But as his means grew, he was soon able to have a conveyance of his own.

He first started a yellow gig, in which he drove about from place to place, and was everywhere treated with kindness and hospitality.

He was now regarded as "respectable," and as a person worthy to hold some local office.

He was elected to a Society for visiting the Sick Poor, and became a Member of the House of Industry.

He might have gone on in the same business, winning his way to the Mayoralty of Clonmel, which he afterwards held; but that the old idea, which had first sprung up in his mind while resting wearily on the milestones along the road, with his heavy case of pictures by his side, again laid hold of him, and he determined now to try whether his plan could not be carried into effect.
He had often lamented the fatigue that poor people had to undergo in travelling with burdens from place to place upon foot, and wondered whether some means might not be devised for alleviating their sufferings.