possessing the Evil Stroke at once quells the madness in the animal, who
will crouch down trembling with fear, and become as incapable of doing
injury as if suddenly and powerfully mesmerized.
But the power does not come by volition, only at intervals; and the
person possessing it does not himself know the moment when it can be
effectively exercised.
Women, also, have the mysterious gift of this strange occult force, and
one young girl was much dreaded in the country in consequence; for
anything struck by her, beast or man, became instantly paralyzed, as if
turned to stone. One day, at a hurling match, she threw a lump of clay at the
winner in anger, because her own lover had failed to win the prize.
Immediately the young victor fell down stunned and lifeless, and was so
carried his mother. Then they sent in all haste for the young girl to restore
him to consciousness; but she was so frightened at her own evil work that
she went and hid herself. Finding it then impossible to bring her, his friends
sent for the fairy doctor, who, by dint of many charms and much stroking,
at last restored the young man to life. The girl, however, was in such dread
of the curses of the mother, that she fled, and took service in a distant part of
the country. And all the people rejoiced much over her departure from
amongst them.
Yet it was considered lucky in some ways to have a fairy-stricken child
in the house, for the fairies generally did a good turn by the family to
compensate for the evil. And so there was always plenty of butter in the
churn, and the cattle did not sicken wherever there was a stricken child.
It is also lucky to employ a half-simpleton about the farm, and to be kind
to the deaf and dumb, and other afflicted creatures. No one in Ireland
would harm them or turn them out of their way, and they always get. food
and drink for the asking, without any payment being thought of or
accepted.
THE FAIRY DOCTOR
IF a healthy child suddenly droops and withers, that child is fairy-struck,
and a fairy doctor must be at once called in. Young girls also, who fall into
rapid decline, are said to be fairy-struck; for they are wanted in Fairy-land
as brides for some chief or prince, and so they pine away without visible
cause till they die.
The other malign influences that act fatally on life are the Wind and the
Evil Eye. The evil power of the Wind is called a fairy-blast; while, of one
suffering from the Evil Eye, they say he has been "overlooked."