CLADDAGH

AGGIE

A friend of Sarah’s, whom she had met on the boat coming over in ’86, had once shown her an old butter tub filled with cash...mostly coins.  Sarah had been astonished, and she blurted out, “Mother of God, Aggie, where did you ever get all that money?”  Without a second thought, Aggie replied, “It’s from the brew, don’t you know?”

Confused, Sarah said, “What do you mean ‘the brew,’ Aggie?  I don’t understand.” 

Aggie looked perplexed. “Oh come now, Sarah, you certainly know what brew is don’t you?” 

“Well, Jim always says that he and Paddy are going to the Dublin for a few brews, and I assume he means the beer on tap down at the Inn.”

“Well Sarah, let me introduce you to a different brew,” said Aggie. 

Reaching up into the cupboard, Aggie set down two tea cups, and then reached underneath the same cupboard for a Ball canning jar, which she sat on the table between her and Sarah. 

“What in God’s name is that?” Sarah asked, as she looked at the jar filled with a clear liquid. 

“Oh, silly, silly Sarah...have you never seen homemade brew in a jar?”  

“I can’t say that I have. What are you going to do with it?”  

“Well darlin’, you and I are goin’ to sample it, and if you like, I’ll even tell you how to make it.” 

Sarah stared at the jar and said, “For heaven’s sake, why would I want to know how to make it, Aggie?”

“My, my, luv, you have been out of circulation these past fifteen years.  Didn’t you tell me that you would like to supplement your income during the winter months, when Jim is not getting so much work down at the mine?”  

“Well yes, I did, but what does homemade brew have to do with me and Jim?”

As Aggie poured some of the liquid into the two tea cups, she said, “Sarah, how much do you suppose I can sell this little jar for? I don’t mean the jar mind you, I mean the contents.”  

“Well, I don’t know, Aggie. I don’t have a clue.”  

“How about twenty-five cents per filling? Where do you think all those coins came from in that old butter tub?” 

Aggie sighed.  “My dear friend, let me tell you, if I waited for that good for nothin’ that I’m married to, to bring me home some wages instead of drinkin’ himself into a stupor down at the pub, I would starve.” 

“I don’t understand, Aggie. Who buys this brew, as you call it, and where does it come from?”  

“One question at a time, Sarah, but first, let’s have a little taste.”   Aggie motioned for Sarah to lift her cup as she did the same, clinking the cups together in a toast. “Here’s to the brew and a tub full of coins for you.” 

Sarah sipped the brew and gasped for breath as the liquid trickled down her throat. She felt like somebody had plunged a hot poker down into her stomach. 

“It takes a few cups to get used to it, Sarah, but while you’re practicin’, try a little tea in with it.  It makes it a little easier to go down.”

By this time, Sarah had regained her breathing and was able to gasp in a very hoarse voice, “How could you do this to me, Aggie? My throat is surely burned.” 

“Oh, you’ll be all right, luv, and you might even get used to it, but even if you don’t, you can still

“Hello Sarah. I just got your message and came as soon as I could. Is there anything wrong now?”

“No, no, Paddy. I just need to talk to you. Everything is fine. Now come in out of the cold, and I’ll fix a pot of tea.  I’ve got some of my best muffins about to come out of the oven; would you like some with your tea?” 

Paddy grinned from ear to ear.  “Would I like some of Sarah O’Bannon’s muffins? Does an Irishman drink?  You know I could never turn down that offer.” 

Sarah smiled. “Well, come on in then, before they are overdone.”

Paddy followed Sarah through the foyer and down the hall to the kitchen to that wonderful smell permeating the house.  Paddy’s mouth was watering, and he thought to himself, Oh well, we’ll just worry about those extra pounds another time. Tomorrow’s another day, don’t you know.

Sarah went about getting the tea ready and removed the muffins just in time from the oven. 

“Sarah,” Paddy started, “I just came from the mine office, and Irene tells me that it may be a few months now before we get the mine opened.” 

Sarah sighed. “Paddy, that is not good news.  We won’t suff