Willy Burke, or, The Irish orphan in America - Digital Repository ...

110 WILLY BUKKE; OR,
" I hope, sir", said Willy, in a deprecating tone, " that
you do not blame me for that. Mrs. Malcolm can tell
you that I 'm always back some time before breakfast, so
that my goin' to church never kept me a minute from my
work".
" I know dat well enough", was the sharp reply, " but I
no like all dis going to church. And den, worse dan all,
you under de priest's finger ; you never do noting without
his leave. Now, I say no more dis time, but only
dis—don't go to church so often ; dat no use—and don't
let de priests humbug you any more—be good boy dat
way and no fool, and I give you de dollar a week more
de same wages your broder has from Watkins".
" I humbly thank you, Mr. Weimar", said Willy ;
" you are far too good for me, for I was well content with
the wages I had ; but I hope you '11 not be offended, sir,
if I tell you that I can't consent to leave off going to
church, as long as I can make time to go without inter-
ferin' with the business ; and with regard to the priest,
sir, he 's all the father I have, an' I '11 never promise not
to be guided by him. It was my mother's—ay, an' my
father's last advice to us all, an' with God's help, I '11
never forget it. So, sir, if you don't choose to raise my
wages just as things stand, I 'm content with what I
have".
" You strange boy, Willy Burke", said the German,
after a short pause.
—
" I tell you again, I like you better
if you not so much Papist ; but no matter, dey tell me
you work well, and do everything dey bid you, so get the
wages I say while ago. Go off now to your business ; I
too much hurry to talk more". So Willy bowed and
withdrew.