The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-28
AN IRISH LEGEND.
WHY vt. PATRfCK DROVE THE SER.
PENIS OUT OF IRELAND.
The story Of SC. Patrick and Emlria-
The Young slave Returns Again to
ireland to Convert the Country.
correspondence of the Democrat

In writing here the difficulty is not what to
write about. but which subject to select from
the hundreds presenting themselves each
rich in history or antiquity, and all possess
ing points of interest and beauty, for Ireland
is prominently land of legend and fairy
tale. Every dismantled tower or ivy-crowned
ruin has q story. Imagination has seized
upon some scene in it's history away back in
the shadow of years and rescued it from OBJ
Iivion by throwing around 1t the charm OF
romance. From the oak groves the wall of
captives sacrificed in Druidical worship is
heard, when the winds sigh and moan
through the branches, and the solitary trav-
eer hurries past, devoutly crossing himself
The circles OF stone seen in SO many places
are equally objects of mystery, while each
bush and shrub of the valleys on moonlight
nights is inhabited by beings as lively and
fun-loving as any coniursd up by the glow
ing imagination Of Shakespeare; so wildly
indeed, were all these things related to me,
but O slight increase of faith on my part
seemed necessary to render them real Above
all is treasured the memory of the saints
wfpse sfrines are constantly visited and
their aid invoked. Amongst them
ST. PATRICK,
the great apostle who won the island from
paganislD, is most cherished. From the le-
gends and traditions attesting his power,
/ select the following, which involves some
of his history; it is new to me, and may be
so to many of my readers.
For half century b. c. the Romans held
possession of Britain, but could never gain q
footing in Ireland, the Mlesian kings uniting
with the Picts and Scots to carry devasta-
| ton into the settlements OF the aggreSsors,
Gaul i'm the neghborhood of Tours, Mall an
Irish prince returned laden with spoils and
two hundred captive children, whose parents
had been killed. In this sorrowful band We're
was purchased by Milcho Human and sent to
herd swine on the SlieuMiss mountain; here,
exposed to rain, cold and often hunger, sad
indeed was his lot, but hope and his Christian
training enabled him to endure hardships and
privations with a courage surprising to his
fellow servants. Spring came and with silent
magic made earth beautiful but touched
the heart of the captive with sorrow; for
it quickened the memory of his own loved
land An orphan and slave to a stranger,
what could come to his relief? In
wild despair he cast himself on the
ground and prayed for death. Soon, from the
valley below, came a cry so full OF terror that
all thought of self vanished. Springing down
|
to q path leading toward the beaten road.
HI had not advanced far when before him lay
the insensible form OF lovely girl, and al
most over her, in an extending bush, viper
darted forth it's fiery tongue To kill the
reptile with his staff was the work of mo-
ment. Then carefully lifting the little maiden,
he bore her onward, wondering as he looked
on the bright beauty of her golden hair and
the marvellous wilderness OF her skin, II she
were indeed mortal or some messenger from
the spirit world. Voices were now heard,
and hurrying with intense excitement
came an aged Druid, followed by. sew
eral servants. Eagerly taking the child from
the young man he placed her on the grass,
the pale face. Soon the blue-veined lids
tremblingly uplifted the black lashes off the
| fair cheeks, and eyes OF darkest violet looked
lovingly up to the old man. He gave a sigh
she gave them all. Turning to Patrick he in
quired where he found her and what was the
cause of her scream. To this
EMIRIA
answered by telling him how, while they all
rested in the shade, she slipped from her
nurse stole up the path in search of flowers,
and just as she stretched up to reach clus-
| ter a viper darted almost in her face, making
her scream, after which she remembered moth
ing Patrick finished the story, and received
assurances from the Druid of change in his
condition for his prompt aid to his pupil, the
kings daughter. Cheerfully returning to his
work, his mind constantly reverted to the
picture of loneliness he had seen, so different
| from the dark beauty OF his own country
women. The blackness went out of his life
and a strange sense of happiness filled his
whole being.
| In three days
HABRTC, THE DRUID,
came, and directing Patrick to follow, led
him to Milcho who gave him position of
trust near his person. SO great was his zeal
in his masters service that everything
seemed to prosper under his care and he felt
| fully rewarded when called at the close of
day, to sit with the old heather priest and
tell him of the Romans; their power and
civilizations; their temples, and numerous
gods. fabric listened with deep interest to
all matters relating to their temporal affairs,
but pronounced their deties impotent and
inferior to his own.
Then would Patrick speak of Jesus, his
holy life, and death on the cross, a sacrifice
! for sinners. To the priests mind the sacrifice
of one for a world seemed little. Had he not
often assisted at the immolation OF hun
dreds! Still, the pure and holy life of the
Saviour excited his highest admiration, and
appealed to his judgment as the highest type
ever presented for mans imitation Often
Emiria fingered, to listen to the Christian
| youth and treasure in her memory his gentle
words.
Six years fled rapidly, and the seventh, ac-
cording to the national custom, would bring
| him
LIBERTY,
but he desired it no longer; It would separate
him from all he now loved-Emiria and his
old friend. The spirit of unrest again took
possession of him. In vain he busted himself
assisting in preparations for the Taltinean
games, soon to be celebrated at a mountain
near Tara. Many of the great lords would be
Mileho's guests
| The king had acceded to the wishes of his
counselors, and promised to select a husband
for his daughter-one who would reign in his
stead. He had made known his wish to Emf
ria. She was his to bestow on whom he
wished, and was given no voice in the matter.
Fastening to her old teacher, she opened her
heart to him, telling him OF her love for
Patrick, the friend and companion of her
girlhood. He knew it all, had known it, and
vainly looked about for some means to pre-
avowal He had thought of asking for the
liberty and return of the young man to his
own country, but his old heart failed