Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-10-26
STRATHGLASS.
The NOblPst of All of ScOtland's Won
drOus Straths and Valleys.
The Worlds Grinding Activities Hold Naught
in Their Possibilities Like the Con.
tent OF a Highland Homs.
copyright, 1901
AFooT IN SCOTLAND.

copyright, $780,
AFooT SCOTLAND.
STRArHGLAss, SCOTLAND, Sept. IS, 1890.
Special Correspondence Gazette.
1t was an earnest welcome that came to me
from the indwellers at the sweet old lone ~
manse of Fasnskyle in the heart of grand
Slrathglass among the grim peaks of Northern
Scotland. Though the night was already fall
ing like dark wing from the crags as we de-
scended from the stage-coach, the situation and
surroundings of the manse could be vaguely dis
cerned. The great strsth stretched east and
west for half q days journey In front. The
river Glass, from whence strathgLss derives its
name, swept by the very edge of the coach road
beside US with strong, even flow, and a sort of
half roar and song over its level, though rocky
bed. Behind, to the north, perhaps a dozen
acres of land. part OF which belonged to the
manse, was formed in a sort of horseshoe-like
pocket, or dell, behind which the
mountains to lofty heights, and down
whose rough old sides, =, through
here and there, beneath the road, leaped and
lumbled into the Glass below. Larches GRIM
tall and wraith-like in the shadows IF hid the
manse and its low stone out-buildings; and the
lights streaming through the great doors and
windows, flung fantastic shadow-scenes of
waving larch and happy children along the
walks of gravel white snow
There in the great door were the household
members. all gathered for the coming of their
head and the stranger. The guidwife first fine
and tall, grand in the physique of the old Morse
race from which she sprang, gave US gent e,
earnest greeting. Then came the minister's as
with manhood in his face and grasp in his
hand which did one good to see and feel. Then,
two domestlcs. shy, voiceiess Highland girls,
who knew little OF English but much of every
day duty. These and the faxen- haired BARNS
in every attitude and place
BEAMED KINDNESS AND WELCOME.
Soon supper is served in the roomy dining
room, off the great hall. This room also an
swers for the two clerics study and library. In
the few minutes intervening between our arrival
and the meal, the Eve BARNS ebbulant with life
and joyousness have babe the stranger good
night, and are hushed in slumber. The minis
ter's assistant says grace with that honesty of
faith and feeling that thrills to ones heart as
genuine blessing. The meal, modest enough in
itself, yet delicious in its snowy scenes crisp
bacon, fresh laid eggs, and honest HIGHLAND
cream and butter. is given the sparkling zest of
perfect hospitality devoid of offensive protesta-
ton, and that sweetest Of all converse issuing
from pure hearts, heslthful bodies and cultured
inteliects; and is all too short after an hours
duration. Then the guidwife excuses herself
for bit; the shy domestics enter and remove
the cloth and belongings; and then, oh horror
to the super-sensiLvel some good old honest
Highland pipes, black as the night behind the
window panes brought; and in the
''auld reekie'' of their rings and wresths two
hours come and go in talk and tales of the North
so swiftly that 10 O'Clock has come. and the
fore we are aware. Then the guidwife returns
and ''porridge, hot. steaming hot, with pinis
and pints OF creals, are served. This disposed
the shy maidens return, eacn with book in her
hand. They seat themselves and am handed
similar book. Its title is, 1.-The Scottish Psal-
ter,' being THE Psalms in Metre, with the
Paraphrases, and Selection of the Prose
Psalms" The book is cut entirely through the
contents between the covers, the s'Sol-Fa' sys-
tenn of notes being printed q; the top and the
paraphrases beneath. Suddenly to me strange
had broken forth into q most impressive chant.
Key G.