The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-08-04
THE IRISH STANDARD: SATURDAY, AUGUST 4.
sPR1GG1NG IN IRELAND.

sPRIGGING IN IRELAND.
An Industry Performed by the Irish Girls
with Alacrity and Perfection, but
for Meagre Compensation.
There are thousands of women aad
brave young girls to-day in Ireland,
who leave their cabin at peep OF dawn
to begin sprigging.
Sprigging is the general and compre-
hensjve term for the fine needle work
on muslin which includes evening"
''spoking," pointing and "lace
Stitching" The square Of muslin is
fastened on little frame. Upon it is
stamped pretty patterns Of leaves and
flowers. with a fancy scallop for the
edge. The finest of Sea Island cotton
is used, and the dexterity with which
the bright needle is welded Is marvel
Gus. Every little town has its sprlgglng
agent. He or she gives out the materl-
ais and receives and pays for the work,
afterward forwarded to one of the great
firms of Belfast, where it is made
ready to nut upon the market.
The embroidery done by the Irish
girls is as fine and perfect as ANYTHING
to be found in Paris. The handker-
chiefs for which they are paid from ~
! to 25 cents each are retailed as French
handkerch1efs in the fashionable shops
of New York for 81 and S. each. The
most expert worker cannot finish more
than three week, but then you do not
know what IS cents week in Ireland
means. Sometimes it is the sole ill.,
come Of the family. If you ever drive
through the North of Ireland STOP at
some cabin in front Of which you sec
bare. headed girl sprigglng--hats and
shoes, by the way, are absolute luxuEles
in that part of the country.
! Ten to one the girls are tall and
straight, with plenty of dark hair,
white teeth and a fresh skin. She will
ask YOU to enter with the unconscious
dignity of young princess. and if there
lis seat of any kind 1t is at your ser
vice. The most precious family pos
session is on the peat fire--the iron
Dot, It is half full of stirabout. She
offers you some with the real hospitali-
ty that disdains apologies, and 1t there
is no stirabout there is at any rate d
drink Of cold water. The impulse rises
to show some appreciation Of the kind
ness. You admirs the the beautiful
work and offer to buy it. No, she can
not sell; this belongs to the agent, ane
no matter if she did turn over the
money she would never get any more
money from him. Happy though, yol
ask her to buy some material and en-
broider it. ssNo," she says sadly, ''ths
agent is the village shop-keeper and
will not give the girls even this oppor
tunity to help themselves.
There is one chance left---to give a:
delicately as possible the coin in YOU
hand. Fatal mistake! You wound tt
the quick proud and sensitive spirit
willing and glad to work, but intensely
ayerse to anything that sayors O.
charity.
TO spend her earnings upon herself il
the last thought of an Irish girl. Thu
same feeling that prompts her here Il
send home money to buy comforts TO
the old people, or to bring over tn
younger ones, prompts her there Il
spend her scant earnings for the fanil,
good.
The Irish girl is dishonest as she il
industrious and unselfsh Throughou
our travels in the country we neve
once locked our doors in hotel or inn
nor even our trunks and not single
article was missing at the end of th'
trip. On the contrary, the most anus
ing difficulty was experienced in get
ting rid Of any cast-of-article. On one
occasion an old hat followed us through
FIVE different towns by her majesty's
mail cart.
i at the country inns, generally one
with the village postofice and shop, the
landladies were like motherly old hens.
With their own hands they cooked chop
or chicken, which, served with delicious
potatoes and delicately- favored tea
was meal to be thankful for after a
twenty-mile drive. The bedroom might
have no carpet, and the wash basin be
cracked, but when the landlady came tc
ask for your boots and skirts to see that
the damp was properly drawn out, and
when a cup of tea was thrust inside
your bedroom door in the early morn
ing, such triaes were forgotten.
AS to bills, they were SO modest as to
be funny, and on several occasions
"Whateyer you think fair" was the sum
total. The Irish woman has heart OF
gold, and it melts in sympathy and
| Kindness over the stranger and Wav.