Stretched on the side
of the public road, in a shed formed of a few loose sticks covered
over with "scraws," that is, the sward of the earth pared into thin
stripes--removed above fifty perches from any human habitation--his body
racked with a furious and oppressive fever--his mind conscious of all
the horrors by which he was surrounded--without the comforts even of a
bed or bedclothes--and, what was worst of all, those from whom he might
expect kindness, afraid; to approach him! Lying helpless, under these
circumstances, it ought not to be wondered at, if he wished that death
might at once close his extraordinary sufferings, and terminate those
straggles which filial piety had prompted him to encounter.
This certainly is a dark picture, but our humble hero knew that even
there the power and goodness of God could support him. The boy trusted
in God; and when removed into his little shed, and stretched upon his
clean straw, he felt that his situation was, in good sooth, comfortable
when contrasted with what it might have been, if left to perish behind a
ditch, exposed to the scorching-heat of the sun by day, and the dews
of heaven by night. He felt the hand of God even in this, and placed
himself, with a short but fervent prayer, under his fatherly protection.
Irishmen however, are not just that description of persons who can
pursue their usual avocations, and see a fellow-creature-die, without
such attentions as they can afford him; not precisely so bad as that,
gentle reader! Jemmy had not been two hours on his straw, when a second
shed much larger than his own, was raised within a dozen yards of it:
In this a fire was lit; a small pot was then procured, milk was sent
in, and such other little comforts brought together, as they supposed
necessary for the sick boy.
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