Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1889 — Humor of an Irish Land Agent. [ARTICLE]

Humor of an Irish Land Agent.

The sense of humor never deserts an Irishman, and constantly relieves his darkest hours. It would not be easy to discover a life more full of anxiety at the present time than that of the Irish land agent, honestly desirous of holding the balance justly. His life is somewhat that of the Galilean publican tempered w ith the dread of assassination, yet few men are brighter companions. Not a hundred miles from Kenmare resides, perhaps, the best known land agent in Ireland. Finn, shrewd, intelligent, just and kindly, ■withal the best pistol shot and bicycle rider in County Kerry. It is told of him that at a critical moment, when the tenants on a certain estate were hesitating as to the adoption of the plan of campaign, he desired them to assemble for conference at his office. When they arrived he was riding his bicycle round a ring, and at the pa« 4

of twenty miles an hour was, with unerring aim, smashing bottles with his revolver: he came in, wiped his brow, laid his smoking revolver on the table, remarking: “Well, boys?” “I think we had better pay, yer honor,” was the reply. Upon a certain occasion he met Killarney, an equally detested land agent from Clare. “What, H.,” he playfully remarked, “not shot yet ?” “No, T., bedad it’s safe enough I am,” was the retort ; “I’ve towld the boys that if I’m shot you’ll be appointed land agent in me } Jace, and there’s not a boy in Clare ’nd touch a hair of me head.”