The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-03
DROLLERIES OF DONEGAL.
the BLACK BULL OF THE CASTLE OF BLOOD.
Ky sEuMAs MACmANUs.
Copyrighted byn. s. $. Mcclure co.. 1929.

people were scarcer and enchan tments moro
plentiful. there was a Queen who had three
beautiful daughters who were renowned far
and wide for their handsome looks and gentle
ways. and were courted by kings and princes.
and many others OF high degree. but hadn't
yet been won by any. ono day great
prince. whom no ono knew, and who had
never been seen in that country before. came.
like the others. looking for the hand OF one
OF these beautiful ladies'. But the Queen
approved Of him. in case he was able to succeed
in winning the willing hand OF either of her
daughters. and though he tried his very best
he couldn't win either OF them for they hadn t
yet seen enough Of him and didn't know
enough about him to consent. either of them.
to be his for life. Then. he was too proud and
naughty to spend time in his counting. like the
other great gentlemen who endeavored to win
them. and when he couldn't have his desire
granted at once he would not delay. but went
awayfrom the Queens court in great wrath.
saying angrily that the next time he came for
them they would come with him without the
asking.
1t wasn't long after he won't away. when one
morning. the Queen and her three daughters.
sitting by window. chatting. and looking out
on the lovely grounds. saw n great black bull
tramping among and roofing up their flower
beds. They were greatly annoyed at this. and
the eldest daughter jumped up and ran out.
selling n bit of stick by the way to drive the
bull from the garden. but when she reached
the bull and struck him with tho stick. the
stick stuck to the bull. and her hand stuck to
the stick. SO that she couldn't let IT 60. Then
the bull started away. dragging her after him
and over high hills. and low hills. great
mountains. and green plains he ran. with the
lady still drawn after him. very soon
disappearing from view of the Queen $
castle. and for three days and three
nights he never stopped running so. till
he reached another great castle, paint
ed all over with blood. Here the bull changed
into the shape OF man. and the frightened
young princess saw that he was no other than
the naughty prince they had a short time be-
fore rejected.
Now lady" said he. ut was my last warn
ing. when leaving your castle. that the next
time would visit you. you would come with
me without being asked. You see. my word
was good, whether you will or no. now make
you mistress Of my castle. II you obey mo you
shall want for nothing, and shall be happier
than oven i'll your mothers. But if You ever
dare to disobcy me. your fate will be that OF
many unfortunate ones who went before you,
and whose blood has painted my castle the
color you see it,"
The princess resigned herself to her fate
and made herself as comfortable as sho
could that nj light, and in the morning tho prince
came to her with great bunch OF keys. which
he gave into her possession. saying:
Now. since you are to be mistress OF my
castle. give you charge Of all the keys of il.
/ go away to remain away for IA day. and you
can pass your time pleasantly going through
the castle and seeing all tho beautiful rooms it
contains. Only thiS-therc." said he POINTING
out key. lis one key, and do not use it. nor
enter the room it opens. II you dare o do so.
you will surely suffer for your idle curiosity"
Then he went away and the princess at her
leisure went through the rooms OF tho castle
one after another. admlring their beauty and
gorgeousness. until she had seen a but the
forbidden room. And when she came TO it sho
looked long at the door. and,
We'll now" she said. Il wonder what can no
in that room. or why he has forbidden me to
enter il. | should very much wish 10 see it ::
and why mightn't Just turn the key and peep
in? Who shall know"
SO she put the key in the door and turned it.
and seeing the floor covered with some red
matter she put her foot in it and found it was
blood Then she was Mortified on looking
round the walls to that it was hung all
round with the bodies Of beautiful
ladies'. whom she then fnew the prince
must have murdered. Then shelGuickly closed
the room again. and locked it, She then
went to wash tho blood from hor foot. but
found that no matter how much she tried.
though she rubbed it and scrubbed It in n
running stream by the castle. that she could
not get even the smallest drop of the blood to
wash out But she thought she could easily
conceal it from her lord. and went about her
business unconcerned. In the evening she
took bread and a basin Of milk into the garden
to have supper under the trees. AS she drank
IN w liz n Al II n IN thot
fell from the bowl. but the princess struck the
cat with her foot.
M!now! Miaow!" said the cat Z" II you lot
me drink up only what milk you let drop. l
will lick half the blood off your foot
Get OUT said she. kicking the cat again.
How would you lick it Off when wasn't able
to wash it Off myself?'
Then q robin redbreast came hopping up.
picking the crumbs she let fall. and she threw
a stick at the robin.
"Toowhit! Toowhitl" said the robin: IF
you let me pick up what crumbs you let fall.
I'll tell how to take away one half the blood on
your foot
Get out!' said she. throwing another stick
at the robin When l couldn't wash it off my
self, how could you tell me-"
Next day the prince returned and asked for
the keys. She gave them to him.
Il hope" he said. you did not disobey me
and open the room forbade YOU"
No" she said. Il did not"
Show me your feet" said he.
She tried to hide the foot that was covered
with blood. but it was no use. for the prince
insisted on seeing it. And when he saw the
blood upon 1t he had her instantly killed and
hung up in the secret room.
At tho Queens castle there was great grief
and great trouble at the loss OF the princess
and on morning about week after she had
been carried of the Queen and her two daugh-
tiers sat by the window talking Of their great
loss, when once more the black bull appeared
in the garden roofing up the beautiful flowers
and destroying all before him. The elder Of
the two daughters said she would go out
and drive him away. Her mother tried to
persuade her not, but she insisted. and catch
ing UP u rake on her way-in order to stand
further from him than her sister did-she went
into the garden and struck the bull with it.
But the rake stuck to the bull and her hand
stuck to tho rake. and OF the bull started over
high hills, low hills. gray mountains and green
plains. running without once stopping for three
days and three nights till she at length saw q