Cinder Path Tales

AND EVERY ONE A WINNER 177 with a good-natured German.The latter un­ derstood hardly a word of English, but spoke his own language like a cuckoo clock. Paddy, of course, knewnot a single wordhe said, but stuck to him for several minutes, giving up English at last, and treating us to the classic accents ofold Ireland. Nearly all we met had taken the matter good-naturedly, but one or two did not see the joke, and turned ugly. One big fellow talked fight, but the proposition was received by Paddy with such extreme joy, and prepara­ tions were made with such alacrity, thathe thought better of the plan and withdrew his challenge. This wasgreatly toPaddy's dis­ appointment, andHarry's as well, the latter offering to take theIrishman's place, though he would have been fifty pounds short weight. We had been stopping frequently for Paddy to take further precautions to " kape the night out," and the rest of us doctored with the same medicine in smaller doses. Paddy was now perfectly happy, and he had his reasons. The " byes " had won;he was drinking, under Tom'smost learned and experienced tuition, a different new drink every time, and in his heart of hearts was sure of a fight before the sun rose. What more could an Irishman ask;and a