Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-06-07
THE GIRL AND THE ROBBER.

IAN Irish story from jeremiah Curtlns Tales Of
the Fairies and Of the Ghost World, published
10y Little. Brown Co
There was a farmer in the county Kerry
who had a deal OF cattle and sheep He
was very rich man There were four
fairs in the year near his land, and one of
these was held on st. Martins day, No
vember O. On that day they used to kill
a sheep, heiter, or something to offer st.
Martin That was a custom all over Ire
land. and is observed yet When any
sickness or ailment came over an animal
suddenly. piece was cut out Of its ear and
melted for the sake of God and St. Mar
tin. If the beast recovered, 1t was never
sold. but killed at home.
The wife of the rich farmer died and left
a son and a daughter after her. The man
did not marry a second time. and the son
and daughter grew till they were on the
edge of being married The brother and
sister went to the fair on st. Martins day,
and while they were gone the father never
thought once OF killing something for St
Martin, as he used to do, and his father
and grandfather before him.
1t was late in the evening when the son
and daughter came from the fair, and it
wasn't five minutes before they came when
killed anything to honor st. Martin
"a thing has happened this day that
never happened before to myself, my
father. or my grandfather said he to the
son.
"What is ;hat?" asked the SON
81 never thought of bringing any animal
to kill i'll honor OF st. Martin.
That you may be happy" said the son.
tGWhat a misfortune
"Never mind, said the father. eve can
mend it, | wish you would go now and
bring a wether. Go up to the yard on the
hill and bring him down to me.
Il may not come back alive if / 60. 80
said the son, land, as you hadn't anything
to do all day, It's yourself ought to think
of St. Martin and have the sheep ready
The son wouldn't be said by the father,
and wouldn't 60; then the daughter said
to the brother, "Iu 90 with you for the
sheep The brother swore that he
wouldn't 90 alone nor in company As he
wouldn't 90, the sister thought to herself,
"I'll 90 without him" So she took a rope
to tie the sheep.
In the parlor was nice sword they used
when in need of it; the sword was in a
scabbard hanging from belt The young
woman put the belt around her waist and
went toward the hill She knew very well
where the sheep were. The place was a
yard with a high stone wall around it,
which no dog or wolf could cross Inside
at one end was a little stone house, where
a herder could stay. She chose the best
werher she could find, tied the rope on him,
and started for home. Just as she was
going a great fog fell, and she had no
knowledge of where she was facing. She
was going astray for long time. and at
last was very tired without making her
way and sat down well said she TO
herself, there is no use for me to be wan
dering and turning; ! can never find the
way home; may as well stay where l am
She was sitting a good part of the night
in the field, when she thought, Il may as
well let the wether 60 his own way and
keep the rope in my hand; he may take
me back to the sheep; they'll keep me
company for the night Before long
the wether made out the yard again. She
sat down in the yard, and was Just as if at
home with the sheep around her "IN
make my way home when the fog rises, -
thought she.
About midnight what should she hear
but men talking, and soon a good flock OF
sheep came into the yard and three men
behind them. Three brothers, such rob
bers that they troubled the whole country,
and there was hundred pounds reward
on the head of each one of them. The
robbers were coming from the fair in dis
guise, and wanted TO take something with
them on the way. The farmer was known
through the country as a rich man, and
the robbers had walked the way before.
When the girl heard the men coming she
hid in the stone hut at the end of the yard
and waited. One OF the robbers was
choosing the best sheep, another was put
ting them with the new flock, and the third
man stood at the gate of the yard The
man taking the sheep had a good many
chosen when he saw the hut and said
"Maybe tbs here behind the best of the
sheep are He stopped down and put in
his head at the door. The girl had the
naked sword in her two hands. With one
blow she took the head OF the robber and
pulled him into the hut. The other two
called and asked what was keeping him.
When no answer came the man who was
minding the sheep put his head into the
hut; she served him in the same way as
the first one, took the head of him. The
third and youngest called to the others.
but what use Tor him, sure they couldn't
answer. He went TO the door, and what
did he ind but his brother stretched. He
pulled out the body and saw that the head
was gone from it. He made of with him
self then and left the TWO behind The
girl was afraid to come out and stayed
where she was till clear day. She came
out then and found two tocks of sheep,
for the rObber had run away with his life.
She found the wether the rope was on and
brought him home with her The father
was crying and lamenting all night He
was sure some evil had come to the daugh-
ter, SO he welcomed her with gladness and
asked her what kept her all night She
told him how she had the two robbers
killed and the yard full of sheep. It's well
pleased he was TO see her safe, Himself
and the son went then to the sheep yard.
drew out the heads, and, taking the girl
with them, went TO where the reward was
to be given. The girl received the two
hundred pounds which the father said
must stay with her
After that the report went all over the
country that the young woman had done
such "a great deed OF bravery, and all the
people young and old, were talking OF her.
About a year later, who should come the
way 10 the farmers house one evening but
a man on horseback, and he dressed like
any nobleman. His horse was put in the
stable, where he got good food and care.