The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1892-12-17

#on very CcIiilS. OH w rem owned
neighboring estate, and Lady Wren, a
pure, sweet-faced woman, was my moth
er's dearest friend, while Annie, their
daughter, was my only playmate. She was
happy-hearted child, and would never
willingly yeX or annoy any one. She
seemed to guess my moods, and would act
accordingly. But l fear, as 1 now look
back, that | was an oyerbearing, selfish
fellow, who exacted many acts of SELF
denial from my little friend
AT the age of sixteen an active life be-
gan. My father had decided that I should
go to Cambridge University The years 1
spent there were busy ones. With my wild,
rowing nature, it was hard work for me to
keep pace with my class, but pride and
ambition helped me to form the habit of
study. Twas too proud to fall behind in
my class. Thanks to my mothers careful
teaching, | was never tempted to indulge
in the use Of wine or stronger drinks with
my classmates. So, when morning found
them with mrddled brains, mine was clear
and ready for work.
In short time | gained fair standing in
my class and carried home good report
at vacation. With what a longing heart
looked forward to those happy days. My
home coming was the signal for merry
making, My mother was always kind,
and my father was proud Of my progress
My old playmate Annie Wren, was again
the companion Of my leisure hours.
One day | had been out riding with a
friend. Coming home we had to pass
through Il village of tenant houses. AS we
came into the town we saw the bailiff,
with his detachment of armed police, enter
it from the opposite side.
Nov for some fun said my friend.
''Ihesc fellows are upon all ousting expedi-
ton"
AS they entered, the signal was sounded
by the blowing of horns and beating of tin
pans. The inhabitants Immediately took
the alarm and gathered in front of the first
novel to be attacked. There they held
their position in spite of the bayonets that
were freely used by the police. There were
few men in the village. They were away
at work, but the women fought with hoes,
rakes, pitchforks and shovels, and seemed
perfectly reckless of life. One after an
other fell, some killed, some wounded, but
they would not yield. After Il long and
terrible struggle the bailitf drew off his
force, leaving the inhabitants to care for
the wounded and dying.
1t was q most terrible sight that met my
view as 1 went to help the poor people in
their distress. Ayoung lady, a teacher in
the school came to help us. Her sad reci-
tai was heart-rending.
MANY of my pupils,' said she, "come
to school every morning without having
eaten mouthful since their supper the
night before and they can only hope for a
1ts,l,,
or borrow from people nearly as poor as
themselves. Every day miss another face,
and another is added to the long death list
Is there no help for this starving people?"
she asked, while tears ran down her
cheeks.
Il also ask, is there no help? Must peo-
pie die in this land of plenty? No, l will
sound the alarm and call for aid l said,
while with busy hands we cared for the
wretched inhabitants.
What a curse must follow those who
cause this she said starvation and
rags are not enough, but they must offer
up their lives to defend this wretched
hovel and home!''
What a scene of misery it was! Children
crying over bruised and bleeding mothers,
and mothers weeping over their helpless
children; while the fangs of the hungry
wolf was fastened on each pale and hag-
gard face. AS soon as we could my friend
and [ rode away. Each was silent. Words
could not express our feelings. Here were
peOple-who had toiled early and late to
grow crops. but they must starve. They
had built little novels, not tit for pig pens,
but they must offer up their lives, that
they might dwell in them. LandlOrdism
is the most brutal cruelty the world has
ever known.
When | reached home | had food af all
descriptions gathered together, and soon
we We're on our way back to the starving
people. Lord Waved and was not at home,
and for once L dared bravo - wrath if
he should learn what | had~W e. The
tears of joy and thankfulness that greeted
us as we divided our load were reward
enough for a whole life of self-denial
The determined resistance made by
those village tenants was the commence
ment of the war against eviction. A call
was immediately made for relief, and all
that winter committees were busy dealing
out food to the suffering people At the
same time, the bailiff and his forces were
busy evicting the starving men and fam
ishing families.
All over western Ireland the horrors of
another ~" seemed the doom of the in
habitants. Aid from America came by the
shipload. But the British government did
nothing to save the people from suffering
and death, Many private persons gave
liberally. Even the queen of England
gave a pttance from her income of mil
lions and was duly thanked for it.
All this time the war on rents was grow
ing iiercer. !he condition OF the country
was rousing the people to action. 1t was
strengthening the Land League and weak
ening the cause and prestige OF the land
lords.
CT APTER JI,-MY HERO