ship
of God. Avoid bad company; be not quarrelsome at school; study to
improve yourself diligently; attend mass regularly; and be punctual in
going to confession."

After some further conversation, the priest and he entered the town
together.

"This is my house," said the former; "or if not altogether mine--at
least, that in which I lodge; let me see you here at two o'clock
to-morrow. In the meantime, follow me, and I shall place you with a
family where you will experience every kindness and attention that can
make you comfortable."

He then led him a few doors up the street, till he stopped at a
decent-looking "House of Entertainment," to the proprietors of which he
introduced him.

"Be kind to this strange boy," said the worthy clergyman, "and whatever
the charges of his board and lodging may be until we get him settled, I
shall be accountable for them."

"God forbid, your Reverence, that ever a penny belongin' to a poor boy
lookin' for his larnin' should go into our pockets, if he was wid us
twelve months in the year. No--no! He can stay with the _bouchaleens_;
(* little boys) let them be thryin' one another in their books. If he is
fardher on in the Latin then Andy, he can help Andy; an' if Andy has
the foreway of him, why Andy can help him. Come here, boys, all of yez.
Here's a comrade for yez--a dacent boy that's lookin' for his larnin',
the Lord enable him! Now be kind to him, an' whisper," he added, in an
undertone, "don't be bringin' a blush to the gorsoon's face. Do ye hear?
Ma chorp! if ye do!--Now mind it. Ye know what I can do whin I'm well
vexed! Go, now, an' get him somethin' to ate an' dhrink, an' let him
sleep wid Barney in the feather bed."

During the course of the next day, the benevolent curate introduced
him to the parish priest, who from the frequent claims urged by poor
scholars upon his patronage, felt no particular interest in his case. He
wrote a short letter, however, to the master with whom Jemmy intended
to become a pupil, stating that "he was an honest boy, the son of
legitimate parents, and worthy of consideration."

The curate, who saw further into the boy's character than the parish
priest, accompanied him on the following day to the school; introduced
him to the master in the most favorable manner, and recommended him in
general to the hospitable care of all the pupils. This introduction did
not serve the boy so much as might have been expected; there was nothing
particular i