Page 55
History of Orange County
Town of Newburgh
Page 55
Some idle boys along street, with a view to have some sport for themselves, and thoughtlessly, perhaps, to insult and ridicule Mr. McAuley, early one ‘‘St. Patrick's Day the morning," sat up an image of his saintship before his door. The image was dressed up and arrayed in all the old and worn out clothing they could lay their hands on, and it resembled most the representative of rag fair, for which it would have been taken, were it not for a most magnificent and endless string of potatoes, which was wound around its neck and body so as almost to envelope its person. No heathen god in ancient times was more outlandishly adorned. The fancy of the boys most certainly had wrought wonders upon the image by way of dress and decoration. When this was all arranged, and St. Patrick firmly fixed upon his street pedestal, the boys retired up and down the street, and behind the corners, to watch the effect produced on Mr. McAuley, when he should come out of his house to open his store. In due time the gentleman made his appearance, and they were all on tiptoe. The instant the object was seen, his saintship was recognized—the whole affair comprehended—and he addressed as an old acquaintance. As every effect has a cause, he looked around for the actors and authors of the insulting sport, and they were soon discovered also. In place of scolding the boys and giving vent to rage and passion as warn expected, he gave his attention most respectfully to the image, and, as if it were oppressed by the great weight of vegetable ornaments, made free with the string of potatoes, which he appropriated to himself, the while saying nothing which the boys could hear or laugh at. By this time, as if innocent of and knowing nothing about the affair, they began to come out of their hiding places, and in little squads approximate the spot; which, Mr. McAuley observing, called to them in the most friendly manner to come to him. With shyness, and some hesitation they came forward, when they were addressed substantially as follows:
He thanked them for the compliment paid him by setting up St. Patrick before his door—for the skill and taste with which they had adorned and decked his person,—he told them that in the country he came from he never saw one dressed half so handsomely—that indeed in that country, the boys half the time at that season of the year had not as many potatoes as they wanted to eat, much less to adorn St. Patrick,—that he himself just then was in want of some, and was -much obliged to them for their timely supply—requested
them to bring him a St. Patrick next year, and put as many strings of potato heads upon him as possible, the more, the better he would like it, etc., etc. During the delivery of the remarks, the image was disrobed of his external garniture, and the boys, ashamed of the trick attempted to be played off upon an old and respectable citizen, who took the joke in such a pleasant and friendly manner that it robbed them of all their expected fun and merriment—dropped off one by one, till all had sneaked away. We never heard that they sat up the image of St. Patrick before his door again. These friendly and encouraging remarks really killed off the mischievous young rogues by their kindness, and literally poured coals of fire upon their heads. This treatment, doubtless, had a better effect in restraining and correcting the boys than a severe flagellation by their parents. A kind word turns away wrath. The potatoes were given to a poor old woman, and when carried away, she had a large apron full of them.