The Secret of Labra In very ancient days there was a King in Ireland named Labra, who was called Labra the Sailor for a certain voyage that he made.

Now Labra was never seen save by one man, once a year, without a hood that covered his head and ears.

But once a year it was his habit to let his hair be cropped, and the person to do this was chosen by lot, for the King was accustomed to put to death instantly the man who had cropped him.

And so it happened that on a certain year the lot fell on a young man who was the only son of a poor widow, who dwelt near by the palace of the King.

When she heard that her son had been chosen she fell on her knees before the King and besought him, with tears, that her son, who was her only support and all she had in the world, might not suffer death as was customary.