Evening star., 1901-12-28

said Condy. cooIly! "'tis meseIf has two
ears
And him from BaTydahin" sighed Bar
Not me-" said Condy, proudly; twas
IL BallymagOoly l let me first yell. There
now"
Well. Darby O'Dea was from Ballyda-
hin. and twas from there he brought the
fairies aCrOst the wather in his cobblers
chest.
He says he did" said Condy provok-
irgly.
fist. Condy McMonegal." cried Barney.
sure be daCent and listen"
i m hstenin'.' said Condy; pass me
Yer baccy.'
Well said Barney, settling himself
'ye know Jimmy, Darby O'Dca's son, right
well Jimmy, ye know. is the LATEST man
this side of the wather, il / do say it.
And for why2 Afther his father died, he
did upthIn but lay around in the shade
and shmoke his pipe. and move when the
sun caught up with him. And for why
ask ye again? Just this: The heart of him
was set on catching a red Laprahaun.
IIsn't for the likes Of ignorant men like ye
T. know what that is. so I'll just tell ye. A
red Leprahaun is a fairy. and just the
meanest, crossest, stingiest fairy ye ever
Condy took big pipeful of his friends
tobacco and threw ii in the mud
There" said he. its easier than an
swering of ye, Barney McIIale."
bdLICy SpulltIGu Out SWdllOWeQ MS
words and puffed himself back into an
even mind.
We'll" said hs. "a red Leprahaun is so
moan that they set EN- to guard all the
fairy gold, knowing theyde never give It
away unless they was forced to, and jim
my he knew just how to force them, and
what did he do but spend all his time look
Ing for one, so that by the turn of his
finger he could be Il rich man"
.'Whew." said Condy.
An bye and bye what did Jimmy do
bur catch one Yes. he did. He had searched
IN the low grass and III high grass On the
hill and off the hill BY water and away
from II, on the roadside and in the forest
for years and years. One day, Just passing
along the hedge by the widow McShane's
garden what does he see but a bit of fiery
red In bush. In he springs. and making a
quick grasp, and what has he in his fin
gers but a red Leprahaun.
last
Well know IT, Jimmy O'Dea,' said the
J-eprahaun. quirming and kicking, and bit
Ing and scratching.
No, ye DON'T: 'tis I know how TO hold
ye.' says Jimmy. and he takes him be the
m!dnle between his thumb and forefinger.
l amt studied about fairies for nothing,
says he.
'Tfs a wise man ye are says the Lep-
TJh2un, and handsome man, with bould
figure says he.
Yes. an a strong man. says Jimmy,
giving him a squeeze to let him know he
And what are ye going to do with me-
now we've got me? says the Leprahaun,
says he.
'' That. says Jimmy, cool as We Ike, IS
Tor ye TO say. Whatll ye give me to let ye
go? says he.
- Is IT a wish ye want?'' asks the Lepra-
haun.
That's providin'.' says Jimmy, says he.
Well, says the Leprahaun, catch me
brother, then. He's there in the BUSH and
he points with his finger.
No. ye DON'T says Jimmy for well he
Knew that II ye take yer eyes off a Lepra-
= haun for even the tiniest bit of a second
proof, says the Leprahaun. and he's no
longer where ye are holding him
No. ye don't. says Jimmy, "tis a trick
know mesel,' says he.
Tfs fine eyes ye have, Jimmy ODea
says the Leprahaun, "tis trouble they make
among the girls" says ne.
That's neither here nor there says
Jimmy.
Where? asks the Leprahaun. looking
around. innocent-Iike.
'Ye old fox" says Jimmy. IN squeeze
the life out of ye.' says he.
Do says the Leprahaun. 'twould Just
be like the big lump o. nothin' ye are, and
lose yer wish says he.
oh, It's wish, then. yer after givin'
me- says Jimmy.
Being as can't help it-yes. says the
Leprahaun
What Is ye wish?' says he
That's for me to decide says Jimmy
Ye've only minute. says the Lepra-
haunt.