Huntsville gazette., 1889-02-23
AN IRISH LEGEND.
How Patrick Danced in the Moonlight to
the Piping of Elves.

How Patrick Danced in the Moonlight to
the Piping of Elves.
''Well, Patrick, many long year
ago, was coming home from a 6errtas
late in the evening, and walking by the
side of river, opposite the big inch.
near Ballyhefaan ford. He had taken
drop, to be sure; but he was only a
little merry, as you may say, and knew
very we'll what he was doing. The
moon was shining, for it was in the
month of August, and the river was as
smooth and as bright as looking-glass
He heard nothing for long time but
the fall of the water at the mill weir
about mile down the river, and now
and then the crying of the lambs on the
other side of the river. All at once
there was noise of great number of
people laughing as if they break their
hearts, and of a piper playing among
them. 1t came from the inch at the
other side of the ford, and he saw,
through the mist that hung over the
river, a whole crowd of people dancing
on the inch. Patrick was as fond of
dance as he was of glass, and that's
saying enough for him. so he whipped off
his shoes and stockings and away with
him across the ford. After putting on his
shoes and stockings at the other side of
the river he walked over to the crowd
and mixed with them for some time
without being minded. He thought,
sir, that he'd show them better dancing
than any of themselves, for he was
proud of his feet, sir, and good right
he had, for there was not boy in the
same parish could foot double or
treble with him. But pwah! his dane
ing was no more to theirs than mine
would be to the mistress there. They
did not seem as if they had bone in
their bodies, and they kept it up as if
nothing could tire them. Patrick was
shamed within himself, for he thought
he had not his fellow in all the country
round, and was going away, when a
little old man, that was looking at the
company bitterly, as if he did not like
what was going on, came up to him.
Patrick says he. Patrick started, for
he did not think anybody there knew
him. Patrick says he, you're dis
couraged, and no wonder for you.
But you have friend near
you, I'm your friend, and your
fathers friend, and l think
more of your little finger than 1 do of
all that are here, though they think no
ono ic q rood nc tbancaIraa ~ ;,+o
the ring and call for a Tilt. Don't be
afeared. I tell you the best of them
did not do it as well as you shall, if you
will do as I bid you Patrick felt
something within him as if he ought
not to gainsay the old man. He went
into the ring and called the piper to
play the best double he had. And sure
enough, all that the others were able
for was nothing for him! He bounded
like an eel, now here and now there,
as light as a feather, although the peo-
pie could hear the music answered by
his steps, that beat time to every turn
of it, like the left foot of the piper. He
first danced a hornpipe on the ground.
Then they got table, and he danced a
treble on it that drew down shouts from
the whole company At last he called
for trencher, and when they saw him,
all as if he was spinning on it like
top, they did not know what to make of
him. Some praised him for the best
dancer that ever entered a ring; others
hated him because he was better than
themselves; although they had good
right to think themselves better than
him or any other man that ever went
the long journey"
"And what was the cause of his great
success?" inquired Mr.. Martin.
''He could not help it, SIR" replied
Tom Bourke. They that could make
him do more than that made him do it.
Howsomever, when he had done. they
wanted him to dance again, but he was
tired and they could not persuade him.
At last he got angry, and swore a big
oath, saving your presence, that he
would not dance a step more; and the
word was hardly out of his mouth when
he found himself all alone, with moth
ing but a white COW grazing by his
side. Prom Fairy and Folks Tales of
the Irish PeaSantry