The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-04
HERO TALES OF IRELAND
As Good as the Arabian
Nights.
Collected In tho Original Irish from the Lips
Of Irish Story TelIers.


This woman lived at Dun Quin. and whom she
came to that place the first time with her hus-
band Loar sho was worry poor. People think
that 1t was by tho water she came to Dun
Quin. Whatever rond she came. all she had
came by the sea and went tho same way.
She and her husband built small house,
and thoir property was Increasing uttlo by
little. After while she had three sons and
these grew to he very fine boys and then
strong young men.
Tho two elder sons set out to try their fo.-
tunes; thoy got vessel. sailed away on the
sea. and never stopped nor halted till they
came to tho Kingdom OF tho White Strand. In
the Eastern world. There they stayed for seven
years. goaling and sporting with the people.
Tho King Of that country wished to keep
them forever. because they were strong men
and had risen to be great champions.
Tho youngest son remained at homo all the
time. growing to be as good man as his
brother. One day he went out to look at a
large field of wheat which his mother had. and
found it much injured
VOL. mother" said no when he cama In,
all our field Is destroyed by something. I
don't know for tho world what 1t IT, Some
thing comes in. trampics and eats the grain"
Watch the field. tonight. my son. and SEQ
what Is devourng ell our grain"
well. mother. boil something for ne to cat
to give me strength and good luck for the
night"
Nor baked II loaf and boiled some meat for her
son. and told him to watch well till the hour
Of night. when perhaps the cattle would be
before him.
He was watching and looking there till NIL
At once. IL little after midnight. no saw the
field full Of cattle OF different colors. beauti-
full colors. blue and red and white. lie was
looking at thcm for long time they were so
beautiful The young man wanted to drive
tho beasts homo with him to show his mother
the cattle that were spelling the grain. He
had them out Of the field on the road when
. hcrder stood before him. and said:
Leave tho cattle behind YOU"
twill not" said Mor's son. II will drive
them homo to my mother"
Il will not lot Thorn with you." said the
herder.
"Tl carry them In spite Of you." replied
Mor's son.
had tho herder: tho two faced each other and
began to fight. The horder was too strong for
Mors son. and no drove OF the cattle into the
sea.
'Oh." said the herder 8 he was going. your
mother did not boil your meat or bake your
loaf rightly last night: she gave too much fire
to the loaf and tho meat. took the strength out
OF them. You might do something il your
mother knew how to cook"
When Mor's son wont homo his mother
asked:
did you SEQ any cattle. my SOM"
Il did. mother. tho He!d was full o! them.
and whom was bringing the herd home with
me to show you a man stood there on the road
TO take the beasts from mo; we fought. and
whom he beat me and was driving the cattle
into the sea. what did he say but that you
boiled the meat and baked tho loaf too much
last night Tonight when you boil my meat
do not give 1t half tho fire: leave all the
strength In the meat and the loaf"
Il will" said the mother.
When night came the dinner was ready. Tho
young man ate twice as much OF the meat and
tho loaf as the evening before. About the
Same hour. just after midnight. no went to the
deld. for no knew now what time tho cattle
would be In 1t. The field was full OF the Same
cattle of beautiful colors.
Mor's son drove the beasts out and was 60
ing to drive Thorn homo when the herder. who
WAS not visible hitherto. came before him and
said:
~ will not lot tho cattle with YOU"
will take them in spite OF you." replied
Gors son.
The two began to fight. and Mor's son was
stronger this time.
Why do you not keep your cattle out OF my
Vheat2" asked he Of the herder.
Because know very well that you are not
able to take them with YOU"
IL am not able to take the cattle you may
have them and tho wheat as WE'LL" said Mor's
son.
Tho herder was driving the cattle one way
and Mors son was driving them the opposite
way. and after they had done that for while
they faced each other other and began to fight
again.
Mors son was doubly angry at the herder
Ibis night for the short answers that he gave.
They fought two hours: then the herder got
the upper hand. Mor's son was sorry. and the
herdsr Is he drove tho cattle to the sea called
out:
"Your mother gave too much fire to the
meat and the loaf still you arc stronger to-
night than you were last night"
4ors son went home.
well my son." asked the mother. shave
you any news Of the cattle and tho herder2"
II have seen them. mother"
sAnd what did the hsrder do2"
Hs was too strong for mo second time
and drove the cattle into the sea-"
What are We to do now?" asked the M other.
III he Keeps on In this way we'll soon be poor
and must leave the country altogether"
Tho herder said. as he drove the cattle
Away' Your mother gave too much fire to
- meat and the loaf. still you are stronger
ko.nlght than you were last night VOL.
mother. II you gave too much fire to my dinner
last night give but little tonight, and will
leave my life outside or have the cattle homo
With me this time. II do not beat him he
may have the wheat IS vol as the cattle after
lo-night"
Nor prepared tho dinner. and this time she
barely lot the water on tho meat begin to
bubble. and to the bread she gave but ono
roast
He sts and drank twice as much as the day
before. The dinner gave him such strength |
hat hs said,
"Pu bring tho cattle tonight"
10 went to the field and soon after midnight |
, was full Of cattle OF tho same beautiful col. |
lrs' the grain was spoiled altoge lie
arove the cattle to the road and thought he
aed them He got NO sight OF the herder
~ every beast WAS outside the field and he
ready 10 drive them home to his mother, Then