Tales and sketches, illustrating the character, usages, traditions, sports and pastimes of the Irish peasantry / By William Carleton.

  • William Carleton
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Tales and sketches, illustrating the character, usages, traditions, sports and pastimes of the Irish peasantry / By William Carleton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    One day he was standing against his own anvil, completely in a brown study,—being brought to his wit’s end how to make out a breakfast for the family. The wife was scolding and cursing in the house, and the naked creatures of childhre squalling about her knees for food. Bill was fairly at an amplush, and knew not where or how to turn himself, when a poor withered old beggar came into the forge, tottering on his staff. A long white beard fell from his chin, and he looked so thin and hungry that you might blow him, one would think, over the house. Bill at this moment had been brought to his senses by distress, and his heart had a touch of pity towards the old man; for, on looking at him a second time, he clearly saw starvation and sorrow in his face. “ God save you, honest man!” said Bill. The old man gave a sigh, and raising himself, with great pain, on his staff, he looked at Bill in a very beseeching way. “ Musha, God save you kindly!” says ho; maybe you could give a poor, hungry, helpless ould man a mouthful of something to ait ? You see yourself I’m not able to work ; if I was, I’d scorn to be behoulding to any one.” ‘‘Faith, honest man,” said Bill, “if you knew who you’re speaking to, you’d as soon ask a monkey for a churn-staff as me for either mate or money. There’s not a blackguard in the three kingdoms so fairly on the shaughran as I am for both the one and the other. The wife within is sending the curses thick and heavy on me, and the childhre’s playing the’cat’s melody to keep her in comfort. Take my word for it, poor man, if I had either mate or money I’d help you, for I know particularly well what it is to want them at the present] spak- ing; an empty sack won’t stand, neighbour.” So far Bill told him truth. The good thought was in his heart, because he found himself on a footing with the beggar; and nothing brings down pride, or softens the heart, like feel- ing what it is to want.