Such, however, is life; and he who, on returning to his birthplace after an absence of many years, expects to find either the country or its inhabitants as he left them, will experience, in its most painful sense, the bitterness of disappointment.

Let every such individual prepare himself for the consequences of death, change, and desolation.
At length the coach drove into Ballytrain, and, in a few minutes, the passengers found themselves opposite to the sign of the Mitre, which swung over the door of the principal inn of that remarkable town.
"Sir," said the guard, addressing the stranger, "I think I have kept my word." The latter, without making any reply, dropped five shillings into his hand; but, in the course of a few minutes--for the coach changed horses there--he desired him to call the waiter or landlord, or any one to whom he could intrust his trunks until morning.
"You are going to stop in the 'Mithre,' sir, of course," said the guard, inquiringly.
The traveler nodded assent, and, having seen his luggage taken into the inn, and looking, for a moment, at the town, proceeded along the shadowy side of the main street, and, instead of seeking his bed, had, in a short time, altogether vanished, and in a manner that was certainly mysterious, nor did he make his appearance again until noon on the following day.
It may be as well to state here that he was a man of about thirty, somewhat above the middle size, and, although not clumsy, yet, on being closely scanned, he appeared beyond question to be very compact, closely knit, well-proportioned, and muscular.

Of his dress, however, we must say, that it was somewhat difficult to define, or rather to infer from it whether he was a gentleman or not, or to what rank or station of life he belonged.

His hair was black and curled; his features regular; and his mouth and nose particularly aristocratic; but that which constituted the most striking feature of his face was a pair of black eyes, which kindled or became mellow according to the emotions by which he happened to be influenced.
"My good lad," said he to "Boots," after his return, "Will you send me the landlord ?" "I can't, sir," replied the other, "he's not at home." "Well, then, have the goodness to send me the waiter." "I will, sir," replied the monkey, leaving the room with an evident feeling of confident alacrity.
Almost immediately a good-looking girl, with Irish features, brown hair, and pretty blue eyes, presented herself.
"Well, sir," she said, in an interrogative tone.
"Why," said the stranger, "I believe it is impossible to come at any member of this establishment; I wish to see the waiter." "I'm the waiter, sir," she replied, with an unconscious face.
"The deuce you are!" he exclaimed; "however," he added, recovering himself, "I cannot possibly wish for a better.

It is very likely that I may stay with you for some time--perhaps a few months.