Part 16 (1/2)
”Faith, you may depend on us, Frank, or we're not to the fore.”
”I know it, boys; and now for a piece of fun for this night. You see--come, Lanty, tare-an'-ounkers, drink, man alive--you see, wid regard to Peggy Gartland--eh? what the h.e.l.l! is that a cough?”
”One o' the horses, man--go an.”
”Rody, did Darby More go into the barn before you came out of it?”
”Darby More? not he. If he did, I'd a seen him surely.”
”Why, thin, I'd kiss the book I seen him goin' towards the barn, as I was comin' into the stable. Sowl, he's a made boy, that; an' if I don't mistake, he's in Mike Reillaghan's intherest. You know divil a secret can escape him.”
”Hut! the prayin' ould crathur was on his way to the Midnight Ma.s.s; he thravels slow, and, of coorse, has to set out early; besides, you know, he has Carols, and bades, and the likes, to sell at the chapel.”
”Thrue, for you, Rody; why, I thought he might take it into his head to watch my motions, in regard that, as I said, I think him in Mike's intherest.”
”Nonsense, man, what the d.i.c.kens 'ud bring him into the stable loft?
Why, you're beside yourself?”
”Be Gor, I bleeve so, but no matther. Boys, I want yez to stand to me to-night: I'm given to know for a sartinty that Mike and Peggy will be buckled to durin' the Hollydays. Now, I wish to get the girl myself; for if I don't get her, may I be ground to atoms if he will.”
”Well, but how will you manage? for she's fond of him.”
”Why, I'll tell you that. I was over there this evenin', and I understand that all the family is goin' to the Midnight Ma.s.s, barrin'
herself. You see, while they are all gone to the 'mallet-office,'* we'll slip down wid a thrifle o' soot on our mugs, and walk down wid her to Kilnaheery, beyant the mountains, to an uncle o' mine; an' affcher that, let any man marry her who chooses to run the risk. Be the contints o'
the book, Atty, if you don't dhrink I'll knock your head agin the wall, you gommoch!”
* Ma.s.s, humorously so called, from the fact of those who attend it beating their b.r.e.a.s.t.s during their devotions.
”Why, thin, by all that's beautiful, it's a good spree; and we'll stick to you like pitch.”
”Be the vartue o' my oath, you don't desarve to be in it, or you'd dhrink dacent. Why, here's another bottle, an' maybe there's more where that was. Well, let us finish what we have, or be the five cra.s.ses, I'll give up the whole business.”
”Why, thin, here's success to us, any way; an' high hangin' to them that 'ud desart you in your skame this blessed an' holy night that's in it!”
This was re-echoed by his friends, who pledged themselves by the most solemn oaths not to abandon him in the perpetration of the outrage which they had concerted. The other bottle was immediately opened, and while it lasted, the details of the plan were explained at full length. This over, they entered the barn one by one as before, except Frank and Rody, who as they were determined to steal another bottle from the father's stock, did not appear among the dancers until this was accomplished.
The re-appearance of these rollicking and reckless young fellows in the dance, was hailed by all present; for their outrageous mirth was in character with the genius of the place. The dance went on with spirit; brag dancers were called upon to exhibit in hornpipes; and for this purpose a table was bought in from Frank's kitchen on which they performed in succession, each dancer applauded by his respective party as the best in the barn.
In the meantime the night had advanced; the hour might be about half-past ten o'clock; all were in the zenith of enjoyment, when old Frank M'Kenna addressed them as follows:--
”Neighbors, the d.i.c.kens o' one o' me would like to break up the sport--an', in throth, harmless and dacent sport it is; but you all know that this is Christmas night, and that it's our duty to attind the Midnight Ma.s.s. Anybody that likes to hear it may go, for it's near time to be home and prepare for it; but the sorra one o' me wants to take any of yez from your sport, if you prefer it; all I say is, that I must lave yez; so G.o.d be wid yez till we meet agin!”
This short speech produced a general bustle in the barn; many of the elderly neighbors left it, and several of the young persons also. It was Christmas Eve, and the Midnight Ma.s.s had from time immemorial so strong a hold upon their prejudices and affections, that the temptation must indeed have been great which would have prevented them from attending it. When old Frank went out, about one-third of those who were present left the dance along with them; and as the hour for ma.s.s was approaching, they lost no time in preparing for it.
The Midnight Ma.s.s is, no doubt, a phrase familiar to our Irish readers; but we doubt whether those in the sister kingdoms, who may honor our book with a perusal, would, without a more particular description, clearly understand it.
This ceremony-was performed as a commemoration not only of the night, but of the hour in which Christ was born. To connect it either with edification, or the abuse of religion, would be invidious; so we overlook that, and describe it as it existed within our own memory, remarking, by the way, that though now generally discontinued, it is in some parts of Ireland still observed, or has been till within in a few years ago.
The parish in which the scene of this story is laid was large, consequently the attendance of the people was proportionably great.
On Christmas day a Roman Catholic priest has, or is said to have, the privilege of saying three ma.s.ses, though on every other day in the year he can celebrate but two. Each priest, then, said one at midnight, and two on the following day.
Accordingly, about twenty or thirty years ago, the performance of the Midnight Ma.s.s was looked upon as an ordinance highly important and interesting. The preparations for it were general and fervent; so much so, that not a Roman Catholic family slept till they heard it. It is true it only occurred once a year; but had any person who saw it once, been called upon to describe it, he would say that religion could scarcely present a scene so wild and striking.