is currently reported that the spirit of a murdered
pedlar, which haunts the hollow of the road at Drumfurrar bridge, chased
away the two servant men as they were bringing home the coffin, and that
finding it a good fit, he got into it, and walked half a mile along the
road, with the wooden surtout upon him; and, finally, that to wind
up the frolic, he left it on one end half-way between the bridge and
Denis's house, after putting a crowd of the countrymen to flight. I
suspect some droll knave has played them a trick. I assure you, that a
deputation of them, who declared that they saw the coffin move along of
itself, waited upon me this morning, to know whether they ought to have
put him into the coffin, or gotten another."

"Well," said my brother, in reply to him, "after dinner we will probably
throw some light upon that circumstance; for I believe my brother here
knows something about it."

"So, sir," said the priest, "I perceive you have been amusing yourself
at their expense."

I seldom spent a pleasanter evening than, I did with Father Miloy (so
he was called), who was, as my brother said, a shrewd, sensible man,
possessed of convivial powers of the first order. He sang us several
good songs; and, to do him justice, he had an excellent voice. He
regretted very much the state of party and religious feeling, which he
did every thing in his power to suppress. "But," said he, "I have little
co-operation in my efforts to communicate knowledge to my flock, and
implant better feelings among them. You must know," he added, "that I
am no great favorite with them. On being appointed to this parish by my
bishop, I found that the young man who was curate to my predecessor had
formed a party against me, thinking, by that means, eventually to get
the parish himself. Accordingly, on coming here, I found the chapel
doors closed on me: so that a single individual among them would not
recognize me as their proper pastor. By firmness and spirit, however, I
at length succeeded, after a long struggle against the influence of
the curate, in gaining admission to the altar; and, by a proper
representation of his conduct to the bishop, I soon made my gentleman
knock under. Although beginning to gain ground in the good opinion of
the people, I am by no means yet a favorite. This curate and I scarcely
speak; but I hope that in the course of time, both he and they will
begin to find, that by kindness and a sincere love for their welfare o