The Hedge School; The Midnight Mass; The Donagh - Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of - William Carleton, Volume Three by William Carleton
page 55 of 271 (20%)
page 55 of 271 (20%)
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his mouth."*--(Buz, buz, buz.)
* In the hedge schools it was usual for the unfortunate culprit about to be punished to avail himself of all possible stratagems that were calculated to diminish his punishment. Accordingly, when put upon another boy's back to be horsed, as it was termed, he slipped a large pin, called a corker, in his mouth, and on receiving the first blow stuck it into the neck of the boy who carried him. This caused the latter to jump and bounce about in such a manner that many of the blows directed at his burthen missed their aim. It was an understood thing, however, that the boy carrying the felon should aid him in every way in his power, by yielding, moving', and shifting about, so that it was only when he seemed to abet the master that the pin was applied to him. "Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo--I'll never stay away agin, sir; indeed I won't, sir. Oh, sir, clear, pardon me this wan time; and if ever you cotch me doing the like agin, I'll give you lave to welt the sowl out of me."--(Buz buz, buz.). "Behave yourself, Barny Byrne." "I'm not touching you." "Yes, you are; didn't you make me blot my Copy?" "Ho, by the livin', I'll pay you goin' home for this." "Hand me the taws." |
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