Page:Comical sayings of Paddy from Cork (6).pdf/14

14 Teag. Then, Tom, since you are so inquisitive, you must go ask the priest.

Tom. What did you make of your children then Paddy.

Teag. And what should I make of them, do you imagine that I should give them into the hands of the butchers, as they had been a parcel of young hogs; by shaint Patrick I had more unnaturality in me, than to put them in an hospital as others do.

Tom. No, I suppose you would leave them with your friends ?

Teag. Ay, ay, a poor man's friends is sometimes worse than a profest enemy, the best friend I ever had in the world was my own pocket while my money lasted, but I left two babes between the priest's door and the parish church, because I thought it was a place of mercy, and then set out for England in quest of another fortune.

Tom. And did you not take good night with your friends ere you came away?

Teag. Arra dear honey, I had no friends in the world but an Irish half crown, and I would have been very sorry to parted with such a dear pocket-companion, at such a time.

Tom. I fancy, Paddy, you've come off with what they call a moon-shine fliting.

Teag. You lie like a thief now, for I did not see sun, moon, nor stars, all the night then, for I set out from Cork at the dawn of night, and I had travelled twenty miles all but twelve, before gloaming in the morning.

Tom. And where did you go to take shipping?

Teag. Arra dear honey, I came to a country village called Dublin, as big a city as any market-town in all England, where I got myself aboard of a little young boat, with a parcel of fellows, and a long leather bag, I supposed them to be tinkers, until I asked what they carried in that leather-sack; they told me it was the English mail they were going over with; then said I, is the milns so scant in England, that they must send over their corn to Ireland to grind it,