Ever since our return, the tide of emigration, pouring onward from the Atlantic, has lapped further and further out upon the surface of the plains; and still, as truly now as when good old Bishop Berkeley first wrote the line, "the Star of Empire westward takes its way."
While I was preparing these notes for the press, I received the following characteristic letter from Sachem, dated at his haunt in New York. It was at first a puzzle, but I found the key in a note inclosed by him, which he had lately received from the Professor.
To crack a head and break a heart, Are known as Paddy's forte; In kitchen, jail, or low-back cart-- No matter where--he 'll court.
To don a rig, and dance a jig, Attend a wake or wedding, He 'll sell his own or neighbor's pig And only rag of bedding.
He lives a happy, careless life, Hand to mouth, and heart in hand; Ready for either love or strife, Building castles on the sand.
With peck of trouble ever full, Good measure, running over, He deals in stock--the Irish bull, And with it, lives in clover.
Love's labor is the only taste That Paddy's mind inherits: He thinks, where maidens run to waste, The harem has its merits.
And so Dobeen, upon his course, Love's gallop quick began; The gal up on the other horse, He courted, as they ran.
The bows around the maid were more Than suited to her mind; Cupid and Shamus rode before, The savage rode behind.
They each pursued the maiden coy, Two wooed her _a la_ bow; The arrow tips of one were joy, The other's tips were woe.
'T is said that Shamus won the race, And saved his hair and bacon: If Mary loved his wooing pace, His heart may stop its achin'.
And this was the Professor's letter, which had evidently set the aldermanic machine to grinding doggerel again:
"ON THE SOLOMON, } LINDSEY, OTTAWA COUNTY, KANSAS. }
... "I have run down here after my mail. Am progressing finely with my studies. Shamus had an adventure yesterday. Mary and he rode over on horseback to a neighbor's, a mile away, and on the return were pursued by an Indian. Hard riding brought them in safely. Mary tells her mistress that, during the terrors of the chase, Shamus would not refrain from courting. He lashed her horse, and spurred his, and popped the question, alternately.