[The Tithe-Proctor by William Carleton]@TWC D-Link bookThe Tithe-Proctor CHAPTER XI 8/16
Sure my grandfather, glory be to God, was hanged for killin' a Sassenagh gauger, and my own father, Miss Julia, did his endeavors to be as great as the best of them, knowin' no other way for to vex and revinge himself upon the dirty Sassenaghs of the country; for sure, you know yourself, it's full o' them'-- ay, about us in all directions.
Be borried a horse in a private way from one o' them, but then he escaped from that; he next had a 'bout at what they call'd perjury, although it was well known to us all that it was only his thumb he kissed, and, any how, the thing was done upon a Protestant Bible; but, at all events, he went an' honest and honorably, as far as gettin' himself transported for parjury.
I hope you understhand, Miss Julia, that I'm accountin' for any disparagin' observations you might a' heard against us, an' showin' you why we acted as we did." "But, Mogue," said she, smiling at this most incomprehensible piece of family history, "I hope you don't intend to imitate the example or to share the fate of so many of your family!" "You really hope so; now do you really hope so, Miss Julia ?" "Unquestionably; for granting you marry, as, I dare say you intend, would it not be a melancholy prospect for your wife to--" "Why, then I do intend it; are you not satisfied, Miss Julia? and what is more, although it's my intention to violate the law in a private and confidential way, still I have no intention of bein' either hanged or transported by it; that I may be happy if I have--No, for the sake of that wife, Miss Julia, do you understand, it's my firm intention to die in my bed if I can; I hope you feel that there's comfort in that." "To whatever woman you make happy Mogue, there will be.
Well, but, Mogue, tell me; had you a good day's sport ?" "Sorra worse then; God pardon me for swearin'," he replied.
"There riz a mist in the mountains that a man could build a house wid, if there was any implements to be found, hard and sharp enough to cut it.
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