Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-03-09
WELSH RARE.BIT.
Visit TO a Beautiful Welsh Home Among The
Grand Scenery Of Wales.
Special Correspondence to THE HERALD.


while away at strange hotel | acct
dentally fell in conversation with a lady,
who proved to be Welsh. She seemed
to recognize my nationality at once and
asked where / lhred it the best in this
foreign land, so far from home. told
her | was quite delighted with England,
its lovely homes and beautiful scenery.
She spoke up at once saying .'you must
come TO Wales for scenery We chat
ted for half an hour, exchanged cards,
and as l bid her good night, to return 10
the party was with, she said she would
like me to visit her at her home in May.
| thanked her, never expecting to see or
hear Of her again, as we both left the
hotel the next morning, for different
places.
Sure enough, after my return to
Shrewsbury, on the 1st of May, | received
a beautiful letter from Mrs. P inyit-
ing n, to visit her, at Vron Vernew,
Llansenffraid, Montgomeryshire, Wales
from Thursday till Tuesday, which is
the way invitations are given here. She
gave me all the directions about the diff
ferent changes / would have to make
| accepted, and on Thursday, p. m,
left on the train she meeting me with
her pheaton at 5 p. m. within a mile
and a half of her home.
THE RIDE
had been charming, through q new
country. and quite different from any /
had been in. The dialect vas, speaking
mildly, horrible mixture of cultural
sounds, as | heard it from the country
people, in the cars, or at the station.
Mrs. P had lost her husband, but
still occupied her beautiful home during
the summer, keeping it filled with COM
pany, and travelling in the winter,
where she would find milder weather.
Her family consisted of brother, who
lived on the old homestead; her sister,
whose husband was Rector in the Par
ish Church, and lived in the parsonage.
Mrs. P herself, lived in large
brick house, on the top of the hill over
looking the country. Their united pro-
perty included the entire town, consist
ing of a few small houses, hotels and a
few stores. She had several farms
within her grounds, with good tenants,
whom she visited quite often, buying
WhutcNCi pIOuuCc tuCy idu W SCH.
Her husband was very fond of hunting,
and she was his constant companion
when living. Several
SMALL PLANTATIONS OF EvERGREENs
were growing for the protection of the
game when young. On reaching the
house | was informed, as | was shown
to my room. that they dined at 6, and
several had been invited to meet me-
| was soon dressed and found my way
to the large drawing room where my
hostess stood ready to welcome and intro
duce me to her friends. She dressed in
Lavender, second mourning, low neck
and short sleeves. She was over forty,
was fair and fat, but with a cordial
smile on her face, which made me feel
at home at once. The dinner consisted
of many courses, with different wines as
is usual. After dinner the ladies re-
turned to the parlor, where tea was
served. About eight the gentlemen
came in when coffee was brought
around, then the card tables were set
out. Every one was very pleasant, and
at eleven we were given our candles,
and with shake of hands and good
night, we went to our separate rooms.
Two gentlemen friends had been there
three weeks for the fishing, which is
usually very abundant. Each morning
an ample lunch was provided and in
suitable dress, and fishing tackle, they
started for their days amusement.
TO THE FISHING GROUND,
for the water seemed minus, or went
for them, at others they walked out and
back, with never a shadow of fish to
show what they had been after. l think
| heard them remark when left they
had not had bite in six weeks. The
rivers were low and all the mountain
streams. The house or place is named
from the brook or creek which ran IN
and out. at the foot of the hill, and had
never beeh known to be dry or fshlcss
before. We spent our time driving
around the country, the roads smooth,
passing fine country seats, among the
number that of Sir William Watkin
Will, and the Prince of Wales. Weclimbed
high hills to enjoy the fine prospect.
sNowDEN MOUNTAINS
were in full view of the front windows
and not many miles distant, Sunday
we all walked to church, and sat in the
Squire's pew. which was square, and
unlike all the rest. Tuesday morning
when ready for breakfast, | had put up
my things, ready to be taken TO the sta
ton whenever it was convenient. AS /
was coming into the breakfast room,
Mrs. P met nue. with a good ifofiis
ing and shake of hand, saying you must
not thing of leaving to-day, az / have
just had letter from the lady who is to
occupy your room, and she will not be
here till Friday, and | always like to
keep my rooms full. 1t is needless to
say that | staid, continuing to enjoy as
| had done, riding, walking and visiting
the different towns around. | left
"Vron Vernew'' with many regrets,
and its charming hostess A great deal
of real pleasure had been crowded in
the ten days,
The ride back to S. was very pleasant
and the first thing that attracts your
attention as you draw near the city is
A LONG NARROW MOUNTAIN
that resembles whale in size and
shape, and is called the 'Wrekin,'' for
what reason, have forgotten, if ever
knew. 1t is a lovely spot for picnics,
and much resorted to. At one end are
beautiful trees and ruin of some
kind.
On my return | found Miss Z. had
tickets for Panorama of the Pacific
K. r." She was anxious that ] should
go to see if it was correct. as almost
every one had scruples about believing
all the extiavagant statements of
America in general, and the Western
part in particular. We went. | en-
joyed it very much and could vouch for
its accuracy from New York to Omaha,
and | could not doubt the truthfulness
Of the rest, Judging from what | had
seen. ] suggested to some friends their
going with us, they said it was asking
too much of an Englishman, to expect
him to swallow such exaggerated
ACCOUNTS OF AMERICAN SCENERY.
| could hardly wonder, when every
thing seemed small by comparison,
though new and beautiful 10 u.s. |
must confess, the Yankee drawl, as they
called it, was to me the exception,
rather than the rule. as / had rarely met
with such specimen. The audience
was so very small that my sympathies
were at once interested in behalf of the
lecturer, who really did his best to en-
tertain this unappreciative audience.
The militia have been quartered in the
town for weeks. We went up in Mar