Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-02
NO. 1s1
Mistellaneons.
AN IRISH MISTAKE.

fOr more tnan twenty years 1t has been
my custom to recruit myself every au-
tumn with walking tour of over a
months duration. BY this means have
seen more of these islands than any 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 my
self, as is now too often the fashion. !
walked just so far as pleased, and rest
ed when nature or my inclination gave the
hint. Sometimes my journeys were made
in the cool OF the evening, sometimes in
the early day; often | slept in the cabin
OF some laborer, and not once or twice,
but a dozen times, have been forced to
make my lodging under the lee of some
friendly hayrick.
One of these autumns, over ten, and
less than twenty years ago, | made the
west of ireland the field OF my operations.
Starting from Galway, In little less than
three weeks time ! beheld the broad wa
ters of Corrib Mask, and Conn--had lost
myself in the wilderness under the shad-
ow of Croagh Patrck-and looked with
awe at the bold headlands of Mayo,
against which the restless Atlantic beats
with a ceaseless roar.
BY the evening of the twenty-frst day
| found myself at Ballina, my mind full
of indecison as to how l should occupy
the week or ten days had yet to spare.
TO 60 back over the same ground, look
ed on as a waste of time; to plunge in
land was to doom myself to days Of weary
trudging through rather uninteresting
country. After deliberaton, decided to
head for Sligo, feeling sure that the beau
ties of Dough Gill would well repay me
for my long walk thither.
Next morning was up early and, KNAPP
sack 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 drench-
ed with constant showers, and beat upon
by constant gales. There was nothing to
charm me in anything saw, so l hurried
on. After ten hours almost constant
walking. the country began to improve,
and presently found myself in the little
village of Baltysadare. Here I halted,
for as may be expected, was both tired
and hungry.
A goou dinner, however soon made
wonderful change in me for the better.
There were still couple of hours to pass
before dark. and how better could em-
ploy them than by attempting to cover, in
| an easy way the five miles between me
| and Sligo? Once there, could make up
by a days idleness for this day of extra
exertion. So, after short rest, L shoul-
dered my knapsack. grasped my! stick,
and started of again. .5,. ...t.,o,.,
Once clear Of the village. the country
began rapidly to improve. and the seen
cry at one or two spots was so pleasant
was tempted to loiter. was not more
than hall the way, when suddenly wax
ened to the fact that night was beginning
to fall about me fast.
81 cannot reach Sligo now before dark,
that's certain" l muttered, as hoisted
my knapsack an inch or two higher, and
began to cover the ground at my best
rate. However, the sooner get there
| the better"
Presently reached spot where four
roads met. and while l 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 60
Ing my way said full round voice. ats
myself that's mighty fond of company
o'nights about here.n
IL don't know what your way may be-"
| replied. 81 wish TO 60 to Sligo"
"Ah, thin, an it's that same Sligo, the
weary be on it, that I'd be afther goin' to
myself" answered the driver. ''But your
honor looks tired-menin' no offence-an'
perhaps you'd take lift in the gig3'
n t.l~
piled, as | stepped forward and sprang
quickly to to the seat. 1.-The trHth is,
teel rather tired, as you say"
"An has your honor walked far ~
| asked the driver, as the gig rolled on
towards the town. 4 ae<
eve walked from Ballina since morn
ing" l replied quietly. .-.r
From Ballina There, now, the Lord
save us p cried the man, as he half turn
| ed in his seat and gazed at me In aston
ishment. why, that's a days 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.
The best in all the country. your hon
or, though say it. There isn't a gossoon
in the three baronies but know that"
louE uhslerS Dll Oh sportsman
thenP''
Yes, your honor; an If he'd stick to
| that, it's himsel7d be the best liked man
| from Baliina, to Ballyshannon. You
wouldn't find better rider or warmer
heart in days march. But thin politics
has been his ruin with the people.
"Oh, ah; have beard that Sligo is
rather a hot place during elections"
bat surely the people don's turn upon
| their friends at such time"
They'd turn upon their own father. if
he wint agin Them" replied the driver
solemnly. "See now. here am, driving
the masther's own gig up town, just be
way of bin. ye see, while he's got to
slip down the strame in Simmy Sheridan's
bit OF boat. All, thin politics. thin
politicsm
"Oh, then, there's an election about to
take place, presume ?"
"Thrue for ye, your honor. thrue for
ye," replied the man dolefully. There
nivir was such a ruction in Sligo before.
in the mimiry of man. Two lawyers a.
hfrk in 10 iuil w hnea u "a