Page:Comical sayings of Paddy from Cork, with his coat buttoned behind (1).pdf/17

17 Tom. Where did you go when you came on shore ? Teag. Arra, dear honey, I was not able to go any where, you might cast a knot on my belly, I was so hollow in the middle, so I went into a gentleman's house and told him the bad fortune I had of being drowned between Ireland and the foot of his garden; where we came all safe ashore. But all the comfort I got from him was a word of truth. Tom. And what was that Paddy? Teag. Why he told me, if I had been a good boy at home, I needed not to have gone so far to push my for- tune with an empty pocket; to which I answered, and what magnifies that, as long as I am a good workman at no trade at all. Tom. I suppose, Paddy, the gentleman would make you dine with him ? Teag. I really thought I was, when I saw them roasting and skinning so many black chickens which was nothing but a few dead crows they were going to eat; ho, ho, said I, them is but dry meat at the best, of all the fowls that flee, commend me to the wing of an ox: but all that came to my share was a piece of boiled her- ring and a roasted potatoe, that was the first bit of bread I ever eat in England. Tom. Well, Paddy, what business did you follow after in England when you was so poor. Teag. What sir, do you imagine I was poor when I came over on such an honourable occasion as to list, and bring myself to no preferment at all. As I was an able bodied man in the face, I thought to be made a brigadeer, a grandedeer, or a fuzeleer, or even one of them blew gowns that holds the flerry stick to the bung-hole of the big cannons; when they let them off, to fright away the French; I was as sure as no man alive ere I came from Cork, the least preferment I could get, was to be rid- ing-master to a regiment of marines, or one of the black horse itself. Tom. And where in England was it you listed ? Teag. Arra, dear shoy, I was going through that