and not give up while there is any honest work for these hands to do . ' `` With sudden energy I put on my shabbiest clothes , -- and they were very shabby , of course , added an old cap and rough comforter , as disguise , and stole down to the shed where I had seen a shovel . It was early , and the house was very quiet , for the other lodgers were hard workers all the week , and took their rest Sunday morning . `` Unseen by the sleepy girl making her fires , I got the shovel and stole away by the back gate , feeling like a boy out on a frolic . It was bitter cold , and a heavy snow-storm had raged all night . The streets were full of drifts , and the city looked as if dead , for no one was stirring yet but milkmen , and other poor fellows like me , seeking for an early job . `` I made my way to the West End , and was trying to decide at which of the tall houses to apply first , when the door of one opened , and a pretty housemaid appeared , broom in hand . `` At sight of the snowy wilderness she looked dismayed , and with a few unavailing strokes of her broom at the drift on the steps , was about to go in , when her eye fell on me . `` My shovel explained my mission , and she beckoned with an imperious wave of her duster to the shabby man opposite . I ploughed across , and received in silence the order to -- '' ` Clear them steps and sidewalk , and sweep 'em nice , for our folks always go to church , rain or shine . ' `` Then leaving her broom outside , the maid slammed the door with a shiver , and I fell to work manfully . It was a heavy job , and my hands , unused to any heavier tool than a pen , were soon blistered ; but I tugged away , and presently found myself much stimulated by the critical and approving glances bestowed upon me by the pretty girl , taking breakfast in the basement with a buxom cook and a friend , who had evidently dropped in on her way home from early Mass. . `` I was a young fellow , and in spite of my late despair , the fun of the thing tickled me immensely , and I laughed behind my old tippet , as I shovelled and swept with a vigor that caused the stout cook to smile upon me . `` When the job was done , and I went to the lower door for my well-earned pay , the maid said , with condescension , as she glanced coquettishly at my ruddy face and eyes that twinkled under the old cap , I suspect , -- '' ` You can wait here while I run up , and get the money , if master is awake . ' '' ` Ye have n't the heart of a woman , Mary , to kape the poor crater out there when it 's kilt wid the could he is , ' said the buxom cook ; adding , in a motherly tone , ` Come in wid yez , my man , and set till the fire , for it 's bitter weather the day . ' '' ` Faix an ' it is , ma 'm , thankin ' ye kindly , ' I answered , with a fine brogue , for as a lad I had played the Irishman with success . `` The good soul warmed to me at once , and , filling a mug with coffee , gave it to me with a hearty -- '' ' A hot sup will do you no harrum , me b ` y , and sure in the blessid Christmas time that 's just fore-ninst us , the master wo n't begrudge ye a breakfast ; so take a biscuit and a sassage , for it 's like ye have n't had a mouthful betwixt your lips the day . ' '' ` That I will , ' said I ; ` and it 's good luck and a long life to ye I 'm drinkin ' in this illegint coffee . ' '' ` Bless the b ` y ! but it 's a grateful heart he has , and a blue eye as like my Pat as two pays , ' cried the cook , regarding me with increasing favor , as I bolted the breakfast which I should have been too proud to accept from any hand less humble .
`` Here the guest asked a question concerning Pat , and instantly the mother gushed into praises of her boy , telling in a few picturesque words , as only an Irishwoman could do it , how Pat had come to ` Ameriky ' XXXXX when things went hard with them in the ` ould country , ' and how good he was in sending home his wages till she could join him .
Faix Irishman fire first housemaid lodgers morning snow-storm tippet yez