They had a bad name in the country; but it may be that their name was worse than their deserts.
The farmers hated them, and consequently they hated the farmers.
They had a beershop, and a grocer's shop, and a huxter's shop for their own accommodation, and were consequently vilified by the small old-established tradesmen around them.

They got drunk occasionally, but I doubt whether they drank more than did the farmers themselves on market-day.

They fought among themselves sometimes, but they forgave each other freely, and seemed to have no objection to black eyes.

I fear that they were not always good to their wives, nor were their wives always good to them; but it should be remembered that among the poor, especially when they live in clusters, such misfortunes cannot be hidden as they may be amidst the decent belongings of more wealthy people.

That they worked very hard was certain; and it was certain also that very few of their number ever came upon the poor rates.