Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-09-12
WAVERLAND.
A Tale of Our Coming Landlords.
ny SARAH MABIE BRIGHAM.
Copyrighted. 1886.

love and trust was moro eloquent than
words Myrtle, my sweet shy little sister,
came to Stella, and putting her arms
about her neck wept for Joy
Annie came with her merry greeting,
and not O shade of care or sorrow on her
fair face Colonel Haynes was also among
the first to wish us JOY and happiness.
Soon after the congratulations were over
we were invited to a most sumptuous ban
quet.
AS I looked across the table I was
pleased to see Colonel Haynes with Sir
Wren and Annie, conversing in the most
friendly manner. Melvorne looked con-
tented. The quiet dignity that he always
possessed seemed now to lend an added
charm to his behavior, as he moved
among the guests in the grand drawing
room. Music and song, and the lively
sparkle of joyous wit, made the evening
pass like f.eeting fairy tale.
This was the beginning of series OF
dinners and receptions. At Blue Ridge
the next day. the mansion seemed per-
feet Eden of bloom and fragrance. Lady
Hortense. with exquisite taste had ar
ranged everything in the most delightful
order A grand concert was the final treat.
Sir Wren could not forget the important
political questions of the day even amid all
this gayety, but would always find some
one with whom he could discuss the diff
cult problems agitatng the country. Dur
ing the concert instead of listening to tho
music, he was in retired corner Of the
great drawing-room in earnest converse
ton with member of the British Parlia-
ment When heard Parnell's name be-
came interested ard asked Lady Waiver
land to excuse me and soon joined them
in the discussion.
but sir" said Sir Wren, "why need
the new party be destroyed"
"The power they will hold can force one
party or the other to grant their demands
in the coming parliament. II the men are
elected, in the strength that Parnell ex-
poets, he will hold Il controlling power"
said the NJ. T..
~ believe he will elect nearly every can
di,late he chooses to nominate" said Sir
Wren earnestly. "But England need not
care" he continued, 'if she is willing to
comply with an act Of parliament passed
in the first year Of the present century
That the independence of Ireland should
ever remain TO her."
"Why sir" said the NJ. p, chat can
never be. Ireland is a part of the empire,
and rs such she can never be independ-
eutn'
"Ireland does not ask complete indie
pendence, but to have the legislative right
for local parliament and local govern
ment"
''If we should grant that in this coming
parliament, in the next she will ask even
more. The more we grant the Irish peo-
pie the more they wantp' exclaimed the
NJ. p, with animation.
II will grant that, SIR" said Sir Wren.
"But one must remember that what rights
they now enjoy they have had to struggle
hard to obtain. And we cannot blame
them for longing for more liberty. They
only ask that their laws may be made by
their own people, and that their interests
may be protected by laws of their own
making"
Gould we grant them SO much without
making our landed interest voidy" asked
the NJ. i.
yes sir, think we could" replied Sir
Wren. But believe the transfer Of our
land titles should he through the govern
ment, and, that the owners of lands in
Ireland should be compensated for their
lands by bonds bearing interest issued by
the government"
"Would you be willing TO part with your
lands on these conditions?" asked the NJ. p
II would. ! believe every evil that ROW
rests on Ireland or any other country
where land monopoly is allowed, grows
out of the false system of the lands being
held by the few and worked by the many"
said Sir Wren warmly.
but, Sir Wren," said, "if the English
government held the lands of England and
Ireland rs carelessly as the American gov
eminent holds the lands entrusted TO it
for future generations, in a few years the
lands would all be held by small minor
ity.,n
THAT is true" said Lord Sanders, rs he
Joined the group. ~ own nearly one hun
dred thousand acres in Illinois and about
MS much more in Kansas and Nebraska.
Aud not an acre but will yield Inc ten
times the amount it has cost me, in less
than five years. And / can secure tenants
Oil better terms there than in Ireland"
"-Tben America will soon feel the same
appalling misery and hear the same help
less cries that afilict and curse Ireland to-
dayr' said Sir Wren.
Even Row she feels that" l said, re-
nembcring my visit. "In the districts
where tenants occupy the lands, you see
the same wrctchcd novels and signs of des-
utution that we sec in Ireland"
"Well it brings us fine income" said
Lord Sanders, putting his hands into his
pockets with satisfied air. III can live in
luxury and ease and my family can hold
high position in the world while these
proud Americans are glad to sweat for the
gold spendW
But how many families are bound I'M
der iron clad leases and driven almost to
starvation to provide you with the means
Cor all your pleasures" said Sir Wren.
81 don't Know" SAID Lord Sanders in
differently. "They 90 well enough. They
only pay ME rents for my lands"
"To think" said Colonel Haynes, who
joined the group in time TO hear Lord San
der's last remark, that any American
citizen must pay tribute to foreigner for
the privilege of living on American soil!
1t would be q queer sight for our State
militia TO be called upon, as her majesty's
troops are in Ireland, TO evict an American
citizen from his home, because he cannot
pay his foreign landlord the rack-rent de-
mar'led. Why, we boast that we are free
from paying tribute money TO foreign ma
lions, especially TO Britons / thought