otte in her girlhood heard
something of her father's native land. It is called--

AN ADVENTURE IN IRELAND

During my travels in the south of Ireland the following adventure
happened to me. One evening in the month of August, after a long
walk, I was ascending the mountain which overlooks the village of
Cahill, when I suddenly came in sight of a fine old castle. It was
built upon a rock, and behind it was a large wood and before it was a
river. Over the river there was a bridge, which formed the approach
to the castle. When I arrived at the bridge I stood still awhile to
enjoy the prospect around me: far below was the wide sheet of still
water in which the reflection of the pale moon was not disturbed by
the smallest wave; in the valley was the cluster of cabins which is
known by the appellation of Cahin, and beyond these were the
mountains of Killala. Over all, the grey robe of twilight was now
stealing with silent and scarcely perceptible advances. No sound
except the hum of the distant village and the sweet song of the
nightingale in the wood behind me broke upon the stillness of the
scene. While I was contemplating this beautiful prospect, a
gentleman, whom I had not before observed, accosted me with 'Good
evening, sir; are you a stranger in these parts?' I replied that I
was. He then asked me where I was going to stop for the night; I
answered that I intended to sleep somewhere in the village. 'I am
afraid you will find very bad accommodation there,' said the
gentleman; 'but if you will take up your quarters with me at the
castle, you are welcome.' I thanked him for his kind offer, and
accepted it.

When we arrived at the castle I was shown into a large parlour, in
which was an old lady sitting in an arm-chair by the fireside,
knitting. On the rug lay a very pretty tortoise-shell cat. As soon
as mentioned, the old lady rose; and when Mr. O'Callaghan (for that,
I learned, was his name) told her who I was, she said in the most
cordial tone that I was welcome, and asked me to sit down. In the
course of conversation I learned that she was Mr. O'Callaghan's
mother, and that his father had been dead about a year. We had sat
about an hour, when supper was announced, and after supper Mr.
O'Callaghan asked me if I should like to retire for the nig