Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-29
WAVERLAND.
BY MARIE SARAH BRIGHAM.

be sure, some of them are, as you say, vag-
abonds and drunkards; but the most OF
them are sober, industrious people; and
not only provide fol- themselves and their
families, but send large part of their
earnings back to Ireland every year"
81 have tenants on my estate who could
never pay the rent but for the aid that
comes from boys and girls in America" /
said. "And they are sober, hard-working
men, anxious to keep their holdings"
II think, Lord Waverland, that you
have been taking lessons of Sir Wren, "
said the Duke of Melvorne, walking back
and forth .'.N!Ugh the room, 81 remember
he used ~ be very bitter against absent
landlord J.
He thinks they are a curse to Ireland
yet" | said, 'by draining the country of a
million pounds year. He claims that no
nation on earth could avoid famine under
such a system"
THAT remains to be SEEM" said Lord
Sanders. 81 know there are more tenant
farmers in America, than in Ireland, Scot
land and England combined. A large per
cent of the land owners are Englishmen,
too. Why, | derive nearly two hundred
thousand dollars year from tenant farm
ers in America, and | am not the only one
who is reaping rich reward from Ameri-
can labor. But there is no sign Of a famine
there, as yet"
''NO," said the Duke Of Melvorne, con
the contrary, America is one of the most
prosperous nations on the globe"
1--WE are prosperous nation" said Co
lionel Haynes with animation, "but this
heavy drain on our people may cause sui
fering before we are expecting it,"
80, bah, on your suffering! I expect to
hear the American people begin to COM
plain as a compliment to this Internal
Irish agitation" said Lord Sanders, with
more arrogance than usual. Il am not
afraid of any complaints, as long as the
laws are made to suit ourselves"
but the laws are made by the people
and for the people," protested Colonel
Haynes.
'Ha, ha you haven't cut your eye teeth
yet" laughed Lord Sanders "Why, every
clause enacted by the Illinois Legislature
has been in favor of the landlords. You
cannot find q tenant in Ireland that is
bound under such strict laws as my ten
ants in Illinois are"
''Then God pity them" l said
"lt seems to me-" said Colonel Haynes,
shat about the time Ireland is free from
English landlords America will be pretty
well burdened with them. The thought is
repulSive. We love to call our land, '"rhe
land of the free and the home of the
brave" Our fcrefathers fought and suf-
fered hundred years ago to make it a
nation of homes. But not one drop of
precious blood was ever given to make it a
trading ground for English capitalists or
to give foreigners the power to Cypress our
people"
"Well, don't get excited" said Lord
Sanders, going to the Colonel and placing
his hand upon his shoulder in the most
familiar manner. eve pay for the lands
we get, and we have a right to buy where
ever we choose. And then, we have right
to use our own property as we wish. No
government on earth has right to say
where shall live or where I shall spend
my money"
"That is true" said the Duke of Mel
vOrne, apprOvingly. 81 hold large tracts
of land III the United States now, and | in
tend to own ten times as much within the
next five years"
Hear! hear!'' cried eral voices. $50
will we"
The evening pass fore we realized
1t. Many besides ourselves had been in
terested in TIC discussions. The Duke of
MclvOrne invited Colonel Haynes and my
self to be his guests during our stay in
London.
CRATER IA.-A TERRIFIC SHOCK.
Blue Ridge is beautifully located on the
upper Thames several miles from London.
The building is a handsome mansion,
built at the beginning of the last century,
when English gentlemen reveled in the
luxury OF spacious halls, superb galleries
and magnificent reception rooms. The
Duke of Melvorne keeps quite court OF
lords and ladies about him who ar1use
themselves according to their taste or fan
Cy, while he remains free TO go and come
without restraint. There is always some
plan for amusements being carried on by
Lady HOrtense, an aunt of the duke, who
is the lady of the house and entertains his
guests.
On the first evening of our visit at Blue
Ridge there was a grand concert in which
some celebrated musicians from London
took part 1t was grand treat to me and
as listened l thought how Stella's eyes
would sparkle ana her expressive fac" re-
spond to the soul inspiring melody, if she
was here.
One day as the colonel and myself were
having quiet game of chess in the duke's
private parlor, favorite resort for gentle
mon not otherwise engaged, the duke came
in, saying:
Lady Hortense has just been asking me
to find some one to take the part of Uncle
Sam in theatrical play they are getting
I tn Colon %
Haynes, to take the part"
81 fear | should be Il failure said the
colcuel, but after little thought he con
scented to trv.
When the eventful evening came The
great hall was brilliantly lighted, and the
stage that had been erected at one end O
the hall was dr&ped with artistic skill
The play was "Uncle Sans advice tC
Johnny Bull"
The first scene opened with johnny
Bull, a sturdy, cOrpUlent old fellow
dressed in waistcoat, leather breaches, and
8 three-cornered hat, with stout oaker
cudgel IN his hand, seated on throne sur
rounded by lords and ladies in rich appar
ell At the same time a chorus of voice.
was heard in the distance advancing sing
ing Hail Columbia" The character.
marched on to the stage in front of the
throne, still singing Uncle Sam came
first, dressed in striped pants, swallow
tail coat and white stove-pipe hat The
goddess of liberty, tall, beautiful woman
draped with stars and stripes, was at hi:
side. They were followed by a company
of girls dressed in white, carrying Ameri
can flags AS they crossed the stage, Tn
Gle Sam helped himself to chair, crossed
his legs, took from his pocket clay pipe