Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B436 returned 51 results.
THE WAY OF THE LEPRECAUN
THE LEPRECAUNS HAD CEASED WORK AND WERE LOOKING AT THE
CHILDREN. SEUMAS TURNED TO THEM.
"GOD BLESS THE WORK," HE SAID POLITELY.
ONE OF THE LEPRECAUNS, WHO HAD A GREY, PUCKERED FACE AND A
THIN FRINGE OF GREY WHISKER VERY FAR UNDER HIS CHIN THEN
SPOKE.
"COME OVER HERE, SEUMAS BEG," SAID HE, "AND I'LL MEASURE
YOU FOR A PAIR OF SHOES. PUT YOUR FOOT UP ON THAT ROOT."
THE BOY DID SO AND THE LEPRECAUN TOOK THE MEASURE OF HIS
FOOT WITH A WOODEN RULE.
"NOW BRIGID BEG, SHOW ME YOUR FOOT," AND HE MEASURED HER
ALSO. "THEY'LL BE READY FOR YOU IN THE MORNING."
"DO YOU NEVER DO ANYTHING ELSE BUT MAKES SHOES, SIR?" SAID
SEUMAS.
"WE DO NOT," REPLIED THE LEPRECAUN, "EXCEPT WHEN WE WANT
NEW CLOTHES, AND THEN WE HAVE TO MAKE THEM, BUT WE GRUDGE
EVERY MINUTE SPENT MAKING ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT SHOES,
BECAUSE THAT IS THE PROPER WORK FOR A LEPRECAUN. IN
THE NIGHTTIME WE GO ABOUT THE COUNTRY INTO PEOPLE'S
HOUSES AND WE CLIP LITTLE PIECES OFF THEIR MONEY, AND SO,
BIT BY BIT, WE GET A CROCK OF GOLD TOGETHER, BECAUSE,
DO YOU SEE, A LEPRECAUN HAS TO HAVE A CROCK OF GOLD SO
THAT IF HE'S CAPTURED BY MEN FOLK, HE MAY BE ABLE TO RANSOM
HIMSELF. BUT THAT SELDOM HAPPENS, BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT
DISGRACE ALTOGETHER TO BE CAPTURED BY A MAN AND WE'VE
PRACTICED SO LONG DODGING AMONG THE ROOTS HERE THAT WE
CAN EASILY GET AWAY FROM THEM. OF COURSE, NOW AND AGAIN
WE ARE CAUGHT; BUT MEN ARE FOOLS, AND WE ALWAYS ESCAPE
WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY THE RANSOM AT ALL. WE WEAR GREEN
CLOTHES BECAUSE IT IS IN THE COLOR OF THE LEAVES, AND WHEN WE
SIT UNDER A BUSH OR LIE IN THE GRASS, THEY JUST WALK BY
WITHOUT NOTICING US."
Submitter comment:
MRS. BYRNE, MY GRANDMOTHER, TOLD THIS TO A LITTLE BOY
DOWN THE BLOCK. SHE CLAIMS THERE ARE LEPRECAUNS AND
SO HAS BELIEVED THE STORY SINCE SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL
IN IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
Keyword(s): LEPRECHAUNS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
THE TEXAS RANGERS
TEXAS IS THE PLACE THAT GROWS BIGGER AND BETTER--AND THE TEXAS
RANGERS GROW BIG, TOO. SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE WAS A RIOT IN ONE OF
THE TOWNS AND THE MAYOR WIRED FOR A COMPANY OF RANGERS. THEY WERE
SUPPOSED TO DISPERSE THE MOB. PRETTY SOON, A LONE RANGER SHOWED
UP. "HEY," SAID THE MAYOR, "IT'S A TOUGH MOB--I WIRED FOR A
COMPANY OF RANGERS, NOT JUST ONE RANGER!"
"WELL," DRAWLED THE RANGER, "YOU AIN'T GOT BUT ONE MOB, AIN'T YOU?"
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
A TALL TALE
THEN THERE WAS THE TIME THAT PAUL BUNYAN WENT HUNTING. HE WAS
THE SUREST SHOT AND THE FASTEST RUNNER THAT EVER WADED ACROSS
THE MISSISSIPPI. THEY STILL TALK OF IT OUT IN THE NORTHWEST.
WELL, PAUL SIGHTED A BIG BUCK A MILE AWAY; IT WAS STANDING ON
THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. PAUL KNEW THAT IF HE SHOT HIM HE WOULD FALL
OFF THE CLIFF. SO PAUL PULLED THE TRIGGER--AND AS SOON AS THE
BULLET LEFT THE GUN HE RAN TO WHERE THE BUCK WAS STANDING. HE
RAN SO FAST THAT HE GOT THERE AHEAD OF THE SHOT AND HAD TO DUCK
HIS HEAD TO LET THE BULLET GO BY. WELL SIR, THAT BUCK WAS KILLED
ALL RIGHT. BUT NOT BY THE BULLET. WHEN HE SAW PAUL STANDING
THERE, HE WAS JUST SCARED TO DEATH. IT DIED WITHOUT THE SHOT
EVER REACHING IT.
YOU KNOW THAT'S HOW THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PAUL BUNYAN COUNTRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Angel |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
A TALL TALE
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF THE HOUSE THAT PAUL BUNYAN BUILT IN THE
NORTH WOODS?
IT WAS SO HIGH THAT HE HAD TO PUT THE LAST FIVE STORIES ON
HINGES TO LET THE MOON GO BY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Moon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
TINY TOM
TINY TOM WAS SENT TO A CHILDLESS COUPLE WHO LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN
IN ITALY. THE CHILD WAS SENT BECAUSE THE MAMA PRAYED TO THE
VIRGIN FOR A CHILD. HE CAME IN A PEA POD.
TOM NEVER GREW BIGGER THAN A THUMBNAIL, EVEN AFTER HE WAS SEVEN
YEARS OLD. ONE DAY HIS MAMA WAS BAKING AND TOM WAS SITTING ON
THE WINDOW SILL. HIS FATHER'S COW WAS SITTING OUTSIDE THE WINDOW.
HIS MAMA SNEEZED AND BLEW TOM OUT THE WINDOW AND HE FELL ON THE
COW'S TONGUE. TINY TOM SLIPPED DOWN THE TONGUE AND INTO THE COW'S
STOMACH.
IT WAS DARK INSIDE AND TOM WAS FRIGHTENED. HE CALLED OUT TO HIS
MAMA BUT SHE DID NOT HEAR HIM. WHEN HIS PAPA CAME HOME FOR DINNER
FROM THE FIELDS, TOM'S MAMA DISCOVERED THAT TOM WAS NOWHERE TO BE
FOUND. THEY FRANTICALLY SEARCHED EVERYWHERE, BUT TOM COULD NOT BE
FOUND ANYWHERE.
FOR TWO DAYS TOM'S PAPA AND MAMA LOOKED EVERYWHERE. THEY WERE
JUST TOO WORRIED OVER TOM TO WORK. THEY HAD NOT EVEN MILKED THEIR
COW WHO GROANED IN PAIN. BUT AFTER THAT MUCH TIME, PAPA AND MAMA
WERE READY TO GIVE UP.
THE COW KEPT MAKING SO MUCH NOISE THAT MAMA REALIZED SHE HAD NOT
BEEN MILKED. SO PAPA MILKED THE COW. WHILE HE WAS MILKING THE
COW, PAPA HEARD, "HELP! MAMA, PAPA! HELP!"
PAPA, HEARING THIS, LOOKED DOWN AND BY GOLLY, THERE WAS TOM
FLOATING ON A LEAF THAT HAD FALLEN INTO THE BUCKET OF MILK.
TOM'S PAPA SWOOPED HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM LOVINGLY TO THE HOUSE.
WHEN MAMA SAW TOM, SHE ALMOST CRIED.
ALL THREE HAD A PARTY THAT NIGHT AND FROM THEN ON, WHENEVER TOM
SAT ON THE WINDOW SILL, HIS MAMA TIED A THREAD AROUND HIM AND
ANCHORED HIM DOWN SO THAT IF HE FELL HE COULD CLIMB BACK UP THE
THREAD. FROM THEN ON TINY TOM, HIS MAMA, AND PAPA LIVED HAPPILY
EVER AFTER.
Submitter comment:
HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND SHE LEARNED THE STORY FROM
ITALY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-25-1967
HAUNTED COTTAGE
THERE IS A HAUNTED COTTAGE ALONG LAKE ERIE JUST EAST OF ERIE,
PENNSYLVANIA. AN OLD GIANT OF A MAN SUPPOSEDLY LIVED THERE
SOME TIME AGO. THIS MAN KILLED A TRESPASSER AT HIS COTTAGE
(THERE ARE RED STAINS ON THE FLOOR AND WALLS OF THE MAIN ROOM).
HE DUMPED THE BODY IN ERIE AT 32 AND GREENGARDEN AVENUE, AND
THAT STREET SIGN STANDS IN FRONT OF THE COTTAGE. THE OLD MAN'S
SPIRIT PROTECTS THE PLACE FROM TRESPASSERS.
Submitter comment:
ALTHOUGH THE SURROUNDING AREA IS VERY BEAUTIFUL, PEOPLE REFUSE TO
BUILD THERE, AND THE PROPERTY OWNER REFUSES TO SELL THE LAND.
THIS LADY OWNS THE PROPERTY OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND BELIEVES IN
THE STORY. THIS FAMILY OWNS A COTTAGE AT THE SITE OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND
BELIEVE ITS STORY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
ORIGINS
THERE WAS A BIG FLOOD IN PAUL BUNYAN'S CAMP IN THE NORTH WOODS.
TO GET RID OF THE WATER, HE DUG A LONG DITCH, WHICH BECAME THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THE DIRT HE THREW OVER HIS SHOULDER BECAME
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ANIMAL LEGEND
OFF THE DOWNRIVER END OF BELLE ISLE, THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE
LURKING A GIANT MUSKELLUNGE, WHICH IS ALLEGEDLY RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE UNTIMELY DEMISE OF SEVERAL SMALL CHILDREN AND EQUALLY
SMALL DOGS AND CATS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fish BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
KEEWEENAU PENINSULA
AN INDIAN LEGEND EXISTS THAT STATES THAT THE GREAT BEAVER CUT THE
CHANNEL BETWEEN THE MAINLAND AND THE ISLAND THAT EXISTED THERE.
Submitter comment: MIKE LEARNED THIS WHILE ON VACATION THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
THERE WAS AN IRISHMAN NAMED FINN MC COUL--HE WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN--WHO USED TO SHOUT ACROSS THE IRISH SEA TO A SCOTSMAN, DARING
HIM TO FIGHT. ONE DAY HE TOLD THE SCOTSMAN TO COME ACROSS AND
HE'D REALLY GIVE HIM A GOOD FIGHT. THE SCOTSMAN SAID HE WOULD,
BUT HE COULDN'T SWIM. SO FINN MADE A STONE CAUSEWAY ACROSS THE
IRISH SEA AND THE SCOTSMAN CAME OVER. FINN BEAT HIM, OF COURSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CAUSEWAY REALLY EXISTS. THERE IS A PATH OF HUGE STONES
JUTTING OUT INTO THE IRISH SEA, BUT NOT COMPLETELY CROSSING IT
AND IT IS CALLED "GIANT'S CAUSEWAY."
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS STORY IN BELFAST, IRELAND ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964
SPOOKY LEGEND
THE STORY CONCERNS A BLIND GIRL AND HER DOG. THE GIRL WAS HOME ALONE
ONE NIGHT WITH HER DOG. IT WAS ABOUT 10 P.M. AND OUTSIDE THE WIND WAS
BLOWING FIERCELY. THUNDER COULD BE HEARD IN THE DISTANCE. THE GIRL
IS LISTENING TO HER RADIO WHEN SUDDENLY A NEWS BULLETIN INTERRUPTS
THE PROGRAM. THE ANNOUNCER TELLS OF A STRANGE MONSTER SIGHTED IN THE
AREA. HE WARNS THE LISTENERS TO BE PARTICULARY CAUTIOUS. SUDDENLY
THE GIRL HEARS HER DOG BARKING FEROCIOUSLY COMING FROM THE DIRECTION
OF THE BATHROOM. HE STOPS BARKING AS INSTANTLY AS HE STARTED. THE
GIRL MAKES HER WAY TO THE BATHROOM, WHERE FOR SOME UNEXPLAINABLE
REASON, SHE STICKS HER HANDS INTO THE BATHROOM SINK. THERE SHE FEELS
THE DOG'S HEAD LAYING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SINK.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON ; 2930 Palmer Court
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lightning Thunder PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 10-30-1972