Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-12-19
BETSY'S SLIPPERS.

poor country. If anything can give a
horrible impression of drought and
misery it certainly is Connemara.
A profound dolor seems to rest upon
that corner of the earth. Low plains
destitute of verdure extend at the right
to chain of mountains, which are bare,
as though they had been ravaged by fire.
These immense spaces are without vii
lage, often without even single dwell
ing.
The few which we pass at long inter-
walls consist only of four stone walls
piled up without cement, and with a
black roof. From the back of these
dreary cabins issues thin thread of
blue smoke.
In front of them one sees children
from five to twelve years old with naked
feet, sun scorched skins and ragged
clothing. They utter uncouth sounds
in language which is partly Irish,
partly English. They usually run after
the carriage for several miles. With
supplicating hand they extend to you
some sort of rude merchandise; it NAV
be roughly hewn wooden shoes; it may
be woolen stockings; it may be little
bunch of flowers plucked from the
mountain side. They run shouting,
hurrying, hustling each other.
penny, pleasel penny, pleaser they
repeat over and over. A penny is finally
cast to them.
Immediately there is brawling, strug-
Cling and fist pounding. The conquerer
IaSarts the ru1lyS of fp11A,rn,., l,,t
the others still pursue the carriage.
One by one the small flock drop away
First the youngest become exhausted
and stop. AT last there are only three
then two-then only one, who in his
turn rolls in the dust raised by the
wheels, uttering last Penny, pleased"
with labored and painting BREATH
About II o'clock we arrived at
Ougterard, near Lake Corrib. This
lake is said to contain as many islands
and also as many inhabitants as there
are days in the year. Here we took
breakfast.
For long time little girl of about
twelve followed our carriage. She alone
had persisted of five or six children, the
rest of whom had dropped away as we
passed along. Tall and slender for her
age, she had charming face of the
true Irish type of beauty. Her COM
plexion was darkly Drowned and she had
large blue eyes. Her long run had put
roses into her cheeks; her parted lips
showed her brilliant teeth. A ragged
brown linen waist and skirt composed
her costume. Her naked feet, which
were remarkably small and pretty,
seemed to fly through the dust. Poor
little one! Our hearts ached to look at
her!
Suddenly she uttered cry, extended
her arms and fell forward. We stopped
the carriage, but fortunately nothing
serious had befallen her. A projecting
stone had slightly cut her foot, which
bled little. We asked her who she
was and from whence she came. She
called herself Betsy and said that she
lived at Ougterard. We told her to
climb into the carriage and we would
carry her to her home She looked at
us in bewilderment, as though she could
not understand what we were saying.
We repeated our offer. She blushed
with pleasure and gave us a look which,
although full of inquiry and wonder,
was yet most grateful. She seemed to
be overjoyed at riding in carriage. 1t
was her first experience of that kind.
Ten minutes later we were in Dug
terard, poor village of forty houses.
We gave two shillings to the child as q
parting present. She looked at it as
thpnOh sha pnn11 hal;ax-o l.
1t occurred to me that the wound in her
foot might be infamed by walk in the
dust. therefore entered shoemakers
shop, the only one the place afforded,
and bought pair Of slippers for the
poor child.
Betsy watched this operation in pro-
found perplexity. When l extended the
slippers toward her. saying they were
for her, she was dumfounded. intox-
icated, dazzled. She dared not take
them.
Finally, as l firmly insisted that the
slippers were for her and her alone, she
seized them and fled with bound of
joy, and without even saying "Thank
your
Little savagel" thought L; 'she does
not even know how to thank anybody"
rejoined my companions, who were
already seated around the hotel dining
table, cad we had Boon finished our
breakfast and were about to climb into
our carriage, when l felt little hand
within mine which sought to detain me.
"Come, sir!' she said, "come"
"And where do you wish to lead me?"
"To our house. 1t is very near"
. followed her. My companions were
not little puzzled. She led me to the
bottom of narrow street. There we
paused before a humble cottage. She
pushed the door open and we entered
The interior consisted of single ROOM
1t was without a floor and contained
scarcely any furniture. 1t was dimly
lighted by the feeble rays which entered
through paper covered window, near
which sat an old woman spinning. She
was Betsys grandmother At our en-
trance three little black pigs scampered
,,Ddar her bench crruntinp Tn +ho no..