A Ring, Dungarvan, Dungarvan mystery An interesting occurrence. From 1876

Well now, make of this what you will! the year is 1876, and this comes from a newspaper of that period.
The photo of Helvick , I took from Ballymarket

The following circumstance which, as it stands has about it a considerable flavour of romance and needs only the personal confirmation of the principal actor to give it the substantial relish of fact, is said to have occurred; in connection with the recent landing at Helvick Head. Among the mysterious company who debarked on that occasion was a man of middle age of particularly military aspect and unexceptional manners; that he possessed in addition at once resolution, presence of mind, and sensibility the details of his adventure will show. It is
 unnecessary—as it would probably be insidious — to mention the name of this person who is at present confined with his companions in Water ford gaol. He was one of the first to reach the shore on Saturday morning, and, accompanied by another, set out in the direction of Youghal. It is known already what extraordinary alacrity the appearance of these suspicious ' voyagers caused among the local officials, and the 'two' travelers had gone but a short distance on their way before they were made uncomfortably aware of the fact, for happening to look round they saw hastening towards them a party of that formidable civil force with whose vigilance and uniform fame hath no doubt made them already familiar. Neither waited for an interview and both set off at the full speed of their limbs, but one at least had not yet recovered his land legs, stiffened with long tossing on the sea. As well as weakened from privation; and after a short chase surrendered himself to his pursuers. The other with a frame hardened to iron by three years' campaign, and who had learned pedestrianism under a hard master — Sherman— was not so easily captured, and soon outstripped the gentle men in green. Thinking these had abandoned the chase, he entered a cottage in the fields, and sinking exhausted on a seat, begged some' food, at the same time throwing a sovereign to the old woman who was the sole inhabitant of the hut. A basin of sour milk and a little bread were soon at his service, but scarcely had he tasted a mouthful when, looking from the door way, he perceived the police -advancing slowly but surely. The fugitive in this dilemma appealed to his aged hostess, who, quickened by additional bribe, provided her guest with some clothes of her son, a labourer at the time at work in the fields. These were donned with little attention to nicety of arrangement,' a few artistically applied streaks of soot from ,the chimney 'begat a new complexion, and stuffing his own apparel into an empty pot, which he hung over the ashes, the stranger, clad in his wretched attire, seated himself at his unfinished meal, and waited calmly the corning of his pursuers, who soon entered panting and eager. The little limits of the hovel were soon explored, but no prey was hidden. The pot alone was not investigated. It was even too small for even a dwarf. The- sturdy-looking fellow, dark-faced and dirty, who sat and devoured in the shadow of the ill lighted space, was subjected to, strict   examination, both of eye and tongue, but neither in his homely brogue nor his dress was there anything to excite suspicion of his statement  that he was the heir of the.' mansion returned from  his, work to dinner. In short, so well did he act his part that the police left the cottage completely baffled, and, believing from his reply to a question put by one of them, that the man they were in  quest of had passed on. Their exit left him somewhat more at ease, which he improved by inquiring from his ancient entertainer concerning a family who some years before had lived some miles off. They were all dead or gone long ago. Bad times had come on them, their farm had been taken and given to others, the father had perished in a distant workhouse and the children had been scattered. Their memories had vanished. The hunted man sunk his head I on his hands and burst into tears. He had hoped to have met even one at least of his relations beside the old hearth, and he found not one. He had not heard from his family since the outbreak of the great civil war, and did not expect to light on a desolate home. Well, mother,'' said he, ' since there are no friends to meet me 1 must trust my enemies. So saying he threw off his disguise, resumed his own apparel, and quitting the cottage returned again towards Dungarvan. In the town he was met by a constable to whom he yielded himself stupefied and indifferent. One high hope at least the poor fellow had cherished had been dispelled and he no longer cared to play out th