The sun., 1895-05-26
TWO IRISH STORIES.
The Girl and the Robber, and The
Cattle Jobber of Awnascawil.

Ghost world, published sp late, Brorn q co.
There was q farmer in the county Kerry VIII
had deal OF cattle and sheep Ho was a YER
rich man. There were four fairs In the yea
near his land. and one of these was held on 81
Martins day. Nov. o. On that day they used 4
Kill n sheep, heifer. or something to offer st
Martin. That was custom all over Ireland
and is observed yet. When any sickness or all
ment came over an animal suddenly, n piece wa
cut out OF its ear and melted for the sake o
God and st. Martin. IL the beast recovered, 1
was never sold, but killed at home.
The wife of the rich farmer died and left
son and daughter after her., Tho man did no
marry a second time, and the son and daughter
| grew till they were on the edge OF being mar
red. The brother and sister went to tho fair or
ST. Martins day, and while they wero gone the
father never thought once OF killing something
for st. Martin, rs he used to do. and his father
and grand dfathor 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 whom 1he father re.
| membered that no hadn't 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 that ?" asked the son.
| II never thought of bringing any animal to
kill in honor Of St Martin"
| THAT you may be happy" said the son.
| "what misfortune!"
| Never mind!" said the father. I'VE can
| mend It, wish you would go now and bring
wether. Go up to tho yard on the hill and
| bring him down to me-"
II may not come back alive IL CO." said the
son, land. ms you hadn't anything to do all day.
tits yourself ought to think Of st. Martins and
have the sheep ready"
The son wouldn't be said by the ia ther. and
wouldn't go; then the daughter said to the
brother. "Ill go with you fsr the sheep" The
brother swore that ho wouldn't 60 alone nor in
company. AZ he wouldn't 90. the sister thought
to herself. I'll go without him." So she took q
rope to tie the sheep.
In the parlor was nice sword they used when
in need of 1t: the sword was In a scabbard hang
ing from belt. The young womaUput tlie belt
around her waist and went toward the hill She
knew very well where the sheen were. The
place was yard with high stone wall around
It which no dog or wolf could cross Inside at one
end was a little stone house. where herder could
stay. She chose the best wether she could find,
tied the rope on him. and started for home. Just
as she was going great fog fell. and she had no
knowledge Of where she was facing. She was
going astray for lonE 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 wandering and turning; I
can never find the way home; may as we'll
stay where am"
She was sitting good part of the night In the
field. when she thought, II may as we'll let the
wether go his own way and keep the rope in my
hand : he may take me back to the sheep;
they 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 II at home
with the sheep around her. III make my way
home when the fog rises" thought she.
About midnight what should she hear but
men talking. and soon good flock of sheep
came into the yard and three men behind them.
Three brothers, such robbers that they troubled
the whole country and there was a hundred
pounds reward on the head of each one of
them. The robbers were coming from the fair
In disguise, 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 rob-
bers was choosing the best sheep. another was
putting 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 it's here be-
hind 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 Off 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 mindng the
sheep put his head into the hut she served him
in the same way as the first one. took the
head off him. The third and youngest called
to the others. but what use for him, sure
they couldn't answer. He went to the door, and
what did he find but his brother stretched. He
pulled out the body and saw that the head was
and left the two behind. The girl was afraid to
come out. and stayed where she was till clear
sheep for the robbor had Io9na Two ks
brought, him home with her The father was cry. W
evil had come 10 the daughter, so he welcomed
her With gisdness and asked her what kept her
pleased he was to see her safe Himself and the
heads. and. taking the girl with them. went to
where the reward was to be given. The girl re-
father said must stay with her h'' "A''" 'H'
A.. After that the report went all over tho coun-
great deed OF bravery. and all the people. young
and old. were talking OF her. About II year
house one evening but man on horse back, and |
ne. ne dressed =, sec IKE any nobleman. His horse was
whiss Ss hS se d %d
dering what could bring such a fine young man |
70 his honse, asked him who he was and what |
brought HIM.
lis Il , for wife came" saId the young man.
daughter ig not tit wife for the like OF you"
II she pleases me, isn't that enough Z" asked |
the young man. - have riches enough fo- nv |
sell the Two hundred pounds she got for the |
heads OF the robbers is plenty for her want |
no fortune want nothing hut herself"
Before the evening was over the farmer was |
full !, satisfied fee with the man. and the match was
Testlsa. t.ria The ,foi1winx morning they had the
wouldn't stop another night. hut said he must
say So H., that hat he wouldn't stop. she looked
be brother sGs to- aha bsh1nEht t to hgrSe He may
young man mounted his horse and put the wife
behind on pillion. She had put the belt round
heTi 1 and M hid the The sword under her long cloak.
thf man was travelling, but through lonely and
wila places. and he never spoke a word ti1l tho
middle OF the afternoon, when he stopped and
sald, 1sia =, Its toe long I'm waiting, | have tho
more time. Come down from tho horse" 'N
=. What arc you saying I" asked she.
You killed my two brothers in the sheep
yara. said the man. Il have you now and