Page:Popular Irish stories.pdf/7

 believe, said he, it will be the best way, and accordingly he put him on the house the next morning, and his wife went into the bush. As John was busy working, his mistress called cuckoo three times; and he, having a good guess what it was, ran down with his arms full of slates, and throwing them into the bush almost killed her before the farmer knew any thing about it. At length hearing what was going on, he ran to the bush, where he found his wife much hurt. After administering some wine and other cordials to her, she recovered, and John coming in his master flew at him in a great rage: you rogue, said he, what is this you have done? Why, are you angry, master, said John? To be sure I am angry, I will not suffer you about my house any longer. Well, said John to some of the neighbours, you must hold my master until I flog him, for that is our bargain. Do not, said the mistress, and I will fill your hat with crown pieces. Well, says John, on that condition I will spare him. John then bade farwell, and went home with his hat full of crown pieces, and told his brother all that had happened, at the same time showing him what money he took off them.

was a time when a great many people had to leave Ireland for want of employment, and the high price of provisions. John Carson, the subject of the following story, was under the necessity of going to England, and leaving his family behind him; he was engaged by a gentleman at twelve guineas a year, and was greatly esteemed by his master. The term of his engagement being expired, he determined to return home. The gentleman pressed him to remain, but John was eager to visit his wife and children. In place of giving him his wages, the gentleman insisted on him taking the following advice:—Never take a bye-road, when you have a high way;—never lodge in the house where an old man is married to a young woman;—never take what belongs to another. It was with reluctance that John was persuaded to accept of the advices instead of his wages, but the gentleman told him they might be the means of saving his life. Before setting out on his journey, his master presented him with three loaves of bread, one for his wife, and one for each of his children, enjoined him not to break them until he got home, at the same time giving him a guinea to defray his expenses. He had not proceeded far, until ho met with two pedlars who were travelling the same way. He kept company with them until they