The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1898-12-30
THE PETRIFIED LEGS

In cabin on the shores of Lough Neagh,
in Ireland, lived Michael 0'Doherty, his
wife Norah. and his son Brian. Their living
was a scanty one. 1t came from the sale of
the fish that they caught in the blue waters
of the storied lake.
For many years Michael's little boat, laden
with fish, had passed to and fro on the waves
beneath which CLEAN the spires aud roofs of
the long-submerged city of Eacha AS
Michael gazed into the depths, he often I'M
agined that he could discern the streets and
houses, fathoms and fathoms below, and he
wished that he could go down and secure
some of the treasures that tradition says
have been buried there for ages.
Anyone who doubts that the town of
Eacha reposes beneath the surface OF Tough
Neagh should consult the guide books. His
doubts will be dispeled when he reads the
narrative which relates how, in the reign
Of King Lughaidh Riabhdeargh, a well,
which had been blessed by one of the early
saints, existed in the valley now occupied
by the waters of Lough Neagh. This well
possessed extraordinary healing powers,
which were to exist SO long as visitors, when
leaving, carefully closed the door by which
it was protected. Among those who tried
the holy waters of the well was lady who,
overjoyed because of the benefit she had re-
ceived, rushed off, forgetting to close the
door, The angry waters burst forth in
flood, drowned the lady, covered the town Of
Eacha, and filled the whole valley, forming
the lake as it now exists.
L anyone remains skeptical after perusing
The foregoing, he should read Moore's we'll
known poem beginning:
On Lough Neagh's banks as the fisherman
strays.
When the calm clear ewes declining,
He sees the round towers of other days
In the waves beneath him shining.
Michael had never read these lines. In
truth, Michael had never read anything.
His knowledge of books was limited, and it
is questionable if he would have known the
difference between a set Of the Encyclopedia
and volume of smoke; but he believed in
the existence of the city under the lake as
much as he believed in his own existence.
Had he not heard stories Of it ever since he
was child? and did not his father know a
man who knew man who knew a man who
told him that he had been down and had
walked through the streets OF Eacha, but
was scared away by fiery dragon before he
could seize any of the treasures?
1t was hard indeed for Michael to bear the
thought chat only short distance beneath
him fresh herrings were chasing each other
through the corridors of the deserted
houses; that mayhap mermaids and mermen
were carousing among the wine butts in the
cellars; that crabs and Holsters were prowl-
ing through the larders and dining on fossil
cheese and solid mince pie; and that Shiny
creatures were crawling over treasures of
gold and silver that, if possessed by him,
would make him the richest man in the
province of Ulster.
Michael had been told by gypsy woman
that he would never be drowned, and that
he would accumulate good deal of money
before he died. He knew that he could never
accumulate any while he remained fisher
man.
Allured by the hope Of speedily acquiring
wealth, he determined to go to the bottom
of the lake, explore the houses OF the sub
aqueous city and loot them Of their treas.
ures. lie borrowed sufficient money to pur-
chase an old-fashioned diving bell, and one
day began operations. Unfortunately, as
the sequel will show, he selected part of
the lake where the well-known pctriiEirs