The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-23

to those wierd old places; that his manner
has become subdued and grave from endless
feeding upon the Gaelic lyrics of mystic
past, or that the forgiveable superstitions
and wraiths which cling about these eeris
spots have wrought very many fantastic
fancies within the warp and wool OF hio
spiritual nature.
There is little romance about the croft
er's everyday and home life. II he can
make his rent partially from his land, no
tills it in the hard old primitive way, with
the rudest Of tools; and in Skye. the Hebri-
in Shetland, the crooked wooden spade, or
earth-fork, is still to be seen. II he cannot,
he ia forced to leave the croft to the care
of his wife and children, and turn fisher
man. Often his wife and grown daughter
leave the croft and Join the herring-cprer's
the summer. His subsistence 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 potatoes, but the variable
ready return doubtful. Often the oats
fail TO ripen. Again, when they mature,
the little crop is frequently destroyed by
rain. Potatoes Of late years occasionally
blight or rot. When both the oats and
potatoes fail, actual famine comes. BY the
cured for the long winter supply for the
few animals; but there il always peat to be
had for the one bright spot in all tho croft
ter's life, the great, open fireplace Of his
cabin. After the cows are MIXED in the
MED by the collie dog, cot out to herd them,
for the crofts are seldom enclosed. Old
coats or jackets are thrown over their
shoulders, and they listlessly move about
like q bevy of automatic scare-crows,
keeping the cattle or sheep within bounds
+ H. - 1~nv \
some business this, in tho old days or
in these days; but of late some Of the cod
denness of this live il being relieved by the
books good folk have put in the youthful
herders' hands; and the winter school il
uradually opening . new world to their
It il customary where there are only one
or two beasts to ''tether'' them with chain
or rope. The horse or "sheltia," il the
crofter have one, is also s'hobbled." Some
times half dozen sheep will be tethered by
day: and put into the. sheep-oot at night:
pets" The world has heard. of the
famous "pet lamb caser between the great
American deer stalker, w. L. Winans, who
controls . Highland game preserve Of
over 2so Co.,; sors Si . and the . a@s.
lamb strayed from the highway; tres
passed on the great mans acres; was
pouncsd upon and slaughtered by game
! keeper; and finally caused an action ct law
that aQitated the whole Of Great Britain.
and became the subject Of many m elo-
quent outburst in and out Of the house of
commons. The crofter's home 10 often q
sod hut matched. More frequently 1t con-
sists of four low walls Of apparently unce-
mented stones, With thatoh Of straw, or
| 6r-branches and straw. held in ito place by
| stones, anchored from the caves By straw
ropes. Tho structure usually encloses but
one room. There il low. wide
| but in some CASES only q ''b0al," or
square aperture for admitting light and
All, will be found. bunk answers for .
| I'D for the old follu. The children are
| disposed Of in the loft. A few rude benches,
or square blocks Of stone near the Areplace.
answer for seats. A. spinning wheel, here
and there . hAnd-loom, more or less dsh-
| ina gear, some iron pots, little earthen-
wers and often the square wooden drin1-
| ina Guns, or .'methess'' at tho anOiout 0aela.
viii 30 found. A few Of tbs moro forton-,
ats oeoftsrs may possess "but and bsn''
house, that h. house with two rooms.
whom .eangin' butt or.'bsn' ID the arlsto-s
CRATIC possibility. The croftss's food
almost universally ocmpeises porfidge
and mix, and perhaps brsed and
| -, foe besakfaat. ~ dinuse b. nay
] have :. bsnnetk Eys with =