The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-09-27
THE THREE ADVICES.

There once came, what of late happened
so often in Ireland, n hard year. When
the crops failed, there was beggary and
misfortune from one end of the island to
the other. At that time, a great many
poor people had to quit the country, from
want of employment, and through the
high price of provisions. Among others,
John Carson was under the necessity of
going over to England, to try If he could
get work, and of leaving his wife and
family behind him, begging for bite and
a sup up and down, and trusting to the
charity of good Christians.
John was a smart young fellow, handy
at any work, from the bayfield, to the
stable, and willing to earn the bread he
ate; and he was soon engaged by gentle
man. The English are mighty strict upon
Irish servants; he was to have twelve
guineas year wages; but the money was
not to be paid until the end Of the year,
and he was to forfeit the entire twelve
guineas in the lump, if he misconducted
himself, in any way, within the twelve
months. John Carson was to be sure, upon
his best behaviour, and conducted himself,
in every particular, SO well, for the whole
time, there was no faulting him late or
early; and the wages were fairly his.
The term Of his agreement being expir-
ed, he determined on returning home, not
withstanding his master, who had a great
regard for him, pressed him to remain, and
asked him if he had any reason to be dis
satisfied with his treatment.
"No reason in life, SIR said John;
"you've been good master and a kind
master to me; the Lord spare you over
your family; but l left wife with two
small children of my own at home, after
me in Ireland; and your honor would new
er wish to keep me from them entirely
the wife and the children"'
"Well, JOHN said the gentleman,
"you have earned your twelve guineas;
and you have been, in every respect, so
good servant that, if you agree, l intend
giving you what is worth the twelve
guineas ten times over, in place of your
will you take what offer, on my word %
John saw no reason to think that his
master was testing with him, or was in
sincere in making the offer, and, therefore,
after slight consideration, told him that
he agreed to take, as his wages, whatever
he would advise, whether it was twelve
guineas or not
"Then listen attentvely to my Words"
said the gentleman.
"First, would teach you this Never
to take road, when you have the
highway
"Secondly, Take heed net to lodge in
house where an old man is married to a
young woman.
"And thirdly, Remember that honesty
is the best Of policy
"These are the three adyices l would
pay you with; and they are, IN value, far
beyond any gold; however, here isa gninea
for your travelling charges, and two cakes,
one of which you must give your wife,
and the other you must not eat yourself
until you have done SO; and charge you
to be careful of them.'
TWAS not without some reluctance on
the part of John Carson, that he was
brought to accept mere words for wages,
or could be persuaded that they were more
precious than gold Suineas. His faith in
his master was, however, SO strong, that
| I,o M 1anutb barame SotifiaI
John set out for Ireland the next morn
ing early; but he had not proceeded far,
before he overlook two pedlers, who were
| travelling the same way. He entered into
a pair of merry fellows, who proved excel
lent company on the road. Now, it hap
pened, towards the end of their days
journey, when they were all tired with
walking, that they came to a wood,
through which there was a path that
shortened the distance to the town they
were going towards, by two miles. The
pedlers advised John to go with them
through the wood; but he refused to leave
the highway, telling them, at the same
time, he WOultt llcob Ilciu IL CcE-
tain 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
quarters at the appointed place. While
he was eating his supper, an old man came
hobbling into the kitchen, and gave orders
about different matters there, and then
went out again. John would have taken
no particular notice of this; but immedi-
ately after, a young woman-young enough
to be the old mans daughter came in,
and gave orders exactly the contrary of
what the old man had given, calling him,
at the same time, a great many hard names;
such as old fool, and old dotard, and so on.
When she was gone, John inquired who
| the old man was. " lie is the landlord, y