Australian Tales - Setis

that I wasn't a sheep too. But, praise God,” added Micky, while his face
brightened up like the moon, which was just emerging from a dark cloud,
“I feel forty times better already. I'm downright glad I've seen yez tonight,
sir, so I am; an I mane to turn over a new leaf intirely, with the
help ov God. I know lots ov poor fellows in the bush who are terribly
unaisy in their minds whinever they think about death; they wud be
plazed enough to know what ye've bin telling me to-night, sir; that they
had a chance of being forgiven for all their thievish tricks, an in sich a
beautiful, aisy way too. Gorra! I wish I could rin an tell em all, just now,
so I do.”
“That is a very proper spirit, Micky, and I trust you'll encourage it all
you can,” said Mr. Hopewell; “I also strongly feel for those poor men in
the bush who are far away from any religious and social means of
instruction; and I heartily wish I could see more done to improve their
condition. I should like to see more efforts used by influential residents
and employers in the bush. It is sad indeed to be obliged to believe that
some settlers care more for the improvement of their cattle, or the
condition of their crops, than they do for the moral culture of their
servants or their tenantry. I think, however, that few would be so careless
of their duties, if they but reflected on their positive moral
responsibilities with regard to those who are dependent upon them; and
also upon the easy way in which they might add to the comfort and
happiness of those who serve them, by furnishing every station, outstation,
or hamlet, with a small collection of books; and by occasionally
speaking to such of their servants, or others, who are, perhaps, as
ignorant of the Gospel plan of salvation, as you were, Micky, a few hours
ago. I think, also, that it could be easily shown that the social comfort
and security of our rural communities (apart from higher considerations),
would be increased, if all those persons who have the time to spare, and
the talent requisite for the work, were to assist in establishing Sunday
schools (where there are none) for the religious instruction of the many
poor children who, alas! I fear, are now growing up in ignorance of their
important duties to their Maker and to their fellow-creatures. The
grounds of economy might also be urged in favour of religious teaching,
for it is terribly probable that some of those spirited boys, who are now
allowed to run as wild and untaught as the aborigines, will, by and by,
follow the sad example of those misguided youths who, some little time
since, filled certain parts of the bush with excitement and alarm, causing
much pecuniary loss, and in some instances loss of life, to unfortunate
individuals, and an enormous drain upon the public funds.
“But it's getting late, Micky,” said Mr. Hopewell, looking at his watch,
and rising from his lowly seat. “I think we had better prepare for rest.
You take one blanket, and I'll take the other.”
“Not a bit ov it, sir, axing yer pardon,” exclaimed Micky, “I'll not take