Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-08-09

or swccpings will have the power Of
opening the door to the fairies, should
they come that way. A man named
Syl OConnor. who lived in the south
of Ireland told the following story: He
was returning home from fair one
night, when he was crossing one Of tho
bridges over the Blackwater. a famous
salmon river In tho county of Cork, he
heard murmuring sound, as Of many
persons talking all at once, and in a
minute or two found himself surround
cd by a crowd of little creatures, who
did not appear to see him. One and
all, they exclaimed: Where is my
horsep Give me my horse" and get
ting astride Of reed, or coarse ,-rass
that grew close to the water. each
scared aloft Syl did the same, and
found his seat easy enough. One Of
the party went ahead, calling at farm
house after farmhouse, but exclaiming
at each: mo entrance here. The floor
dust lies not behind the door," At
last they reached mansion of some
pre- 1nsions, in the suburbs of large
town, and their fair envoy. pausing at
the door, gave notice: 1--WE can enter
here The house had been "made
up in a slovcnly manner that night,
and the door flew open as il by en-
cbantment Immediately the whole
party. fairies and mortal, glided into
the wine-cellar. through the key-holc,
and the heads of many bottles we're
Knocked of. In fact there was a
carouSe, and song and mirth abounded.
All this time Syl O'Connor had never
wct,cd his lips. So, addressing rather
agreeable fairy, who. apparently, maxi
ing no noise, was fully enjoying him
self. he said. conidentially: ut is NOR
tai thirsty that ann. The fairy re-
piled: AFTER the next round, l shall
give you my goblet and you can get as
much as you want" What Is more,
ho kept his word, handing the silver
cup to the stranger. just as Syl. was
about to drink the clock struck one.
and the word for departure was spoken.
or they dashed on their substantial
steeds. back to their starting points at
the old bridge, where the good people"
danced and sung for short time and
then departed. Syl O'Connor got
home somehow about day ybreak, and
suffered rheumatics for months from
his night excursion, and narrowly es-
capped being bed-ridden for life. How
ever, he had brought the silver goblet
home with him, and from sheer neces.
sity had to put it into pawn to raise q
little money. OF course he was unable
to redeem it, and the man of three
balls put 1t in his window on sale as a
forfeited pledge. 1t was seen there
and recognized by its owner, who had
found his cellar in terrible confusion
after the fairies visit, and traced back
topoor Sylvester O'Connor.
1t used to be the custom to propi-
tiate the fairies ut christcnings, BY
giving the nurse who carried the child
to church piece of bread, with cheese,
which she handed to the first person
she met. 1t was intended to save tho
infant from wtchcraft or the fairies.
In some places salt is put under the
churn, when butter is being made, to
insure a large produce. Stale water
was thrown on plow to keep it from
the mischievous influences of wicked or
enraged good people" Flowers
growing on hedge, particularly green
or yellow ones. arc regarded as eilica-
cious in keeping of the fairies. The
purple flower of the fox-glove is usual.
ly regarded by Irish children as sup.
plying the caps which the fairies are
reputed to wear.
Tho Irish are fond of cats. They
believe that white animals OF this spe-
cies are usually deaf. To prevent their
straying away and not returning. it is
common enough to butter pussy's feet.
This, and kind treatment, keeps her at
home. it is said. In ireland, il YOU no.
tice man at work. whether in the
field or at his trade, it is considered un-
friendly or "unlncky' to pass by with
out saluting the workman, and audibly
saying: "God bless the work"
1t is regarded as unlucky to 90, on
May morning, into neighbor's house
for fire. so turf was therefore kept
burning ali night at home. Nothing
was considered more unlucky than to
come across rcd-haircd woman I'M
mediatciy after leaving your house in
the morning.
Many years ago no greater insult
could be put upon IN lrshman than to
charge him with having performed
the feminine work OF milking the cows.
That was invariably done by one of the
softer sex, who would sing her melo-
dious Irish tunes, far more melancho-
ly than mirthful, while drawing the
milk from the COW. Ii she stopped, it
was a common practice with the COW
to kick the pail and spill the milk.
Hence an idiomatic saying in which a
person who confers benefit with a
bad grace is compared to the COW. who
having given the milk weakens the
obligation by kicking over tle pail that
holds it.
Many of the superstition, of Ireland
are derived from pagan times and pa
gan Worship; that is, before the middle
OF the fifth century. when Christianity.
introduced by st. Patrick, was gener-
ally adopted by the nation, which then
was powerful, populous and indopend-
ent.-7rOy Dany Times.
A Cannon Filled with Gold.