Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1829-01-07
Iron Fairy Legends, by T. Crofion Crocksr.
THE WONDERFUL TUNE.

Maurice Conner was the king-and that's
no small word Of all the pipers in Munster.
He could play jig and pIanxty without end. and
Ollrstrum's March,, and the Eagles Whistle,
and the Hens Concert. and odd tunes Of every
sort and kind. But no knew one. far more sur
prising thar the rest. which had in it the pow
er to set every thing dead or alive, dancing.
In what way he learned it is beyond my
knowledge, for he was mighty cautious about
telling how he came by SO wonderful a tune.
At the very first note of that tune, the brogues
began shaking upon the feet Of all who heard it
old or young, it mattered not-just as il their
brogues had the ague then the feet began
going going-goine from under them, and at
last up and away with them, dancing like mad!
whisking hero, there, and everywhere, like a
straw in q storm there was no hating while
the music lasted ! .
Not a fair, nor a wedding, nor a patron in
the seven parishes round, was counted worth
the speaking Of without blind Maurice and
his ~pipos." His mother, poor woman, used 10
lead him about from one place to another, just
like a dog.
Down through I~veragh-a place that ought
TO be proud of itself, for tits Daniel O'Connel's
country-Maurice Conner and his mother were
taking their rounds. Beyond all other places
Iveragh is the place for stormy coast and steep
mounta ins ; as proper a spot it Is as any in Ire
land to get yourselfdrowned or your neck bro
ken on the land, should you prefer that. But,
not notwithstanding in Ballinskelig Bay there is a
neat bit Of ground, we'll fitted for diversion,
and down from it, towards the water. is a clean,
smooth piece of strand the dead image Of a
calm summers sea on a moonlight night, with
just the curl OF TIE small waves upon it.
Here il was that Maurice music mad brought
from all parts a great gathering Of the young
men and the young women-O the darlints !
for twas not every day the strand ofTrafraska
was stirred up by the voice Of a bagpipe. The
dance began and as pretty a rinkafadda it
was as ever was danced. Brave music" said
everybody, sand well DONE" when Maurice
stopped.
"Moro powell to your elbow. Maurice, and a
fair wind in the bellows" cried Paddy Dorman,
a hump-backed dancing master, who was there
10 keep order. cts a pity" said he, If
we'd let the piper run dry after such music
'twould be a disgrace 10 ~Iveragh, that didn't
come on it sipco tho week Of the three Sun
days" So, as well became him, for he was
always a decent man, says he, " Did you drink,
piperr
al will, SIR says Maurice. answering the
question on the cafe side, for you never ye,
knew piper or schoolmastcr who refused his
drink.
"what will you drink, Maurice }" said
Paddy.
81 am no ways particular" says Maurice f;
"I drink anything, and give God thanks, bar,
ring ya,o water: but il tits all the same 10 you,
nis er Dormnn, may DO you wouldn't lend me
the loan Of a glass Of wbiskey."
i've no glass, Maurice" said Paddy -
"1'vs only the bottle" |
"Let tina, be no bindrsnce," answered Maui
rico ; |" my mouth just holds a glass to the
drop T; often I've tried it sure" |
SO Paddy Dorman trusted him with the bot
Ito more fool vas he and, TO his cost, he |