John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, ClassifiedGraham, Dougal
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John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, Classified
Graham, Dougal
Chapbooks, Scottish; English literature -- 18th century; Graham, Dougal, 1724-1779; Popular literature -- Scotland
_Teag._ Arra dear honey, and where did I go but to my own dear
cousin, who was now become very rich by the death of the old buck
his father; who died but a few weeks before I went over, and the
parish had to bury him out of pity, it did not cost him a farthing.
_Tom._ And what entertainment did you get there?
_Teag._ O my dear shoy, I was kindly used as another gentleman,
and would have staid there long enough, but when a man is poor
his friends think little of him: I told him I was going to see my
brother Harry: Harry, said he, Harry is dead; dead said I, and who
killed him? Why, said he, death: Allelieu, dear honey, and where
did he kill him? said I. In his bed, says he. Arra dear honey, said
I, if he had been upon Newry mountains with his brogues on, and his
broad sword by his side, all the death’s in Ireland had not have
killed him: O that impudent fellow death, if he had let him alone
till he died for want of butter milk and potatoes, I am sure he had
lived all the days of his life.
_Tom._ In all your travels when abroad, did you never see none of
your countrymen to inform you of what happened at home concerning
your relations?
_Teag._ Arra, dear shoy, I saw none but Tom Jack, one day in the
street; but when I came to him, it was not him, but one just like
him.
_Tom._ On what account did you go a travelling?
_Teag._ Why a recruiting sergeant listed me to be a captain, and
after all advanced me no higher than a soldier itself, but only he
called me his dear countryman recruit; for I did not know what the
regiment was when I saw them. I thought they were all gentlemen’s
sons, and collegioners, when I saw a box like a bible upon their
bellies; until I saw G for King George upon it, and R for God bless
him: ho, ho, said I, I shan’t be long here.
_Tom._ O then Paddy you deserted from them?
_Teag._ That’s what I did, and ran to the mountains like a buck,
and ever since when I see any soldiers I close my eyes, lest they
should look and know me.
_Tom._ And what exploits did you when you was a soldier?
_Teag._ Arra, dear honey, I killed a man.
_Tom._ And how did you do that?
_Teag._ Arra, dear honey, when he dropt his sword I drew mine, and
advanced boldly to him, and then cutted off his foot.
_Tom._ O then what a big fool was you; for you ought first to have
cut off his head.
_Teag._ Arra, dear shoy, his head was cutted off before I engaged
him, else I had not done it.
_Tom._ O then Paddy you acted like a fool: but you are not such a
big fool as many take you to be, you might pass for a philosopher.
_Teag._ A fulusipher, my father was a fulusipher, besides he was a
man under great authority by law, condemning the just and clearing
the guilty. Do you know how they call the horse’s mother?
_Tom._ Why they call her a mare.
_Teag._ A mare, ay, very well minded, my father was a mare in Cork.
_Tom._ And what riches was left you by the death of your mother?
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