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(An t.Sean Bhean Bhocht)."
VOL. II.-No 12.
.The Little Green Slippers.
A Belfast Story of Christmas, 1798.
CHAPTER I.
“ UT Jessica!” said Mrs. Cuppage, with an air of
' - puzzled vexation, “it is out of the question, but we
must put in an appearance at this ball.”,
“You may go, since Mr. Cuppage wishes it. I decidedly
shall not.” The pretty brown-haired girl addressed as Jes-
sica spoke as deterrninedly as one might venture to a. mother
without lapsing into! impertinence. Her tone of voice was
entirely respectful.‘ There was, ‘however, just a flash of ,
defiance in the soft dark eyes. Then the long lashes drooped
over them, as she bent over her embroidery, and went on
working as if the subject of discussion was closed and her
decision final. It was the Christmas season of 1798, and
the officers of the Belfast Garrison: had sent forth cards for
their usual winter ball in the Exchange Assembly Hall.
Jessica Huston (she was the daughter of Mrs. Cuppage’s
previous marriage) objected entirely to appearing at a. scene
of gaiety and under such auspices at a time when many of
her dearest friends were in trouble and bereavement. Whilst
she was absent visiting an aunt near Portaferry her mother
had accepted the invitation, which had been sent, as she
guessed, at the instigation of a certain Captain Hasard, who
was an avowed admirer of Jessica’s girlish charms. Mr.
Cuppage insisted that his wife and step-daughter should put
in an appearance on the occasion. Their doing so would
absolve him from any suspicions of disloyalty. Some of the
insurgents after Antrim fight in the previous summer had
been found hiding in the plantations around his house,
which stood on the slope of the hills facing the Belfast.
Lough, not far from Carrickfergus. His fellow-magistrates
had looked coldly on him for some time back, and Colonel
Barbour had glared at him and passed him without so much
as a goodday in the public High Street. These suspicions
were unpleasant, and, to speak the truth, unfounded, for :1.
BELFAST, 6TH DECEMBER, 1897.
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PRICE TWOPENOE.
more loyal and subservient creature than the said Mr. Cup-
page did not breathe the Irish air.
“See that Jessica has a becoming frock,” he had said
to his wife. “Spare no expense to make her cut a fine
figure on this occasion. Who knows but this English beau
may take her off our hands.”
So Jessica, retuming from her visit in the County Down,
found that a beautiful new gown of China silk was in the
dressmaker’s hands for her, and neither excuse nor apology
would be taken by her indignant stepfather, and still she
remained firm in her refusal. This morning her mother was
making a last attempt to bring her to reason.
“ My dear childl It is really most absurd of you to have
these ideas. We are not in mourning. No one even dis-
tantly related to- ‘us has been--has been-ahem-”
“Hanged or shot or flogged to death,” burst out Jessica
impetuously. “No, mother, it is quite true none of our fa-
mily or relations have suffered thus; but surely pe must
feel for others. Think how many of our neighbours and
of the people in the country around have suffered at the
hands of these soldiers whose hospitality you would have
us share. Think of Mr. M‘Cracken’s mother and his sister.”
“They are not in our circle,” said Mrs. Cuppage a little
coldly. “Of course one pan’t help feeling sorry for the
poor unfortunate people; but think, my dear, how much.
mischief they have wrought. Think of the terrible stories
we have heard from the South and West. Really, Jessica.
dear, these subjects are not for us to discuss. Severities
-have been found necessary, unfortunately necessary, in or-
der to uphold his Majesty’s dominion in this kingdom.”
“ You are talking like Mr. Cuppage, mother,” said Jessica
with tears in her eyes. “ It is not like you to be so hard-
hearted. Even if people are not our intimate friends, ‘in.
our circle,’ as you (2111 it, that should not make any difference
in our feeling for them. I know, mother, you are more
sympathetic than you will allow. Remember how you
sobbed and nearly took hysterics last July when the gardener
came to tell us that the Yeomen had arrested Mr. M‘Crackcn
on the common up yonder.”
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