Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-12
THE IRISH FISHER.
A WhOle-Souled, Hard-Working,
Poyerty-Stricken Parsonage.
THEIR HOMES AND HARDSHIPS.
Immense Fleets That ScOur the Sea in
Search of Juicy Mackerel.
INTERESTING FACTS FOR AMERICANS
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CORRESPONDENCE OF THE D1sPArcH.I
VALENTIA L, IRELAND, April 29.-An
Irish fsherman's home is hardly palace,
but occasionally one holds love and content;
and the one to which my new-found, shaggy
friend with whom 1 had tramped from Kill
Iarney, led me with rapid strides of home
nearing, was one of that sort. Most of the
habitations of the fishing village were
wretched novels indeed. This one was not
only clean, but from corrag to thatch dis
closed the touch of loving hands. As we
neared it, could see that white-hounced
curtains showed behind the tiny panes of
cabin and loft; some pretty vines were
trained about the windows themselves, and
the little curl of smoke above the thateh
which told of the humble hearthside with
in, escaped through a sturdy chimney in
stead of the usual hole in the roof. As the
big fellow bounded into his cabin remained
outside with pretense Of enjoying the fine
coast scenery; and this seemed wise, for the
Joyous riot within fairly signified that for
the time being there was little room for a
stranger. But this shortly subsidized as the
giant reappeared at the door tossing his
tiny, barefooted wife in the air as though
she were baby; while brood of little
ones, the youngest as big as the little
mother. danced wildly about themj and 1
was directly installed as a guest with great
honor, greater garrilousness, and ringing
cead mile failte. And what
MERRY HUSTLE AND BUsTLE
were there about that me-welcoming
meal! Blocks of the finest turf were put
upon the embers; and the little ones took
perspiring turns at the dingy, wheezy bel
lows. Ashes and fame roared up that
great chimney as never before. Schowders
(oaten-cakes) were set on edge for fresh
toasting. In jiffy the "white horses were
gallopin'" above the "praties'' in the pot;
the ''tay was wetted by the fire." and every
body was falling over everybody else in ex-
cess of loving effort.
"Will it be three aigs the day?" the lit
tie wife blushingly asked her burly hus-
band.
"Three aigs, is it?'' roared the giant
fisherman, taking his wife's little head in
his two huge hands, so big there was no
place left on her glowing face to kiss.
Three aigs? Phat's three aigs to empty
craythurs like ourselves, suillish machree?
Sure Imply sacks can't stand. It's rubbing
drink wild the stranger in a coal-hole wild
yer eyes TO the slack. Make it sex-an'-
an slewsther (kiss of fondness) a villish
(my sweet)i An a two-eyed beefsteak Ga
herring) for the aich av us; and fine mis-
caun (cone of butter) from Misthress
O'Neil's by the crag, an gawlioge Oarge
measure) O. milk; an the hartsomest fayst
in Kerry entirely, wild banaght Dhea orrin,
ershi misha! (with Gods blessing on us,
say ID"
1t was all that, in the pleasant cabin, and
then came the problem of my own housing
for the week should remain among the
fishermen of the region. The cabin like all
its class had but one room below, and little
loft above. There was no room for me in
these. But in little shed at the end, dry
and clean, where all the sea and fishing
gear was stored, we soon had fine cot made
on q well-folded seine; and though clearly
defined aroma of fish, tar and oakum per-
vaded the place, as one little window
showed some sweet, fern-covered cliffs be-
hind, and another gave a superb view of
Valentia Island, the, sublime. promOntory
of Bray Head, and of the mighty sea be-
yond, only churlish traveller could have
found else than graduation in the sunny
and wlnsome spot.
SATISFIED WITH LITTLE.
And yet how little served these quaint
folk fully. There was not a chair within
the cabin. Two stone strangers seats"
one at either side of the chimney, and a
few rude stools answered in good stead. A
bunk against the wall was the bed of the
fisherman and his wife. The bouchaleens
and girshas slept upon the floor of the loft
Their only mirrors were each others eyes.
One table of heavy deal stood beneath the
window. One cupboard, made by little
recess in the wall, and another of ancient
Irish oak, easily held all the households
scant though priced belongings. One or
two case-knives, several fsh-knives used in
cleaning fish and in all seafaring work, two
or three earthen bowls, pewter mug for
the rare treat of sugar, one modern tin pan,
a huge pewter basin and two or three sau-
GERS, comprised all tine ware for the table
the fisher family possessed. Beside these,
there were a few of those rare old Irish
methers, or square drinking cups, carved
out of solid wood. These are precisely the
same as those used in Erin 20 centuries ago.
A strong bot, or tub, had its place beneath
the table. A schrahag, or fat osier basket |
with narrow sides, always held the boiled
potatoes at the meal. And the cooking
utensils were the same, and as few, as were
used by the peasantry since there
were such in Ireland. There was the |
potatoes and for boiling cabbage
leaves and other delicacies for the pig;
the iron kettle, in which an egg might be |
boiled, or the stay was wetted;" and the |
great, round, fat iron griddle in which |
blackbread, the schowders and all extra
ordinary goodies were baked, either hang |
ing from the crane above the fire. or set |
at an angle against it and turned as neces-
sity required. The schowder, being next |
to potatoes the great staff of life deserves |
mention. 1t is made of thick batter of |
oaten meal, seasoned with salt, and, on |
extraordinary occasions, with drippings |
from fried pork. 1t IS the equivalent of |
the "bannock" of Scotland and the North |
of ireland, and is ever splendidly health
full and toothsome article OF food. Strictly !
speaking, the schowder is only such when,
as the oaten cake baked on the great hang
ing griddle, it is additionally toasted or
roasted on the muddha arran before the |
greeshaugh or embers. This muddha arran
is the only other utensil of the fireplace of
these fishermen, or the peasantry at large.
1t is an iron forked stick with three legs, on
which the schowder, all fish, and any bit of
meat good luck may send, are toasted or
broiled; and it is one of tine most ancient
cooking utensils remaining in Ireland.
A DREARY PICTURE.
What is true Of one is pretty nearly true
of the many fishing villages of the south
west Irish coast Perhaps one, two or three
homes in each will be found as tidy and
comfortable as that of my fisher friend. But
all the rest are sad lot indeed. There is
hardly well-thatched house among them.
The floors, always Of mud, are filled with
little pools, inwhieh the ducks clatter their
bills for crumbs, and the pigs cool their
hams or deposit their snouts at will. The
latter invariably have the best part of the
cabin; the chickens appropriate the loft. and
the cat, the priced protector against their
ever-alert enemies, a.species of huge and
ferocious rats, is undisturbed in its pos
session of the only warm corner at the hob;
nets and general fishing equipments sway
like dirty pendulums from rafters and pegs;
and the selnes, oars and more important
gear of the boats are secured in the only
dry spots which the habitations can fur
niSh.
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