buss, we, who form no portion of the polite
press, and have no pretension to mix in what are euphuistically called the
"best circles" of this capital, would like to ask, for the information of
those humble classes among which our readers are found, is it the custom
for young ladies to await the absence of their fathers to entertain
young gentlemen tourists? and is a reputation for even heroic courage
not somewhat dearly purchased at the price of the companionship of the
admittedly most profligate man of a vicious and corrupt society? The
heroine who defended Kilgobbin can reply to our query.'

Joe Atlee read this paragraph three times over before he carried in the
paper to Kearney.

'Here's an insolent paragraph, Dick,' he cried, as he threw the paper to
him on the bed. 'Of course it's a thing cannot be noticed in any way, but
it's not the less rascally for that.'

'You know the fellow who edits this paper, Joe?' said Kearney, trembling
with passion.

'No; my friend is doing his bit of oakum at Kilmainham. They gave him
thirteen months, and a fine that he'll never be able to pay; but what would
you do if the fellow who wrote it were in the next room at this moment?'

'Thrash him within an inch of his life.'

'And, with the inch of life left him, he'd get strong again and write at
you and all belonging to you every day of his existence. Don't you see
that all this license is one of the prices of liberty? There's no guarding
against excesses when you establish a rivalry. The doctors could tell you
how many diseased lungs and aneurisms are made by training for a rowing
match.'

'I'll go down by the mail to-night and see what has given the origin to
this scandalous falsehood.'

'There's no harm in doing that, especially if you take me with you.'

'Why should I take you, or for what?'

'As guide, counsellor, and friend.'

'Bright thought, when all the money we can muster between us is only enough
for one fare.'

'Doubtless, first class; but we could go third class, two of us for the
same money. Do you imagine that Damon and Pythias would have been separated
if it came even to travelling in a cow compartment?'

'I wish you could see that there are circumstances in life where the comic
man is out of place.'

'I trust I shall never discover them; at least, so long as Fate treats me
with "heavy tragedy."'

'I'm not exactly sure, either, whether they 'd like to receive you just now
at Kilgobbin.'

'Inhospitab