"IRISH FAIRY" CAUGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 231, 26 September 1908, Page 15

"IRISH FAIRY" CAUGHT.

DWARF, TAKEN FOR "LEPR_C_A.TJN,'PLACED IN A WORKHOUSE. Great excitement has been ca used ln Mullingar, in the West of Ireland, by the report that the supposed "Leprechaun," whlcn. several terrified children stated they had seen at Killough, near Delvin, during the past two months, was captured on Tuesday night, August 1— Two policemen sent out to search for the "fairy" found a curious dwarf In a wood near the town, and brought, the little man to Mullingar workhouse, where he is now an inmate. He eats greedily, but all attempts to interview him have failed, his only reply being a peculiar sound, between a growl and a squeal. The Leprechaun is fondly believed In by the superstitious Irish peasantry as a still existing fairy. He is supposed to be a shoemaker, but never engaged ln the making of more than one shoe, and always dolnghis work ln the neighbourhood of a hidden crock of gold, of which he is the appointed guardian. The tradition is that if you caiptnre the Leprec—auu and keep him — a difficult business, as he Is a very slippery little gentleman — he will conduct you to his guarded pot of gold, and make it yours to regain his liberty. The Leprechaun has been caught several times, but each time he has escaped with a mocking laugh. This time, however, the authorities hay» him safe, bnt they are cynical as to the likelihood of finding any hidden treasure by his Instrumentality. They fear, on the contrary, that he may prove an additional burden on the rates.