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Updated: May 23, 2025
At ten o'clock that evening Dan Gallaher and James McNiece sat together in the private room behind the bar of Sam Twining's public-house. The house was neutral ground used by Orangemen and Nationalists alike, a convenient arrangement, indeed a necessary arrangement, for there was no other public-house nearer than Curraghfin.
"I'm not rightly sure," said James McNiece, "but I'm thinking he'll be the new D.I. from Curraghfin." "It is him," said Dan Gallaher. "I was asking the sergeant this minute and he told me. What's more he said he was a terrible sharp young fellow." "That won't suit you, Dan," said the Colonel. "You and your friends will have to be a bit careful before you get up another rebellion."
Dan Gallaher, becoming slightly interested, made a jump to three pounds ten. McNiece, with an air of finality, bid four pounds. The contest began to attract attention. When the price rose to five pounds interest became lively, and those who had drawn out of the group round Mr. Robinson began to dribble back.
"You will understand, gentlemen, that I am only selling the hay, not the barn or the stable." "Guineas," said Dan Gallaher. It was the last bid. As he made it Colonel Eden turned and walked out of the group round the auctioneer. James McNiece took his pipe from his pocket and filled it slowly. "The hay is yours, Mr. Gallaher," said the auctioneer.
It seemed likely that the contest was one of those, not uncommon at Irish auctions, into which personal feelings enter largely and the actual value of the article sold is little considered. There was a certain piquancy about a struggle of this kind between a prominent Orangeman like James McNiece, and Dan Gallaher, whom everyone knew to be the leader of the Sinn Fein party.
McNiece laid down the glass of whisky which he was raising to his lips and stretched out his hand. Gallaher grasped it and held it. "Tell me this now, James McNiece," he said, "for it's what I was never sure of How many was there behind that hay?" McNiece looked round him carefully and made sure that no third person could hear him. Neglecting no precaution he sank his voice to a whisper.
The Colonel was talking to me after he heard what happened, and what he said was this 'The Government of this country, said he, meaning the police, 'is a disgrace to civilization." "Give me your hand, James McNiece," said Gallaher. "Let me shake your hand to show there's no ill feeling about the way I bid against you at the sale to-day."
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