"Ay! and I'll tell you the particulars. It was the year after the banks broke--times were bad--tenants racked--and Tom Braddigan, like many a better man, poor fellow! was cleaned out by the sheriff. Never was a _shuck_[56] sinner harder up for a few hundreds; and, to make a long story short, _Hoofey_ came in the way, and Tom 'sould himself' regularly. I never heard the sum, but it is said that it was a large figure; and that, to give the devil his due, he never cobbled for a moment, but paid a sporting price, and came down like a man. Well, the tenure-day came round; Clooty was true to time, and claimed his customer: but Tom was awake; Paul Feaghan was at his elbow, and, as it turned out, Paul proved himself nothing but a good one. "'Arrah! what do ye want here, honest man?' says the priest to the devil, opening the conversation civilly. "'No offence, I suppose,' says the other, 'for a body to look after his own.' "'None in the world,' replied Father Paul, answering him quite politely; and all the while, poor Tom shaking like a Quaker. "'Mr. Braddigan,' says the devil, 'we have a long drive before us, and the carriage is waiting. Don't mind your _Cotamore_,[57] Tom; and the eternal ruffian put his tongue in his cheek. 'Though the day's cold, 'pon my conscience, you shall have presently an air of the fire.' "'Asy,' says the priest, 'what call have you to a Catholic?' "'A Catholic!' replied the devil, with a twist of his lip, mimicking Father Paul; 'maybe your reverence would tell us when he was last at confession?' "At this the priest lost temper. 'What the blazes,' says he, 'have you to do with that? Was there any body present at the bargain _betune_[58] ye?' "'Hell to the one,' replied the devil. "'Then,' says Father Paul, 'sorrow leg you would have to stand on if the whole thing came before the barrister.' "The devil gave a knowing look, and, dipping his hand into the left breeches-pocket, took out a piece of paper, and, as an attorney shows the corner of a promissory-note to an unwilling witness, he held it out to Tom, and asked him was it his hand-writing: 'Tummas a Brawdeen,'[59] says he, in Irish, 'is that yer fist?' "'There's no denying it,' says Tom, with a shudder. "'Then draw on yer boots, and let us be jogging.' "'Asy,' says Father Feaghan. 'Did ye get the consideration, Tom?' "The devil seemed uncommonly affronted. 'Paul Feaghan,' says he, 'I didn't think you would suppose that I would take his I.O.U. and not post the coal! By my oath,' he continued, 'and let him contradict me if he can, a Tuam note he would not touch with the tongs; and the devil a flimsy would go down with him, good or bad, but a regular Bank of Ireland!' "'Oh, be Jakers!' says the priest, 'you're done, Tom! Show me the note.' "'Bedershin!' says the devil, clapping his right fore-finger on his nose. "'Honour bright!' replied Father Paul. "'Will ye return it?' inquired Old Hoofey.