The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-01-03
NOVEL CURE FOR THE GoUT.
= story Of 0sa christina Eve.

During the first half of the present
century, the superstition Of Ireland
were so multifarious and novel, that a
mere enumeration OF them would ex
ceed the space to be devoted TO this
brief narrative. Fairies, Leprechauns,
Fetches, the Evil-Eye, the Blast, the
Faergurthagb, If that be the ortho-
grapby, and hosts Of other supGrnatu
raj beings and agencies, filed a long
catalogue to such Tepletion, that the
wonder IS, the whole world could find
place in the memory OF even the most
inquisitlyo OF accomplished crOne.
And. then, there We're the various
modes or formulae for the laying of
ghosts or evil spirits; one OF the most
effective of which was said to be a
repetition Of the Lords Prayer back
ward. while standing on one leg-a
resource which was recommended on
an occasion now To be described, and
by one of the characters about to be
introduced to the reader.
About fifty years ago there dweIt III
small village IN the western part OF
the kingdom two young men of nc
very reputable character, from the fact
OF their being suspected OF various
acts, which, if not of a highly criminal
nature, and sometimes tinged with
humor were identified with serious
annoyances and losses that came within
the scope OF legal prosecution. ANY
issue upon this latter basis, however,
they had always managed to avoid but
still, Bob Sgeeny and Phil Martin, as
they were named, respectively, were
set down for everything that occurred
in the way of orchard robbing, poach-
ing, or perhaps making too free with
fat lamb, upon which some neighbor
had infinitely more claims than they.
About the tune that these two rows.
terers were in the zenith Of their equiv
ocal fame, a young girl in the neigh
borhood, who died very suddenly, had,
inst previous to her deCea8e, and while
lahoung Under some strange aherra.
ton of intellect, eXtorted q solemn
promise from her parents, that thev
would pillow her head il her coffin up.
on n package of hazei-nuts, and place
by her side two bottles Of port wine
Her wishpsiu this relation were carried
ont most rehPiou8ly by the old people.
who, being very superstitious, were
firmly impressed with the idea that,
unless her dying request was complied
with to the letter, she would not rest
easy in her grave.
The funeral took place on Old Christ
mas Eve, aud w9s the more impressive
because of the gloom II threw over the
family, at peuod Of such general re-
ioicing among others. The service was
performed in a picturesque little
:, Il, 10 - EJn ,r,Ilo0r1 -,
which an old curate oflfciated, who was
martyr to govt, and who lived III q
handsome little parsonage, separated
from the church yard by low wall, on
each side of which, at certain point,
there were steps that he sometimes
used when visiting the sacred edifce,
and that he sometimes used when visit
ing the sacred vista of the ancient
tombs, through an opening III q long
row of aged poplars. On the occasion
of the burial. having been laid mp for q
long time with his old complainb, be
hobbIed early TO the church, leaning on
his faithful but superstltious servant
man, Tom, who, though young and
sturdy, had been many years in his
service
Now Martin and Sweeny, who were
always iuvetarato funeral goers, did
not permit this opportunity of showing
their sympathy for the parents aud
friends of the deceased To pass unim-
proved so they Joined the sad cor
tege, and remained in the church until
Parson Johnson, as he was called. had
read the burial service, and the coffin
was lowered into the grave. On their
way home, however, finding their
finances in a very low condition for SO
hilarious season of the year, they de-
termined to possess themselves of She
wine and nuts already mentioned, and,
besides make free with one of the par
sons flock of black sheep that were
comfortably housed in snug pen, Just
beyond the graveyard wall. This de-
cided upon, they visited the house of
a companion or friend, who sympathiz- !
ed with their little peculiarities. when !
it was agreed that, in case of their sue /!
cess. they would summon some kindred |
spirits, Kill the sheep and make night |
of it. J