J. F. Campbell Collection > Fireside stories of Ireland

HAIRY ROUCHY. 9
golden bells were heard a ringing up the avenue, and into
the big bawn 1 She didn't mind how any one looked but
the youngest prince ; and though he didn't appear very re-
joiced, there was a kind smile on his face, and she was sa-
tisfied.
Well, the next morning, when they were all setting out
to the church, and the bridegroom was mounted on his
horse, and the bride getting into the coach, she asked him
for leave to take the poor travelhug woman in along with
her. " It's a queer request," says he, "but do as you like ;
you must have some reason for it." Well, w^hen all were
dismounting or getting out of their coaches, he went to open
the door for his bride, and the sight almost left his eyes ;
for there sitting foment him was the most beautiful young
woman he ever beheld. She had the same kind innocent
look that belonged to Hairy Eouchy, but she had also the
finest colour in her face, and neck, and hands, and^her hair,
instead of the tangled brake it used to be, was nicely platted
and curled, and was the finest dark brown in the world.
Glad enough she was to see the joy and surprise in his
face, and if they were not the happy bride and bridegroom
I never saw one. When they were talking by themselves,
she told him that an enchantment was laid on her when
she was a child, and she was always to remain the fright
she was, till some one would marry her for the sake of her
disposition. The travelling woman w^as her guardian fairy
in disguise. There were two unhappy marriages and one
happy one in the King of Spain's family, and I'll let every
one here guess which was Avhich.
A LEGEND OF CLEVER WOMEN.
Before Joan was married all her people had a high opinion
of her. When Darby came to woo her, her mother told
him in confidence that she could see the wind, and hear the
_flies_when_they coughed. Well, when they were at dinner
the beer came short, and Joanna went down to the cellar to
draw a gallon-full. She stayed awhile, and then her mother
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