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

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142 WILLY BUKKE; OR,
any trouble comes upon us ; there 's no use in grieving*
about what cant't be helped, and besides its sinful ; its
like rebelling against God's holy will* Courage, then !"
And thus did he endeavour to reason away his sadness,
applying himself, at the same time, with renewed atten-
tion to fulfil the duties of his state. It is true, his situa-
tion had latterly become far from comfortable, owing fa>
the persevering malice of his companions, who laid hold
of every opportunity of annoying him, and that all the
more frequently, as they could not but see that he never
made a complaint, although they constantly accused him
of tattling. Matters were in this position when, some
weeks after Father Fitzherbert's departure, Mr. Saunders
one day beckoned Willy into the office where he was
alone. Having looked around with all the cool caution
of his countrymen, to ascertain that no one was listening,
the clerk approached Willy Burke, who could not help
wondering at all this preparation. " I have not a moment
to lose, Willy, in what I have to say, as Mr. Weimar
will be here presently. I have for some time past observed
that you are subjected to a constant series of annoyances,
which, however trifling they may be in their nature, are
calculated to make your position anything but comfortable.
Your wages, too, are small. What think you, then, of
taking a new situation,
higher wages
should you be offered one with
?"
Willy was taken by surprise, yet he did not hesitate a
moment in replying
u No, Mr. Saunders ! many thanks
to you, sir, for being so thoughtful about me, but it isn't
wages would tempt me to leave where I am j and as for
the trials that you speak of, sir, I can't blame either Mr.
Weimar or Mr. Talbot for any of them—neither of them