GHOSTS AND FAIRIES. 189 



their powers upon children and cattle. Indeed, the sinister 

 influence of the " faery race" appears to fall almost exclusively 

 upon the brute creation in Ballycroy ; and through it many an 

 unhappy cow comes to an untimely end, and if she escape loss 

 of life, she suffers what is nearly as bad, loss of butter.* For 

 the first calamity, Antony ackntf pledges there is no cure ; but 



* While staying at a gentleman's house, I heard, when passing the 

 poiter's lodge, that the gate-keeper's cow was ill. As she was a fine 

 animal, the loss would have heen a serious one to the family, and hence I 

 became interested in her recovery. For several days, however, the report 

 to my inquiry was more unfavourable, and at last the case was considered 

 hopeless. 



The following morning, as I rode past, I found the family in deep 

 distress. The cow, they said, could not live many hours ; and the gate- 

 keeper had gone off to fetch " the charmer," who lived some ten miles 

 distance. I really sympathised with the good woman. The loss of eight 

 or nine guineas to one in humble life is a serious calamity ; and from the 

 appearance of the cow I concluded, though not particularly skilful, that 

 the animal would not survive. 



That evening I strolled out after dinner. It was sweet moonlight, and 

 I bent my steps to the gate-house to inquire if the cow still lived. 



The family was in great tribulation. " The charmer had arrived had 

 seen the cow had prepared herbs and nostrums, and was performing 

 some solitary ceremony at an adjacent spring- well, from which he had 

 excluded every member of the family in assisting." I was most curious 

 to observe the incantation, but was dissuaded by the gate-keeper, who 

 implored me " to give the conjuror fair play." 



In five minntes the charmer joined us he said the case was a bad one, 

 but that he thought he could bring round the cow. He then administered 

 the "unhallowed potion," and I left the lodge, expecting to hear next 

 morning that the animal was defunct. 



Next day, " the bulletin was favourable ;" and " the charmer" was in 

 the act of receiving his reward I looked at him : he was as squalid and 

 heart-broken a wretch in appearance as ever trod the earth. The cow 

 still seemed weak, but " the charmer" spoke confidently of her recovery. 

 When he left the lodge and turned his steps homewards, I pulled up my 

 horse and waited for bim. He would rather have avoided an interview, 

 but could not. " Well, fellow, you have humbugged that poor family, and 

 persuaded them that the cow will recover?" * I have told them truth," 

 said the charmer, coldly. " And will your prophecy prove true ?" I 

 asked, in a tone of scornful incredulity. " It will," said he ; " but, God 

 help me ! this night I'll pay dearly for it !" I looked at him his face 

 was agonized and terror-stricken ; he crossed the fence, and disappeared. 



W f hen I passed the gate-house on my return, the cow was evidently- 

 convalescent ; and in a few days she was perfectly well. 



I leave the solution of the mystery to the learned ; for in such matters, 

 as they say in Connaught Neil an skeil a gau maun. 



