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

leaders were in prison the men who were
suffering hunger and who had seen their
families dying by the roadside, became
frantic under a sense of accumulated
wrongs and were wild with a desire for
revenge. They committed MANY crimes.
Stone throwing. window breaking, and at
tacks on the police were frequent. The
men in prison were not silent. From Kill
mainham came the no-rent manifesto,
which was circulated Throughout Ireland.
Fellow cOuntrymen, the hour TO try
your souls and redeem your pledges has
arrived. Do not be daunted by tie reno
val of yOnr leaders. One more browning
struggle for your lands, your home and
your lives! A struggle in which all the
memories of your race, all the hopes of
your children, all the sacrifices of your i'm
prisoned brothers, all cravings for rent en-
franchised lands, for happy homes and ma
tional freedom inspire you. One more
heroic effort TO destroy landlordism at the
source and fount of its existence, and the
system which was and is the curse of your
race will have disappeared forever! The
world is watching to see whether all your
splendid hopes and noble courage viii
crumble away at the threats of cowardIy
throwing yourselves on the mercy Of En-
gland and taking your stand by an organi-
cation that has once before been too strong
for English depotism!
every tenant farmer is to-day the stan
dard bearer Of the flag unfurled by patriot
ic women, when they held the officers at
bay, and can bear it to a glorious victory.
The landlord who evicts is a criminal, and
the government which supports him with
the bayonet will learn in a single winter
how powerless its armed forces are against
the will of united and determined peo-
pleI'
This was like a firebrand in a reap of
chaff. Meetings were held. Gladstone
and Forster were carried in effigy through
the streets, and were dragged in the mud
or were burned in public The priests took
active parts in these meetings. They uni
formly used their influence against VIC
lence and crime. But many were too wild
to heed the admonitions of cooler heads.
Throughout Ireland and England the fear
of dynamite was strong in every landlords
heart
This state of wild excitement lasted I'M
til May, when at last, after many over
lures and efforts to gain concessions from
the prisoners, the English government was
glad to release them on any terms. When
news came that the prisoners were re-
leased, there was great rejoicing. Bonfires
blazed in every village and enthusiastic
meetings were held in honor of the event.
Then, for the first time, | felt that there
was safety. Lord Waverland had been
away all winter. Early in the fall, foresee-
ing the trouble that was coming, he said it
was too warm for him in Ireland and he
would go to Paris where he could have
some comfort. / believe, myself, that it
would not have been safe for him at home.
He was stubborn and would not lower his
rent, or abate one iota Of his inherited
pride.
As soon as quiet was restored in the
spring and early summer, prepared to
leave home, for my two years travel. TIE
thought of leaving my mother made me
sad. Her life was lonely in that old prison
house, known as the Waverland Mansion,
with no visitors except little Annie Wren.
Lady Wren died while was at college. l
tried to win my mothers consent to travel
with me, but she would shake her head
and say, at would never do for me to
leave Waverlynd without my lords con-
sent. He might come at any time and I
fear his wrath. Go, my son, and the kind
Father who watches over the sparrows
will not leave me to perish"
90, one bright June morning, with a
heavy heart | babe goodbye to my mother
and my little sister, who was my mothers
companion and comfort, and started out to
see the world.