The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-10-17
THE BLIND EYE.
A Fairy Story from Donegal.

Mrs. Mcpherson was very important
parsonage in the tOwnland of CrOhanrOe,
having something to do with the exit of
her neighbOrs from this trOublOus life,
but still more with their entrance into
it; in short, she was the sage femme of
the entire district. Her duties, there
fore, took her to every wake and
christening in the country, after she had
attended the death-bed and dressed the
dead, or received and welcomed the
newborn. She spent few nights at
home in her lonely cabin by the road
side, where there were none to bear her
company, for she was childless widow.
The townland was very extensive; it
embraced a tract of well cultivated
country, as well as wild region stretch
ing up into the Donegal mountains.
CrOhanrOe took its name from rocky
piece of land where furze bushes and
blocks of granite abounded. The high
road lay between this picturesque wilder
ness and Mrs. McPhersOn's cottage, and
no other human habitatiOn was in sight
Somewhat lonely felt the good woman
one afternoon after returning from Matt
O'DOnOghue's funeral, where, out of re-
spect to the family, she had keened her
self quite hOarse.
She was having recourse to her short,
black pipe for comfort, when steps were
heard at the door, and, glad to welcome
neighbor in her solitude, she looked
round briskly.
A stranger entercd-a man apparent
ly between 40 and so years of age,
dressed in the long-tailed coat, knee
breeches, and blue stockings then worn
by the peasantry. - .... ... =.
Mrs. Mcpherson babe him kindly well
come, and prayed him to be seated.
"My good woman said he, evil
you be pleased to gle me drink of
water?" .....,..
ssWith all the pleasure in life," re-
piled she, going over to her water can,
and handing him drink.
can where do you get your water,
fully returned the cup. r...
ssWhy, sir, 1 60 a good little piece for
that water-down to the well at the foot
o. Donnel's potato field.''
"Why do you go that far, an a spring
at the foot o. your ain garden?"
There's nae spring ava in my gar
den, sir" g.-
s'Troth is there; just fine spring
bubbling up beside the ash tree"
Mrs. Mcpherson knew that there was
no well in her garden; but being too po-
lite to contradict the stranger, she re-
NAMED silent. la sr..s.
At length he got up and said he must
be going. sa .u Eu't
ssHow far have you to 60, sir?"
asked his hostess. &
"NOt far, ma am; I'm q neighb0r o.
yours; live on Crohanroe."
Crohanroe, good man? There nae
house on CrOhanroe, an / never seen
you before to my knowledge" replied
she, in extreme bewilderment.
But ken goa well; I'm living on
Crohanroe these hundred years.
Mrs. Mcpherson stood at her door and
watched the visitor, who crossed the
high-road and went to Crohanroe; but
there she lost sight of him; there were
so many furze bushes and great stones
that he might easily be hidden. f5u
Slowly she turned into her little gar
den, and walked over to the ash-tree.
There, sure enough, was a clear spring
bubbling up at the root of the tree, and
wearing reservoir for itself in the
graveily soil! She rubbed her eyes; she
pinched herself at last she faltered out:
81 didna take q drop but one wee glass
o. pOteen, just for company an civility
like, at Shaun Doyne's on my way frae
the funerals s7lt- H3ai ''l
- No; she could not understand it in the
least. She knit her brows and puzzled
all dav and wac still ynusino r,nOn the