Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-01-10
An IRISH MISTAKE.

For more than twenty years it has
been my custom to recruit myself every
Autumn with a 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 L never oversrained
myself, as is now too often the fashion.
1 walked just so far as / pleased, and
rested when nature or my inclination
gave the hint. Sometimes my Journeys
were made in the cool of the evening,
sometimes in the early morning; often
l slept in the cabin of some laborer, and
not once, 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 opera
tions. Starting from Galway, in little
less than three weeks time beheld the
broad waters of Corrib, Mask and Coon
had lost myself i'm 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.
Blythe evening of the twenty-frst day l
found myself at Ballana, my mind full
of indecision as to how / should occupy
the week or ten days had yet to spare.
To go back over the same ground,
looked on asa waste of time; to plunge
inland was to doom myself to days
of weary trudging through rather un-
interesting country. Afterdeliberation
/ determined to head for Sligo, feeling
sure that the beauties of Lough Gill
would well repay me for my long walk
thither.
Next morning l 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 ats char
acter 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 anything
saw, SO hurried on.
After ten hours almost constant
walking, the country began toimprove,
and presently / found myself in the
village of Ballysadare. Here l 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 attempt
ing to cover in an easy way the five
miles yet between me and Sligo? Once
there, l could make up by days
idleness for this day OF extra exertion.
So, after a short rest. shouldered my
knapsack, grasped my stick, and started
off again.
Once clear of the village, the country
began rapidly to improve, and the
scenery at one or two spots was so
pleasant that l was tempted TO loiter.
l was not more than half the way, when
l suddenly wakened TO the fact that
night was beginning to fall about me
fast.
II cannot reach Sligo now before
dark, that's certain" muttered, rs l
hoisted my knapsack an inch or two
higher, and began to cover the ground
at my best rate. However the sooner
l get there the better"
Presently reached spot where four
roads met, and while stood doubtful
which TO take, gig driven by some one
singing in a loud key overlook me. At
sight of my lone figure, the gig was
halted suddenly, and the driver ceased
his song.
"Ah, thin, may ask l. your honor
going my wayY" saiG full, round
voice. ATS meself that mighty fond
Of company o. nights about here"
II don't know what your way may
be" l replied. II wish to go to Sligo"
"Ah, thin, an its the same Sligo, the
weary be on it, that I'd be afther goin'
TO myself answered the driver. but
your honor looks tired-manin' no Of
fence-an' perhaps you'd take a lift in
the gig?"
"Thank you, will take a lift" re-
piled, as / stepped forward and sprang
quickly to the seat 1.-The truth, is,
feel rather tired, as you say"
An has your honor walked far 2"
asked the driver as the gig rolled on to-
wards the town.
"I've walked from Ballina since
morning." l replied quietly.
From .Ballinat There, now, the
Lord save us !" cried the man. as he
half turned in his seat and gazed at he
in astonishment. "Why, that's days
work for the best horse i'm the masther's
stables"
"Your master must keep good horses,
II may judge by the one before u.s." l
answered.
1.-The best In all the country, your
honor, though l say it. There isn't
gossoon in the three baronies but knows
that"
"Your master is bit of sportsman
then 20
"Yes, your honor; an il he'd stick to
hat, it's himself'd be the best liked man
from Ballina to Ballyshannon. You
find a better rider or a warmer
heart i'm days march. Bnt thin poll
tice has hin hia ruin with tho naonla -