Page:Comical sayings of Paddy from Cork (6).pdf/8

8 Tom. Why did you not leave him whom he used you so badly?

Teag. Arra, dear shoy, I could never think to leave his while I could eat, he gave me so many good victuals, and promised to prefer me to be his own bone-picker. But by shaint Patrick, I had to run away with my life or all was done, else I had lost my dear shoul and body too by him, and then I came bome much poorer then I went away. The great big bitch dog, which was my master's best beloved, put his head into a pitcher, to lick out some milk, and when it was in he could not get it out; and I to save the pitcher got the hatchet and cut off the dog's head, and then I had to break the pitcher to get out the head; by this I lost both dog and the pitcher. My master bearing of this swore he would cut the head off me, for the poor dog was made useless, and could not see to follow any body for want of his eyes. And when I heard of this, I ran away with my own head, for if I had wanted it I had lost my eyes too, then I would not have seen the road to Port Patrick, through Glen-nap; but by shaint Patrick I came home alive in spite of them.

Tom. O rarely done, Paddy, you behaved like a man! but what is the reason that you Irish people swear always by shaint Patrick ?

Teag. Arra dear honey, he was the best shaint in the world, the father of all good people in the kingdom, he has a great kindness for an Irishman, when he hears them calling on his name.

Tom. But, Paddy, is shaint Patrick pet alive?

Teag. Arra dear honey, I don't know whether he be dead or alive, but it is a long time since they kill'd him; the people all turn'd heathens, but he would not change his profession, and was going to run the country with it, and for taking the gospel away to England, so the barbarous tories of Dublin cutted off his head; and he swimmmed over to England, and carried his head in his teeth.