Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-05-16

on very friendly terms Sir Wren owned
a neighboring estate, and Lady Wren, q
pure, sweet-faced woman, was my moth
ers dearest friend, while Annie, their
daughter, was my only playmate. She was
happy-hearted child, and would never
willingly vex or annoy any one. Che
seemed to guess my moods, and would act
accordingly But 1 fear, as l now look
back that 1 was IN overbearing, selfish
fellow, who exacted many acts of self
denial from my little friend.
At the age of sixteen an active life be-
gan. My father had decided that should
go ia Cambridge University. The years 1
spent there were busy ones. With my wild,
rowing nature. it was hard work for me to
keep pace with nay class. but pride and
ambition helped me to form the habit OF
study. Twas too proud to fall behind in
my class. Thanks to my mothers careful
teaching, was never tempted to indulge
in the use of wine or stronger drinks with
my classmates. So. when morning found
them with mu6filed brains mine was clear
and ready for work.
In short tiIne gained fair standing in
my class, and carried home good report
at vacation. With what longing heart 1
looked forward to those happy days. Ny
| home coming was the signal for merry
making My mother was always kind,
'and my father was proud of my progress.
| My old playmate Annie Wren, was again
the companion of my leisure hours.
One day / had been out riding with
| friend. Coming home we had to pass
through avillage of tenant houses. AS we
came into the town we saw the bailih,
with his detachment of armed police, enter
it from the opposite side.
"NoW for some fun" said my friend.
"These fellows are upon an ousting expedi-
ton"
AS they entered the signal was sounded
| by the blowing of horns and beating of tin
pans. The inhabitants Immediately took
the ahIrm and gathered in front of the first
hovel TO be attacked. There they held
theirlposition in spite Of the bayonets that
were freely used by the police. There were
few men in the village They were away
at work but the women fought with hoes,
rakes, pitchforlls and shovels, and seemed
perfectly reckless of life. One after an
other fell, some killed, some wounded, but
they would not yield After a long and
terrible struggle the 5ailif drew of his
force, leaving the inhabitants to care for
the WOunueu ana dying.
IL was most terrible sight that met my
view as l went to help the poor people in
their distress. A young lady, a teacher in
the school came to helpius. Her sad reci-
tai was heart-rending.
+Many of my pupils" said she, "come
20 school every morning without having
eaten mouthful since their supper the
night before and they can only hope for
| oil cbo of hot hair OF
or borrow from people nearly as poor as
themselves. Every day miss another face,
and another is added to the long death list
Is there no help for this starving peopleP
she asked, while teHs ran down her
checks.
az also ask, is there no help3 Must peo-
pie die in this land of plenty? No, L will
sound the alarm and call for aid" / said,
while with busy hands we cared for the
wretched inhabitants.
'"What n curse must follow those who
cause this" she said starvation and
rags are not enough, but they must offer
up their lives to defend this wretched
howell and homer
What a scene of misery it vast Children
crying over bruised and bleeding mothers,
and mothers weeping over their helpless
children; while the fangs of the hungry
wolf was fastened on each pale and bag
gard face. AS soon as we could, my friend
and rode away. Each was silent. Words
could not express our feelings. Here were
people who had toiled early and late to
grow crops, but they must starve. They
had built little hovels not fit for pig pens,
But they must offer up their lives, that
they might dwell in them. Landlordism
is the most brutal cruelty the world has
ever known.
When reached home had food af all
descriptions gathered together, and soon
we were on our way back to the starving
people. Lord Waverland was not at home
and for once dared TO brave his wrath IL
beshould learn what had done. The
tears of Joy and thankfulness that greeted
US as we divided our load were reward
enough for a whole life of self-denial
The determined resistance made by
those village tenants was the commence
ment of the war against eviction. A call
was Immediately made for relief, and all
that winter committees were busy dealing
ont food to the suffering people. At the
same time, the bailiff and his forces were
busy evicting the starving men and fam
ishing families.
AL over western Ireland the horrors of
another al" seemed the doom of the in
habitants. Aid from America came by the
ship4sad. But the British government did
nothing to save the people from suffering
and death. Many private persons gave
literally Even the queen of England
gave O pittance from her income of mil
lions ard was duly thanked for it,
All this time the war ON rents was grow
ing fiercer The condition of the country
was rousing the people to action. 1t was
strengthening the Land League and weak
ening the cause and prestige of the land
lords.
,cuApTFR II-NY ZERO