The Sterley’s of Oakland Park, SAREJESS [best e reader for epub .txt] 📗

“His Lordship the marquis of Wellington I believe is another cut from the same cloth” said Sir Thomas. “I believe that if it was not for great men like them just mentioned old England might already be in Old Bonny’s icy grip,” said Colin.

“”Ah what an England that would be?“ said Sir Thomas ”there would be republicans all over the House of Lords and many heads would roll he continued.

“That would be a very sorry day indeed I would imagine” replied Colin “You seem like a knowledgeable man Mr. Murphy pray tell have you any education?” asked Sir Thomas. “Indeed Sir I have the best education that any Irishman of my rank could have, I was schooled at the hedge row schools by priests who did there task at great peril to there life and limb” replied Colin Murphy.

“Indeed those in power in England are loathed to give Ireland a measure of independence” replied Sir Thomas “Aye sir it is a sad fact of life that many in Ireland today fear they will never know any other rule but that of old England” replied Colin.

“Tell me Mr Murphy are you of the Catholic faith?” asked Sir Thomas “No Sir I must confess that it has been a number of generations since my family has foresworn the faith of Rome” replied Colin

“I fear that those of the Church of Rome in Ireland will have a hard time of getting the franchise here,” said Sir Thomas. “I believe it will be a very long time before old Irelands troubles are at an end” replied Colin Murphy “How is it that you came to be discharged from the kings service” asked Sir Thomas. “Well it was bound to happen I was of the 52nd foot fighting hard at the retreat in Portugal when a mortar took part of me hand from me” said Colin. Sir Thomas noticed that noticed for the first time that Colin was missing several finger son one hand the fact had been obscured from him by the fact that Colin had been wearing a half glove which covered the stumps of three fingers.

“Most interesting we must have more speech later but right now I would like to see what his Lordships estates holds in regard to wild birds can you show me?” asked Sir Thomas “Please step this way sir” said Colin as he lead Sir Thomas off to the edge of the woods

Lady Virginia and Sophia were taking a turn round the gardens “I am so glad you came it has been very dull of late and I was hoping that Papa might send for me to come to London,” said Virginia.

“London is over rated in my opinion said Sophia Since I have come out it has been rounds of balls and visits and so many of the people one is expected to make ones obedience’s are so pretentious that it becomes a bore” said Sophia

“I found London to be so busy one can hardly know where one is expected to visit next and the balls. Well I love them I love to dance you see and all those young officers in there bright uniforms well what more can a young lady ask for other then her appointment book be filled for the evening,” replied Virginia. A little annoyed at Sophia for her lack of social grace in speak her mind on the subject.

“Mary will be coming out next season I believe it is to be your season to?” asked Sophia like one who has known the pleasure of ones first season and knows that there is more to life then the matters upon woman of a certain rank are expected to hold..

“Yes it will be my first season Papa has promised to make Mamma go to London although she hardly ever goes out she spends her days in the Library or in the drawing room. She seldom if ever goes very far from the castle the most we can expect from her I am afraid to say is a day visit to Waterford town, However Papa has promised to make her go up to London when the season starts.” Said Virginia

Shortly there after they were joined by Tom and John who had been enjoying the fishing and had now found occasion to join them “I fancy we shall have trout for dinner,” said Virginia. “Oh yes indeed trout is just the thing we caught a number just now and have taken then to the kitchen cook took them directly replied” John.

“I fancy that Virginia is jesting at your expense,” said Sophia to her younger brother, “Not at all Sophia I merely mention that trout when fresh makes a wonderful dinner. Do you not have trout in your pond at Oakland Park?” asked Virginia.

“If truth be told we do not fish over much at Oakland Park there is too much to do and seldom do we find the time,” said Tom who had been walking silently along the side of the embankment.

“Tom do read a few lines for us from your book,” said Virginia as the party settled under a great oak tree, I would but this is a book by an anonymous young lady of a genteel family who has been writing for a few seasons, her latest creation“ said Tom. ”Please do read for us I have heard that this young lady has a way with words.“ Said Virginia ”Tom opened the book and begun to read?

“Do you see here Sir Thomas it is as I suspected a snare set to trap his lordships game Ill warrant the poacher is close by” said Colin Murphy as he looked around the thicket “Most interesting do you think they will come back soon?” said Sir Thomas. “It has been known to happen,” said Colin Mayhap we can set a while and see I am sure there are some birds around that will keep your interest busy while we wait,“ said Colin Murphy.

Settling in a comfortable position a short distance from the snare the two men set about there own pursuits. Sir Thomas had spotted a species if bird which he had not seen before and fell to drawing it, while Colin Murphy sat on a stump drawing on a clay pipe the sent of cherry root tobacco drifted heavenward with the aroma hanging about the air. “Not an unpleasant smell thought Sir Thomas who as a rule generally despised the smoking of tobacco.


Thus while the Sterley’s busied themselves on the estate of My Lord Earl of Waterford the nobleman in question found himself very busy in the court of Waterford town for the previous week a felon of renown had been caught in the act of robbery. This felon a dangerous rouge had it was claimed by the defense been going about his lawful busyness earning a living at the local inn. Where he was employed as a stable hand now a certain gentleman of noble birth happened to be passing through the town and chanced upon the inn. Been late in the day he had stopped for the night.

The following morning as the nobleman was paying his bill the villainous felon had come upon him and the innkeeper it fell upon his ears that the noble man would be traveling upon the high road from the ton in the direction of the next village. This information the stable hand had relayed to a fellow of low birth who earned his living by highway robbery.

However, this time the villains had chanced upon a member of the nobility who carried about his person a brace of pistols and a sword. Upon been confronted by the highwayman the noble gentleman responded bravely and fired one of his numerous pistols blowing off the arm of the villain. Who made good his escape however later a deathbed confession made by the villain implicated the stable hand of the inn. Thus before the Earl this day stood one Joseph O Flarety some time stable hand and the accused.

On a brief summing up of the evidence, his Lordship sentenced the said O‘ Flarty to hanging.

“Well with all business now suspended for the day William Earl Waterford turned once more his mind to the pursuit of happiness and home.


“My dear wife if his lordship had not made himself so unconscionably unpleasant over the matter of Colin Murphy the grounds man I think we might very well have stayed longer at Waterford” said Sir Thomas.. “Indeed husband I fear from what you have told me his lordship will not be counted as one of our friends... For I believe that this man Murphy although wrong in certain of his doings had the right to be treated fairly in a court of law.” Replied Lady Ann “Most definitely I fear that all hopes of advancement for young Tom must be now at an end from that quarter ”replied Sir Thomas as he lifted a glass of Madera to his lips.
“Pray dearest husband is there any thing of this occasion that you have not imparted to me?” asked Lady Ann. “If truth be told the matter is simple Colin Murphy a veteran of the wars returned to Ireland. Found employment in the service of his lordship, however, during the time that Murphy spent abroad he found himself drawn to certain republican notions, which he well disguised. Returning to Ireland, he discovered a number of men of like intellect together they formed a sort of a club, which met weekly in the homes of one of the members of the group.

Now his lordship had also in his service another man a fellow a rogue of the lowest type, whose occupation it was to spy on and in close quarters on the other members of staff in service to his lordship. To find those of his lordships household who might be passing on information to the republicans in greater Ireland. To this end this fellow one Smyth had been watching Murphy for some time.“ He paused for a moment before continuing his narration

“I had occasion to speak