Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31
AN IRISH LEGEND.
How Patrick Danced in the Moonlight to the
Piping of the Elves.

Piping of the Elves
Patrick, many long year ago, was
coming home from berri1a late in the
evening, and walking by the side of a
river, opposite the big inch, near Bally-
hefaan ford. He had taken drop to be
sure: but he was only 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 bright as a look
ingglass. He heard nothing for long
time but the falling of the water at the
mill weir about mile down the river,
and the crying of the lambs on the other
side of the river. All at once there was
d noise of a great number of people
laughing as if they'd break their hearts,
and of 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 irch. Patrick
was as fond of dance as he was of a
glass, and that's saying enough for him;
so he whipped of his shoes and stockings
and away with him across the ford. After
putting on his shoes and stockings on the
outer edge of the river he walked over to
the crowd and mixed in with them fC 7
some time without being minded. He
thought, sir, he'd show them better dawn
ing than any of themselves, for he asst
proud of his feet, sir, and good ri gh
he had, for there was not boy inthec
parish could foot double or treble with
him. But phaw! his dancing 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 though nothing oolld tire
| them. Patrick was shamed within him
self, for he thought he had not his fellow
in all the country round, and was going
away when little old man that was look
ing at the company bitterly, as if he did
not like what was going on, came up to
him. "Patrick, you're discouraged and
no wonder for you. But you have a
friend near you. I'm your friend and
your fathers friend, and l thihk more of
your little finger than I do of all that are
here, though they think no one is as good
| as themselves. Go into the ring and call
for tilt. Don't be afeared. I tell you
the best of them did not do it as well as
you will, if you will do az l bid you"
Patrick felt something within him as if
he ought not to gainsay the old man. He
went into the ring and called on the
piper to play the best double he had.
And sure enough, all that the others were
able for was nothing for him. He bound
| ed like an eel, now here and now th ere,
as light as feather, although the peo-
| pla 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 treble
that drew down shouts from the whole
company. At last he called for q tren-
cher; 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 ring; others hated him
because he was better than themselves;
although they had good right to think
| themselves better than him or any 9th or
man that ever went the long journey.
And what was the cause of his great
SUGGEST
| He could not help it sir, they that
could make him do more than that, made
him do it. 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 big oath
| saving your presence, that he would not
dance q step more, and the word was
hardly out of his mouth when ne found
himself all alone with nothing but a
white cow grazing by his side.
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