Irish Match-making

While the landlady was at work, two old men strolled in for refreshment. One of them was evidontly a small farmer. He wore his hat pulled down over his eyes, and appeared occupied by a matter of somi; weighf. Ttüking to him earnestly and in a low tone, his companion, an old fellow with a shabby hat, shiny breeohes and much-worn ; shoes, looked about him with cnnninsr eyes for the most retired nook, and pulling out an old stool, said, " Sit ve tliere, man, and we'U have a pint ana a talk.1' The colorless potheen was served them, and each drank a tumblerf ui of it as if ithad been water. "Now, man." said the smaller and oidor of the two, "why not makea match bctween them? Ho is a smart lad, and she is a fine gili. God bless her! Just say what you will give her, and we can have done with it before the game is out." "Well," said the farmer, after pulling and cracking all his fingers, "I have no thought of being mean. I will o-ivn her ;v c,:ibin. a qi'.artcr acre of land, with the potatocs tiUed and brought to the door." There was silence on the other side. " I will give lier a fine feather-bed." " Vcry good, very good," said he with the cunr.ing cyea. " We'llhave another pint." They were served with the fiery Iiquid, and smacking their lips over it, declared it the best. "The players must benearthrongh. The farmer, staring in the bottom of the cup, added, "I wiU give her fifteen pouncls in gold." A short quick langh from his companion was the response: "That's very good, man; you are doing well, God bless you!" " Her mother will giye her the best of petticoats- and that is about all." "And enough it is, if her mother would not forgtit the old silver beads, so that she can prepare her soul for HGaven. when the end comes." "What, then," said theother, alittle defiantly, " has your boy got?" Dnv.vïng his stool closer, and fixmg his little gray eyes on the old man, he said, "Sorra a ha1 penny; but he's a o-oüd lad ior all that, and can kncck as much work out of a day as añy boy in the country, and in a fight can bate anybody that stands before him." " It isn't a fighting man I want for my daughter," responded the farmer, testily; " there's little good comes of it." "Well, well, he need not do that same, but he's good for it if wantin'." 'Til not stand for money, as he's a nate, tidy boy;" the farmer was somewhat mollified. " I'll bny him a boat, and he can knock his living out of it." "Long life to ye! Shall it be next Thursday? I'll stop to-night to see the priest and have it all ready." To my horror, the farmer now ealled .nother uint. with which they sealed