Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/34

26 did not go, however, without a guerdon. No woman in the same case as the fairy lady should die under her hands, or under the hands of such of her descendants as followed the obstetric profession. To the present day the skill remains in the race, as told me by one who is sprung from it.

Compare with this the story of “Egebergkongen,” as given in “Norske Huldre-Eventyr-og Folkesagn,” pp. 11-14, by P. Chr. Asbyornsen, Chistiania, 1870, and “Melusine,” cc. 85-87.

Fern Seed.—Fern seed ripens at midnight on Christmas Eve, and falls immediately to the ground. If one is fortunate enough to catch it as it is falling, he gets whatever he may set his wishes upon. In the journey to gather it, not a word must be uttered to any one that may be met.

A man set out to a ferny spot one Christmas eve. He had not gone far before a dog chasing a hare came along the path. A short time after he met on horseback, as he thought, a man. He was asked if he had met a dog hunting a hare. True to his resolution, he made no answer, and held on his way. So did the “man” on horseback, with the remark that his not getting an answer was of no moment, as he would soon overtake them. By-and-bye the fern seed seeker met, riding on a cripple cow, a man in appearance, but in truth “the boodie,” i.e. the devil. He was questioned if he had met a man on horseback riding after a dog chasing a hare. Still no answer. “No matter,” said the boodie, “I’ll soon overtake them.” “Ye idiot,” said the man, taken aback by the folly of the remark, “Y’ill never get up with them.” The words were hardly over his lips, when a blast of wind burst forth and scattered the fern seed.

Told by an old couple in the parish of Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire. See Napier’s Folk-Lore of West of Scotland, p. 128, and Choice Notes, pp. 64, 65.

Hallow-Fires.—After the Hallow-fires were consumed, and those that had been engaged in the ceremony had dispersed, some were in the habit of gathering together the ashes, and covering them up—“ristin the halla-fire,”—and placing in the ashes a small stone to represent each member of the household. Next morning the ashes