School: Ballinamore (B.) (roll number 2820)

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   “Once upon a time there lived a man named Tom Connor. He was an hard working industrious farmer with a wife and six children.”

   

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   the Sergeant thought he had a drop taken, but after a while he believed him, and he sent him to tell the yarn to the J. P. of the district.
   On hearing the story the old J. P. laughed, told Tom go home, put the cat in a bag and throw her in a bog-hole, but poor Tom was shaking in dread of the cat and he told the J. P. that if he didn't bring home the boots that very night that his children wouldn't have an eye left in their heads in the morning. Anyhow, the J. P. persuaded Tom to return home and explain to the cat that he would have to take her in specially to have the boots fitted, that he would have his horses and hounds at the crossroads, and that they would give the cat a run for her life. He explained that it was the best he could do, as he could find nothing in his law-books which referred to cats, so that he could not have3 her arrested on any charge.
   Well, to make a long story short, home goes Tom and persuades Pussy to accompany him to town next day, in a bag. When they come to the crossroads Tom is stopped by the J. P. who said "Hello Tom Connor, and where would you be going this fine day?"
   "Begorra, I'm just taking a stroll into town" said Tom winking at the J. P. "And what have you in that sack?" said the J. P.. "Oh nothing" said Tom, winking again. The old cat was listening to this and said she in a a whisper "Tom Connor if you let the cat out of the bag, it will be worse for you." Never fear "said Tom"

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Folktales index

   AT2412C: (The Cat Asks for Boots)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Charlie Comerford

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

   Informant

   William Browne

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   40

   Address

   Mohill, Co. Leitrim