American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-07-27
THE IRISH STRANGERS.

In the town of Bolton, on the western shore Of
Lake George, upon little emlnence, may be seen
at this day. the ruins OF an ancient stone building,
hat was formerly called the Irish Cottage. rave
seen 1t when the woodbine, clustering around its
little porch and the honeysuckle that blosomed be-
meath its windows--the smoke rising from its Chin
ney, and curling among the tops Of the spreading
|elms, IN which it was embosomed, bespoke it the
mansion of peace and contentment and | have
gazed upon its ruins, when they but family told the
appearance it once presented Passing from Cald
well TO Tie onderoga in the summer Of 1905, by the
lcircu;ous path that winds along the western shore
OF the lake. was benighted among the forests OF
the mountains, and resolved 10 wait the rising oil the
moon.--l had hardly seated myself when descri
ed highland with considerable exerton. gained
the spot whence ii proceeded. 1t was neat white
cottage, so situated 10 command fine view oil
he surrounding scenery, and its appearance ndlca
ted to the heholder that it the centre OF rural
bliss Resting against an elm, | turned towards
the lake, whose clear and broad expanse, spotted
with little islands, which looked like specks upon
the surface, rejecting the full beams oil the rising
moon, which threw mellow richness over the sur
rounding scenery and rendered the view picturesque
and beautiful in the exreme- While muslng upon
this scene my ear caught the sound OF music. Turn
ling, beheld upon the steps of the porch female
figure loosely attred in black chanting few words
to wild Irish air. The low paintive melancholy
with which her words were uttered, stole over my
senses like a spell. | thought were IN fairy
| land" and the music, the time and scene all con-
spired to throw a charm over he mind. lapproach
ed and entered the dwelling and the first object
that met my eyes aged man, seated by the
| side Of small fire, whose hoary locks indicated
that he had seen many years. He and bid
me welcome to seat and from his accent. his
voice and his gesture knew him to be an Irish
man. He questioned me particularly as TO the
| length OF my Journey, the nature of my business
and variety Of matters which at once evinced that
national principle, curiosity greatly characteristic
of his countrYmen. He betrayed lively interest in
1.-The affairs of Europe-inqulred what report said con-
lcetning Ireand and when he spoke Oh his native
land, seemed agtated. But there was one IN this
dwelling, ON whom my attention was constantly
rivetted; it was the female whom had observed
singing at the door. She had full bright eye, and
her dark hair flowed loosely over her shoulders
but the paleness of her cheek and the melancholy
wildness of her air, indicated al once that she was
enduring the pangs of broken heart. In the NOR
ming, at my departure, the old man approached me,
and taking my hand, desired that it should ever a
gain pass that way, forget not the Irish stranger
There was something in the tone and emphasis
with which this spoken, connected with the
strict reserve he had maintained in the relation to
himself, that made deep and lasting impression
upon my mind. In the spring OF 1890, passed
the same route paused upon the little emnence
where the Irish cottage once stood, but It was gone
and hardly vestige remained to mark the spot il
had occupied The bramble was thickening around
ill., and the and the ivy were fast hiding it lonn
view. AT the village, discovered maid servant,
whom recollected to have seen at the cottage
and upon inquiry, learnt that the Irish stranger
whom | had before seen, was once gentleman oil
rank and fortune. He came to this country with
his daughter, and settled in the wild and mountain
Ious district that embosoms Lake George, hoping
that the saIubious nature Of the climate might have
a sautary effect upon her depressed spirits and
wasting constitution-Previous to their departure
for this country his daughter had been betrohed TO
1.-The son Of an Irish nobleman, who from connec-
lion with the rebellion Of 1898, had He'd 10 France,
and whom report said was dead. After order had
been again restored in Ireland, he returned private
iy, and sought for the object of his affection but
she was gone, no one knew whither He came to
| New York in 1915, and with the assistance OF
| friend traced them to Lake George. He came to
The cottage-he found not the daughter, bat the
father mourning her recent death Alter the hFst
burst oil mutual congratulation, the old man began
to tell his tale of woe but the iorlltude OF the youth
was insufficient to bear the load oil gret that was
every moment pressing upon him he was sez-