J. F. Campbell Collection > Fireside stories of Ireland

38 THE FIRESIDE STORIES OF IREL AND. ^^
.•- xv'-Mj JACK THE CUNNING THIEF.
^ ^^ There was a poor farmer who had three sons, and on the
^^^ same day the three boj'S went to seek their fortune. The
eldest two were sensible, industrious }' oung men.; the young-
est never did much at home that was any use. He loved
to he setting snares for rabbits, and tracing hares in the
snow, and inventing all sorts of funny tricks to annoy people
at first and then set them laughing.
The three parted at a cross-roads, and Jack took the
lonesomest. The day turned out rainy, and he was wet and
weary, you may depend, at nightfall, when he came to a
lonesome house a little off the road. " AYhat do you wantf
says a blear-eyed old woman, that was sitting at the fire.
" ^]5~supper and a bed to be sure," said he, " You can't
get it," said she. "What's to hinder me V said he. "The
owners of the house is," said she, " six honest men that
does be out mostly till three or four o'clock in the morning,
and if they find you here they'll skin you alive at the very
least." " Well, I think," said Jack, " that their very most
couldn't be much worse. Come, give me something out of
the cupboard, for here I'll stay. Skinning is not much
worse than catching your death of cold in a ditch or under
a tree such a night as this."
Begonies she got afraid, and gave him a good supper, and
when he was going to bed he said if she let any of the six
honest men disturb him when they came home she'd sup
sorrow for it. When he woke in the morning, there were
six ugly-looking spalpeens standing round his bed. He
leaned on his elbow, and looked at them with great con-
tempt. " Who are you," said the chief, " and what's your
business ? " " My name," says he, " is An Ceann Ghoduidhe
(pr. Caun Goclhy, Master Thief), and my business just now
is to find apprentices and workmen. If I find yous any good,
maybe I'll give you a few lessons." Bedad they were a
little cowed, and says the head man, " Well, get up, and
after breakfast, we'll see who is to be the master, and who
the journeyman."
They were just done breakfast, when what should they
see but a farmer driving a fine large goat to market. " Will