A Date With Death

On one occasion, in the district of Glengad, Sam Farren was on his way to meet the boat when he spied a fishing net by the roadside. Thinking it strange that someone should discard such a good net, he picked it up and put it on his back, deciding to use it that day. He hadn't got very far when he notice that his burden was getting very heavy. However, being a strong man, he continued on his journey

It seemed that the closer Sam came to his destination, the heavier his net became until at last he had to stop. When he tried to lay it down he found it impossible. Suddenly he realized that he had taken a net belonging to the fairies and that he would not be able to get rid of it unless he left it back where he had found it. He knew that he would miss the day's fishing by returning the net but he thought it would be better to keep on the right side of the fairies.

On the return journey, as Sam approached the place where he had found the net, he felt the load getting lighter. When he eventually reached the exact spot he threw down the net and went home.

The next day Sam thanked God, and anyone else that had anything to do with his finding the net, when he heard the news that the boat he was to go out on had sunk at sea with the loss of all hands on board. If he had not found the fairynet he would surely have been among them.

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