Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-12-12
Betsy's Little Slippers.

was travelling in Ireland with
some friends. We were in the south
eastern part of the island and were
traversing Connemara, the poorest
part of that 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 vendure extend at the
right to a chain of mountains, which
are bare, as though they had been
ravanged by fire. These immense
spaces are without village, often
without even a single dwelling
The few which we pass at long in
tervals consist of only four stone
walls piled up without cement, and
with black roof. From the back of
these dreary cabins insues a 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 a supplicating hand they
extend to you some sort of rude mer-
chandise; it may be roughly hewn
wooden shoes; it may be wooden
stockings; it may be little bunch Of
flowers, plucked from the mountain
side. They run shouting, hurrying,
hustling each other.
"Penny, please! penny, pleased"
they repeat over and over. A penny
is finally cast to them.
Immediately there is brawling,
struggling, and fist pounding. The
conqueror deserts the ranks of our
followers, but 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 eleven o'clock we arrived at
Ougtherand, near Lake Correb. This
lake is said to contain as many islands
and also as many inhabitants as there
are days in the year. Here we. should
breakfast. For long time little
girl of about twelve followed our car
riage. She alone has 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 complexion was dark
ly 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 et,which were
small and pretty, seemed |
to fly through the dust. Poor little |
one! Our hearts ached to look at her!
Suddenly she uttered cry, extend
ed her arms, and fell forward. We |
OhO OuU IOI
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 "Bet- |
sy," and said that she lived at Dug
therard. We told her to climb into
the carriage, and we would carry her
to her home. She looked at us in be-
as though she could not
understand what we were saying. We
our offer. She blushed with
pleasure, and gave US look which,
full of inquiry and wonder,
was yet most grateful. She seems to
be overjoyed at riding in a carriage.
It was her first experience of that
kind.
Ten minutes later we were in Dug
;herard. a poor village of forty houses.
We gave two shillings TO the child as
parting present. She looked at it SIS
hough she could notbelieve her eyes.
t occurred to me that the wound in