Not far from Rathmullen lived, last spring, a family called Hanlon; and in a farm-house, some fields distant, people named Dogherty. Both families had good cows, but the Hanlons were fortunate in possessing a Kerry cow that gave more milk and yellower butter than the others.  
Grace Dogherty, a young girl, who was more admired than loved in the neighbourhood, took much interest in the Kerry cow, and appeared one night at Mrs. Hanlon's door with the modest request—
 
"Will you let me milk your Moiley cow?"
 
"An' why wad you wish to milk wee Moiley, Grace, dear?" inquired Mrs. Hanlon.
 
"Oh, just becase you're sae throng at the present time."
 
"Thank you kindly, Grace, but I'm no too throng to do my ain work. I'll no trouble you to milk."
 
The girl turned away with a discontented air; but the next evening, and the next, found her at the cow-house door with the same request.
 
[Pg 150] At length Mrs. Hanlon, not knowing well how to persist in her refusal, yielded, and permitted Grace to milk the Kerry cow.
 
She soon had reason to regret her want of firmness. Moiley gave no more milk to her owner.
 
When this melancholy state of things lasted for three days, the Hanlons applied to a certain Mark McCarrion, who lived............