Martinsburg Gazette And Public Advertiser

From the Village Record.
"PUSH."

"Man still in man, and those who boldly dare,
Shall triumph o'er the sons of cold despair."

When twenty years of age, I was at school learning surveying and navigation. "And do you mean to travel?" said my master. "What think you of America?" said I- for we were then in Dungannon, county of Tyrone, Ireland. "America," repeated he, "is a growing country—go, John, and behave yourself as becomes a true Irishman, and you may eat white bread in your old age, and drink a glass of Sherry." At a little more than 21 I sailed from Cork in the good ship Queen Dido, and landed in 57 days at New-Castle. I held me up to the city in a trice, and wandered through the streets a stranger for two days, when on the third who should I happen to meet but Ned McClosky, an old townsman. "By gracious," said he, "if this isn't our old friend John Varnham!- When did you come? In what ship, honey? How were all at home? Why your cheeks look as red as a potatoe, man. You'll grow white in this country; but (running on without waiting for an answer) what's your motto?" "What's my motto?" inquired I "What is that?" "A short bit of sentence to direct you in life. You'll take to one. See," continued he, touching a flask of whiskey which he carried, and pointing to a buxom looking hussy that was just passing. "A short line and a merry one." That's my motto. Good bye, John. I'll see you again." And away he flew, 'hell seas over,' bound for a short life, methought, whether for a merry or a sad one, was a matter of doubt.

Going up Chestnut street, thinks I, does every man take a motto on setting out in life?- What shall I choose? A motto! Let me see --when upon an inner door I saw in large letters, PUSH—That shall be my motto, said I—and on the impulse of the moment, my right hand was on the door, my foot over the threshold, I found myself in the middle of an office of some sort. After pausing a moment, a gentleman stepped up and enquired my business. "To tell the honest truth," said I, "none special with any mortal man in particular. But I am an Irish lad, a perfect stranger, just come to America to seek my fortune."

"Have you money?" said the gentleman.— "Nothing but five guineas, the gift of an aged mother," said I "common learning, Irish honor, and a heart to be grateful to any one that will put me in a way to be useful."

"Why," said the man, smiling, "I like your frankness, and really will venture to trust something to that face. You can write?- very well—then copy that paper." I did so, and found myself in a snug berth, with plenty to do for an industrious man—plenty to eat and drink for a temperate man—and satisfactory compensation for a reasonable man.

My employer was a scrivener, and sometimes dealt in the purchase of real estate on speculation. Hearing him deliberating one day, doubtfully, about a purchase, Push, whispered my good genius. It cannot fail. Sir," said I, "and if I might be permitted, I would gladly take half the bargain." "On your luck and judgment, John," said my employer. We bought the property, aided by a loan, and in ninety days realized a thousand pounds.— I was now two and twenty—the bloom of my cheek had the freshness of youth and health— a pit or two of the small-pox did not mar my good looks—my hair twisted about my forehead in a cluster of curls, which, though I seemed careless about, were matters of some little vanity, and I did not like to part with them; my skin under my sleeve was as white as snow; and except that I was a little bow-kneed, (I had that from my grand father, Sir Phelim) you would not find a properer person in a summer's day. Did you ever know an Irishman that had not a warm heart towards the Ladies? "Not often," said I. My good fortune," continued he, in several bargains, began to be rumored abroad; and as I went constantly to church with my master, several damsels looked kindly on me; one more especially, the daughter of a wealthy merchant over the way, and her brow, it seemed to me, relaxed from the prudish severity of an heiress when her eyes met mine. Push," said my good genius. And blessings on you, my sweet damsel, said I, half whispering, as I took an opportunity to pass by her side half a square on her way home from meeting one afternoon, and church is doubly pleasant when you and the like of you attend morning and evening—no offence in saying so, I hope, charming lady. "Me, sir?" said she, but not very invitingly nor very angrily. Push, said my good genius, for my heart faltered a little.— "Who else, but your bonny self, miss," continued I, "for that speaking eye and tell-tale lip, say that it is your mother's daughter who has a kind heart and gentle affection." And "Fie, Mr. Varnham," said she, for it seems she knew my name, "I am sorry if there is any thing in my countenance so communicative as to warrant a gentleman who is almost a stranger, to address me in such a manner and in such a place; no young woman should listen to that sort of address, certainly, without a mother's leave." And methought she half lingered, instead of quickening her pace, to hear if I had any thing to reply.— Push!" said my good genius. "In Ireland, dearest," said I, "our fathers often made love going to church, and if you would give me leave to ask your mother's approbation" here I stammered, in spite of my motto— "Oh, as to that," said the smiling girl, "you may say any thing to my mother you please.

The same evening returning from bathing in the Delaware, for the day had been sultry, a sudden bustle arrested my attention, in, at that hour, an unfrequented place. The cry of a fellow man in trouble is always, you know, a command for a true Irishman to Push! My cane was my shillalah—one villain reeled in an instant with a broken head. and the other, though twice my size, sunk beneath an arm that was nerved by humanity and duty. Assistance soon gathered, and on placing my prisoner in the hands of an officer, who should lie wounded and bleeding before me but the honored father of—Hah! your sweetheart: the pretty damsel you had half courted coming from meeting?" The very same. I took him home where he introduced me as the saviour of his life from robbers and murderers. In less time than a ship could sail to Cork and home again, I was a Junior partner of the wholesale store, and the loveliest girl that has ever lived for a thousand years blessed me with heart and hand. Thank God I have been prosperous in my basket and store. Our children are a blessing to us, as I hope they will be an honor to their country, and we have enough for them and ourselves, and somewhat for the poor.

The stars that guide the wanderer right,
And virtue fair and honor bright,
Be temperate, steady, just, and kind,
Then Push! and fortune will glad find.

So far as the story is a long one, I pray, Messrs. Printers, to remember that it is an Irishman's story. So far as I have any thing to say, I preserve the character of yours to serve.

B. B.