The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-09-04
FAIRY STORIES FROM DONEGAL.

FAIRY STORIES FROM DONEGAL.
John and Peggy Donnel lived half
way up Dooish Mountain, in a region Of
frequent 1aist and storm. Far down
below them lay Gartan Lough, embos-
omed in rugged, furze covered hills, and
abode and around stretched mile upon
mile Of mountaln-acres of heather, the
above of grouse innumerable; patches of
grass where droves Of sheep and cattle
grazed; and inaccessible heights, known
only to the golden eagle and her wild
brood
Donnel was drover, i. G. he bought
up cattle, let them Craze upon the noun
tains, and sold them when fattened. He
was very comfortably off, and his cottage
was well built and tIIatched. He found
no difficulty in paying his rent TO the
day, aud had always abundance of such
simple food and clothing as satisfied his
desires. 1t was November night of
storm and rain. The gusts thunderel ct
the door, tossing the bare arms of the
few stunted sycamores that grew near
the house; they had swept along noun
tain deiiles and across the gray waters of
the Tough, and now shrieked and howled
madly round the gable. An occasional
Iull in the storm brought the clamor of
sea gull and cry of plover to Donnel's
ear. He locked the door, stuffed wisp
of straw under it to keep out the cold
wind, and sat down opposite Peggy in
the ample chimney corner.
''God send the cattle has found shelter
the night p said he, shaking the ashes
out of his pipe.
Peggy was spinning. She stopped
her wheel suddenly to ask, 'Did you
no hear something John dear"
SAY, Peggy, heard The sough O the
wind"
"Whist, whist, honey there it was
again; it wasna like the wind"
"Sure it was the sea gull an the plo-
yer" replied her husband carelessly.
Just then another blast of hurricane
swept across the lake and thundered at
the door, tossing the carefully arranged
wisp of straw into the middle of the
kitchen.
at was pitiful cry, but it wasna
the birds, let alone the wind" said Peg
gy, listently.
"Wka wad come to weer door the
night!" asked John, impatiently.
'sYour're aye talking foolitchness since
that villain, that thief o the world, Tim
O'Brien, went AVA"
Two days previously the servant had
taken his departure without giving warn
ing, or letting his master and mistress
have the slightest inkling of his inten-
ton. They had both been overworked
since then, and the consequence was that
one was cross and the other tired and
nervous.
Again the whistlirg raging blast. Mrs.
| Donnel shivered, and muttered a prayer
for all sailors and wanderers as she threw
more turf upon the blazing hearth
There was n strange cry Mt that very
moment. She went to the door and I'M
locked it. and while wind burst in resist
lessly, it brought something like human
figure in along with it.
'Womani woman !" screamed the
outraged husband, jumping mp with an
oath to rc-shut and lock the door.
As the cloud Of turf ashes began to
settle again, the figure, the gift of the
storm, was more distinctly seen. A mis-
erable, stunted boy, thinly clad, without
cap or shoes and stockings, crouched
over the fire, holding his perished hands
TO the warmth. He had red hair, large
blue eyes, and gentle intelligent face.
Peggy Donnel felt her heart drawn to-
ward him at once.
Poor woan; but you're kilt wi the
wet an cold. Did you come far the
day Z" she asked.
The poor boy lifted his large soft eyes
to her face without speaking.
''Be seated an warm yourser; The
guide man makes you welcome"
The boy sat down on the stool she
placed for him before the fire, and smiled
at him in silence.
'sWlo had the heart to let the likes o
YOU travel the night! What do they
call you, my poor wee man Z"
No answer. Il declare he's dummy
John, cried she; ''the poor wean =
The storm ragged on, but the wandere
was safe ana happy. He stretched .ou
his bare feet on the warm tiag-stone, .an'
the steam rose from his rags, which ha'
been soaked with the rain. Meanwhile
Peggy set back her wheel, lifted the Pc
from the crook, and filed q woodel
bowl with mealy potatoes. The bo
/ eyed them hungrily. and when sh
! spread handful of salt on a stool, an