The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-09-11
HERO TALES Of IRELAND
As Good as the Arabian
Nights.
Collected n the Original Irish from the LIPS
Of Irish Story Tellsrs.
BY JEREMIAH CURTIN.
o.pyrtoh. 1892. BY Jsrsniah CsriA.
SIXTH TALE.
The Anadan Nor and the Gruagach OF the
Castle Of Gold.

Castle of Gold.
On q time in Erin tho King OF Leinster re-
solved TO mike war on tho King OF Munster.
and sent him u message to be ready for baltic
on . day mentioned. Thcy raised flags for
combat when tho day came and stood face to
face. The forces closed In battle. and we're at
one another then till tho King OF Leinster and
his mon killed all the warriors OF tho King Of
Munster and tho King himself.
Aftor the King Of Munster and all his cham
pions were slain. the King OF Leinster thought
It better to live in Munster than in his own
kingdom. SO he took possession Of Munster
and went to live in the Kings castle.
Tho wife OF the King OF Munster led In haste
10 a forest. a thing easily done. for oil Erin
was under forests in that time. Tho Queen
had o son In the forest. and after q time sho
had no clothes for herself or tho child Hair
came out on them as on wild beasts OF the
Wilderness. Tho child was thriving aud
growing: what Of him did not grow in tho day
grow thrcofold at night. till ut last there was
no knowing what size he was.
Tho Queen was seven years without leav-
ing the place around her hut in the forest.
In the eighth yenr she wont forth from
the forest and saw her husbands castle
and opon Kingdom and began to weep
and lament. There was n great crowd
OF people around tho castle where she horself
had lived in past years. Sho went to see what
wns happening. 1t WINS a summer OF great
want. and tho King was giving out doles OF
meal to people daily. and tho man who was
giving the meal gave her a dole also. He was
greatly surprised when he snw her. and In the
evening lie was telling tho King that he had
never seen such a sight in his life: she was all
covered with hair like a beast OF the forest.
will come again tomorrow" said the
King: then do you inquire what sort is she.
and whore is her place Of abode"
She went next day to the castle: the mar In
charge gavo her meal. After she had gone he
followed her. and when he was coming near
she sat down at the roadside from shame.
Fear me not" said the man. Il wish to
know II you are OF the dcad or the living. and
what sort are YOU"
Il am IL living person. though I may seem
like one from the dead" ,
Where do you live"
Il have no house or home save a small hut
in tho forest. and I have tho look OF a beast
because I eat fruits and leaves Of trees and
grass Of the EARTH"
The man told the King. and the King said:
Tell the woman tomorrow that l will give
her a house OF some kind to live In"
The King gave the strange woman n house.
and she went to live with hor son In 1t. The
son was seven years old at that time. and not
able to walk or speak. although he was larger
than any giant. His mother had called him
Micky. and soon he was known as Micky Nor
Big MickyL
She was there for awhile in the house with
her son. and she taking doles Of food like any
poor person. Ono fine summer day she was
sitting at tho doorstep and she began to weep
and lament.
what is the cause OF your crying ?" asked
the boy, who had never spoken before till that
moment.
Gods help be with u.s." said the mother.
1T is time for you to get speech. Thank God
you are able to talk now"
1T Is never too late. mother"
THAT is right. my child" said she. "it is
better late than never"
"Tell me-. mother. why do you cry In this
way and lament
1T is no use for me to tell you. my child:
three mon have Just gone back to the strand.
and once I was able to give them a good warm
dinner"
well. mother. you must 60 and invite them
to dinner this time"
rwhat have I to give them to cot. my poor
child"
III you have nothing to give them but only
to be talking till morning. you will have to go
and invite them"
When she was ready he said: Mother. be-
fore yon 60 tie my two hands to the beam that
is here in the house above the hearth that l
may not fall in the fire while you are absent"
Before the mother vent out she passed o
rope under his arms. tied him to the CROSS
beam. and put a stool under his feet. He
kicked the stool away. he had TO pull and
drag himself to swing. the fire was catching
his feet. the beam was cracking from his
weight and tho swinging. The shows Of his
legs stretched. he got his footing then and
walked to the door.
Thanks lie to God" said the mother when
she came back. 1T Is curious how your talk
and your walk came to you on the one day"
1T is nearly always the case that It's to-
gether talk and walk como to q child: but,now
It is tlme for US to be providing something for
the friends that arc coming tonight"
He won't away then and asked the man who
brought turf out OF the rocks to the Kings
castle to give him as much as would mako fire
for himself and his mother for tho night.
&c away" said the man: Il will not give
you a sod OF turf. Go to the King and get IN
order: then l will give you turf in plenty"
II wouid not be firing myself going for an
order. but / will have plenty in spite OF YOU"
Micky took away then o great basket OF turf
and no thanks to the man.
"Well. mother" said le. "hore Is turf enough
for you. and make down a good frc."
He went to the mill and said to the miller:
my mothor sent me for -four. There will DO
three at the house tonight. and what will not
be used will bo brought to you In tho morning."
"You stump OF a fool. why should l give you
hour2 Go to my master. the King: II no gives
an ordor I will give You flour in plenty"
Micky caught hold OF the millor. II will put
you," said lie. " in one OF the hoppers OF the
mill unless you make ava with yourself out
OF this"
The miller ran away in dread that Micky
would kill him. Micky laid hold OF u strong.
weighty chain. and tied q great sack OF flour
and put it on his back. Whom the sack was
across his back no could not pass through tho
doorway. and know not what to do.
1T would be a shame for me to say that the
frst load l have ever put on my back should
leave that same after no." lie stepped back
ward some PAGES and made such IA rush that
no carried out the frame OF the door with him
We'll. mother" said he. we have fire and
four enough now. and let you be making
leaves for tho visitors"
.,a -o-k - A.. L. nhar.o - kha