ut built a
fine castle on a spot near it, where he could always have it under his
eye, to prevent him from getting proud. In the coorse of time, a harper,
hearing the story, composed a tune upon it, which every body knows is
called the 'Little House under the Hill' to this day, beginning with--

'Hi for it, ho for it, hi for it still;
Och, and whoo! your sowl--hi for the little house under the hill!'

"So you see that was the way the great Magennisses first came by their
wealth, and all because Jack was indistrious, and an obadient, dutiful,
and tindher son to his helpless ould mother, and well he deserved
what he got, _ershi misha_ (* Say I.) Your healths, Father Ned--Father
Pether--all kinds of happiness to us; and there's my story."

* * * * *

"Well," said Father Peter, "I think that dog was nothing more or less
than a downright cur, that deserved the lash nine times a day, if it
was only for his want of respect to the clergy; if he had given me such
insolence, I solemnly declare I would have bate the devil out of him
with a hazel cudgel, if I failed to exorcise him with a prayer."

Father Ned looked at the simple and credulous curate with an expression
of humor and astonishment.

"Paddy," said he to the servant, "will you let us know what the night's
doing?"

Paddy looked out. "Why, your Rev'rence, it's a fine night, all out, and
cleared up it is bravely."

At this moment the stranger awoke.

"Sir," said Father Ned, "you missed an amusing story, in consequence of
your somnolency."

"Though I missed the story," replied the stranger, "I was happy enough
to hear your friend's critique upon the dog."

Father Ned seemed embarrassed; the curate, on the contrary, exclaimed
with triumph--"but wasn't I right, sir?"

"Perfectly," said the stranger; "the moral you applied was excellent."

"Good-night, boys," said Father Ned--"good-night, Mr. Longinus
Polysyllabus Alexandrinus!"

"Good-night, boys," said Father Peter, imitating Father Ned, whom he
looked upon as a perfect model of courtesy--"Good-night, boys--good
night, Mr. Longinus Polysyllabus Alexandrinus."

"Good-night," replied the stranger--"good-night, Doctor Edward Deleery;
and good-night, Doctor Peter M'Clatchaghan--good-night."

When the clergymen were gone, the circle about the fire, excepting the
members of Ned's family and the stranger, dispersed to their respective
homes; and thus ended the amusement of that evening.

After they h