On our return home I could see the young persons of both sexes flying out to the little eminence I spoke of, looking eagerly towards the point we travelled from, and immediately scampering in again, clapping their hands, and shouting with delight. Instantly the whole village was out, young and old, standing for a moment to satisfy themselves that the intelligence was correct; after which, about a dozen of the youngsters sprang forward, with the speed of so many antelopes, to meet us, whilst the elders returned with a soberer but not less satisfied manner into the houses. Then commenced the usual battle, as to who should be honoured by permission to carry the fiddle-case. Oh! that fiddle-case! For seven long years it was an honour exclusively allowed to myself, whenever Mickey attended a dance any where at all near us; and never was the Lord Chancellor’s mace--to which, by the way, with great respect for his lordship, it bore a considerable resemblance--carried with a prouder heart or a more exulting eye. But so it is-- “These little things are great to _little_ men.” “Blood alive. Mickey, you’re welcome!” “How is every bone of you, Mickey? Bedad we gev you up.” “No, we didn’t give you up, Mickey; never heed him; sure we knew very well you’d not desart the Towny boys--whoo!--Fol de rol lol.” “Ah, Mickey, won’t you sing ‘There was a wee devil come over the wall?’” “To be sure he will, but wait till he comes home and gets his dinner first. Is’t off an empty stomach you’d have him to sing?” “Mickey, give me the fiddle-case, won’t you, Mickey?” “No, to _me_, Mickey.” “Never heed them, Mickey: you promised it to me at the dance in Carntaul.” “Aisy, boys, aisy. The truth is, none of yez can get the fiddle-case. Shibby, my fiddle, hasn’t been well for the last day or two, and can’t bear to be carried by any one barrin’ myself.” “Blood alive! sick is it, Mickey?--an’ what ails her?” “Why, some o’ the doctors says there’s a frog in her, an’ others that she has the cholic; but I’m goin’ to give her a dose of balgriffauns when I get up to the house above. Ould Harry Connolly says she’s with fiddle; an’ if that’s true, boys, maybe some o’ yez won’t be in luck. I’ll be able to spare a young fiddle or two among yez.” Many a tiny hand was clapped, and many an eye was lit up with the hope of getting a young fiddle; for gospel itself was never looked upon to be more true than this assertion of Mickey’s. And no wonder. The fact is, he used to amuse himself by making small fiddles of deal and horse-hair, which he carried about with him as presents for such youngsters as he took a fancy to. This he made a serious business of, and carried it on with an importance becoming the intimation just given. Indeed, I remember the time when I watched one of them, which I was so happy as to receive from him, day and night, with the hope of being able to report that it was growing larger; for my firm belief was, that in due time it would reach the usual size.