A Friend in Need

Otago Witness, Issue 2303, 21 April 1898, Page 53

A Friend in Need

Some of the most entertaining passages in the '• Recollections" of Mr Aubrey de Vere, t'-'&distiDguished poet, are those dealing with < d t'imeß in Ireland — the Ireland of Mr de Vrie's immediate ancestors and of his cwn > vulb. His grandfather, Sir Vere Huub, was a \ < ry popular county gentleman, with a great S yd for the poor, whom he always "helped at a T,inch." Here is an instance, given to Mr de Vere by an old tenant, of certainly rather a tight one. A young man was tried for murder, having killed a member of a rival faction in a faction fight. The judge, reluctant to sentence him to death on account of his youbh, turned to him and said :

"Is there anyone in court who could speak as io your character?" The youth looked round the court, and then said sadly :

"There is no man here, my lord, tbat I know."'

Ab that my grandfather (says Mr de Vere) chanced to walk, into the grand jury gallery. He saw at once how matters stood. He called out:

" You are a queer boy thab dcn'fc know a friend when you see him." The youth was quick-witted ; he answered : ' ' Oh, then, it is myself that is proud to see your honor here this day ! " "Well," said the judge, "Sir Vere, since you know that boy, will you tell me what you know of him ? "

" I will, my lord," said my grandfather, '• and whab I can tell you is thiß, that from the very first day that ever I saw him to this minute I never knew anything of him that waa nob good." Mr de Vere says that the old tenant ended his tale by striking his hands together and exclaiming: " And he naver to have clapped his eye upon tha boy till that minute ! " The young man escaped being hanged.