THE GAMBLER OF THE BRANCH.
PREFACE.
This is a story which used to be common in West Roscommon and East Mayo. I often heard it when I was young. The following version was written down and given me by my friend Mr. John Rogers [Seághan O Ruaidhri] about five miles away from the place where I used to be told the same story. He published it in 1900 in "Irishleabhar na Gaedhilge." There is another story also about a gambler who played cards with the devil.
THE STORY.
Long ago there used to be a king over every kind of trade and special society and it was the "Gambler of the Branch"[91] who was king over all the gamblers and players, and he was so skilful that nobody on the face of the earth could win a match against him in playing cards or any other game.
At last, and on account of this, he grew lonesome and dissatisfied, and he said that since he was not able to get a game with a man of this world that he would go to try it in the other world. He went off, walking away, and he never stopped of that journey until he came to the great doors of hell, and knocked stoutly at them. "Who is there?" said the porter.
"I am; I the Gambler of the Branch from the upper world," said he, "and I am seeking to play a game of cards with the Arch-demon."
The Arch-demon came, and he said, "What stake have you to play for with me, for I only play for people's souls?"
"I'll play my own soul against one of these that you have in bondage in this place."
"I'll bet it," says the Demon.
The Gambler won the first game, and so he did most of the others, until he had gained every soul in the place but one, and the Devil would not stake that one no matter how hard the Gambler urged him. He gathered them together then, but when the poor soul that was left behind saw them departing it let a screech out of it that would split a stone, but there was no help for it.
He drove them before him then, like a flock of sheep, and said, "What will be done with ye[92] now?"
"O friend, take us to heaven, take us to heaven," said they.
"It's as good for me, since ye are here," says he, and he drove them away with him until he came to the great white gates of heaven.
The gates opened and they were welcomed, and the souls went in. And the porter-saint said to the Gambler, "Won't yourself come in?"
"If I get leave to bring in the cards, I'll go," said the Gambler; "but if I don't, I won't."
"You won't get that permission," said the saint, but leave them on the wall here outside the gate, and go in, till you see those souls counted in their place. And you can come out after a while for the cards if you wish."
The Gambler did that. He went in, and has forgotten ever since to come out for them.
That is the way the Gambler of the Branch went to heaven, and that is the reason that when a slow messenger delays in the house he has been sent to with a message, people say, "You forgot to return as the Gambler of the Branch did."