Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/266

 258 IRISH STORY FROM COUNTY KERRY.

society. '•' My lad," said the farmer, " thou art without sense if thou remain like that any longer. Thou hast neither food nor clothing, but just going from house to house. Take my advice forthwith and go into service, where thou wilt have a hope of breakfast and dinner." " Sir," said the lad, " I am still very young, and am not capable or strong enough to do the work." " I will take thee myself," said the farmer, " and there will be no more troubles for a bit, until thou be strong enough. The work I will require thee to do is looking after the horses when they are ploughing next winter, taking them to water, brushing them, and giving them fodder." " Tell me now, sir, how much the wages are, and the length of service thou wilt agree with me for." " I will tell thee that, my lad. I will give thee 11. a-year, and thou must stay with me till my cat speaks English, my wife Latin, and horns are on my horse." " That's a long term," said the lad, «* unless they possessed these things before." '* They haven't them yet," said the master. <^ It is certain," said the lad, '' I shall be with thee to the end of my life, and perhaps it would be better for me where I am." *' If thou art friendly, intelligent, not mischievous ; gentle, mild, and not very hasty, believe me, lad, that I am a good com- passionate master, unless the cause be with thyself." Then the lad followed him, and I relate nothing about them till they reached home. The mistress and her family were glad. There was John merry, content, with plenty to eat, drowsy, beloved, and respected by the servants of the house, till winter overtook them. When time to plough came John and the master began work. Every day they were ploughing in the field, and John used to put the horses into the stable every night. " Observe now" [this parenthesis is addressed to the audience], that one night when John was seated by the fireside, the mistress and the girls were milking the cows outside, and the landlord of the estate was living on the other side of the march, and " if you please " [to the audience] the mistress was much attached to the landlord privately, without the master knowing it. John took the cat upon his lap that evening and was stroking her with the palm of his hand. The cat was purring and John conversing with her. The master was seated on the opposite side of the fire. He asked John what the cat was saying. " I don't believe a word of it," said