Page:Comical sayings of Paddy from Cork, with his coat buttoned behind (1).pdf/18

18 little country village, the famous city of Chester, the streets were very sore by reason of the hardness of my feet, and lameness of my brogues, so I went but very slowly across the streets, from port to port is a pretty long way, but I being weary thought nothing of it; then the people came all crowding to me as I had been a world's wonder, or the wandering jew; for the rain blew in my face, and the wind wetted all my belly, which caused me to turn the backside of my coat, before, and my buttons behind, which was a good safegaurd to my body, and the starvation of any naked body, for I had not a good shirt. Tom. I am sure then, Paddy, they would take you for a fool! Teag. No, no, sir, they admired me for my wisdom, for I always turned my buttons before, when the wind blew behind, but I wondered how the people knew my name and where I came from: for every one told another, that was Paddy from Cork: I suppose they knew my face by seeing my name in the newspapers. Tom. Well, Paddy, what business did you follow in Chester? Teag. To be sure I was not idle, working at nothing at all, till a decruiting seargeant came to town with two or three fellows' along with him, one beating on a fiddle, and another playing on a drum, tossing their airs thro! the streets, as if they were going to be married. I saw them courting none but young men; so to bring myself to no prefernent at all, I listed for a soldier,--I was ton big for a grandedeer. Tom. What listing money did you get, Paddy ? Teag. Arra, dear shoy, I got five thirteens and a pair of English brogues: the guinea and the rest of the gold was sent to London, to the King, my master, to buy me new shirts, a cockade, and common treasing for my hat, they made me swear the malicions oath of devilrie against the King, the colours, and my captain, telling me if ever I desert, and not run away, that I should be shot, and then whipt to death through the regiment.