Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-12-21
I'iOnn Mac CumhaI.


Il
Fionn Mac Cumhal pronounced by the
Firbolgs and their successors Finn NacCooi
was the head Of a family and sept of giants,
and renowned equally for stature, strength
and wisdom. Unfortunately my memory is
refractory respecting him and his c xploits,
two only of which live in it, but even these
suffice to give the measure of the man.
1t appears, from the tradition still ting
ling IN my cars, that the fame Of Fionn had
travelled far, and provoked the jealousy of a
contemporary chief and giant, who resolved
on seeing the redoubted Fionn, conquering
him, and making him his tributary or slave
With those amiable intentions, the rival
swell arrived at Fionn's house carly one fine
morning, and by accident encountered him
on his threshold Fionn had either been in
formed of the proposed visit from the big 'un,
or his tact and provision enabled him at once
to discover the quality of his visitor, and to
penetrate his object lie received him,
therefore, with assumed sang .Iroid and
courtsey.
The first salutations having been inter
changed, the stranger opened the conference
With u declaration OF his satisfaction at find
~ u competitor for superiority SO formidable
as Fionn S respectable conformation annOunc-
ed and stated at once his purpose of bringing
matv vers between them to an immediate settle
mcnt,
You have come at an unlucky moment
sir, said Fionn; papa is absent.
Papa What do you mean Are you
not Fionn Mac Cumhal =
Bless you, mo- said Fionn. Il am his
little Poucet,, as he calls me; ihis youngest
SON..
The visiter stared with astonishment, max
ing inwardly some observations on certain
| If iIn IN,
youthful host, who, unfortunately, it being
Saturday, had omitted shaving. If the
parent be on corresponding scale with this
imp said he, i shall have caught a Tartar.
lie then added aloud: | regret that cannot
have the pleasure of seeing your papa.
And too, sir; am sure he will be equal
ly SO when he hears Of your visit,
'Will he be long absent :,
Many hours; he is gone out for "a day
shooting.
Hum = said the giant, aside. There is nC
necessity 70 haste, then. Raising his voice
he added: shall drop in another morning
for it is not in my power to wait the returl
of your. worthy parent to-day. feel littl
pecksh, however. My walk across the coun
try has whetted my appetite, Could you no
let me have something to allay it \ snacl
of anything A little cold meat .
How unfortunate that you did not arriy,
> yesterday We had weanling elephant 70
, dinner.
Capital Let the remains be sent up, wit
"a little Harvey, if you please
Alas, sir papa and the children fnishe
;; it nearly at dinner. For supper we ha
! broiled bones, and picked them so clear
l that my sisters made wOrstcd bObbins
them tor their tamOOur embroidery.
'liuml A-propos, where are your brother
J and sisters =
/ The boys are gone with papa. Sister s.
I taking their work with them-have gone t
i spend the day with neighbor of ours-th
Queen of Dunshaughisn,,
u Here the least of the least suggestion
d suspicion crossed the giants mind, but
, ! glance at the honest, candid and simple couI
tenance before him banished the unwortl
% thought. Still he resolved on further inquir
y Therefore addressing fiOnn, who stood r
spectfully ut distance cap in hand, read
a to pilot him to the high road, he said can
a not have the honor of paying my respects
> mammal
L Fionn filed, as we say in the north, al
then pumped
10 And the big round tears
@ Coursed one another down his innocent nose
" The giant was moved at Flonn's pantomime
- Il see how it is, my poor little man, sa
lie he, patting his head kindly Il shall n
ly trespass on you further Still it is not pc
| sibe for me comfortably to resume my wa
O. until have refreshed myself little. c
n you give me nothing
to There's not thing in the house, sir,
in "A crust, event.