rsonally in
the dark--we really shudder at that gentleman's absence of all fear--the
ferocious Whiteboy could not be found in it. The presumption is that he
gave Mr. O'Driscol the slip during pursuit, doubled back, and escaped
from the lobby window, which, on examination, was found open. On this
almost unprecedented act of bravery it is useless to indulge in comment,
especially as we are restrained by regard for Mr. O'Driscol's personal
feelings and well-known modesty on this peculiar subject. His worthy
son, we are aware, inherits his father's courage."

"The devil I do!" exclaimed Fergus; "ha! ha! ha! Faith, I'm braver than
I had given myself credit for."

"And we are glad to hear that the present government, sensible of their
obligations to Fitzgerald O'Driscol, Esq., are about to confer the
office of Stipendiary Magistrate upon his son. We are, indeed, glad to
hear this; the office cannot possibly be better bestowed; and thus, so
far as relates to his father, at least, may valuable public services in
critical times be ever appropriately rewarded!"

"Well, Fergy, what do you think of our friend Swiggerly now?"

"In God's name, sir, what does all this rigmarole, in which there is
scarcely a word of truth, mean?"

"Mane! why it manes, sir, that I am anxious to get you a Stipendiary
Magistracy."

"A Stipendiary Magistracy, father, if you wish and if you can; but not
by such means as this--it is shameful, father, indeed it is."

"I tell you, Fergus, that unless a man plays a game in this world, he
has little business in it. Manes! Why, what objections can you have to
the manes? A bit of a harmless paragraph that contains very little more
than the truth. I tell you that I threw it out as a hint to my friend
the Castle, and I hope it will act on it, that's all."

"Well, well," exclaimed the son, laughing, "take care you don't overdo
the business; for my own part, I wish to obtain a magistracy only by
honorable means;--that is, since you have put the matter into my head,
for until last week I never once thought of it."

"Neither did I until a couple of weeks ago; and between you and me,
Fergus, the country's in a devil of a state--a very trying one for
Stipendiaries," replied his father; "but it struck me that I am myself
rather advanced in years for such an appointment, and, in the meantime,
that something of the kind might be in your way, and it is for this
rason that I am feeling the pulse of my friend the Cast