The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-04-22
DARBY DOMAIN.
How He Was Made An April Fool.

'.Good luck to you now Darby, and
don't return until you come back
gentleman or fool"
The above salute was uttered by good
natured Darby Donan's mother as she
brushed him off and started him for
Dublin.
Molly Donan, as she was called by
her neighbors, was very proud of her
son Darby, and Darby was a very use
less specimen of humanity; he was
withal very generous and always wish
ing to be great man, yet never would
do anything that would make him great
if we except that he constantly roamed
over the green fields of his native parish.
prayed and wished that he might by
some agency. spiritual or human, reach
the acme of his ambition. which was to
marry great lady.
One day he heard the people talking
of great lord that lived up in Dublin.
who had daughter so handsome that
her like was never seen, and all the fine
young gentlemen were dying about her,
but she would not take any of them.
And he came home to his mother, and
said: 81 shall go see this great lords
daughter. Maybe the luck will be
mine above all those fine young gentle
men that love her." go along, poor
fool" said the mother; show can the
poor stand before the rich?" But he
persisted. IF l die on the road" he
said, "Pll try it, AS he started off to
get the great lady," his mother gave
him the good luck salute noted at the
opening of this story.
He hadn't gone far when he met a
poor man who asked him for trifie for
Gods sake. So he gave him something
out of the trifle of money his mother
gave him, and went on. Again, another
met him, and begged 4 tritie to buy
food for the sake of God, and he gave
him something also, and then went on.
"Give me a trifie for Gods sake"
cried voice, and he saw third poor
man before him.
Il have nothing left," said Darby.
'but few pence. If give them.
shall have nothing for food and must die
of hunger. But come with me, and
whatever / can buy with this L will
share with you"
And as they were going on to the
inn, he told all his story to the beggar
man, and how he wanted to 60 to Dub
lin, but he had now no money. So they
came to the inn, and he called for loaf
and drink of milk. ''Cut the loaf,
he said to the beggar, You are the
Oldest"
Il WON'T" said the other, for he was
ashamed; but Darby made him.
And so the beggar cut the loaf, but
though they ate, it never grew smaller,
and though they drank as they liked OF
the milk, it never grew less.
Now" said the beggar-man, '.you
have three times been good to me to-
day, for thrice l have met you and you
gave me help for the sake of God each
time. See, now can help you also,"
and he gave gold ring to Darby.
wherever you place that ring, and
wish for it, gold will come-bright
gold-so that you can never want while
you have it.'
Then Darby put the ring first in one
pocket and then in another, until all
his pockets were so heavy with gold that
he could scarcely walk; but when he
turned to thank the friendly beggar he
had disappeared.
So, wondering to himself at all his
adventures, he went on until he came at
last in sight of the lords palace which
was beautiful to see. He went and
bought fine clothes, and made himself
as grand as any prince; and then he
went boldly up, and they invited him
in, for they said: ''Surely, he is a kings
son." And when dinner hour came,
the lords daughter linked her arm with
Darby and smiled on him. And he
drank of the rich wine, and was mad
with love: but, at last the wine over
came him, and the servants had to
carry him to his bed; and in going into
the room. he dropped the ring from his
finger, but knew it not.
Now, in the morning, the lord s
daughter came by and cast her eyes
upon the door of the chamber, and there
close by it was the ring she had seen
him wear
"Ah," she said, I'm tease him now
about his ring"
But when DARBY awoke and missed it,
his heart was grieved.
..Now, indeed he said, 'my luck is
gone"
And he inquired of all the servants,
and of the lords daughter; and she
laughed, by which he knew she had it;
but no coaXing would get it from her.
So when all was useless he went away,
and set out again to reach his old home.
And he was very mournful, and threw
himself down on the ferns near an old
fort, waiting till night came on; for he
feared to 90 home in the daylight, lest
the people should laugh at him for his
folly. And about dusk three cats came
out of the fort talking to each other.
"How long our cook is away" said
one.
what could have happened to him?'
said another.
And as they were grumbling fourth
| cat came up.
What delayed you?" they all asked
angrily.
Then he told his story-how he had
met Darby and given him the ring.
"And ! Just went" he said, ''to the
lords palace to see how the young man
behaved; and was leaping over the
dinner-table when the lords knife struck
my tai. and three drops Of blood tsl