Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-06

two feet, just to do that same-all for
the sake of poor Phin."
"And who Is Phin?"
He is my brother, Shiny own
brother and he has gone and listed
and it's breaking my mothers heart.
Yer honor, If he goes away for SOL
der, she will die and it's all alone in
the world I'll be- With that, her
little red lips began to culver, and the
tears to fall from her soft brown eyes.
But what good will it do Phin, for
you to kiss the Barney Stone?' asked
one Of the ladies'.
whist" said the child, speaking
low, as though afraid of being over
heard by some one unfriendly to Phin,
Its just little plot OF my own. l.
was told that the new lord lieutenant
was coming to Cork, and I knew he
could let poor Phin off from being
soldier. had often heard how this
same Blarney Stone would give people
a moving discourse; and sure, I
thought I'd need to kiss it, before
could stand up and tell my story to u
great lord. That is all. yer ladyship."
"Oh, little grill" cried Fanny. joy
fully, you need not kiss the old stone
for that, for my papa is Here the
little girl caught warning look from
her father, and paused suddenly.
What is your name?' asked Lord
Clare.
"Norah Mccarthy, yer honor
"Ah, quite a pretty name. And to
obtain your brothers discharge you
have come to Blarney Castle, my poor
child?' said Lord Clare, laying his
hand gently on the little girls head.
Yes, and will yer honor kindly point
out the stone to me? for I must go
back to Cork this day"
Lord Clare took her by the hand,
and pointed down to the stone, in the
outside wall.
grief, how can l reach it there? and
where am I to get the heart to speak
up to the lord lieutenant for poor
Phin?"
Just then, an idea Of testing the
courage and devotion Of the child oc-
Cured to Lord Glare. Unwinding
from his waist long, silk, military
sash. he said, IF you let me tie this
around you under your arms. and let
you down by it, you can kiss the Blar-
ney Stone, and l will draw you up
again. Are you brave enough to ven
ture
At first Norah grew dizzy and
shrank back. Then she looked up into
the calm, kind eyes Of Lord Glare. and
said she would go. AS he tied the
sash firmly about her. she said.-- If
yer honor finds me heavy, you'll not let
ME fall. for sure you have colleen
(girl) of your own"
She put up a little prayer when she
went over the wall, which doubt not
was lovingly listened to by him who
blessed little children. Safely she
was lowered to the stone. and eagerly
she pressed against it her soft lips
Then she called out, 1--WE done it, yer
honor; now pull me up. if you please
AS Lord Glare lifted her up over the
parapet, Fanny flung her arms about
her and kissed her. calling her "the
best and bravest girl in the world
The ladies and gentlemen of the
party all gave her presents Of money,
but .,orah seemed in hurry to get
away.
Where are you going?" asked one.
Back to Cork. sure, to find the lord
lieutenant, while the feel OF the Blar
ney Stone is on my lips"
But how will YOU get to speak to
him?"
"Ah, then. I cannot tell; but the
saints will help me, maybe
II will tell you what to do said
Lord Clare. Come to the Royal hotel
where he lodges, just after the review,
today"
but hadn't | better wait till after
his lordship has dined?' asked Norah.
"for I have heard that gentlemen are
better natured after dinner"
"Ah, you are a. shrewd child" said
Lord Clare, laughing, but you forget
that you have kissed the Barney Stone
lieutenant. Come at the time I set"
"And keep up good courage whis-
pered Fanny. "You can't expect any
help from the fairies. for there are no
such little folks nowadays; but there
are the angels. you .lnow-and my
papa. he is almost as good as a
fairy"
At the hour appointed the lord lieu
tenant was standing in his parlOr with
group of officers and ladies in full
dress about him. Norah was dazzled
by the sight Of SO much splendid dress.
nd went forward with timid steps to
the lord lieutenant.
She stood before him. her eyes cast
down, and painful blush overspread-
ing her artless face. Then in a tremb-
ling voice she began well yer honor
phase to let our poor Phin go? Sure
with all these fine soldiers, you'll
never miss him, and then'-here she
stammered and broke down.
Covering her face with her hands,
she cried out bad luck to the Blar-
ney Stone! There's no good in it at
all, at all--sorra word more will it
give me to spake.'
Lord Glare laughed at this-and
Norah dropped her hands and looked
up full in his face, for the first time.
In a" instant, her eyes flashed joy
fully. she clapped her hands and
cried. blessed Saint Patrick, it is
himself
The next moment Fanny was at her
side vhisperine iovful1y. Didn't | tell