Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1882 — O’CONNELL’S READY WIT. [ARTICLE]

O’CONNELL’S READY WIT.

Bow It Him rwm Striking; Vlctorie*. At the Clare assizes in Ennis, two ’brothers, named Hourigan,were arrested for setting fire to a police barrack, the property of Darby O’Grady, Esq., an “ it was stated the barrack had been ignited by means of a jar of pitch, found half consumed near the burned barrack. O’Connell was employed for the defense, and by his desire a skillet containing pitch was secretly placed near the witnesses’ chair, and over this O’Connell placed his broad-brimmed hat, so as effectually to conceal it. The principal witness for the prosecution swore “that he discovered the barrack on fire, and knew it was set on fire by pitch, for he got the smell of it.” “You know the smell of pitch, then?” said O'Connell. “ I do, well,” replied the witness. “ You seem a man well able to smell pitch anywhere,” said O’Connell. “Anywhere I found it.” “Even in this court house, if it were here.” “ No doubt I would.” “And do you swear you don’t get the* smell of pitch here ? ” asked O’Connell. “I do solemnly,” replied the witness. “ If it wete here I’d smell it.” Then O’Connell, taking his hat off the skillet of pitch which was placed beside the witness’ chair, cried: . . “ Now you may go down, you perjured rascal! Go down ! ”

This saved his clients. The jury discredited the witness. At Limerick O’Connell had a ease to which presented slight hopes of his being able to obtain an acquittal. His two clients were indicted for robbery, and the case was substantially proved against them. They called a young priest for testimony as to their character for honesty. He thought to make a parade of his learning by the use of big words, and his replies to the usual inquiries were in the most polysyllabic terms he could devise. Having stated “ their reputation for rectification of habitual propriety was exemplary and commendable,” Judge Torrens, who chafed with irritation as the young priest rolled out each jaw-breaker, at last cut him short with : “Come, sir, no more of this. Say shortly what you know of these men. Are they honest?” “As far as my experience of their deportment, I am under that impression. ” “ You think they are. That comprehends a great deal,” said the Judge, still displaying temper. .Turning to the priest, he said : “That will do—godown, sir. ” O’Connell, assuming an air of great indignation, as the priest shuffl id off the table, addressing the prisoners in a tone of deep commiseration, said : “ My poor fellows, bigotry is on the bench, and, when your excellent young priest has been so ignominiously turned out of court lam in despair of being able to serve you. Here’s you brief and fee.” He flung the brief and the notes to the agent for the prisoners, and commenced putting on his cloak, muttering: “My innocent clients, I despair altogether now of your acquittal. You’ll be hanged, and never were men hanged more unjustly. The only hope I can look to is that, if your sentence is not carried into execution before the twelve Judges meet! will bring this outrageous case before tnem.” This had the effect intended. Judge Torrens invited O’Connell to continue the defense of his clients, and to this, after some pretended reluctance, O’Connell assented. The case went' on, and the Judge, to show he was no bigot, put the character for honesty given the prisoners by the priest so strongly that the jury, almost instantly, brought in their verdict, not guilty.

Potatoes. The potato is a native of mountainous regions in tropical and sub-tropical countries of America, and is probably indigenous from Chili to Mexico. It was used as food in America long before foreign invasion of this country. Early in the sixteenth century the Spaniards carried it from Peru to Spain, whence it spread into the Netherlands, Burgundy and other parts of Europe. It was carried from Virginia to Ireland by Sir John Hawkins, a slave-trader, in 1563, or 1565, and to England by Sir Francis Drake in 1585. But its importance as a vegetable was not recognized until the time of Sir Walter Raleigh, who had estates in Ireland, in the county of Cork, where he cultivated it on a considerable scale. In other countries it was long regarded rather as a rare plant, fit food for cattle and hogs only. It is said that during a famine the Neapolitans, under this belief, once refused to eat potatoes, although suffering from hunger. Thanks to the exertions of Raleigh and other sagacious and benevolent spirits, this valuable tuber was developed in quality and popularized as food to such a degree in Ireland that, in subsequent times, its cultivation spread into England, where it has ever since been known as the “ Irish potato.” The potato mentioned in early English writers before the seventeenth century was the same as the Spanish batatas, or sweet potato.

Thought Thought is the motive power of progress. Without it a man is a brute and improvement impossible. In every age the historian finds men whose thought grasped with problems that were then but prophecies of possible progress yet unrealized. These were the visionaries, the ’fanatics of their times. They were few and poor and of small reputation. They were the objects of ridicule, contempt and persecution by the rich, the great, the respectable and the “ unco good.” Yet the glory of their name, illuminated by the realization of their dreams, gilds the age in which they lived with the golden glow of distant sunset. The transcendental thought of one age becomes the basis of the practical work and faith of the age succeeding. Thaught is the prime factor in God’s plan for redeeming humanity from ignorance, vice, poverty, crime, sickness and sorrow. Thought is born of suggestion, hence to listen to or read the thoughts of others promotes thought in those who read or hear, but whether one’s thought is high, low, worthy or unworthy, depends largely upon the books and papers one re&ds and to the society one keeps. Evil communications corrupt both the thoughts and the manners. His Way. A stranger who was having his boots blacked, in Detroit, felt somewhat interested in the “shiner” and observed : “Boy, do vou go to school?” “No, sir.” “Are you good in figures?” “I dunno.” “If I had ten cents and gave you five how much would I have left?” “ That isn’t the way I figger,” replied the boy after a moment’s thought “If I black yer butes fur five cents and you don’t pay I’ll follow ye and throw ten cents’ worth of mud on the job!” The man settled before the other boot was touched.

Peach Baskets. The manufacture of peach baskets has become an important industry. Years ago the baskets were made by hand, cost from 25 to 30 cents, and the loss of any considerable number of them was a serious matter. But the establishment of great factories, required by the growth of tha peach trade, has reduced the price to a moderate figure, varying from $6 to $8 per 100. In Maryland the bottoms and hoops are made of Maryland pine and the staves from the Delaware gum tree.