The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-01-09
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P.NRNELL'S TRAITS.
Ills Mysterious Methods and Regal Man
ncr Toward Everybody.
q. IS. smaIley in The y. Y. Tribune

%. ". >maliey IN the y. !. Tribune.
Mr. Parnell has always been the mys-
terry man of politics and people now think
the mystery is cleared up. The mystery
was Mrs. O'Shea. When Mr.. Parnell was
not in The House of Commons he was at
Ethan in her society. or at some one OF
the many other places in which this long
intrigue was at different times carried on.
His absences were often commented on
never explained. The discretion of The
English press in such matters, even in
these days of new journalism, is often
admirable. There have been many peo-
pie that knew what was going on. There
has been plenty of surmise and, as Mr.
Parncll's friends believe, scandal. Once
or twice. a. We saw at the trial, some hint
or yelled statement has found lis way into
print, generally into rather obscure print
But of that publicity which in America
would have thrown an electric light on
the doings ut WoncrislI Lodge there has
been none.
Never, ! suppose, did any man carry
secrecy and mystery so far. 1t was sup
posed at one time that Mr.. Parnell cloak
ed his movements because he dreaded
assassination. That was more particularly
after the PhTnix-Park murders, when the
relations between the Irish leader and
the invincibles, as with the dynamite and
other rather extreme wings of the party
were strained. 1t is difficult to say whether
danger really existed or whether Mr. Parnsll
believed it 10 exist. What is certain is
that long after it was over the mystery
was still kept up. His own party, his own
followcrs-c0mrade he had nonc-neyer
knew where to find him or how to reach
him. During the session he gave no ad-
dress but the House of Commons, and
often he was not at the House for DAYS,
sometimes not for weeks A great pile
of unopened Letters and kilograms would
he waiting for him when he came. They
were never forwarded, because nobody
knew where to forward them. When he
arrived he opened the kilograms and some
times the letters. Sometimes-not al
always. He has been seen to put great
packet of sealed letters into the fire
without looking at them.
He cared nothing for society, but Of
late years some of his new Liberal allies
or their wives have sought him, aud asked
him 10 dine. 1t they knew his WAYS. thew
sent their invitations BIZ telegraph; nor
were they even then always received There
mas one case which will serve as we'll
as many. telegram was sent inviting
Dir. Parnell to dine al L well known house
on specified day A large party was to
be given; perhaps Mr.. Gladstone was 10
have been present. Noanswer came from
Mr.. Parnell. The day arrived and the
dinner took place without him. 1t was
on Wednesday, On the Wednesday
following about noon his hostess received
telegram in which he excused himself
on the ground OF absence for not having
answered earlier, adding that he would
dine with her and her husband that even
ing with pleasure. Her husband mean
time had gone abroad; she herself was
engaged to dine elsewhere. But she was
woman OF resources and of flexible mind,
saw at once that he had mistaken the
date-an easy thing TO do with telegram
threw over her engagement; sent of
halt dozen dispatches TO intimate friends
who could be asked without ceremony for
the same evening, and when Mr. Parnell
arrived he found company assembled,
though not large one, and went into
dinner-without dreaming he was week
late
The difficulty for those who had bust
ness relations with him was not less. His
party never knew whether they might
count on him or not What they did
know was that messages and cntreaties
were thrown away on him. If great
Irish debate were on Mr.. Parnell might or