A TURF STORY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 112, 15 May 1906, Page 1

A TURF STORY.

An Irishman who had made money on the. turf in Australia used to be fond of referring to the " castle " in which he was born in County Clare, and boasted rather ostentatiously of his lineage. An Australian who knew him well (says "Javelin"), while doing Ireland in the course of a tour, dropped upon Miek/s. birthplace, and discovered that his parents lived in a cabin which the local people facetiously designated "Rooney's Castle," He sought Put Mick's parents, an aged, poverty-stricken couple, and told them all about their son in Australia. The good old folks wept tears of joy over their visitor, pvit en'the turf fire a red herring----the one thing edible in the cabin—served it on a battered tin plate, with his knees_ for a table, and a tin mugful of milk to wash it clown. When he returned to Australia he smid. t;o the Irishman, in the presence of some mutual friends, at a race meeting: "While I was in County Clare, Mick, I looked up your old people at TLe Oastle !" Poor Mick shook in his shoes, fearing what was, to follow, but the good-natured Australian, instead of giving him away, added, " It must be one of the most ancient homes in Ireland, and talk about hospitality! Why^ i\kjay roasted a beast whole in. my humour! And the table | By- the Lord Harry, you'd part with your life as soon as part with such a table ; and th.Q n\otal vessel that they gav^ i}\o to drink out of—well, I ntvwsr. drank out of anything like.it befo,re! n Afterward^ when 'they were alone, the Irishman said, " Sure, i^s a tlaeent man ye are fur not givin' me away," and the other replied, s< Well, before the next'mail closes yqu let me see you post the 5W man a draft for fifty q\\id, 6i>, take it from me, e.Y£?y V«i»« in the town shall know aUo.ui that red herring banquet: ut Ro.oriey ls. Castle and tho nine of milk!"