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Tales from Portlaw
>
- No Need to Look for Love
- 'The Love Quartet' >
-
The Priest's Calling Card
>
- Chapter One - The Irish Custom
- Chapter Two - Patrick Duffy's Family Background
- Chapter Three - Patrick Duffy Junior's Vocation to Priesthood
- Chapter Four - The first years of the priesthood
- Chapter Five - Father Patrick Duffy in Seattle
- Chapter Six - Father Patrick Duffy, Portlaw Priest
- Chapter Seven - Patrick Duffy Priest Power
- Chapter Eight - Patrick Duffy Groundless Gossip
- Chapter Nine - Monsignor Duffy of Portlaw
- Chapter Ten - The Portlaw Inheritance of Patrick Duffy
- Bigger and Better >
- The Oldest Woman in the World >
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Sean and Sarah
>
- Chapter 1 - 'Return of the Prodigal Son'
- Chapter 2 - 'The early years of sweet innocence in Portlaw'
- Chapter 3 - 'The Separation'
- Chapter 4 - 'Separation and Betrayal'
- Chapter 5 - 'Portlaw to Manchester'
- Chapter 6 - 'Salford Choices'
- Chapter 7 - 'Life inside Prison'
- Chapter 8 - 'The Aylesbury Pilgrimage'
- Chapter 9 - Sean's interest in stone masonary'
- Chapter 10 - 'Sean's and Tony's Partnership'
- Chapter 11 - 'Return of the Prodigal Son'
- The Alternative Christmas Party >
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The Life of Liam Lafferty
>
- Chapter One: ' Liam Lafferty is born'
- Chapter Two : 'The Baptism of Liam Lafferty'
- Chapter Three: 'The early years of Liam Lafferty'
- Chapter Four : Early Manhood
- Chapter Five : Ned's Secret Past
- Chapter Six : Courtship and Marriage
- Chapter Seven : Liam and Trish marry
- Chapter Eight : Farley meets Ned
- Chapter Nine : 'Ned comes clean to Farley'
- Chapter Ten : Tragedy hits the family
- Chapter Eleven : The future is brighter
-
The life and times of Joe Walsh
>
- Chapter One : 'The marriage of Margaret Mawd and Thomas Walsh’
- Chapter Two 'The birth of Joe Walsh'
- Chapter Three 'Marriage breakup and betrayal'
- Chapter Four: ' The Walsh family breakup'
- Chapter Five : ' Liverpool Lodgings'
- Chapter Six: ' Settled times are established and tested'
- Chapter Seven : 'Haworth is heaven is a place on earth'
- Chapter Eight: 'Coming out'
- Chapter Nine: Portlaw revenge
- Chapter Ten: ' The murder trial of Paddy Groggy'
- Chapter Eleven: 'New beginnings'
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The Woman Who Hated Christmas
>
- Chapter One: 'The Christmas Enigma'
- Chapter Two: ' The Breakup of Beth's Family''
- Chapter Three: From Teenager to Adulthood.'
- Chapter Four: 'The Mills of West Yorkshire.'
- Chapter Five: 'Harrison Garner Showdown.'
- Chapter Six : 'The Christmas Dance'
- Chapter Seven : 'The ballot for Shop Steward.'
- Chapter Eight: ' Leaving the Mill'
- Chapter Ten: ' Beth buries her Ghosts'
- Chapter Eleven: Beth and Dermot start off married life in Galway.
- Chapter Twelve: The Twin Tragedy of Christmas, 1992.'
- Chapter Thirteen: 'The Christmas star returns'
- Chapter Fourteen: ' Beth's future in Portlaw'
-
The Last Dance
>
- Chapter One - ‘Nancy Swales becomes the Widow Swales’
- Chapter Two ‘The secret night life of Widow Swales’
- Chapter Three ‘Meeting Richard again’
- Chapter Four ‘Clancy’s Ballroom: March 1961’
- Chapter Five ‘The All Ireland Dancing Rounds’
- Chapter Six ‘James Mountford’
- Chapter Seven ‘The All Ireland Ballroom Latin American Dance Final.’
- Chapter Eight ‘The Final Arrives’
- Chapter Nine: 'Beth in Manchester.'
- 'Two Sisters' >
- Fourteen Days >
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‘The Postman Always Knocks Twice’
>
- Author's Foreword
- Contents
- Chapter One
- Chapter Two
- Chapter Three
- Chapter Four
- Chapter Five
- Chapter Six
- Chapter Seven
- Chapter Eight
- Chapter Nine
- Chapter Ten
- Chapter Eleven
- Chapter Twelve
- Chapter Thirteen
- Chapter Fourteen
- Chapter Fifteen
- Chapter Sixteen
- Chapter Seventeen
- Chapter Eighteen
- Chapter Nineteen
- Chapter Twenty
- Chapter Twenty-One
- Chapter Twenty-Two
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'Fini and Archie'
Introduction:
Archie Swales had one love of his life in old age and that was his loyal dog, Fini. Ever since Archie had rescued Fini from being put down, the two of them had grown inseparable. From the start, it seemed destined that the two would end their days together. I have sometimes met a person getting on in years who cannot remember a time in their life when they did not have a dog as a pet. I have also met many dog lovers, whom upon reaching a certain age, would think it cruel to have another dog, even though they would love to have one; fearing perhaps that the new dog taken into their lives would most certainly outlive theirs. I dedicate this story to my Irish friend Danielle O'Shea from County Carlow; a true animal lover.
Archie Swales had one love of his life in old age and that was his loyal dog, Fini. Ever since Archie had rescued Fini from being put down, the two of them had grown inseparable. From the start, it seemed destined that the two would end their days together. I have sometimes met a person getting on in years who cannot remember a time in their life when they did not have a dog as a pet. I have also met many dog lovers, whom upon reaching a certain age, would think it cruel to have another dog, even though they would love to have one; fearing perhaps that the new dog taken into their lives would most certainly outlive theirs. I dedicate this story to my Irish friend Danielle O'Shea from County Carlow; a true animal lover.
Part One: 'The early years.'
Archie Swales was born in Portlaw. He was the youngest in a family of seven children. In most respects, folk would have perceived Archie as having been born the runt of the litter. Whereas his three older brothers and three older sisters were all of normal height and goodly proportions, Archie was a premature birth and he came into this world weighing a mere three pounds and five ounces.
While initially his parents were not unduly worried about Archie's smallness in size, by the time he'd reached five years of age, he still stood no more than the height of an average three year old. After having him checked out by various child specialists; none of whom could find anything medically or genetically wrong with Archie, he was assessed as being a child of small growth, in exceedingly good health and a boy with a good level of intelligence. The child specialists said there was no earthly reason why his growth wouldn't catch up with that of his peers during the years ahead.
From as far back as he could remember, Archie loved all manner of animals and pets and hated all kind of creature cruelty. The family always kept a pig which they would fatten up before killing and eating during cold winter months. At first, Archie would befriend the family pig and elect to feed it daily, but after he'd grown attached to the first pig he'd known, only to see it slaughtered for the family table, he avoided getting close to any new pig his father brought home.
As Archie went through 'First School', his smallness in size frequently led him to being picked upon by other and bigger boys who called him 'Runt' and nick-named him 'Titch.' Apart from Mary Morrison, who shared his desk at school, Archie had few friends either in school or in the Portlaw community. He was a reserved young boy who preferred walking and enjoying all manner of nature and the countryside, as opposed to the more boisterous games that most boys played.
From as far back as he could remember, Archie loved all manner of animals and pets and hated all kind of creature cruelty. The family always kept a pig which they would fatten up before killing and eating during cold winter months. At first, Archie would befriend the family pig and elect to feed it daily, but after he'd grown attached to the first pig he'd known, only to see it slaughtered for the family table, he avoided getting close to any new pig his father brought home.
As Archie went through 'First School', his smallness in size frequently led him to being picked upon by other and bigger boys who called him 'Runt' and nick-named him 'Titch.' Apart from Mary Morrison, who shared his desk at school, Archie had few friends either in school or in the Portlaw community. He was a reserved young boy who preferred walking and enjoying all manner of nature and the countryside, as opposed to the more boisterous games that most boys played.
Throughout his earlier years of development, after school had finished for the day, Archie would frequently go off on walks on his own or with his friend Mary, if she was allowed to. He would frequently roam the fields and the grounds up Curraghmore, and when the weather was hot enough in the summer, he would swim in the clear flowing waters of the river. Most of the Portlaw parents were aware of a dangerous eddy in the Curraghmore river which had led to the drowning of five children over the previous thirty years, and they'd be extremely cross if they found that their children had ignored their warnings and still swam there. Children wouldn't be children though if they followed their parent's guidance all the time and allowed all the fun to be stripped from their lives!
So, unbeknownst to their parents, swimming up Curraghmore continued to be a much-loved pastime by Portlaw children during hot summer months, especially when the sun beat down strong and the flowing waters looked so refreshingly cool and inviting. Even lovers and courting couples might take to the river during mid-evening hours when Curraghmore was quieter; enabling many a dog walker and rambler to catch an eyeful on their stroll as they chanced to see a couple of skinny dippers laughing and splashing away.
There was, towards the centre of the river, an eddy, which had been responsible over the years for having drowned many a swimmer. One didn't see this danger until the very last minute. Often, a swimmer might unknowingly let themselves get too close to the whirlpool, only to find themselves being slowly sucked under when it was too late to pull back.
The river was so tempting on a hot day that the danger of getting too close to the whirlpool which could drag you under, would often be suppressed. After some unfortunate swimmer had died in the river, all and sundry would avoid swimming anywhere near the whirlpool for a year or so after the tragedy. Then, in time, the unfortunate death might be put to the back of a swimmer's mind as they took their chances and floated peacefully in the cool waters of Currahgmore once more.
One hot summer's afternoon during the long school holidays when Archie was thirteen, he decided to go up Curraghmore for a swim in the river. He was accompanied by his closest school friend, fourteen-year-old Mary Morrison. The couple were still in their innocence of youth, despite being commonly referred to as boyfriend and girlfriend. It had been over seven years since any swimming tragedy had occurred in the river and all thought of danger was temporarily suspended in the minds of Archie and Mary, along with most children and young persons from Portlaw.
After the couple had been swimming around for about an hour, keeping close enough to the bank so as not to endanger themselves, Mary seemingly took it upon herself to swim a few yards farther down river. She felt like skinny dipping so, after she'd removed her clothing under water, she moved her body farther out of sight of Archie's temptation.
After the couple had been swimming around for about an hour, keeping close enough to the bank so as not to endanger themselves, Mary seemingly took it upon herself to swim a few yards farther down river. She felt like skinny dipping so, after she'd removed her clothing under water, she moved her body farther out of sight of Archie's temptation.
At first, it was only a matter of a few yards she swam downstream, and this caused Archie no undue alarm. He automatically assumed she would soon come back to safer waters. However, Mary was so happy, she seemed to be in a day dream as she drifted ever closer to the concealed whirlpool. The next time that Archie looked up for her, she had swum another twenty yards towards the location of the eddy. Sensing the danger, Archie yelled out to her, "Come back, Mary. Come back, now! You're too close to the eddy! Come back!" But being out of distance, Mary couldn't hear what Archie was saying. She simply smiled broadly and waved back.
The next moment, Mary was suddenly being sucked closer to the eddy, and it was only after she realised the nature of the danger she was in that she started to shout for help. Without any second thought for his own safety, Archie immediately swam towards Mary, not knowing whether he'd be able to assist in pulling her back towards safety or not. To tell the truth, not being the strongest of swimmers, he didn't know whether his presence would be a help to Mary or a hindrance! He just knew that Mary was his best friend and he had to try.
Archie just managed to reach Mary as the whirlpool started to suck her under. He grabbed her left hand and told her to hang on. Mere seconds later, Archie sensed that the eddy risked pulling him under also, but he just could not let go of Mary's hand. As it happened, Mary realised the full danger for both of them and knew that it was over for her, so she released herself from the grip of Archie's hand and allowed herself to go all the way under. As she disappeared from sight she mouthed, "Save yourself, Archie" to her heartbroken friend.
Archie tried to swim away from the central force of the whirlpool with tears in his eyes, but he wasn't strong enough to swim against the strong current and the river pulled him back towards the watery grave. He started to cry out for help, just in case someone was passing by. Just when he'd resigned to himself to being unable to resist the whirlpool's pull a moment longer and prevent himself being dragged under, a stray dog which had appeared on the river bank heard his call of distress and dived in.
Swimming towards Archie, the golden retriever cross-breed bitch seemed to display the muscular body of a working dog. It took less than thirty seconds for the dog to reach the sinking Archie, and just as his head went under, the dog seized hold of Archie's right arm and held on tight. Archie suddenly sensed the jaws of some creature around his right arm, but he thought it to be the weird imaginings of a drowning person. The teeth of the jaws were not the kind of teeth that begged to bite, but were instead, fangs that held fast the boy. The dog's firm grip prevented Archie being dragged further under. As Archie started to wonder what manner of divine intervention had prevented him going to a watery grave, his head was pulled back up above the water line of the river and he found his body being slowly dragged back towards the river bank. It was only then that he fully appreciated it had been a female dog who'd saved him.
The mouth of a golden yellow cross between a Labrador and an Alsatian pulled him out of danger and back towards the river bank. Archie lay on the river bank side for the next ten minutes as he tried to catch his breath and take in what had just happened to him and the sad death of poor Mary. The dog shook its body dry and then approached Archie and proceeded to lick him all over. For almost half an hour, Archie sat on the river bank crying with both sadness and relief as his stray canine friend sat beside him obediently.
After he'd composed himself, thirteen-year-old Archie cuddled the stray dog which had saved him as he looked in sadness towards the area of the whirlpool that had tragically taken the life of his girlfriend, Mary, less than forty minutes earlier. Then, he walked back down Curraghmore towards Portlaw with his canine saviour by his side. As Archie walked back into the village, holding back the tears from his eyes, he considered how he could face Mary's parents and tell them that their daughter had drowned and would never come back home again.
Much to Archie's relief, once Mr and Mrs Morrison learned that Archie had risked his own life trying to save their daughter, no responsibility for her death was placed at his door. They soon appreciated that had it not been for the dog who'd saved him, the whirlpool would have added another two deaths to its tally instead of the one.
When Archie eventually arrived home, he burst into tears as he told his parents the tragic events off the past few hours. Naturally, a search party was sent back up to the Curraghmore river, but the circular current of the eddy didn't yield up Mary Morrison's body until the following day. Her parents naturally wondered why her corpse was naked, and Archie had to tell them that he was unaware of this.
Much to Archie's relief, once Mr and Mrs Morrison learned that Archie had risked his own life trying to save their daughter, no responsibility for her death was placed at his door. They soon appreciated that had it not been for the dog who'd saved him, the whirlpool would have added another two deaths to its tally instead of the one.
When Archie eventually arrived home, he burst into tears as he told his parents the tragic events off the past few hours. Naturally, a search party was sent back up to the Curraghmore river, but the circular current of the eddy didn't yield up Mary Morrison's body until the following day. Her parents naturally wondered why her corpse was naked, and Archie had to tell them that he was unaware of this.
Archie attended Mary's funeral with a heavy heart. He made it a practice after her parents had erected a proper grave site, to place flowers on Mary's grave fortnightly until he got married in his mid-twenties.
After the funeral of Mary Morrison had taken place, Archie's father initially told him that he'd be unable to keep the stray dog which had saved his life. He indicated this was because the family had insufficient money to feed the creature. Archie immediately started to rebel. The mere thought that he wouldn't be allowed to keep the stray had never entered his head. After kicking up a fuss, Archie's mother said to her husband, "Let the boy keep the dog, Paddy! After all, if it wasn't for the critter, our lad would be dead and buried now along with poor Mary Morrison! With scraps and what else, we'll manage to feed the dog without the need of starving ourselves."
"And I'll do some odd jobs to get a few coppers for dog food!" Archie added.
After the funeral of Mary Morrison had taken place, Archie's father initially told him that he'd be unable to keep the stray dog which had saved his life. He indicated this was because the family had insufficient money to feed the creature. Archie immediately started to rebel. The mere thought that he wouldn't be allowed to keep the stray had never entered his head. After kicking up a fuss, Archie's mother said to her husband, "Let the boy keep the dog, Paddy! After all, if it wasn't for the critter, our lad would be dead and buried now along with poor Mary Morrison! With scraps and what else, we'll manage to feed the dog without the need of starving ourselves."
"And I'll do some odd jobs to get a few coppers for dog food!" Archie added.
So, after it had been established that the dog was indeed a stray, Archie was able to keep his very first dog, which despite its female sex, he named, 'Eddy'.
Over the years that followed, Archie and Eddy became inseparable. The dog followed Archie everywhere, to his bed, to the loo and even to school. Eddy would walk to school with Archie and initially, the dog would sit still outside the school gates all day long until Archie's school day was over. For three hours each morning and three hours every afternoon, Eddy would stand sentry as her master was taught inside a nearby classroom. Archie would naturally spend his lunch breaks in the company of his faithful dog.
Eventually, Eddy was trained to walk back home on her own after he'd walked Archie to school on a morning. By 3.45 pm every afternoon, Eddy would have returned to Archie's school without an escort. After the bell for the end of day had gone, the couple would walk back home together.
Between the ages of thirteen and twenty-four, the dog went everywhere with Archie and even slept on the rug at the end of his bed. Each morning, Archie would be woken up by Eddy licking his face and then sitting there with her lead in its mouth, reminding his master that the time for his morning walk had arrived!
Over the years that followed, Archie and Eddy became inseparable. The dog followed Archie everywhere, to his bed, to the loo and even to school. Eddy would walk to school with Archie and initially, the dog would sit still outside the school gates all day long until Archie's school day was over. For three hours each morning and three hours every afternoon, Eddy would stand sentry as her master was taught inside a nearby classroom. Archie would naturally spend his lunch breaks in the company of his faithful dog.
Eventually, Eddy was trained to walk back home on her own after he'd walked Archie to school on a morning. By 3.45 pm every afternoon, Eddy would have returned to Archie's school without an escort. After the bell for the end of day had gone, the couple would walk back home together.
Between the ages of thirteen and twenty-four, the dog went everywhere with Archie and even slept on the rug at the end of his bed. Each morning, Archie would be woken up by Eddy licking his face and then sitting there with her lead in its mouth, reminding his master that the time for his morning walk had arrived!
Part Two: 'Employment and Courtship'
Life proceeded happily for Archie and Eddy until Eddy reached the age of 14 years and Archie was 24 years old. After Archie had attained the age of 16 years and it became time for him to start work, he didn't have to think twice what he wanted to do. Whereas almost everyone who worked in Portlaw worked in the Tannery at the top of the 'Village Square', Archie was a fresh air fiend and he had no intention of being cooped up in a steamy, sweaty tannery all day long. No! Archie intended to seek out farm work. He wanted a job where he could work outdoors; a job where his faithful dog could attend with him and not get in the way.
Archie was fortunate in the extreme when 'a happy accident' provided an opening for him at 'Brown's Farm' in Kilmeaden, about four miles out of Portlaw, or a good stretch of the legs as many a villager would say. Two weeks after Archie had started looking for work, the boy who drove the tractor, milked the cows and mucked out the pig sty at 'Brown's Farm' broke a leg and needed to stay off work for at least four months. Archie was taken on in a 'temporary capacity' and would be expected to give the job up when the other young man returned.
Archie took to being a farm hand far better than he could ever have imagined. His daily satisfaction was greatly increased once he learned that he could bring his dog Eddy to work, providing he offered assurance that his dog wouldn't chase the chickens or generally get in the way. Both Archie and Eddy would walk to work every morning at 5.30 am and it would often be between 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm after they'd walked back home at the end of the day.
Four months after he'd started at 'Brown's Farm', the owner told Archie that the other young man who'd broken his leg had decided not to return to being a farm hand, so if he wanted his job on a permanent basis, he could have it. Archie was over the moon.
Four months after he'd started at 'Brown's Farm', the owner told Archie that the other young man who'd broken his leg had decided not to return to being a farm hand, so if he wanted his job on a permanent basis, he could have it. Archie was over the moon.
Archie loved working on the farm and from his first day there, he knew that this was the job for him and that there could never be another he'd find so fulfilling. After his first six months at work, his boss, Walter Brown, expressed complete satisfaction with his work, and in particular, the attention he paid to doing whatever he did as well as it could be done.
"I'm really pleased with you, Archie," Walter Brown told him one morning after Archie had cleaned out the slurry in the cow shed, adding, "Whether it's feeding the animals, driving the tractor or even mucking out the cow shed, you take pride in all you do. That's so rare a quality to find in one so young these days! They'll be an extra five shillings in next week's wage packet for you, lad."
Archie's face filled up with pride as he learned of the pay rise, along with his employer's fulsome praise for his daily work. While his father wasn't one for giving out advice freely, the one thing he'd repeatedly told Archie before he'd left school to start work was, "However humble any job you're ever given is, son, even if it's only sweeping the floor, always do it to the best of your ability and you won't go far wrong in life. And whenever you leave one job, leave it well and you'll always be welcomed back should you ever decide to return."
"I'm really pleased with you, Archie," Walter Brown told him one morning after Archie had cleaned out the slurry in the cow shed, adding, "Whether it's feeding the animals, driving the tractor or even mucking out the cow shed, you take pride in all you do. That's so rare a quality to find in one so young these days! They'll be an extra five shillings in next week's wage packet for you, lad."
Archie's face filled up with pride as he learned of the pay rise, along with his employer's fulsome praise for his daily work. While his father wasn't one for giving out advice freely, the one thing he'd repeatedly told Archie before he'd left school to start work was, "However humble any job you're ever given is, son, even if it's only sweeping the floor, always do it to the best of your ability and you won't go far wrong in life. And whenever you leave one job, leave it well and you'll always be welcomed back should you ever decide to return."
Each morning as Archie and Eddy walked the back road to Kilmeaden from their home in the village of Portlaw, the early hour of 5.00 am would usually be sufficient to ensure that they rarely met anyone else. That is, with the exception of a young colleen called Molly McQuire. Molly lived on the outskirts of Portlaw village with her widower father, just across the bridge that all villagers crossed over to meet the Kilmeaden and Waterford road.
Molly had started working at the 'Kilmeaden Creamery' about four years after Archie had started working as a farm hand at 'Browns Farm.' Like all the factory workers at 'Kilmeaden Creamery,' Molly would work a two-shift system; 6.00 am until 4.00 pm on the early shift and 8.00 pm until 6.00 am on the late shift. On those weeks when Molly was on the early work shift at the Creamery, she would often see Archie and his dog walking up ahead of her and catch them up. The Creamery was situated about one half mile before 'Brown's Farm' in Kilmeaden where the parties would separate.
Molly had started working at the 'Kilmeaden Creamery' about four years after Archie had started working as a farm hand at 'Browns Farm.' Like all the factory workers at 'Kilmeaden Creamery,' Molly would work a two-shift system; 6.00 am until 4.00 pm on the early shift and 8.00 pm until 6.00 am on the late shift. On those weeks when Molly was on the early work shift at the Creamery, she would often see Archie and his dog walking up ahead of her and catch them up. The Creamery was situated about one half mile before 'Brown's Farm' in Kilmeaden where the parties would separate.
The couple found instant attraction in each other's company through their joint love of all animals, but dogs in particular. Nineteen-year-old Molly indicated that while she'd love to own a dog, it wouldn't be fair on the creature being left at home alone all day while all the household worked.
"I know what you mean," Archie replied. "One of the main reasons I love my job, is that my boss allows me to have my dog at work with me on the farm. I don't know what I'd do, Molly, if I couldn't. Unfortunately, poor Eddy here is finding the walk to and from work much harder these days than when we first started at the farm. She's not getting any younger and I fear her hind end will give way in a year or so."
"I know what you mean," Archie replied. "One of the main reasons I love my job, is that my boss allows me to have my dog at work with me on the farm. I don't know what I'd do, Molly, if I couldn't. Unfortunately, poor Eddy here is finding the walk to and from work much harder these days than when we first started at the farm. She's not getting any younger and I fear her hind end will give way in a year or so."
Archie had noticed how much Eddy had slowed down over the past year. Eddy's pace now made each daily journey much longer than before and the length of her stride had definitely shortened. The dog was fine at work, as all it needed to do was to laze around all day within sight of its master, but the lengthy return walk daily to and from 'Brown's Farm' was starting to take its toll. Now, when Archie and Eddy arrived at work each morning, the dog would be so tired that it would sleep half of the day. On an evening when they got back home between 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm, Eddy would just curl up tired on the lounge rug and go to sleep again until it was time for bed!
That harvest, Archie's boss hired a number of casual workers on a weekend to gather the bales of hay. As Archie and Molly had become very close friends, she offered to work one weekend at the farm to get the bales in. Archie was over the moon. Molly proved to be as good a worker as she was a looker and Walter Brown teased his young farm hand mercilessly after he'd seen how fetching a young woman Molly was.
That was the weekend when Archie decided that his feelings for Molly stretched farther than that of mere walking companions of close friendship. On their way back home, Archie summoned up the courage to put their ongoing relationship on a much clearer footing.
"I was thinking, Molly," he said as they walked back towards Portlaw at the end of that Saturday afternoon they'd spent gathering the bales, "Would you...walk out with me, lass?"
Molly looked partly amused at what Archie was attempting to ask her in his own shy way and smilingly replied, "What precisely do you mean by 'walk out with you' Archie Swales? Haven't the pair of us done nothing else but walk out with each other this past year or more on the way to work most mornings?"
After a moment's silence Molly said, "I suspect you mean much more than 'walk out with me', Archie. Are you sure you don't mean 'lie down with me'?"
Archie initially thought he'd blown his proposal for a closer union with Molly until he saw her break into a wide smile, before realising that she was teasing him. Next, Molly kissed him as she said, "I'll walk out with you' as you put it, Archie, without any need of further persuasion. I know you well enough now, to know that anyone who loves his dog as much as you do, has every chance of loving a sweetheart a great deal more!"
Archie was over the moon. Everything seemed good with the world; well almost everything he thought as he looked towards Eddy.
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That was the weekend when Archie decided that his feelings for Molly stretched farther than that of mere walking companions of close friendship. On their way back home, Archie summoned up the courage to put their ongoing relationship on a much clearer footing.
"I was thinking, Molly," he said as they walked back towards Portlaw at the end of that Saturday afternoon they'd spent gathering the bales, "Would you...walk out with me, lass?"
Molly looked partly amused at what Archie was attempting to ask her in his own shy way and smilingly replied, "What precisely do you mean by 'walk out with you' Archie Swales? Haven't the pair of us done nothing else but walk out with each other this past year or more on the way to work most mornings?"
After a moment's silence Molly said, "I suspect you mean much more than 'walk out with me', Archie. Are you sure you don't mean 'lie down with me'?"
Archie initially thought he'd blown his proposal for a closer union with Molly until he saw her break into a wide smile, before realising that she was teasing him. Next, Molly kissed him as she said, "I'll walk out with you' as you put it, Archie, without any need of further persuasion. I know you well enough now, to know that anyone who loves his dog as much as you do, has every chance of loving a sweetheart a great deal more!"
Archie was over the moon. Everything seemed good with the world; well almost everything he thought as he looked towards Eddy.
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Over the following six months, Archie and Molly progressed in their relationship with the intimacy that is more familiar to two people madly in love with each other and who cannot wait to get married. Both were highly sensible in wanting their wedding night to be as special as it could possibly be, yet both were very normal in the temptations of the flesh also. They decided to get wed in the spring of the following year in the parish church of Portlaw, during the month of Archie's 24th birthday. Had they decided to wait any longer, Archie wasn't sure that he would have been able to keep his hands off Molly, and she wasn't at all confident that she'd be able to insist on such restraint!
Three months before their planned marriage, Archie realised that his faithful dog Eddy was nearing the end of her days. Eddy was now almost fourteen years old and it now took the couple twice as long to walk to work and back home again daily. Also, Archie had noticed Eddy drag one of her hind legs occasionally on their walk to and from work.
That morning, around 11.00 am, Archie sought out his boss, Walter Brown, for advice concerning Eddy. Over the previous three years, Walter had started to relate to Archie more like he would a son as opposed to that of a farm hand. In fact, if the truth be known, with his wife being barren and unable to give birth to children, Walter Brown looked upon Archie as the son he'd always wanted but never had. There wasn't anything he wouldn't have done for Archie.
After cornering his boss, Archie said, "You know that my female dog, Eddy, is going lame, and being 14 years old, it looks like her time will soon be upon us. When the time comes, I was wondering what was the best way, the most humane way to put her to sleep? I know that you've had many dogs in your life and a number who's had to be put down."
"I suppose, Archie, that it's each to his own way when all the waters been drained from the cooking pot. Some get the vet to give them a lethal injection in the paw. This is said to be painless and is over in six or seven seconds. I have always favoured a bullet to be the quickest and most painless way, whether it be dogs, cows or horses that have to be put down.
While it sounds crueller, it is much kinder when done accurately. The creature is shot in the head with the bullet directed, so as to pass through the brain toward the spine. For me this is the cleanest, quickest and most humane method. Death is instant and takes about six seconds less than an injection does, but who knows what any poor creature feels during the last few seconds of its existence? Who knows what it possibly thinks during the last six seconds of life?
"If...if I decide to have Eddy shot instead of injected, would...would you do it for me?" Archie asked Walter.
"Of course, I would, Archie! Of course, I would, lad!" Walter replied.
It had been the strangest of weeks for Archie who'd now asked Walter for two favours; one to consider putting Eddy to sleep and another to be his best man at his spring wedding to Molly.
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After cornering his boss, Archie said, "You know that my female dog, Eddy, is going lame, and being 14 years old, it looks like her time will soon be upon us. When the time comes, I was wondering what was the best way, the most humane way to put her to sleep? I know that you've had many dogs in your life and a number who's had to be put down."
"I suppose, Archie, that it's each to his own way when all the waters been drained from the cooking pot. Some get the vet to give them a lethal injection in the paw. This is said to be painless and is over in six or seven seconds. I have always favoured a bullet to be the quickest and most painless way, whether it be dogs, cows or horses that have to be put down.
While it sounds crueller, it is much kinder when done accurately. The creature is shot in the head with the bullet directed, so as to pass through the brain toward the spine. For me this is the cleanest, quickest and most humane method. Death is instant and takes about six seconds less than an injection does, but who knows what any poor creature feels during the last few seconds of its existence? Who knows what it possibly thinks during the last six seconds of life?
"If...if I decide to have Eddy shot instead of injected, would...would you do it for me?" Archie asked Walter.
"Of course, I would, Archie! Of course, I would, lad!" Walter replied.
It had been the strangest of weeks for Archie who'd now asked Walter for two favours; one to consider putting Eddy to sleep and another to be his best man at his spring wedding to Molly.
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One morning during early January, Archie arrived at work two hours late without his dog. He'd been awake with Eddy during the night. Eddy's hip had gone and her right hind leg had completely collapsed. The poor dog couldn't stand and support her weight any more. She didn't even possess the dignity of being able to perform her doggy functions without assistance. Walter got out the tractor and the couple drove it back to William Street, Portlaw. Eddy was wrapped warmly in her blanket and placed on the back of the tractor. As they travelled back toward the farm, Archie and Walter drove slowly as though they were driving a hearse to a funeral service.
When they arrived back at the farm, Archie carried Eddy into the barn and Walter said, "You two say your final goodbye to her. I'll be back in half an hour."
For the next half hour, while Archie cradled Eddy in his arms and openly wept as he stroked and stroked her soft brow, Eddy looked up at him with those pitiful eyes that only dogs seem to possess whenever they want to tug the heart strings of the human soul. Archie wondered if Eddy could sense what was about to happen and this thought deeply saddened him.
Meanwhile, Walter Brown had been digging a grave under the Hawthorn tree by the boundary wall to his barley field. When that was done, he returned to the barn and said to Archie, "It's time, Archie. Will you carry Eddy up to the Hawthorn tree by the barley field, where I've made a goodly space to lay her down to rest?"
Archie said he would, but added, "I'm afraid I haven't the heart to watch you do it, boss."
"I understand, lad. I fully understand!" Walter replied.
When they arrived back at the farm, Archie carried Eddy into the barn and Walter said, "You two say your final goodbye to her. I'll be back in half an hour."
For the next half hour, while Archie cradled Eddy in his arms and openly wept as he stroked and stroked her soft brow, Eddy looked up at him with those pitiful eyes that only dogs seem to possess whenever they want to tug the heart strings of the human soul. Archie wondered if Eddy could sense what was about to happen and this thought deeply saddened him.
Meanwhile, Walter Brown had been digging a grave under the Hawthorn tree by the boundary wall to his barley field. When that was done, he returned to the barn and said to Archie, "It's time, Archie. Will you carry Eddy up to the Hawthorn tree by the barley field, where I've made a goodly space to lay her down to rest?"
Archie said he would, but added, "I'm afraid I haven't the heart to watch you do it, boss."
"I understand, lad. I fully understand!" Walter replied.
After Archie had placed Eddy down by the Hawthorn tree, he walked back quickly towards the farm house, anxiously waiting to hear the fatal shot while fearing the explosion that would end Eddy's life. 'Bang' went Walter's gun. It was over; poor Eddy who'd saved Archie's life eleven years earlier was now dead and would soon be buried!
The following month, Archie got through it, but with the greatest of difficulty. As he and Molly walked into their respective jobs each morning without Eddy by their side, every now and then along the way, Archie would forget and find himself looking around for Eddy, prepared to urge her to hurry up before they were late for work.
When March arrived, neither Archie or Molly had any time to dwell on sad things past as all the stops were being pulled out for their wedding day at 'St Patrick's Catholic Church' at the top of the hill. Soon all Portlaw would hear the wedding bells from across the bridge at the bottom of William Street.
When March arrived, neither Archie or Molly had any time to dwell on sad things past as all the stops were being pulled out for their wedding day at 'St Patrick's Catholic Church' at the top of the hill. Soon all Portlaw would hear the wedding bells from across the bridge at the bottom of William Street.
This was to be the happiest of days that the couple ever experienced. Molly looked beautiful and was every inch the bride as her father walked her down the aisle to give her away. As the happy couple exchanged rings during the ceremony, Archie found himself welling up with tears of joy as he looked into the face of his bride as the parish priest pronounced them man and wife.
Later that night, when the marriage party had eaten and drank their fill, they reconvened in the 'Cotton Mill' off Brown Street, where they drank some more and danced the night away to the fiddles and the squeeze box.
The newly married couple started life together in an old cottage on the lane up the road that led to Carrick-on-Suir. The cottage hadn't been lived in for over a year and required much work and improvements making to it. Walter had kindly paid their deposit to secure the purchase of the property as a wedding present to Archie and Molly, and the couple looked forward to working on it together over the time ahead.
The newly married couple started life together in an old cottage on the lane up the road that led to Carrick-on-Suir. The cottage hadn't been lived in for over a year and required much work and improvements making to it. Walter had kindly paid their deposit to secure the purchase of the property as a wedding present to Archie and Molly, and the couple looked forward to working on it together over the time ahead.
Part Three: 'From single to married man and farm hand to farmer'
After his marriage to Molly, the couple looked forward to parenthood and raising a family of their own, but sadly, the couple were to witness a similar disappointment to that of Walter Brown and his wife, who'd also been destined to remain childless.
So Archie and Molly had the only family they were able to; a succession of dogs from the Refuge Centre. Over the next fifty years, they took another four dogs from the Centre and lovingly shared their lives with them. They never went for pedigrees as they strongly believed that mongrels and cross breeds proved to be the more manageable and most faithful. Throughout their marriage they would home, Chevron, Doris, Porter and Paddy and love each one to bits.
So Archie and Molly had the only family they were able to; a succession of dogs from the Refuge Centre. Over the next fifty years, they took another four dogs from the Centre and lovingly shared their lives with them. They never went for pedigrees as they strongly believed that mongrels and cross breeds proved to be the more manageable and most faithful. Throughout their marriage they would home, Chevron, Doris, Porter and Paddy and love each one to bits.
After they'd been married five years, Walter Brown's wife, Sarah suddenly died with a brain tumour. After his wife's death, Walter was never himself again. He soon stopped being the man Archie had first known. He became more withdrawn from his tasks about the farm and responsibilities. He gradually withdrew from all his former farming tasks and left them to Archie to sort out. Before long, Archie was effectively running and managing the farm. He needed to hire a new farm hand from Waterford and some casual labour for the haymaking and potato picking months.
Six years later, shortly after Archie's 35th birthday, during a period of prolonged depression, Walter Brown, took a loaded double-barrelled shotgun into the barn, placed the barrel inside his mouth, pulled back the trigger and shot himself dead! Before he'd committed suicide, Walter had willed his farm, its entire contents, all his money and earthly possessions to Archie and Molly. In the short space of a decade, Archie had moved from farm hand to farm manager, and now, farm owner. His wife, Molly had given up her job at the Creamery two years to help out on the farm. Now that she was married to Archie as well as being part owner of the farm, she knew that her job for the remainder of her life had been mapped out for her.
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Archie and Molly were married for sixty-one years before Molly passed away, aged 81 years old. Until three months prior to her death, she had appeared in perfectly good health, but then she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bowel cancer which had spread too far to be curable. Had not her death been speedy after her diagnosis, Archie doesn't know how he would have coped. In fact, their dog Paddy ensured that he had a routine to keep to. This in itself kept Archie sane.
During their last night together, Archie and Molly were also comforted greatly by the presence of their beloved pet dog, Paddy, who seemed to know that something was seriously amiss with his master and mistress. For many months after her death, Archie grieved Molly's loss grievously. Rarely did Archie sleep without bringing to mind, Molly's image of that glorious weekend when she'd volunteered to work in the fields of 'Brown's Farm'; that first moment he saw her carrying a bale of hay, looking as beautiful a picture as he'd ever seen.
After Molly had been buried, Archie returned to the farm house and for the rest of that day, he just sat in his favourite chair and looked across at the rocking chair his wife Molly always occupied. To see the rocker motionless reminded Archie that now it was only himself and Paddy against the rest of the world.
Fortunately, five years earlier, Archie's age had started to tell on him and he found the farm too difficult to continue with as a going concern. He'd managed to keep the farm going into his 80's, but no longer possessed the strength to do so. He sold off the cattle and livestock and allowed the fields to lie fallow, keeping only a few hens and a couple of pigs for a regular supply of fresh eggs and Irish bacon. He was now left with sufficient money for himself and Molly to live out the rest of their days comfortably. After Molly had died, each day that passed saw his life lessen in purpose.
Archie would have gladly given up his homestead and all his money just to have his beloved wife back in his arms at bedtime; just to see her rock in her chair once more as he puffed on his evening pipe of tobacco.
Fortunately, five years earlier, Archie's age had started to tell on him and he found the farm too difficult to continue with as a going concern. He'd managed to keep the farm going into his 80's, but no longer possessed the strength to do so. He sold off the cattle and livestock and allowed the fields to lie fallow, keeping only a few hens and a couple of pigs for a regular supply of fresh eggs and Irish bacon. He was now left with sufficient money for himself and Molly to live out the rest of their days comfortably. After Molly had died, each day that passed saw his life lessen in purpose.
Archie would have gladly given up his homestead and all his money just to have his beloved wife back in his arms at bedtime; just to see her rock in her chair once more as he puffed on his evening pipe of tobacco.
After Molly's death, Archie missed her daily presence so much, had he not had his dog to look after, he doesn't know how he would have got through the first two years of his bereavement. Exercising and looking after his dog, Paddy, kept Archie sane and kept him going, where under different circumstances, he may have been tempted to give up the ghost!
In short, Archie found the company of his beloved pet indispensable, especially at the end of the day when he sat in the lounge looking across at his dear wife's favourite chair that had stood motionless since she'd died. Archie would now see the empty rocking chair he had bought his wife during their first year of married life, stand still in a state of redundancy. She loved that chair and whenever Archie saw it stood perfectly still in its state of permanent disuse, this sad sight led him to think of happier days of their youthful courtship and the romantic excitement and intensity of passion they shared during their early years of marriage.
In short, Archie found the company of his beloved pet indispensable, especially at the end of the day when he sat in the lounge looking across at his dear wife's favourite chair that had stood motionless since she'd died. Archie would now see the empty rocking chair he had bought his wife during their first year of married life, stand still in a state of redundancy. She loved that chair and whenever Archie saw it stood perfectly still in its state of permanent disuse, this sad sight led him to think of happier days of their youthful courtship and the romantic excitement and intensity of passion they shared during their early years of marriage.
It came to pass in Archie's 88th year of life that his dog, Paddy, died of old age. As Paddy lay there with eyes closed, the black circular patch he had around his left eye left him looking as though he'd gone through life with one eye only. Archie felt the loss of Paddy more than the passing of any previous dog he'd ever owned and his immediate instinct was to get another pet as soon as possible to fill the emotional void in his life. Before he could put this plan into action however, he was diagnosed with an incurable illness and told that he had less than a year left to live.
Initially, Archie thought what most pet lovers would have thought in his circumstances; namely that it would be cruel to get another dog now, and after both parties getting attached to each other, die and leave it to fend for itself. Archie knew that as he had no living family member or friend to adopt it, the poor creature would be taken to the dog pound and probably put down within weeks of his departure.
For the next few months, Archie wrestled with his conscience until he finally came up with a solution which seemed to partly resolve his dilemma. He decided that as it would be unwise to own another dog, given his terminal condition, there was nothing preventing helping other stray and abandoned dogs by making a substantial financial contribution to the Waterford Refuge Centre. After all, he rationalised, the Centre had been responsible for giving him and his dearly departed wife, Molly, four beautiful dogs to home over sixty years of their life together.
For the next few months, Archie wrestled with his conscience until he finally came up with a solution which seemed to partly resolve his dilemma. He decided that as it would be unwise to own another dog, given his terminal condition, there was nothing preventing helping other stray and abandoned dogs by making a substantial financial contribution to the Waterford Refuge Centre. After all, he rationalised, the Centre had been responsible for giving him and his dearly departed wife, Molly, four beautiful dogs to home over sixty years of their life together.
One month later, Archie visited the animal shelter, where he made his donation to their funds. The grateful manager of the shelter extended an invitation to take Archie on a tour, to let him see the dogs that would directly benefit from his generosity, and also by means of a 'thank you' for his most welcomed donation.
Archie started to look over the dogs accommodated there, dogs in need of new owners. The manager of the shelter and Archie started to walk the line of dogs wanting a home. As Archie walked the corridor in the shelter, he passed numerous dogs who barked and wagged their tails at him, as if they knew that doing so gave them instant appeal. There were pedigrees, mongrels, big dogs, small dogs, aggressive looking dogs, cute dogs; dogs of all manner of breed and description, all begging to become someone's loving pet and find a home before they were put down. Archie looked at each one lovingly, but walked on by. As he walked the line of cages in the Refuge Centre he simply found it so hard to believe that so many pet owners could give up their dogs to such an uncertain future.
Archie started to look over the dogs accommodated there, dogs in need of new owners. The manager of the shelter and Archie started to walk the line of dogs wanting a home. As Archie walked the corridor in the shelter, he passed numerous dogs who barked and wagged their tails at him, as if they knew that doing so gave them instant appeal. There were pedigrees, mongrels, big dogs, small dogs, aggressive looking dogs, cute dogs; dogs of all manner of breed and description, all begging to become someone's loving pet and find a home before they were put down. Archie looked at each one lovingly, but walked on by. As he walked the line of cages in the Refuge Centre he simply found it so hard to believe that so many pet owners could give up their dogs to such an uncertain future.
When Archie arrived at the very last dog cage, at first, he thought it empty. He had to look twice before his old eyes saw its occupant, curled up in the back corner. The dog had no name and was a cross between a Jack Russel and a wired terrier. It looked to be less than one year old, and like Archie, it appeared all alone as it lay there in its isolated state. Archie looked at the sorry creature and thought such a sight to be one of sin, a poor wee dog lying there all alone with its tail tucked in.
With tears starting to well in his eyes, Archie asked, "Why is it here in this big cage all alone, when space is obviously at a premium?"
The shelter manager replied, "Because of its condition. It is in great pain. It has an incurable and inoperable illness you see, and is due to be put down at the end of today."
As Archie looked at the small dog in the back corner of the cage, an instant image of himself and the dog at home on the farm appeared at the front of his mind. Taking it to be a sign, Archie made up his mind on the spot and said, "I'll take him!"
Totally flabbergasted, the shelter manager reluctantly agreed, but only after Archie had explained his full circumstances.
With tears starting to well in his eyes, Archie asked, "Why is it here in this big cage all alone, when space is obviously at a premium?"
The shelter manager replied, "Because of its condition. It is in great pain. It has an incurable and inoperable illness you see, and is due to be put down at the end of today."
As Archie looked at the small dog in the back corner of the cage, an instant image of himself and the dog at home on the farm appeared at the front of his mind. Taking it to be a sign, Archie made up his mind on the spot and said, "I'll take him!"
Totally flabbergasted, the shelter manager reluctantly agreed, but only after Archie had explained his full circumstances.
Archie took his new pet dog home and gave it the name of Fini. Had he not taken Fini that day he saw him at the Refuge Centre, its life would have been most certainly finished then; hence the name he decided to call the dog. Over the next two years, both man and dog were each to confound and defy the medics by staying alive. As both owner and dog continued to live with their terminal conditions, Fini miraculously started to gradually show signs of being a more alert and alive dog from the beginning of its association and bond with his new owner. As for Archie, he welcomed the constant companionship of the new dog in his life and their daily walks became the most prominent feature of their time together.
Both Archie and Fini soon became inseparable and were never seen outside the company of each other. Wherever Archie was in the farmhouse, Fini would be at his heel and when both were outside in the yard and Archie had things to do, he would always position Fini on the top of a grass mound where the dog could always see his master.
Foreseeing the day when he would no longer be alive to look after Fini, Archie made prior arrangements for Fini's financial upkeep for the rest of its natural days from his £40,000 savings and the sale of his farm house and land after he died. In the event of the legacy never being required for this purpose, should Fini die first, it was instead willed to the dog shelter from which Fini first came, along with any remaining balance after Fini's death.
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Both Archie and Fini soon became inseparable and were never seen outside the company of each other. Wherever Archie was in the farmhouse, Fini would be at his heel and when both were outside in the yard and Archie had things to do, he would always position Fini on the top of a grass mound where the dog could always see his master.
Foreseeing the day when he would no longer be alive to look after Fini, Archie made prior arrangements for Fini's financial upkeep for the rest of its natural days from his £40,000 savings and the sale of his farm house and land after he died. In the event of the legacy never being required for this purpose, should Fini die first, it was instead willed to the dog shelter from which Fini first came, along with any remaining balance after Fini's death.
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It is perhaps fitting that the relationship between man and dog ended as it had begun. On the day Archie died, he knew in advance his time had eventually arrived.
It was 4.30 pm. His stomach was now wracked with an intensity of pain which Archie sensed would never pass. He blessed himself from the holy water font in his front room, donned his old walking coat and filled his last pipe of tobacco to smoke. Just before he went out the door, he prodded his wife's favourite chair into rocking motion, looked around the old place for a last time and sighed.
It was 4.30 pm. His stomach was now wracked with an intensity of pain which Archie sensed would never pass. He blessed himself from the holy water font in his front room, donned his old walking coat and filled his last pipe of tobacco to smoke. Just before he went out the door, he prodded his wife's favourite chair into rocking motion, looked around the old place for a last time and sighed.
Archie had never before gone for a walk without Fini by his side since the couple's first day together. Fini was the most obedient of dogs and as Archie set off on his final walk, he patted him gently and said, 'Bye, lad. Now you stay there!'
As Archie spoke his final words to his faithful friend, tears streamed down his cheeks. It was as though Fini sensed the finality of his owners words and as he obediently sat still on the small mound of grass outside the farmhouse, he whined the saddest of notes.
As Archie spoke his final words to his faithful friend, tears streamed down his cheeks. It was as though Fini sensed the finality of his owners words and as he obediently sat still on the small mound of grass outside the farmhouse, he whined the saddest of notes.
Archie heard his sadness, but didn't look back. He dared not! He knew that had he done so, he would have been unable to go on and he would have broken both his and Fini's heart in two.
Archie walked on to the village square where he sat on a bench where he and his wife, Molly, had often sat together during their courtship days, and lit up his pipe. Looking around, he saw the lamp post where his dear wife, Molly, had first kissed him with a passion that had raised his hopes for a future life together. Archie said a quiet farewell to dear Portlaw, the place of both his birth and death. As the Tannery work's hooter signalled the end of the working day at 5.30 pm, Archie's heart stopped, his pipe fell from his mouth and he gently passed away.
Archie walked on to the village square where he sat on a bench where he and his wife, Molly, had often sat together during their courtship days, and lit up his pipe. Looking around, he saw the lamp post where his dear wife, Molly, had first kissed him with a passion that had raised his hopes for a future life together. Archie said a quiet farewell to dear Portlaw, the place of both his birth and death. As the Tannery work's hooter signalled the end of the working day at 5.30 pm, Archie's heart stopped, his pipe fell from his mouth and he gently passed away.
Back home at the farmhouse, Fini had also heard the tannery hooter in the distance and recognised its significance in the life of village workers. All the villagers of Portlaw who worked at the Tannery would set their daily lives by the sound of the tannery hooter. The hooter would call all tannery employees to start their working day at 8.00 am and to end it at 5.30 pm. When he heard the hooter, Fini knew that the end of his day had also arrived. He lay down on the grass mound, crossed his paws, curled up his tail and breathed his last.
In accordance with Archie's last will and testament, a rider stated that when Fini died, he was to be buried on his favourite mound outside the farm house where a headstone made from the very best Connemara marble was to be erected in his memory. The headstone would read:
'Upon this sacred spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence and courage without ferocity. Any obedience he gave was given out of unconditional love, not servility. Herein lies Fini, a creature with all the virtues of Man without any of his vices. God rest his soul.'
The end.
William Forde: Copyright: February, 2017.
'Upon this sacred spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence and courage without ferocity. Any obedience he gave was given out of unconditional love, not servility. Herein lies Fini, a creature with all the virtues of Man without any of his vices. God rest his soul.'
The end.
William Forde: Copyright: February, 2017.