Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-12-22
MR. PARNELL ar HOME
now HE LOCKS AND ACTS AT AvoNDALr
HOUsE-ITs SURROUNDINGS.

"Slnce iorsook agriculture for poll.
tics" said Mr. Parnell, 81 have not
slept SIX nights at Avondale House."
The chief agitator's country seat is an
unpretending residence situated on the
slope OF the Wicklow Mountains, with |
beautiful view of forest, river and /
dale from the windows OF the living |
rooms. 1t has rather barren and
neglected look, its whitewashed ex-
terror harmonizing but i'll with the
tints of the meadow.aRd stretching in
semioircle, bounded by lofty trees, in |
front of the house. The house was
built by Mr.. ParnelI's grandfather, and |
on the lock OF the entrance door the
date 1919 is inscribed. On crossing the
threshold the visitor finds himself in |
square hall of moderate dimensions,
along one side of which there runs a
gallery overhead, leading to the sleep |
ing apartments The most conspicu-
GUS object in the hall is a billiard table,
across the states OF which no ball has, |
to judge from appearances, ratified for
generations. The walls are decorated |
with horns OF the ancient Irish elk,
with hunting spears and other imple.
ments of warfare and chase. A log fire .
burns on a spacious open hearth. As
the visitor stands examining the place,
an aged dame floats out Of side apart
ment, and, expressing surprise at the
visit. asks" Master Charles If be wishes
that she should provide breakfast. The
master gives the nod, and then re-
quests his guests TO step round the
house with him. Mr.. Purnell is a man
of singularly mild and gracious man
ners in private life, but ones eyes are
constantly directed inquiringly TO the
cold and bloodIess face in the endeavor
to reconcile the frigid exterior with the
courtesy Of the lips.
The parlor of Avondalc House is
neither homely nor cheerful, and the
atmosphere OF the room is that Of the
Laureate's fOrsaken dwelling. One
could fancy that the coverings had just
been drawn off the furniture at the eX.
piratIon Of a chancery suit. The pic.
lures are expressioness, and Of no great
merit; but there is richly enamelled
fire place, the work Of an Italian artist,
whose method OF execution, MIR. Par.
nell thinks, has become lost art. The
marble of this chefd azure Is inlaid in
coIored earths, delicately shaded and
twisted into fantastic festoons Of flow.
ers. A volume of Carlyle's Miscel.
lanies lies on table beside the fire,
but the presence Of this symptom ofliie
is accounted for by the fact that one
of Mr.. Parnell's sisters from across the
Atlantic has been residing for some
months under her brothers roof. The
drawing room has been painted and
ornamented by the same Italian artist
spoken of above, the chief feature OF
the work being o number Of cleverly
wrought medalions containing sea
views. Various blue books are scat,
tered about the apartment, having ref
erenco principally to Irish matters,
such as fisheries and agricultural re-
turns.
The library Of Avoudale House is
handsome square room, bO0kshelves
occupying every side, There is scarcely
a modern work among these but there
are many old calf bound editions Of
tho classics, and comprehensive col.
lection of all the English authors of
note from Piers Plowman downward.
"An ancestor Of yours has been i'm.
mortalzed by DR.. Johnson, | believer
remarked q guest, taking down vol.
ume of THE Lives OF the Poets" "He
belonged to a branch Of the Parnell
family, but he N not q relative in the
, direct line" was the reply. Mr.. Par
nell is no great reader. The only books
of recent date, or Of apparent recent
use, TO be seen were few novels and
; about dozen volumes relating to Ire.
+ land, such as the Irish in America, and
D some histories of the country. "When
| have any leisure, employ my time
in working out new mechanical con
trivances, said Mr.. Parnell "and in
5 helping to fl in its place the watershed
I OF my sawmill, nearly had this finger
T. cut OIL" lifting upa much scaritied
D finger. In the corner of the library is
Y collection of old volunteer banners,
D belonging to the Wicklow Volunteers
0 before the '0S Rebellion. These are
+. somewhat torn and dis6gured, but the
Q first Land Lacquer takes much pride
Q in them, since they belonged to bis
= great grandfather, who was colonel OF
J the regiment. One Of these ensigns
. bears the following inscription; "ln.
r dependent Wicklow" with the motto,
j "Velox ct acer ct fidehs amicis," and
n an Irish wolfdog for crest
! Above Avondale House, and beyond
Q the amphitheatre Of .rees, is clear
:. level space, which had been used by
Q Mr. Parnell's father as cricket ground.
Q my father was once the captain OF
/. the Bton eleven" observed Mr.. Par
0 nell, sand | was always very fond Of
1 cricket myself before | took to poll
!, tics" From this spot a view Of sew
Q eral Of the battlefelds OF the Rebellion
0 is obtained, with a magnificent sight
( OF the Kerry mountains and the waters
. meeting 10 the Vale of Avoca.
Mr.. Parnell svory abstemious, drink
] ing little but water or tea. Ho smokes
great deal, and is never in want OF q
0 good weed" which be protIcrs very
: literally TO bis friends. AT the same
1 time no keeps neat little wine cellar,
:. and can, when the oooasion arises, re-
4 gale his guests with a choice vintage
{ In other respects bis style OF living Is
J, very homely. His only retaincrs are
!. the venerable matron We have already
1 seen, and man who looks after bi,
Z horse, the garden and tho general of
!. fairs of the house. In the intervals o
}. agitation he is great rider, a moder
lately keen sportsman, something OF
farmer, and often speaks OF himself as
3 Cincinnatus who has been regretiully
!, compelled to relinquisb his cabbages
Y Mr.. Parnell has always been more OIL
7: less solitary man, seeing little company
o and leading rather an interpretive
9 life. lilo has plans and objects beyond
o those which he has yet uniolded, bu'
. he has no objection TO enter fully into
/. a discussion OF the merits oil bis case
/. Il is noticeable that be Is ready tC
0 catch up quickly and assimilate 70 BIZ
purpose any tact, idea or phrase that