The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-09-17
THE THREE VICES
An Irish Moral Tale.

The stories current among the Irish3 peas
antry are not more remarkable for the incul-
cation of any moral lesson, although number
people, of the saints and fairies. The follow
ing tale of the Three Adyices is the only one
of moral character which l remember to
sional story teller, whose diction | have en-
deavored to preserve, although his soubriquet
of Padreen Trclah, or Paddy the Vagabond,
ly appropriate title for moralist. The tale
found its way into Ireland from Wales, as it
appears to be an amplifcation Of Bradic
"Tirade of Wisdom"
There once came, what has lately happened
go often in ireland, hard year. When the
crops failed, there was beggary and misfor-
tune from one end of the Island to the other.
AT that time a great many poor people had to
quit the country for want of employment,
and through the high price of provisions. A
mong offers, John Carson was under the ne
cessity of going over to England, to try if he
could get work, aud leaving his wife and fam
lily behind him, begging for bite and sup
up and down, and trusting to the charity of
good christians.
John was q smart Young fellow, handy at
any work, from the hay field to the stable,
and willing to earn the bread he ate and he
was soon engaged by a gentleman The En-
glish are mighty strict upon Irish servants;
he was to have twelve guineas a year wages,
but the money was not to be paid till the end
Of the year, and he was to forfeit the twelve
guineas in the lump, if he misconductcd him
self in any way within the twelve months
John Carson was to be sure upon his best be-
havior, and conducted himself in every par
ticular so we'll for the whole time, there was
no faulting him late or early, and the wages
were decided to be fairly his.
The agreement being expired, he deter
mined on returning home, Notwithstanding
his master, who had great regard for him,
pressed him to remain, and asked him if he
bad any reason to be dissatisfied with the
treatment he had received.
" No reason in life, sir" said John; you
have been good master and kind master
to me; the Lord spare you over your family;
but | left wife with two small children of
my own at home, after me in Ireland, and
your honor would never wish to keep me
from them entirely:-The wife and the chill
dren."
"Well, john" said the gentleman, " you
have earned your twelve guineas, and you
have been in every respect so good a servant,
that you are agreeable, intend giving you
what is worth the twelve guineas ten times
over, in place Of your wages. But you shall
have your choice: will you take what 1 offer
you on my word ?"
John saw no reason to think that his master
was jesting him, or was insincere in making
the offer and, therefore, after slight consider
ation told him that he agreed to take it as his
wages, whatever he would advise, whether it
was twelve guineas or not
Then listen attentively to my words"
said the gentleman.
First-I would teach you this--Never
to take by-road when you have the high
way
Secondly-Talle heed not to lodge in the
house where an old man is married to a
young woman"
"And thirdly-Remember that honesty is
the best policy"
These are the three advices that would
pay you with; and they are in value far be-
yond any gold however, here is a guinea for
your travelling charges, and two cakes, one
Of which you must give to your wife, and the
other you must not eat yourself until you
have done so, and l charge you to be very
careful of them"
1t was not without some reluctance on the
part of John Carson, that he was brought to
accept mere words for wages, or could be per-
suaded that they were more precious than
golden guineas. His faith in his master was,
however, so strong that he at length became
satisfied.
John set out for Ireland the next morning
early, but he had not proceeded far before he
overlook two pedlars, who were travelling the
same way, He entered into conversation with
them, and found them u pair Of merry fellows,
who proved excellent company on the road.
Now, it happened, towards the end of their
days journey, when they were all we'll tired
with walking, they came to wood, through
which there was a path that shortened the
distance to the town they were going towards
by two miles. The pedlars advised John to
60 with them through the woods; but he re-
fused to leave the highway, telling them at
the same time that he would meet them at a
certain house in the town, where travellers
put up. John was willing to try the worth of
the advice which his master had given him,
and he arrived in safety and took up his quar-
ters at the appointed place While he was
eating his supper, an old man came hobbing
into the kitchen, and gave orders about differ
ent matters there, and then went out again.
John would have taken no particular notice
Of this, but, Immediately after, young wo
man, young enough to be the old mans daugh-
ter, came in and gave orders exactly to the
contrary of what the old man had given, cal
ling him at the same time great many