re now relating, having already made the
reader acquainted with him by an introduction in Saint James's Park.

CHAPTER NINE.

IN WHICH THE ADVICE OF A FATHER DESERVES PECULIAR ATTENTION.

It may be supposed that, as steward of the estates, Squireen O'Donahue
had some influence over the numerous tenants on the property, and this
influence he took care to make the most of. His assistance in a
political contest was rewarded by the offer of an ensigncy for one of
his sons, in a regiment then raising in Ireland, and this offer was too
good to be refused. So, one fine day, Squireen O'Donahue came home from
Dublin, well bespattered with mud, and found his son Patrick also well
bespattered with mud, having just returned home from a very successful
expedition against the woodcocks.

"Patrick, my jewel," said the Squireen, taking a seat and wiping his
face, for he was rather warm with his ride, "you're a made man."

"And well made too, father, if the girls are anything of judges,"
replied Patrick.

"You put me out," replied the Squireen; "you've more to be vain of than
your figure."

"And what may that be that you're discoursing about father?"

"Nothing more nor less, nor better nor worse, but you're an ensign in
his Majesty's new regiment--the number has escaped my memory."

"I'd rather be a colonel, father," replied Patrick, musing.

"The colonel's to come, you spalpeen," said the Squireen.

"And the fortune to make, I expect," replied Patrick.

"You've just hit it but haven't you the whole world before you to pick
and choose?"

"Well," replied Patrick, after a pause; "I've no objection."

"No objection! Why don't you jump out of your skin with delight? At
all events, you might jump high enough to break in the caling."

"There's no ceiling to break," replied Patrick, looking up at the
rafters.

"That's true enough; but still you might go out of your seven senses in
a rational sort of a way."

"I really can't see for why, father dear. You tell me I'm to leave my
poor old mother, who doats upon me; my sisters, who are fond of me; my
friends here," patting the dogs, "who follow me; the hills, that I love;
and the woodcocks, which I shoot; to go to be shot at myself, and buried
like a dead dog, without being skinned, on the field of battle."

"I tell you to go forth into the world as an officer, and make your
fortune; to come back a general, and be the greatest man of your family.
And don't be too unh