“I know it; an’ well she desarved that specimen of abstinence from you, Misther Connell.  Thank you!—­Your health agin! an’ God grant you grace an’ fortitude to go through wid the same oath!—­An’ so he will, or I’m greviously mistaken in you.”

     “OATH AGAINST LIQUOR,

made by me, Cornelius O’Flaherty, Philomath, on behalf of Mr. Peter Connell, of the cross-roads, Merchant, on one part—­and of the soul of Mrs. Ellish Connell, now in purgatory, Merchantess, on the other.

“I solemnly and meritoriously, and soberly swear, that a single tumbler of whiskey punch shall not cross my lips during the twenty-four hours of the day, barring twelve, the locality of which is as followeth: 

“Imprimis—­Two tumblers at home, 2
Secundo—­Two more ditto at my son Dan’s, 2
Tertio—­Two more ditto behind my own garden, 2
Quarto—­One ditto at the Reverend Father Mulcahy’s, 1
Quinto—­Two more ditto at Frank M’Carroll s, of Kilclay, 2
Sexto—­One ditto wid ould Bartle Gorman, of Cargah, 1
Septimo—­Two more ditto wid honest Roger M’Gaugy, of Nurchasey, 2
====
12
N.B.—­Except in case any Docthor of Physic might
think it right and medical to ordher me more for my
health; or in case I could get Father Mulcahy to take
the oath off of me for a start, at a wedding, or a
christening, or at any other meeting of friends where
there’s drink.

his
Peter X Connell.
mark.

     Witness present,
     Cornelius O’Flaherty, Philomath.
     June the 4th, 18—­

     I certify that I have made and calculated this oath for
     Misther Pettier Connell, Merchant, and that it is
     strictly and arithmetically proper and correct.

     “Cornelius O’Flaherty, Philomath.
     “Dated this Mh day of June, 18—­.”

“I think, Misther O’Flaherty, it’s a dacent oath as it stands.  Plase God, I’ll swear to it some time to-morrow evenin’.”

“Dacent!  Why I don’t wish to become eulogistically addicted; but I’d back tha same oath, for both grammar and arithmetic, aginst any that ever was drawn up by a lawyer—­ay, by the great Counsellor himself!—­but faith, I’d not face him at a Vow, for all that; he’s the greatest man at a Vow in the three kingdoms.”

“I’ll tell you what I’m thinkin’, Masther—­as my hand’s in, mightn’t I as well take another wid an ould friend of mine, Owen Smith, of Lisbuy?  He’s a dacent ould residenther, an’ likes it.  It’ll make the baker’s or the long dozen.”

“Why, it’s not a bad thought; but won’t thirteen get into your head?”

“No, nor three more to the back o’ that.  I only begin to get hearty about seventeen, so that the long dozen, afther all, is best; for—­God he knows, I’ve a regard for Owen Smith this many a year, an’ I wouldn’t wish to lave him out.”

“Very well,—­I’ll add it up to the other part of the oath.