s made time and agin, but allers fail. The very children,
only five years of age, of that ere religion, refuse to eat flesh on
Friday, or to disobey such other darned ceremonies of their church as
they are brought up to."

"Wal, Mr. Burly, madam, and my esteemed brother Valentine, my plan is
this," said Van Stingey: "send them, separate or in couples, here and
there, into the country, and there, with the farmers, they will soon get
used to our church ways, and be gradually broke in."

"That you can't do safe, neither, Van," said the boss of the house,
"for they would raise such a dust as would bring half the city around
us; and you know the people would never consent to any thing like
cruelty towards one so young and interesting as these here are."

"You say the truth there, sir," said the parson.

"It would be cruel to separate the dear ones," said the wife; "wherever
they are sent, let them go together. I could pledge my watch and wedding
diamond ring to help to raise such beauties," said she, passionately.
"Surely they cannot be Irish, or they must belong to some race different
from the Celtic half savages which we have read inhabit Ireland."

"You mistake, Cynthia, my dear," said the parson; "these are Irish, and
genuine Celts, too, as one can tell from the hair and nose. I think,
however, you exaggerate their beauty. Have you not read the European
letters of Thurlow W---- and Horace G----, which described the middle
and upper classes of the Irish as the most beautiful complexioned and
dignified people in Europe or the world? Now, this is my mind, that you
must get some farmers in a good Protestant neighborhood to adopt these
children, so that they may all live in the same vicinity, if not in the
same family; and by this means all unpleasant consequences will be
obviated."

"I say ditto to that," said the Nestor of the council, old Valentine;
"but you must lose no time, for the eldest lad told me the priest
promised to call for them; and if that gentleman gets them into his
hands, I'll warrant all your plans will be frustrated."

"That's just it. You have hit the nail on the head, friend Valentine,"
said Van Stingey. "I will take charge on them, and take them to that
gentleman's house, in W---- county, who was here last week looking for a
boy and a girl to raise; and _mebbee_ I will scare up somewhere else for
the other two young critters."

"Take 'em along, then, and see that you get your pay," said the bos