Connecticut western news., 1879-09-03
avick! Oh, Peggy mavourneen, what I'll I do. ANYWAY 2"

avickl Oh, Peggy mavourneen, what Il do, anyway"
 "Gone2 Stolen ?" exclaimed Peggy, and she was unable to utter word more.
 "Ay, gone-stolen! repeated the bereaved owner, crying bitterly.
 Whisht," said Mel, coming forward quietly, and speaking in an authorita- tive tone" whisht this minute, an saddle the mare, an let us ava after the thieves !''
 The surprise of hearing Mel calmed John at once. He let him bring out the mare, and helped him to put on the sad dle. Then he mounted, and it seemed quite natural that the boy should spring up behind, first taking his bow and ar- rows from the loft.
 "This way" commanded Mel, when they reached the high-road "I see the tracks O the beasts"
 Donnel could not see any tracks, but he suffered Mel to guide him at each cross-road. The day was far advanced before they caught sight of the drove about quarter of mile ahead of them, accompanied by two collies and four men.
 "How Il we fight a thae thieves an rascals O the world9" cried John, again reduced to the depths of despair.
 "Leave it to me, replied Mel, bend ing to one side, and shooting on arrow in the dile ection of the drove.
 There was strange commotion ahead when that fairy arrow reached it's goal, for the animal hit at once turned round and galloped back to it's owner. An other and another arrow followed that one, till at length the whole drove turned about, and presently surrounded John and Mel.
 There stood the four robbers gazing after them as if spell-bound.
 "Now," said Niel, i've may ride home again the cattle will go before us."
 On and on they rode, driving the re- covered heifers. No word of gratitude had Donnel spoken, and as the glow of pleasure caused by the restoration of his property died out little, his usual fretful temper returned; but Mel did not appear to notice his morose silence.
 "Will you be pleased to stop at this house by the road, John, till get a drink ?'' asked the boy, who was tired and thirsty.
 "We havena the time to stop, an night comin' on sure you can wait till we get home," replied the churlish master.
 Mel said nothing until they reached another house mile further on, when he again made his request, and was again refused. But Donnel himself began to be thirsty and weary, and at the next roadside cabin he drew up. :
 "Good woman," called he, "be pleased to gie me drink"
 The woman hurried out with bowl of water, from which Donnel drank i; and then he said to Mel, Here, boy, you may drink now"
 "No, John .Donnel," returned the boy, "you are selfish, ungrateful man, an I'll neither eat nor drink mair frae your hand. I brought your cattle back, but yoa wouldna stop minute to let me drink; an you'd talk the drink yourself before you'd hand the bowl to mo l If it wasna for Peggy, I'd just send the beasts back to the thieves :; but I'll leave your house, an that i'll be punishment enough for you." So saying, Mel jumped down from the horse, and climbing ditch disappeared.
 "Oh, Mel avick ! Sure I didna mean to affront you. Oh, come back How will I get the beasts home, anyway?"
 No answer-no trace of Mel, search where he might. With the utmost difficulty, and after hiring couple of men to help him, Donnel did succeed in driving his cattle home, and it was late at night when he entered his own kitchen, and sank down by the freside.
 Where's Mel p was the first thing Peggy said.
 Her sorrow and dismay overwhelmed her as she listened to her bus band's story.
 "Oh, John, you unfortunate, foolish man, don't you know what you've done You've banished luck frae we'er roof Sure I knowed what he was the minute heard him speak this mornin'."
 The poor woman threw her apron ove1 her head, and wept as she had not wept since her sons coffin left the house one- and-twenty years before. And good reason had she for her tears. From that moment nothing prospered witt John. His health failed his cattle me with accidents ill luck attended hin in everything he undertook. He hat indeed abundant cause to mourn for tho loss of his fairy guest.
 Ten Thousand Sheep Lost.