wood. It was only natural that his sisters should pen a few lines in mem- ory of him, who was known far and wide as a man “of admirable qualities, his social, free, and jolly ways, his poetical and histrionic qualification, and above all his strong unswerving faith instilled in his youth in a good Christian home.”

He is now at rest in the 01d churchyard, Where in chilhood he often strayed,

Where the shadows fall from St. Joseph’s Cross, His poor tired body laid.

And his soul released from its weight of woe, Has flown to his Savior’s breast,

To receive the faithful servant’s crown, In that home of peace and rest.

But the parting was hard, because we loved him well, And the blinding tears will fall,

Though we bow our heads to the will of God, Who knoweth what’s best for all,

In a few brief years, for time is fleet, Dear brother—gone on before

We shall meet again where the just find rest On the cloudless heavenly shore.

DRAMATICS

The Irish have always been recognized for their ready wit, their melodies and songs, their dancing and play acting. They can always find time for the lighter things of life.

It was no different for the early Irish settlers who settled in and around Kelly’s Cross in 1839. It’s true they had little of worldly goods, and plenty of hardships and privations, but for sure their hearts were gay and the Irish smile would crease their faces as they gathered in their homes to the sound of the fiddle, or perhaps the mouth organ or the jew’s harp. And the words of the beautiful old Irish songs and melo- dies would come to their lips, and with the Irish brogue and joy in their hearts they would sing of the land of their birth.

And when the time came to build for themselves a place to wor- ship, they gladly put their talents to work, and the result would be com- munity concerts, or social gatherings to which a small fee would be charg— ed for this worthy purpose. Basket socials, where the young lasses would bring what they thought was the best of their culinary art, and the young lads would try to outbid each other to purchase his “best girls” basket, Were events at which budding romances found their beginning. These were the social events of the year, and were usually held during the winter season with a variety concert, consisting of a good dialogue, sev- eral songs, music and step—dancing. There was no lack of competitive bidding, and many’s a lad was pushed to his last penny to buy the basket of his pretty lass.

~133—