The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-24

reminiscential vein of remark. "They
mecht roar theirsels black i the face, afore
they'll draw bluld frae that neep (turnip)i"
"Oh, aye" crooned a still older old wo-
s s OF y, soon, the reoht side o the oarlyles
How Carlyle's adorers would have
groaned to hear these his old neighbors go
on! One limited at their pride with, ."They
thooht theirsels nae sheep, Psi r, Anot is
sbs Of bs their thrift , x hsy Rs5 ssd
sas,s asas ON WITH Rsy their to
nae dogs" Another, Of their austerity
with, "fhey warna guild to neebor wi"
And another bent old body summed up
what any one will at once find to be the
universal feeling in the testy little village,
E .s The crisp TS ns{ were ses IL TO
with the Carlyles. It is historic that others
besides these dim old souls, some who lived
in the same houses with them, found it just
that way.
The tramps got nothing for their offer
tory, and, after few vicious kicks at the
reach the house just as the huge form and
red, veinous face of Mrs. John Gourley.
care taker, appeared at the door. Shaking
q fine bludReon after the vanishing Migrants
she relieved her indignation with: "Hoots!
It's weary day for auld Scotland when
there's nae body T fend hoose like this
in radiant expectation of low English sax
pences," bade me enter.
There is but one room below stairs. In
the upper story there is a room the same
size as that on the first floor. This is re-
tanned as sort of show room, and is we'll
enough filled to be interesting with Carlyle
which he was wont to brew his own cof-
fee, and his equally tobacco cutter
landmarks of the Cheyne row. Chel-
sea, inspiration, and inseparable
companions of his Feasibility and dyspep-
sia. OF this little chamber and sitting
room, in which is set quaint old fire.
place, is little, long, low bedroom over
the archway; and in this Thomas Carlyle
was born. Altogether the place is uninvit-
ing, meager, hard, austere. The father who
built it was godly. stubborn. irascible;
f1inty as the Scotch granite in which he
thole,' as the bent-backed old guidewife,
who knew him, SO aptly described the fam
lily. DisassociatinQ the man Thomas Car
lyle from the heorism of his lofty work,
You cannot come to one spot made warm,
tender and glowing for his having been a
part of it; and the dreary old kirk-yard
where he lies, but few steps from where
he was born, intensifies the feeling that
something of the human and humane was
lacking. or was denied, his whole line.
There does not seem to be one soul in all
the region where he was born and reared
who recalls the family name with loving
kindness and respect. To be known
| as pilgrim to the Carlyle home and tomb
is to be regarded with suspicion and sneers.
The very grave stone ia parsimonious and
shabby; the enclosure unkempt; weeds and
brambles crowd the spot closely; the lad
that unlocks the gate smokers behind you;
and as stood for a little time leaning upon
the iron railing in contemplation of the
lonely, neglected grave of this rare old war
rior in the field of letters, wondering, after
all, if any true greatness can ever exist SO
far above the heads and hearts of the lowly
that they are not reached, aided and en-
comprised BY it; a bevy of rosy-cheeked,
roguish eyed Scotch lassies passed, and re-
garding me with hilarious scorn for over
looking the merits of Ecclefechan itself for
dismal lettering where the hearts of none
were turned, one fair maiden applied to a
certain disciple of Carlyle such sturdy
words of badina2e as might we'll bewilder
the hravest pilprim to shrines in foreign
landA
AT EccLEFEcHAx.
Mus:ng lone one summer morning
In an ancient Scottish kirk yard
BY the grave of rare old Carlyle.
Reverent bowed and deep in droaminy-
Suddenly there passed maiden;
Passed. but paused Then. smiling. quoth she:
~IhsIe's no yon Mt stance an brombies;
Muckle MAR in Ecclefechani"
Then the rosuish maiden vanished
From tn. place of stones and bramhles.
And left the Gaak old kirk-yard
NTH the lessol of her scoraing:
Aeep Thy s.ui from ont the shadows
Turn Thy life from g.aies TO g.aaEess.
Ibis thou III but hint IN living,
Thus learned at Ecclefechan.
II, WxuunaAm