Round-eyed, Samantha listened carefully to the story Vincent read from a tattered book of Irish fairy tales. At last, as he closed the book she asked, “Do you believe in them, Vincent because if you believe in leprechauns, then they must be so!”

Smiling and aware of how much weight his words might carry, Vincent put the book aside and gave her a gently hug, “Father used to read to me from the same book, Samantha when I was even younger than you and Kipper,” he said, including him in the conversation.

“Well … did you ever see one, Vincent?” Kipper asked, his tone stating that since he was almost six months older than Samantha it would take a great deal to put something over on him!

“No Kipper … I never actually saw a leprechaun but there are lots of things I’ve never seen that I know exist. And I do remember when I was very young that if there was spilt milk or there were things missing from the cupboards, Father would say, it must be the wee folk again!”

“The wee folk … “ Samantha said softly, “I wish I could see them!”

“I’d just want their pot of gold!” Kipper said firmly, visions of a large pot filled with shiny gold pieces spilling down the sides, filling his thoughts!

“It’s not quite that simple Kipper, for call them what you will, leprechauns, wee folk, or brownies, it’s said they’re very clever … clever enough to have kept their treasure for hundreds of years! And they don’t part with it easily. Only those who manage to catch them unaware of do a great kindness for them will ever even see a piece of gold!

“I would want to do a great kindness,” Samantha said dreamily.

“Not me!” Kipper chimed in. “I’d watch to catch them napping, then grab the gold and run away!”

“Well,” Vincent said with a chuckle, “probably neither will ever happen! But a kindness might get you a bit farther, Kipper!”

“Do you think there are wee folk in the tunnels, Vincent?” Samantha asked in a hopeful tone.

“That would be difficult to say,” Vincent replied, “but if you find things missing from the cupboards or milk spilt in the kitchen … well you might keep a sharp eye for them in the corners. It’s said they move very quickly!”

“You’re teasing me, aren’t you Vincent?” she giggled, her long brown hair bobbing as she spoke.

“Maybe just a bit,” he said affectionately, “but it is almost St. Patrick’s day and very unusual things can happen this time of year.”

“Of course he’s teasing you Samantha … girls can be so dumb!” Kipper siad disgustedly.

Vincent shook his head, rumpled Kipper’s flyaway hair, then said, “I have work to d in the lower tunnels, children … but,” he said with a smile, “promise me you’ll let me know if you should see anything out of the ordinary!”

“Oh we will, Vincent, we will!” Samantha promised. “Kipper if you don’t believe you’ll never see one and I’ve decided that I want to believe. I guess we better go too Vincent. I promised William I’d help peel the potatoes for Irish stew … it’s for the St. Patrick’s dinner tomorrow evening. Besides,” she said thoughtfully, “I want to see if there are things missing from the cupboards!”

“Girls!” Kipper said. “Well come on Samantha … I’ll help with the potatoes but I don’t want any part of your messing’ with William’s cupboards!”

Vincent smiled as he hurried out of his chamber, remembering the delicious excitement of believing in the unknown at their age. Cynicism would arrive all too soon, he knew. And a little wonder never hurt!

Catherine watched carefully to be certain she had not been observed as she made her way to the basement of her apartment building carrying a large shopping bag. She smiled as she thought of the many small bags of chocolate kisses and foil wrapped coins she had carefully counted into bags, making sure each bag had exactly the same amount. She had learned from experience that though the children might be delighted with her small holiday tokens, they knew to the piece how much each candy bag contained.

The bags of course would be for the St. Patrick’s day gathering she would be sharing with Vincent and the tunnel community tomorrow. And though Vincent and Father always assured her that her presence alone was all that was needed, she did enjoy bringing a little something extra. She had even tucked in a small bottle of Irish Cream Liqueur for Father and Mary and a wonderful book of Irish poems and quotes for Vincent to share later that evening in his chamber over tea!

Quickly she moved several boxes that disguised the crumbling doorway to the tunnel entrance below. Then scrambling down the ancient metal ladder, she sat the shopping bag to one side where it would be picked up later by Vincent or Mouse. Scrambling back up the ladder, she rearranged the boxes and returned to the elevator, with only a telltale dusty smudge on one cheek to show for her efforts. She could hardly wait til tomorrow night!

“Catherine’s bag!” Mouse thought silently. “Promised Vincent … late for supper!” Mouse said to himself as his lanky legs hurried down the rocky passageway. At last, at Catherine’s threshold, he spotted the bag and grabbed it up for his return trip. “Humm … heavy … must be presents for children!” Catherine, he knew, sometimes brought little things for the tunnel children. Allowing himself a quick peek, he could make out the many little bags of something that glittered and his keen nose, not unlike the creature for which he was named, could detect the faint scent of chocolate!

Smiling to himself, he walked even faster. It had been a long time since lunch, a meal supplied by William that consisted of a handful of crackers, a wedge of cheese and an apple. He could almost smell the delicious roasted chicken he’d seen William preparing earlier in the day.

At last at Vincent’s chamber he hastily set the bag inside and set off at a dead run for the tunnel kitchen, his stomach doing small flip-flops in anticipation. He did not, however, notice a certain chubby raccoon, sauntering slowly down the path, nose a quiver, looking for a pre-dinner snack!

Though Arthur seldom ventured out during the day, preferring to take long lazy naps in the middle of Mouse’s cluttered bed, for some reason he had risen early on this chilly March evening. Mouse usually brought him something from the kitchen at night, in addition to the dry food he kept in his chamber for his furry friend. But tonight Arthur was hungry and now he hesitated outside Vincent’s chamber. Decided to investigate, he strolled in and sniffed around the floor, at last finding the shopping bag.

Then with clever little fingers he selected several small shiny parcels and decided to sample them in a less public spot! Taking his prizes, he shambled down the path that connected to the Great Hall. At last finding a shadowy turnoff, lit only by a small flickering torch, he spread out his parcels and prepared to dine. With deliberation he selected a foil wrapped chocolate and peeled off it’s shiny coating, scattering bits of bright foil around him. It was delicious and so he selected another, then another. Dinner would have to wait!

St. Patrick’s Day arrived somewhat quietly in the tunnels on a chilly March morning. Thought the celebration would be simple, the community had been observing for several years and had developed their own traditions including a special Irish meal, followed by the singing of Irish songs and the dancing of jigs!

There would be scones with homemade jam for dessert, Irish whiskey cakes and William’s special sugar cookies in the shape of shamrocks, frosted in a bright green! But the highlight of the evening would be to “Wearin’ of The Green” contest that had become so popular! And for this contest, the tunnel dwellers worked all year long at collecting any and all articles of green clothing to be worn on this special night!

This year Father was offering a pan of William’s chocolate brownies, some of Rebecca lovely candles tinted a lovely shade of green and freedom from kitchen duty for a whole month! Competition would be keen!

By six o’clock excitement was already running high. Most everyone had gathered in the Great Hall where tables were set with mismatched plates and bowls in preparation for William’s Irish stew. Great crusty loaves of Irish soda bread had been placed at each table and steaming bowls of cabbage, flavored with bits of corned beef were now being delivered.

Vincent had called for Catherine earlier in the evening and now the two of them sat in a somewhat private corner of the Great Hall, near the head table where Jacob and Mary now held court. In a small cleared area near the fireplace a blazing fire burned and several of the community, skilled in the art of Irish folk dancing, were showing off for the crowd.

And the green … emerald, kelly, seafoam, forest, and avocado and many other shades mellowed by the years were everywhere! Catherine, as usual, was lovely in a soft green velvet dress that left her glowing shoulders bare, her only jewelry a sparkling crystal on a fine golden wire. While Vincent, magnificent in snowy ruffled shirt and fawn colored pants, had also entered into the spirit of the evening in a green velvet vest, a twin to Catherine’s dress, that Mary had made from fabric that Catherine had brought below.

Jacob, usually attired in dull brown and blacks, had managed a startling brilliant green sweater and apple green turtleneck, both of which had seen better days but in the smoky light of Rebecca’s candles, managed to make him look quite handsome. Mary, in a skirt of many colored green patches and a lacy white blouse and a somewhat ragged shawl, pinned with a fine old Irish brooch, looked quite fetching at his side.

Tapping on a glass to get the tunnel community’s attention, Jacob offered an Irish blessing and welcomed all to the riotous gathering. Soon William’s stew was served and all was quiet save for the scraping of spoons and the smacking of lips by the children! After a suitable period of time, when all had eaten their fill, great plates of scones and cake were passed along with an assortment of steaming teapots.

At Jacob’s request, Vincent stood and with a much penciled list of choices, began to announce the winners of the "Wearin’ of The Green” contest. Each winner was required to come forward, model their outfit and list each item of green clothing that they wore.

To the cheering of all present, sporting thirteen items of green clothing including sweaters, scarves, and even green gloves, Pascal was awarded an immense platter of William’s brownies. Then Jamie, quite rakish in lime green slacks, a tattered green camo vest and long green socks, came forward to receive one of Rebecca’s lovely green candles.

Lastly Samantha in a faded cord green jumper, a grass green petticoat mismatched green socks and a variety of green hairbows was awarded the Grand Prize of no kitchen duty for a month! She curtsied daintily to the applause of all the children in the community!

Music and dancing began again as Rebecca, her flaxen braids tied with green ribbons, led the braver ones in an Irish dance. Watching the festivities Catherine and Vincent savored the last of their hot tea as they waited for Kipper and Samantha to bring in Catherine’s shopping bag of candy. Suddenly two very excited children appeared at their table.

“Vincent you said to tell you if we saw anything unusual and that since it was St. Patrick’s anything was possible!” Samantha said quite breathless from the walk to Vincent’s chamber.

“We saw it Vincent,” Kipper broke in.

“A leprechaun or a brownie or something in the main tunnel. It had little beady eyes and it left a trail of gold … oh and it made a noise like a banshee!” Samantha continued.

Putting down the shopping bag they whispered excitedly to each other.

“And did you sample some of the candy on your way?” Vincent asked, noting the bag’s contents did not seem to be quite so full.

“No Vincent, honest! This was the way we found it!” Kipper declared. “But come see the leprechaun Vincent before it leaves,” Kipper implored.

Taking Catherine’s hand, Vincent followed the two excited children, who were now watched closely by many of the community as word of Kipper and Samantha’s “wee folk” had already spread. Even Jacob, leaning heavily on his cane, decided to follow along.

Soon they were at the rocky turnoff, where in the half darkness they could see what appeared to be a golden trail. And in the shadows, two beady little eyes could be seen! Pulling the torch from its niche on the wall, Vincent followed the trail, now quite curious about Samantha and Kipper’s “wee folk”!

With a deep chuckle, he then discovered a rather obese and mildly uncomfortable raccoon, who had binged on chocolate and now sported many small bits and pieces of gold foil on his shaggy coat. Staring at his onlookers he uttered a large belch!

Discovering the scene Jacob snorted and muttered, “Oh good heavens!” and called for Mouse to “bring that wretched raccoon to the hospital chamber for a dose of castor oil!”

Crestfallen that their trail of gold was only candy wrappers, the children retreated while Vincent and Catherine waited in the shadows to comfort a rather miserable Arthur!

Returning the torch to its niche in the wall, Vincent pulled his ladylove into his arms in the semi-darkness. “I am sorry my love that Arthur managed to devour so much of your chocolate,” he said as his lips created tingles of excitement against her throat.

Laughing softly in the chill air, Catherine snuggled closer to him, his lips sending tiny shivers of excitement thru her body. “And do you still believe in the wee folk, my love?” she asked taking full advantage of the warmth of his body.

“I believe in magic of you my lovely Catherine and I think perhaps I must have at least a tiny bit of Irish blood!”

“And why is that?” she asked, her body fitting his in the torchlight.

“Because I truly have the luck of the Irish, my beautiful one,” he said as his lips found hers. And for the moment time stood still as it does for lovers everywhere!

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