Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-06-23
THE LEGEND OF THE LAMP.

A TALE OF THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY
cannot speak with certainty as to
the exact period of time to which the
story am about to relate appertains
but it was in those days long gone by,
when the fair land was divided among
many rulers, and during a time when a
dreadful pestilcnce made the stoutest
heart quail with fear. Late on a win
tcr's evening a young chieftain, accom-
panied by several armed followers, stop
ped before the habitation of an aged
man, who had sought and found protec-
ton for himself and child upon the hos
pitable shore of Innisfallen. The island
was then held by an O'Donough, prince
of Loeb Tein, a Chicttain who was (like
several others exempt from the payment
of tribute to the great Mccarthy. The
leader of the daring band that had ven
tured to invade the island of Innisfallen
was Seaman of the Glen, and the fugi
tive before whose habitation they stood
was one OF the once powerful race of the
O'SuIivans. The story goes that the
old man had failed to aid The Ma
earthly" in a recent quarrel with neigh
boring chief, consequently had broken
the tenure by which he held his domains,
and fearing the vengeance of the mighty
monarch, had fled, with all his wealth,
to the O'Donoghue for protection,
The armed party were clamorous in
their demands for admission, and, as the
door of the old mans dwelling was not
Immediately opened, they were prepar-
ing to force it, when the bars were re.
moved and Scanlan and his party were
admitted. Upon their entrance there
rushed from an adjoining Apartment u
Young ana lovely maiden, who flung her
self into Scanian's arms, eXclaiming in
joyful accents;
Is it you, my dear Desmond? All
| have so long expected you, and watched
your coming from the western shore,
long after sundown."
The words lad scarcely escaped her
lips, when she started back in terror, for
the bright steel of the Chietlain's sword
caught her eye and sent a chill through
her young heart. She looked at the
stranger, and sinking upon seat, ex-
claimed
"Grcat heaven, it is not Desmond !
We are betrayed"
"True, fair maiden, ! am not young
Desmond, the handsome hunter of the
hills, neither do ! bring rich presents to
my atfianCed bride, the beauteOus SaOva.
am Scanlan of the Glen, and am here
to execute the orders Of my feudal SOW
ereigD, the great Mccarthy Nor"
"To thy chamber, daughter p ex-
claimed O'Sullivan, who bad been unob-
served by the party; " ! am sufficient, |
should think, to do the honors Of the
house to this base minion of baser
tyrant."
" Reproachcs are but as words given
idly to the wind,' replied the young
chieitain; g for from this moment
neither you nor any that claim your
kindred can call house or land your
own. ] bear a commission to seize your
persons, and your goods are confscatcd."
You must be mad, young man?'
vociterated O'Sullivau, raising his lamp
to the face of the denouncer. "Know
YOU not that we are under the protection
of the Prince ODonoghue, who has
already punished more than one proud
chief who has dared to molest those to
whom he grants protection? Home,
boy, nor dare to put this foolish trick
upon me, or may punish you as you
deserve"
"Well, Sir Traitor, we must cen put
your threats to the proof; so do your
duty, comrades; seize that old dotard
he is your prisoner, and his wealth the
booty due our liege lord as idemnifca-
ton for his refusal to aid his cause
against the Red O'COnnor."
The followers of Scanlan obeyed, and
bound the old man hand and foot, and
fancied the whole affair must be dream,
for the proceedings had been conducted
with so much secrecy and quiet that the
reality fell like a thunderbolt upon its
victim.
Saova, who had crept to her fathers
side during the loud war of words, ap-
peared rooted to the spot, and bent an
eve OF vacancy upon the mailed figure of
the chieftain Scanlan, while her father
from time to time uttered cries of agony
and despair, exclaiming, " Just heaven
what will become of usP
"a question soon answered, " replied
the chief of the glen "you, old man,
as the head of your race, are doomed to
die the death of all traitors; and your
child, with all of her sex bearing your
name, or claiming kindred with you, are
to be driven from the land"
Great God driven from their hearth
and home" exclaimed the old man,
wringing his corded hands.
Yes, even from this moment"
Saova, on hearing this terrible de.
cree, started from the state of apathy
into which she had fallen, suddenly
seized Scanlan's mailed arm with a CON
vulsed grasp, and fixing her inquiring
eyes upon his face she thus ADDRESSED
him;
Young warrior, you surely cannot