The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-11-20
A TALE OF THE FAIRIES.

Several old crones were assembled in
Grace McDonagh's kitchen, drinking
her health and that of hor new born
daughter, who had just been dressed,
and was laid down to sleep at the foot Of
the bed. A tribe of brothers and sisters
we're packed into the large bed in the
inner room: but poor Grace was as we'll
pleased with the ugly, red-facod new
conner as if she had been her only
child,
A kind mother, excellent wife, and
obliging nejghbor, Grace Was very pop
ular so the good women in the wide
chimney-corner drank her health very
heartily, and wished Joseph McDonagh
at the same time joy of the child and Of
his new situation, that OF baililf to Mr..
Todd, Of Buncrana Castle.
The house WAS built in an exposed
spot, on the side of hill that com.
mandsd view Of large portion of the
property to which McDonagh had Just
been made bailiff. Down below was
the castle, nesting in gardens and
plantations, and beyond it lay the old
town OF Buncrana, and the lougb, bold
mountains pale in the distance bounding
the horizon. 1t was an extensive and
beautiful landscape, but the Med onaghs
had no idea that the situation was pic.
turesque; they knew that il was cold
and bleak, and exposed to every wintry
atorm that swept across Lough Swilly.
AS Grace slept, and her attendants
caroused by the flreside, feeble little
vail was heard. Mrs. Rooney got up
and went over to the foot OF the bed
whore she had laid the infant. What
was her amazement to see two babies
where she had placed bat onel Two
little puokered faces: two lilac print
froSks: two white pinaIoresl There
did not appear to be the slightest differ
ence between them.
Mrs. Rooney's cry of terror and aston.
ishment brought all tho women round
the'bed, and awakened the poor weary
mother. Exclamations OF Save us'
Dear, but that beats allI' mingled
with the feeble wailings of the two
babes.
What IL we do, anyway There's
something bad an uncanny herer cried
Mrs. Rooney. Which O. these weans is
the RIGHT aneP''
Gle them to me, an band me thon
big knife off the dresser said tho
mother. I'll kiss them bath, and the
one my heart warns to will be my ain
child; as for the other one I'll Just
settle it wi the knife
Stand back, you women, there, COM
manded Mrs. Rooney, speaking author.
tatively il her character Of nurse. They
obeyed, sitting down again beside the
FIRE.
Now gle them tome, said Grace, hold
ing out her hands.
Mrs. Rooney handed her one Of the
infants. She kissed it, and laid il be-
side her on the pillow.
My heart warmed TO it, Molly Roo.
ney dear; that's my ain child. Now gle
me the wee rascal that's come to this
house for no good end
She took the second babe and stretch.
ed out her shaking hand for tho knife,
prepared to cut its throat: but at that
very instant there was noise heard
overhead, and small, beautifully dress
cd, and very pretty lady came down
the wide chimney, using the chain Of the
crook as a ladder. She bounded over
the Ere. across the room, and stood be-
side the bed.
In one second she had snatched the
child out OF Grace's hands, and ran back
TO the fire place, turning to shake it at
her, as she cried, You'll rue the day
you tried TO hurt my child.
She sprang upon the hob, put her tiny
dainty feet into the links Of the chain
one after another, mounted them as q
staircase, aud was out Of sight like O
whirlwind.
oh, my poor wean,' sobbed the ex-
hausted mother, sinking back upon her
pillow, she'll hae you YETI
Ma, ma, Grace, said Mrs. Rooney in
soothing tones, shell not ges ycul
wesn but ii II TAX you TO watch IL weel,
an never leave IL it's lane in the house
unless you put the toDgs across the