Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-22

to live more comfortable. 1t is hard work
to live in this way" pointing to the pigs
and COW.
yer want the COW turned ont to die, so
we can't pay our rint,'' said Mike, thin
ye'd turn us from our home. No, yer may
leave usto Ourselves"
| tried to reason with HIN. bul could net
make him belize. bJt that I meant %
harm him. Mike was honest, industrious
and sober, but the few acres he held were
not enough to keep his family from want
II he never paid any rent. Yet could not
make him believe it was for his good I
made the offer.
i visited dozen farmers, but they were
all of the same opinion as Mike, and pre-
ferred to live in filth and degradation
rather than give up their little holdings.
Instead Of helping them as l had planned
to do, nearly caused an instruction The
men gathered together and were ready to
fight If l persisted in asking them to
change. I soon found the reason for such
filthy yards and houses was fear Of the
rent being raised if the place looked thrift
ty. Very carefully l set to work to over
come their mistaken preiudices
[ had commenced the work of improve
vised on that day which seemed to me
years ago, o, why was I silent that morn
ing! If had only spoken the loving words
within my heart, | might have kept her by
my side. How much I missed her now! [
had learned to value her words Of counsel.
Her ready tact would influence the tenants
to do her will, as l often found. When I
offered an plan for change if she had ever
spoken OF it to them they were very will
ing to accept it. Gradually had to learn
her way of dealing with the people and
was guided accordingly. 1t was the story
of TOpsy and Eva over again. Stella was
the Eva to teach me there must be sympa-
thy to win regard. As | followed out that
principle the tenants began to trust me l.
started improvements that gave them
work, and the wages gave them good
many comforts
After good deal of thought and some
expense had the satisfaction of knowing
that every tenant had comfortable house
and that the pigs and cows were sheltered
without being members of the family.
1t was beautiful morning in January;
the trees and shrubs were clothed With the
fairy garb that Jack Frost loves to deck
the world in, when l rode over to Sir
Wren's to receive instructions for nv Lon
don visit. He was in his favorite place,
the library. He looked up as l entered.
and extended his hand, saying:
II began to think you had forgotten
your promise, Lloyd. But there is time
enough yet. Q, by the way, your new
theory did NOT work; came near having a
row, hear"
eyes, Sir Wren, thought ! had got into
hornets nest. Even the women were
ready to fight RE. How did you make the
CHANGE"
''It was mostly done before bought the
estate. The former owner, Lord Sanders,
had used it for a pasture farm, and had
very few tenants. He had time clearing
it, as there were some two or TIN ee hun
dred families on the estate when he bought
it. He had them all evicted, though every
one had paid his rent quite promptly.
Father O'H2le said it was the saddest
sight ne ever saw when that whole village
were turned from home without food CT
shelter. He said some among them were
sick and the excitement and exposure were
more than they could stand. He was called
to offer consolation to the dying who lay
by the roadside in the rain and cold.
Every tenant house in the whole village
was burned. Lord Sanders never dared to
live here, His sheep and cattle were driv-
en- away in spite Of his agents watChful-
ness, Finally he was obliged to sell. That
is the way | have labOrers instead of
tenants
u think a landlord would have q lively
time Of it if he should try to eyict tenants
ct Wayerland Am l in time for the bust
ness You wished done at L0ndon?''
Yes, here are the Documents" said Sir
Wren, as he went to his desk and brought
me a packet, Here is 4 letter Of intro
duction to the Duke Of A>Iv0rne. That
VIII prove an open sesame to political cir
cles.''
I babe him goodbye, received his friend
" GOd-speed, then returned home and lin
1shed my arrangements for few weeks
absence
Arriving at ray destination in London, /
sought the lawyer to whom was to deliv-
er my packet, transacted the business in
trusted to my care, and vent out to find
the Duke OF MelHorne He was at his club
room. | gave him the letter from Sir
Wren. He read it, then in the most cor
dial manner made me feel at case
The Duke Of MelyOrne was tall and
strikingly handsome, with expressive
brown eyes, dark curly hair and clear
olive complexion. He had the stately
bearing OF an English n0blepan. He in
troduced me to young man, a friend Of
his, Colonel Haynes, from America, TO
Lord Sanders, All owner of American land
and to some dozen more. The Young
American WIS a powerful looking man,
with black hair, penetrating black eyes
that could sparkle with wit Or melt into
tenderness, q clear, ringing voice and a
grateful manner. Lord Sanders was q
dried-up little man, with dark, squeezed
up face small, restless black eyes and 3
long straight nose. He was dressed in
black, with boots as shiny as his eyes He
had gold watch-chain with immense
seals, depending from his fob, which he
ratified to emphasize his speech
Glow is Sir Wren and his fair daag4a-
ter" asked the dixie.
"They are quite well except the little
rheumatics that kept Sir Wren at home
just now" I answered. "They have had a
niece of Sir Wren's visiting them from
London. Are you acquainted with herE'
Lady Irving, do you mean?" he asked.
half indifferently, yet slightly anxious.
THAT is her name. She IS Il widow
and a beauty" I said.
''Rich young widows are usually good
company" said Colonel Haynes. '1But l
think the English ladies are not as good
looking as our American women"
Il believe you are right there, said the
duke. And the American girls have more
animation than ours"
What is the LATEST news in Ireland?"
asked Colonel Haynes, turning toward me
as he spoke.
earl Spencer IS ruling with a despotic
sway" l said anyone who has not been