deeply participated in the affliction
of the late proctor's family with the exception of the magistrate
himself, who, much to their astonishment, was not forthcoming. Every
successive moment, however, he was looked for; but as he did not, after
an unusual period of expectation, make his appearance, some alarm began
to be felt, which gradually increased, especially on the part of his
daughter, until she proposed that a search should be made for him. This
was accordingly done, when--but let it not reach the ears of his friend
the Castle, he was discovered somewhat in the position of Philosopher
Square, behind Molly Seagrim's curtain, squatted upon his hunkers, as
they say, in the furthest and darkest corner of the coal hole.

In about half an hour after this discovery, a knock came to the door,
and it was intimated to Alick Purcel and M'Carthy, that the Cannie
Soogah wished to see them for a minute or two,--but that he declined
coming in.

"Gentlemen," said he, when they came to the hall-door, "I have made
up my mind since I left you awhile ago, and I'm come to bid you both
farewell. This at present is not a paceful country to live in, and I'm
tired of the work that's goin' on in it. I'm now come to bid you both
farewell, and my brother is goin' along wid me. The other will be laid
in his grave this night. I wish, Mr. Purcel, I could a' done more for
your family; but what's done can't be undone. Farewell, then," said
he, and, as he spoke, his voice was filled with deep but manly
emotion--"Farewell to you both! When you think of me, let it be kindly,
for from this night out you will never see the Cannie Soogah more."

He put his two hands upon his face, gave a sob or two, and immediately
departed at a rapid pace, and never was seen in the country afterwards.

It is necessary to say now that Alick Purcel and his beloved Miss
O'Driscol were united;--that M'Carthy, in due time, after having been
called to the bar, was made happy in the possession of Julia Purcel; and
that Jerry Joyce, in imitation of his betters, was blessed by the hand
and honest heart of Letty Lenehan.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tithe-Proctor, by William Carleton

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TITHE-PROCTOR ***

***** This file should be named 16010.txt or 16010.zip *****
This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/0/1/16010/

Produced by David Widger