He saw on every hand
evidence of awakening interest and prosperity. New houses were building;
new towns were laid out; new fields were inviting the ploughman; the
busy hum of industry everywhere filled the heart of the patriot, and he
more than once exclaimed:
"What a great country is ours!"
He arrived at Baltimore at the close of a delightful day, and alighted
in front of the principal tavern. Some one, rushing across the street,
pushed pedestrians right and left and howled in a voice loud enough to
be heard three blocks away:
"Tear and ages! Clear the track!--that's himself--divil a one else!"
This exclamation came from Terrence Malone, who, bareheaded and in shirt
sleeves, was rushing through the throng of people on the street in
reckless disregard of high hats and crinoline. Women screamed and one
hysterical creature tried to faint, but was restrained by the fear that
her elegant costume might be soiled.
"Call the watchman! Take that fellow and lock him up! knock him down!
Who is the wretch?"
These are only a part of the imprecations heaped on the devoted head of
Terrence Malone, who, regardless of everything and everybody, burst his
way through the crowd and reached Fernando's side.
"O, murther! O; holy mother! O, Moses! Is it yersilf safe afther all?"
The poor fellow could say no more, but burst into tears, for a more
tender heart never beat in any breast.
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