Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-04-09
CHAPTER XIvIII-THE HISTORIC TUESDAY.

gagged IN earnest conversation on the one
topic that the Colonel was so much inter
ested in, viz: the great and increasing
number of English landlords in America.
"Why, l have not heard very much
about the subject; / believe 1 did read
something in the papers about duke or
someone owning from twenty to fifty
miles of land in Dakota, but was not in
terested in it," said the ex-minister in an
unconcerned istless fashion.
Il was no more interested than you are"
said the Colonel, when came to Britain,
but l am beginning to learn the extent OF
their investments and can realize that
something must be done to stop it, or
British lords will soon lord it over more
land in America than they have in all the
British Islands together
80, well. Haynes, Il they do it will only
give US Americans more dignity and i'm
portance by having a few aristocrats in
our midst" said the ex-minister, watching
the ladies in a group opposite, as though
he would rather join them than discuss
the unimportant theme Of absentee land
lordism in America, which only involves
the veal or woe of few hundred genera
tons Of people!
The Colonel reading the wish In the ex-
minister's eyes, crossed the room and pre-
sented him as personal friend, to the
Duchess of Melvorne, Lady WaVerland
and Miss Annie Wren, who formed pleas
ant group anti the brilliant throng
"There, you see how most Americans
feel on the subject of foreign landlord
ism!'' said Mr.. Louard, who had been
standing near me while the Colonel and
ex-minister had been conversing.
Il see they are very Indifferent on the
subject" l said; "but if they only knew
how hard it will be to throw off this yoke
that is now being fitted to their necks they
would soon be intensely interested"
IF they would only turn back a hundred
years and read few pages of their own
history, they would pause long enough
in the mad whirl of business to estab-
lish laws that would control this for
eign land monopoly. Gen. Washington
saw the oppression that the children of
American fathers and mothers will feel in
their generation, when LIE said, What
does England's conduct deserve, and what
punishment is there in store for the men
who have distressed millions, involved
thousands in ruin, and plunged number
less crowd in ineXtricable woe?'" said
Lollard.
"That describes the situation of Ireland
to-day" said; "and that is what 1 would
warn the people of America to prepare to
defeat and shun."
sob, you are always talking of land
lordsn' exclaimed Lord Sanders, as he
joined us. 'That seems to be favorite
theme of yours. l thought you were
landlord yourself, Waverland"
$50 I am, and that is why I know so
much about them. Every humane i'm
pulse of my life has been made to suffer
from the cruelty have seen practiced on
starving, evicted tenants"
II was landowner once in Ireland my
self, but the tenants you sympathise with
SO fervently would steal and sell my stock
as fast rs | could buy" said Lord San
ders, so I sold my lands there and in
vested my money where tenants are law
abiding and stand by their contracts"
81 bought your estate" said Sir Wren,
land the tenants who remained after the
most cruel eviction, [ found good, faithful
laborers. Men and women have stood by
every contract, and now I an going back
to Ireland to sell my lands to tnose very
men who were evictod from them years
ago I have no fer but that they will
stand by every contract / ma+4a with
them"
"You're welcome to deal with to Tgi<h
as you please, l will have nothing TO 10
with them," Sanders exclaimed. ~
would not live among such blood-thirsty
people! would sooner be among the Fiji
Islanders for safety"
Il have found that the love of home and
liberty is the one strong element in every
Irish heart, and it is the hope of obtaining
these that has brought all classes into
union with Parnel. My sympathies are
with the people. l want to see them have
a chance to become prosperous and hap
py," | said.
cts >aar :, talk" said Lord Sanders,
with g s2car. 'lut if YOU We're tried YOU
would find your money and your life
would be very dear to you, so dear that the
common Irish tenant would be left to look
out for himself
'"The time will come when we can prove
our loyalty to the cause of Horne Rule and
land REFORM said, with warmth.
You may go into parliament but they
will never grant Home Rule to Ireland,
or, very much land reform while the
Queen has power to defeat it! Coercion
will be enforced by adding a greater num-
Der to the official force now established in
Dublin. Law and order must be main
tanned in Ireland at whatever cost The
National League and all other societies
dangerous to the government must be sup
pressed. The Queen is fully alive to the
needs of the times. She will call for more
troops to aid in stamping cut this rebel
lious sprit!' said Lord Sanders, jingling
his watch chain and jewelry with vehe-
mence.
But" said Sir Wren, some may still
remember the terrific shock of last Jan
uary. They may fear to carry out your
proposals. If the people of Ireland cannot
work openly they will find some other way
to accomplish their object. They are
deeply in earnest"
"Weu, I'm glad I'm going to a land
where peace sits enthroned and tenants
haven't learned to avoid their legal obliga-
tions," said Lord Sanders, complacently
folding his long white hands and winking
his sinister black eyes.
II, too, am going to that land, and if my
influence has any power shall exert it to
the utmost against this increasing evil"
said Sir Wren.
"f 1 was in a position to act for the
American people l should soon have q bill
passed that would refund to you alien
landlords every dollar you have paid for
your lands. Then would make another
law that any alien who desired to buy or
lease lands there, should first take the
oath of allegiance as an American citi-
zen," said Lollard.
'That would lie fine way of disposing
of us!'' said Lord Sanders "My one hun.
dred thousand acres that cost me an aver.