a belief that almost ever female who spoke to him with civility was
smitten by his face and figure, constituted the only two weaknesses in
a character otherwise so spotless and perfect as that of Mogue Moylan.
Mogue was also a good deal subject to the influence of the pathetic,
especially when he alluded to the misfortune, glory be to God, which
had befallen the family, in the person of a lone line of ancestors, and
especially in that of big poor, simple father, whose word, as every
one knew, was as good as his oath; and, indeed, very few doubted that
remarkable fact, but who, notwithstanding had been transported during
the space of seven years for suspicion of perjury; "for didn't the judge
tell him, when he passed sentence upon him, that if he had been found
guilty all out, or of anything beyant suspicion of it, he would be
transported for life; 'an' instead of that,' said the judge, 'bekaise
I persave,' says he, 'that you're an honest man, an' has been sworn
against wrongfully in this business, and bekaise I see clearly that you
love the truth, the sentence of the coort is,' says he, sheddin' tears,
'that you're to be transported only for seven years, an' you lave
the coort an' the counthry,' says he, 'widout at stain upon your
character--it's only the law that's against you--so, God be wid you,'
the judge went on, wipin' his eyes, 'and grant you a safe and pleasant
voyage acrass,' says he, an' he cried for some minutes like a child.
That an' the unjust hangin' of my poor, simple ould grandfather for
horse-stearin'--that is, for suspicion of horse-stealin'--is the only
two misfortunes, thank God, that has been in our family of late days."

So much for the character of worthy Mogue, whom we must now permit to
resume the delivery of his message.

The last words were uttered with so peculiar and significant a gravity,
not without a good deal of dry sarcastic humor, that the men could not
avoid laughing heartily.

"But," he proceeded, "I have better news still for yez. Sure Masther
John desired me to let you all know that his father won't ax a penny o'
tithe from one o' yez: all you have to do is to call at the office there
in a few minutes, and you'll get aich o' you a receipt in full; (*
By this he means a horse-whipping.) that is, if you don't keep civil
tongues in your heads."

One of Mogue's qualities was the power of gravely narrating a fact with
such peculiar significance, that the very reverse of it was conve