The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-06-07
AN IRISH MISTAKE.

one OF my acquaintance, and have had
peeps into the inner life of the people
such as few tourists obtain.
In doing this, never overstrained
myself, as is now too often the fashion.
L walked just so far as i pleased, and
rested when nature or my inclination
gave me the hint. Sometimes my jour
neys were made in the cool of the even
ing, sometimes in the early morning
often | slept in the cabin of some labor
er, and not once or twice, but dozen
times, have been forced to make my
lodging under the lee of some friendly
hay-rick
One of these autumns, over ten, and
less than twenty years ago, / made the
west of Ireland the field of my opera
tons. Starting from Galway, in a lit
tie less than three weeks time beheld
the broad waters of Corrib, Mask and
Conn-had lost myself in the wilderness
under the shadow of Croagh Patrick
and looked with awe at the bold head
lands of Mayo, against which the rest
less Atlantic beats with a ceaseless roar.
BY the evening of the twenty-first day.
/ found myself at Ballina, my mind full
of INDIGESTION as to how should occupy
the week or ten days had vet to spare
To 60 back over the same ground, /
looked on as a waste of time; to plunge
inland was to doom myself to days of
weary trudging through rather uninter-
esting country. After deliberation, l
decided to head for Sligo, feeling sure
that the beauties of Tough Gill would
well repay me my long walk thither.
Next morning | was up early, and,
knapsack on back and stick in hand,
started Off on my journey.
For the first mile or two the road was
level and easy; but presently its charac-
ter changed and the country around
grew poor and wild. 1t seemed land
drenched with constant showers and
beat upon by constant gales. There
was nothing TO charm me in any thing
saw, so | hurried on.
After ten hours almost constant walk
ing the country began to improve, and
presently 1 found myself in the little
village of Ballysadare. Here / halted,
for, as may be expected, was both tired
and hungry.
A good dinner, however, soon made
wonderful change in me for the bet
ter. There were still couple of hours
TO pass before dark, and how better
could | employ them than by attempting
to cover in an easy way the five miles
yet between me and Sligo? Once there,
could make up by days idleness for
this day of extra eXertion. So, after a
short rest, l shouldered my knapsack,
grasped my stick, and started off again.
Once clear of the village, the country
began rapidly to improve, and the seem
cry at one or two spots was so pleasant
that was tempted TO loiter. Twas not
more than half the way when suddenly
Weakened to the fact that night was be-
ginning TO fall about me fast.
81 can not reach Sligo now before
dark, that's CERTAIN l muttered, as
hoisted my knapsack an inch or two
higher, and began to cover my ground,
at my best rate. "However, the sooner
/ get there the BETTER
Presently, reached a spot where four
roads met, and while stood doubtful
which to take, a gig driven by some one
singing in loud key overlook me. At
sight of my lonely figure the gig was
halted suddenly, and the driver ceased
his song.
"Ah, thin, may ask, is your honor
goin' my way?" said full, round voice.
sits myself that's mighty fond of COM
pany o. nights about here"
al don't know what your way may
be, y Ireplied. 81 / wish to go to Sligo"
''Ah, thin, an it's that same Sligo,
the weary be on it, that I'd be afther GO
in to myself" answered the driver
"But your honor looks tired-manin'
no ofiince-an' perhaps you'll take a
lift in the gig?"
Thank you; viii takea lift, " l re-
piled, as L stepped forward and sprang
quickly to the seat. THE truth is,
feel rather tired, as you say
"An' has your honor walked far?''
asked the driver as the gig rolled on to-
wards the town.
"I've walked from Ballina since
morning." l replied quietly.
"From Ballina! There, now. the
Lord save us!" cried the man, as he
half turned in his seat and gazed at me
in establishment. why, that's davis
work for the best horse in the masther's
stables
"Your master must keep good horses,
if may judge by the one before u.s."
answered.
1.-THE best in all the county, your
honor, though 1 say it. There isn't a
gossoon in the three baronies but knows
that lyt cGtO -
"Your master is a bit of sportsman,
then?''
"Yes, your honor; an if he'd stick
to that, it's hinnself'd be the best liked
man from Ballina to Ballyshannon.
You wouldn't find better rider or a
warmer heart in a days march. But
thlm politics has been his ruin with the
people, = 3 = 5t
Oh ali! 1 have heard that Sligo is
rather hot place during elections, :"
1 replied. But surely the people don't
turn upon their friends at such time?''
They'd turn upon their own father.
if he whit agin them, a" replied the driv-