We had a neighbor once, a widow M'Cormick, who was rather penurious, and whenever she saw her servants buttering their bread too thickly, she used to whisper to them in a confidential way, 'Ahagur, the thinner you spread it the further it will go.' Hem! However, I must confess that once or twice a year I draw on it by way of novelty, that is, on set days or bonfire nights; and I hope, sir, you'll admit that that's treating it with respect." "How did you happen to turn musician ?" asked the other.
"Why, sir, I was always fond of a jingle; but, to tell you the truth, I would rather have the same jingle in my purse than in my instrument.
Divil such an unmusical purse ever a man was cursed with than I have been doomed to carry during my whole life." "Then it was a natural love of music that sent you abroad as a performer ?" "Partly only, sir; for there were three causes went to it.

There is a certain man named Dandy Dulcimer, that I had a very loving regard for, and I thought it against his aise and comfort to ask him to strain his poor bones by hard work.

I accordingly substituted pure idleness for it, which is a delightful thing in its way.

There, sir, is two of the causes--love of melody and a strong but virtuous disinclination to work.

The third--" but here he paused and his face darkened.
"Well," inquired the stranger, "the third?
What about the third ?" Dandy significantly pointed back with his thumb over his shoulder, in the direction of Red Hall.