“I do not know that, my good lad, for I am told Colonel B——-is rather embarrassed, and, if I mistake not, in the power of the man you call Yellow Sam, who has, I believe, heavy mortgages upon his property. But no matter; if I cannot help your father, I shall be able to serve yourself. Where do you intend to stop for the night?”
“In dhry lodgin', sir, that's where my father and mother bid me stop always. They war very kind to me, sir, in the dhry lddgins.”
“Who is there in Ireland who would not be kind to you, my good boy? I trust you do not neglect your religious duties?”
“Wid the help o' God, sir, I strive to attind to them as well as I can; particularly since I left my father and mother. Every night an' mornin', sir, I say five Fathers, five Aves, an' a Creed; an' sometimes when I'm walkin' the road, I slip up an odd Father, sir, an' Ave, that God may grant me good luck.”
The priest smiled at his candor and artlessness, and could not help feeling the interest which the boy had already excited in him increase.
“You do right,” said he, “and take care that you neglect not the worship of God. Avoid bad company; be not quarrelsome at school; study to improve yourself diligently; attend mass regularly; and be punctual in going to confession.”
After some further conversation, the priest and he entered the town together.
“This is my house,” said the former; “or if not altogether mine—at least, that in which I lodge; let me see you here at two o'clock to-morrow. In the meantime, follow me, and I shall place you with a family where you will experience every kindness and attention that can make you comfortable.”
He then led him a few doors up the street, till he stopped at a decent-looking “House of Entertainment,” to the proprietors of which he introduced him.
“Be kind to this strange boy,” said the worthy clergyman, “and whatever the charges of his board and lodging may be until we get him settled, I shall be accountable for them.”