Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-05-28
WOMAN'S WIT.
LEGEND OF AN IRISH GIANT.

LEuEND Ot AN 1hlSI olfAAN1.
Once upon time, long time ago, when
giants were as plenty in Ireland as mites in
cheese, there lived oD the borders the County
Armagh one Barney Mcconnell who lawfully
came under the above appelIatioD, being seven
feet high and made 10 proportion. His proves
was we'll known, and there was one thing that
grieved Barney not little, Damely, that be
could get nobody who was able to stand before
him 10 his owa country. Now report spoke Of a
certain giant in Scotland who was laborlog under
the like grief and from precisely the same eau
ses. Therefore Barney, after consulting the
friends on the subject sept challenge to the
Scotch giant, ITO come over to ireland and get
the conceit taken out of himself After due
time the bearer OF the challenge returned with
word that it had been accepted, and further
stated that he was advised to inform Barney that
he had better make his will, get lis cofhu made
etc., as he that he was to encounter never left
his work undoDe
did you see him ?" asked Barney.
Faith an did," said the messenger.
"What is he like?' interrogated the giant.
Faith, Barney, avic he's like anything at
all but mortal being
llON VIZ 10 uC1 cul0 Doi bSJt 'oooi's oAS
pleased at the description Of bis rival.
How big is he, did you say? Fax he's as
big as the Guild tower toreDnst the door, an a
head an shoulders on him like Father Nc
Gurncy's bull By all accounts he'll ate you
alive"
Barney began to feel rather uncomfortable at
the prospect before him, and straigh way went
to consult his vile as to what should be done 10
the event of his rival proving to be such as his
messenger had represented. While they we're
thus engaged, one of the children came ruu-
uiug in acd exclaimed: Daddy! come to the
door an see the great man that's coming up
the hill" Barney peered through the chiDks
of the door, and, to his great terror, saw the
monster.
Que look was enough to satisfy him that his
messenger had not exaggerated his account OF
him, and. turning to his wife, he said:
"Shelah, jewel I'm eat up alive, for sartiu
Here comes the Scotch baist to drum your
Barney"
Wheu Shelah heard of the approach of the
coming foe, and saw her lord Inability to wage
war with one SO far superior 10 strength and
size, she concluded that it was only by some
piece of womaus wit that her husband could
escape from the affair without dishouor. Ac
cordingly, she gently lifted the child out OF the
cradle and, depositiDg it in the inner room,
made the father get 10 its place, and covering
him up with quilt, gently seated herself and
resumed her work After few moments IN
walked the cause of all the disturbance, and
demanded an interview with the giant Shclah,
after motioning with her hand tor him to keep
quiet, walked gently across the floor to where
he stood, and in an uudcrtonc told him Baroey
had gone out TO the woods The giant told her
that he Intended waiting his return.
"Very WE'LL" said Shelah. Only don't
make word of noise for the life that's 10 you,
for there 5 nothing makes him more furious
than to hear the child crying when he comes
home"
BY this tine the giant had seated himself on
bench, and was quietly surveying the apart
ment but when his eyes rested on the cradle,
with look of unuttcrable astonshmeut, be
asked what was in it.
IN it p cried Shelah. Don't you see it's
the child that's iu it? Az heaven help you if
you wake him The crayture didn't get a
wink of sleep last night with the two back teeth
he's cutting"
The giant, with look of terror and asonish-
ment, asked what size the father was.
Faith an | can't tell you - said Shelah,
cause never measured him. But that Cos
soon" pointing to the cradle, when the father
is angry, RUS and hides himself In one OF his
boots"
Laird save us!' exclaimed the giant. II
Wilma mind waiting the moo, lasSle L maun
be gaun Guide morning !"
So saying, he took to his heels, and never
thought himself safe until he got among the
hills Of his own country.