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

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. . 179
he said, and his voice trembled slightly. " I hope you '11
forgive me for this trick, as the money hasn't been but a
few hours in my possession, and ", what he further
intended to say was cut short by Weimar, who, snatching
the parcel from his hand, exclaimed angrily
81 You be one great rascal—dat what I say—and I tink
you deserve to be sent to de State's Prison , I 'm very
sorry dat I can't have you taken up, for I 'd give de half
of all dis money to see you lodged dere. And dese two
lads—Hamilton and Davis—dey help you up wit your
—
wicked plans—dey walk off, too, as well as you
" Why, surely, Mr. Weimar", said Hamilton, " you
wouldn't think of punishing us so severely, merely for
helping Mr. Wilson to carry on his frolic ? I am quite
sure that we had not the slightest intention of really injuring
Willy Burke any more than Wilson had of retaining
your money. It was all a joke, sir ; indeed it was. I see
now that we should not have taken such a liberty when
your property was in question ; but when no serious harm
was done, or, in fact, intended, it is rather hard that we
should lose our situations for a harmless trick".
" Yes—you call it harmless— you do—but I call it
wicked— vile plot You all hate dis boy, Burke, because he
Papist you tink he too much favour here ; ; den you put
your heads togeder, and make a plan to ruin him. I don't
say dat Wilson meant to take that money for himself, but
dat no excuse you all bad, very bad, very wicked, and you
;
march— all tree of you. You go and make jokes like dis
some oder place".
Mr. Talbot inquired how Wilson had got into the office,
and was answered, " By means of the inner door, which",
said he, " was not locked, as you supposed ".
"