a sick call, "you found the night bitther, I think?"

"It is very cold, indeed, sir."

"You have had a long ride of it upon that mountain road, without even a
bush to shelther you."

"It is not less than fourteen miles I think," replied the curate, "and a
cold, desolate road as I ever travelled."

"You have read your office?"

"I have, sir."

"You have discharged your duty to that poor, sick widow?"

"I hope so, sir."

"And you have ridden under a severe night, along a naked road, a
distance of fourteen miles?"

"I have, sir."

"And you feel your mind aisy, and your conscience at rest?"

"I can say so with truth, thank God," replied the curate.

"Well, then, in that case," proceeded the kind-hearted priest, "I think
you had better take a tumbler of punch: it will comfort you, and make
you sleep like a top."

"Thank you, sir," replied the curate, "I am much obliged to you; but I
don't require it, I have no particular wish for it."

"But I tell you, man alive, that it will do you good; and lest you might
feel solitary, I think I will take one with you, merely to keep you in
countenance;--here Katty!"

Katty, a complacent, kind-looking woman, somewhat past the middle period
of life, then made her appearance. "Well, your reverence?"

"Get hot water and tumblers--Father Pettier is starved after his long
ride such a night, and must have a tumbler of punch to warm him, poor
fellow, and I am going to keep him in countenance; and see, Katty, bring
the poteen that's in Ould Broadbottom, at the right-hand side o'
the cubbard. Stir the fire a little, Pettier, and throw on a sod or
two--it's getting dull."

This was complied with; and Father Peter observed, after he had trimmed
the grate a little:--

"The country, sir, is in a frightful state. This tithe rebellion is
quite general. On my way out to Drumfurrar and home again, I met large
crowds on the roads, cold as the night is; and on speaking to, and
remonstrating with them, upon meeting and being abroad at such hours,
they desired me to mind my own business, and allow them to mind theirs.
The country is literally alive with them night and day."

"Very well," replied Father Anthony, "let them work out their own
purposes, provided they keep within the limits of the law. You know the
Established Church is nothing else than an English garrison to support
and keep alive British interests in this country; but the people are
going the right way to work; for I te