Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-25
BILLY CRANE nxAxD FRoM.
ne Visits the Bisrney stone and
Drops Into Poetry.
New York Times

w. II. Crane, the Jolly comedian oil the
Robson e. Crane "Henrietta " company, has
al last been heard from on the other side oil
the Atlantic. "BIlly," ~ BIS friends affec-
tionatey call him, has been doing the Ener-
laid Ilse, and here are some OF his reflections
as jotted down for the information OF friend
in this city:
.sThere IL n spell Of beauty about Irish
scenery and witchery about Irish eyes that
ought 10 make a sentimental fool OF every
man who frod its SOIL" writes the comedian.
~ never thought I'd be guilty OF poetry,
whatever Ills might befall me. and most OF
all of a spiritual kind, but the Celtic spirit
or snirits got into me and fell from grace.
The ton OF my head Is NJ sore as classic
boil. and Mrs. Crane says there IA more in
this than the sorrowful verse suggests. Com
mend me to wife for candid statement
every time. Now the simple truth about the
hesd Is, a friend and myself stopped to pick
up glove at the same Instant might have
said dashed. for we were both anxious 10
secure the prize. There was crash IKE two
pitchers iosileA together that rather aston
Ished the neighborhood. At the moment OF
collision | think I made some hurried de-
mands on the internal gods, but a keen
sense Of the ridiculous soon had me RTlnning
as heartily as any OF the party. | no longer
use q wlre.brusb, however, for the untaned
ringlets which cluster upon my bump OF
veneratIon.
al paid my respects 10 the cottages OF
Kate Kearney, st. Patrick. aud LILY O'Con-
nor, on the Killarney Lakes, aud from the
looks OF things roundabout. land. water. aud
skies, don't wonder that they were impress
ed with virtues that gave them fame IN their
day and place as we'll as this. Iwender why
II Is that some enterprising manager OF a
.tank" drama has not dragged the black
lake IN the Killarney family for the big iron
chest In which ST. Patrick Is said 10 have sunk
the last snake, intending 10 resurrect the box
on the morrow, which ceremony never came.
/ dropped down 10 the Barney Stone twice
and think now can honey.comb the tariff or
any other bard substance with arguments as
soft rs velvet.
"At Muckross Abbey, the charms OF
which are too generally familiar to describe,
we Witnessed sad funeral. 10 was the bu-
rial OF poor old Irish woman, whose coffin
was carried TO the grounds by mourners.
who then pulled off their coats aud dug the
grave. They were too poor to have priest,
and ore OF the women sprinked the coffin
and grave with bottle OF holy water that
she had brought. The features OF these poor
people was A study In poverty and trial.
And yet to a stranger bow good natured and
kind they ALWAYS arel They havea wonder.
ful reserve OF the milk OF human Kindness,
and klndle with feeling on the faintest pro-
vocation.
"Mrs. Crane is so enamored OF Irish
scenery and people that imagine, II the
DIenrietta output continues In the same
even vein another year, II will be necessary
for me TO rehsbilitate some old castle here
and revive some OF the splendors OF the
O'Neiilt. Then with becoming humility and
philosophy could order the epItaph which
Mrs. Crane took the pains to write down in
her blue book:
"Ah me. ] gravel am. and dust,
And 20 the grave descend must;
Oh, painted piece Of living clay
Man, be not proud OF thy short day."