Life could get bloody boring for the servants in the houses of the lesser gentry in 19th Century Ireland. It was somewhat akin to being a monk or nun in an enclosed monastery. They did have clothing, food and shelter but at a price. Time on the outside world was limited to a religious service on Sundays or perhaps a family bereavement.
No wonder then that tension rose high within the ‘four walls’, and an effort made to alleviate matters with that demon ‘drink’ when available. Mrs. Smith in Baltiboys House, Blessington would often complain of her tedious servants fighting again. Matters came to a head in February 1849. George the butler had keys to the wine cellar and got quite drunk, could not lay the dinner table, could not understand what was said to him, would not go to his room.
For some time he and Mrs. Fife had been on the worst of terms. Worse still the Colonel had previously given George a pistol to protect the house with in what were dangerous times; not a good decision as it turned out.
Suddenly George came to life and burst out into a maniacal fury. “Life for life” he shouted as he brandished the pistol on his way downstairs to the kitchen to do for his tormentor Mrs. Fife. He was prepared to give his life on the gallows for the murder he was about to commit. On his way he met young Jack who was terrified of this lunatic waving a gun around. Down to the kitchen where he cornered Mrs Fife. “Life for life” he repeated over and over as he pressed the pistol to her ear. Luckily the weapon was locked and did not fire. The intended victim was able to retreat to her storeroom. Later the Colonel and the Doctor found her cowering behind a sack of flour and half dead, quite cold and weak and shrunk into half her size.
George was, of course turned out of the house, going off coolly and handing the pistol over to Pat. Next day he told John Fitzpatrick that he “meant to do for Mrs. Fife” and that providence had saved him from being a murderer and suffering a murderer’s doom.
