138 BEATING THE SPRINGS AND THE WOOD. 



calling here ; who inquired no further when 

 they ascertained that fact." 



" But how is it the proprietors are willing to 

 employ an Englishman, as I presume they are 

 from your agency in the matter ?" 



" I can scarce tell, sir. My correspondent on 

 the subject is a lady, who writes as if she were 

 the owner of the journal, and perhaps she is." 



The c Castletown Eagle ' the name rather 

 tickled my fancy, and I had no objection to go 

 to Ireland. It would serve my purpose as 

 well as any other quarter of the globe. The 

 man seemed astonished at the alacrity with 

 which I closed with the miserable terms on 

 which the desk of the ( Eagle ' was offered. 



"You can write," I said, as I was leaving, 

 "to say you have secured an editor, and a 

 cheap one. With reference to qualification, 

 you can say whatever you like ; but, on second 

 thoughts, perhaps you had better simply state 

 that you believe I am capable of doing the work." 



"Very good, sir. I shall let you know 

 when they are ready for you." 



A week after this I had taken my seat in 

 the c Wild Irishman * train, from Euston ter- 



