Telegram-herald., 1890-11-23

croft have almost always been INSOFAR
ably connected, there IS little wonder
that the crofter clings lovingly to these
weird old places; that hls manner has
becOmed subdued and grave from end
less feeding upon the Gaelic lyrics of
a mystic past; or that the forglvable
supersutions and wraiths which cling
about these eerie spots have wrought
very many fantastic fancies within the
warp and woof of his spiritual nature.
There is little romance about the
crofter's everyday and home life. If
he can make his rent partially from his
land, he tills il in the hard, old priml-
tive way, with the rudest of tools; and
IN Skye, the Hebrides, IN remote parts
of the North, and here in Shetland, the
crooked wooden spade. or earth-fork, ls
still to be seen. If he can not, ne Is
forced to leave the croft to the care OF
his wife and children, and turn fisher
man. Often his wife and grown daugh-
ter leave the croft and join the her
ring-curer's crews on the coast, for sew
eral months of the summer. His sub
stance gained from the croft is always
precarious; and were it not that his
wants are few, he could not live at all.
His principal crops are oats and pota-
toes; but the variable nature Of the cll-
mate renders a steady return doubtful.
Often the oats fail 10 ripen. Again,
when they mature, the little crop is
frequently destroyed by rain. POta-
toes OF late years occasionally blight or
rot. When both the oats and potatoes
fail, actual famine comes. BY the
greatest vigilance enough grass may be
g. ~ IL F.ar
the few ANIMALS; but there is always
peat TO be had for the one bright spot
IN all the crOfter's life, the great, open
fire place OF his cabin. After the cows
are MIXED IN the morning, the younger
children, accompanied by the collie
dog, set out TO herd them, for the crofts
are seldom enclosed. Old coats or
jackets are thrown over their shoulders,
and they lsilessly move about like q
bevy of automatic scarecTOWs, keeping
the cattle or sheep within bounds the
whole day long. Dresry, lonesome
business this, IN the old days or in these
days; but of late some of the sodden-
. ness Of this life Is being relieved by the
looks good folk have put in the youth
nj herder's hands; and the winter
schoOl Is gradually opening new world
It is customary where there are only
one or two beasts to "tether" them with
chain or rope. The horse or "sheltie,"
If the crOfters have zone, is also mob
: bled." Sometimes half q dozen sheep
VIII be tethered 10y day, and put into
the sheep-COt At night. Sucn croft
sheep are universal Y called ''pets."
Tue world has heard Of the famous
Z - .
American deer-stalker, ". l.. Winans.
who controls a Highland game preserve
of over 2J0 900 acres. and the shoe
maker of KInisIl. The shoemsker's
only lamb strayed from the highway;
trespassed on the great mans acres,
was pounced upon and slaughtered by
Eamskeeper; and finally caused au
acton az law that sgitated the whole Of
/ Great Britain, and became the subject
+ Of many an eloquent outhUrst n and
( out Of the House OF Commons. The
F CrofteTs home - often sod but with
a cod thstch. More frequently i con-
ssts Of four low walls Of SD.
psrently uncemsnted stones, with a
I tnsfCh Of siraE. or fir-branches and
straw, held in its place hy stones, an
( Chored from TIE caves by straw ropes.
( The structure usually sucioses but one
{ ROOM There sa l0T. v de door, per
haDs = window OF tTo. bGt ln some
i cases only boa or square aperture
for admitting ) gbt snd ar, vJi be
I found. A bunk answers for bed for
+ the old folss The children are e.
posed of in TIE loft few rude
I benches, OF square blocks of stone near
f the fireplace. answer for seats. A spa
+ ning-wheel, here sn5 there = hsna
4 loom, mere Or iess fishing gear. sonse
4 iron pots, little eartheuwsrs. fsna
E cftsn tne s1uare nr-cups, CT
"msfhers' of ths sncient (Tssls, wi Be
found. A few II tha r-urs fortur sfs
E Crofters nay possess a bat SIC he1
f bouss. t1at e. A aegss rth two rooms,
+ wheu "Fsngn bot or "ben ths
1 sG.soocraGe possibility. The croltsr /.