Meanwhile, but eight days had to pass before the grain and provender would arrive in abundance from the western lands. Eight such days were an age. Eight days required an immense sum to relieve the exigencies of the dearth, and the poor should either perish in the agonies of hunger, or, denying the holy maxims of the Gospel, vend, for base lucre, their souls, the richest gift from the bounteous hand of the Almighty. And Kathleen hadn't anything, for she had given up her mansion to the unhappy. She passed twelve hours in tears and mourning, rending her sun-tinted hair, and bruising her breast, of the whiteness of the lily; afterwards she stood up, resolute, animated by a vivid sentiment of despair. She went to the traders in souls. "What do you want?" they said. "You buy souls?" "Yes, a few still, in spite of you. Isn't that so, saint, with the eyes of sapphire?" "To-day I am come to offer you a bargain," replied she. "What?" "I have a soul to sell, but it is costly." "What does that signify if it is precious? The soul, like the diamond, is appraised by its transparency." "It is mine." The two emissaries of Satan started. Their claws were clutched under their gloves of leather; their grey eyes sparkled; the soul, pure, spotless, virginal of Kathleen--it was a priceless acquisition! "Beauteous lady, how much do you ask?" "A hundred and fifty thousand pieces of gold." "It's at your service," replied the traders, and they tendered Kathleen a parchment sealed with black, which she signed with a shudder. The sum was counted out to her. As soon as she got home she said to the butler, "Here, distribute this: with this money that I give you the poor can tide over the eight days that remain, and not one of of their souls will be delivered to the demon." Afterwards she shut herself up in her room, and gave orders that none should disturb her. Three days passed; she called nobody, she did not come out. When the door was opened, they found her cold and stiff; she was dead of grief. But the sale of this soul, so adorable in its charity, was declared null by the Lord; for she had saved her fellow-citizens from eternal death. After the eight days had passed, numerous vessels brought into famished Ireland immense provisions in grain. Hunger was no longer possible. As to the traders, they disappeared from their hotel without anyone knowing what became of them. But the fishermen of the Blackwater pretend that they are enchained in a subterranean prison by order of Lucifer, until they shall be able to render up the soul of Kathleen, which escaped from them. [Footnote 61: This was quoted in a London-Irish newspaper. I am unable to find out the original source.] THE THREE WISHES. W. CARLETON. In ancient times there lived a man called Billy Dawson, and he was known to be a great rogue. They say he was descended from the family of the Dawsons, which was the reason, I suppose, of his carrying their name upon him.