience the feeling
attendant on a transition from an inferior condition to one of more
respect and honor. It will not, therefore, be difficult to imagine what
were the sentiments of our young hero on his return from the south, on
this occasion. He was a slave; he is now a freeman. He was a menial; he
is now a gentleman. He was the subject on which the hypocrite and the