The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-11-23
BETSY'S SLIPPERS.

QOrTlDl0 impression Oh drought 4Hi
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 a 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 a
supplieating hand they extend to you
some sort Of rude merchandise; it may
be roughly hewn wooden shoes; it may
be wooden stockings; it may be a little
bunch of flowers plucked from the
mountain side. They run shouting,
hurrying, hustling each other.
penny, pleased penny, please!' they
repeat over and over. A pennyis finally
cast to them.
Immediately there is brawling, strug-
Cling and fist pounding. The conquerer
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, please"
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 a 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
Has 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 look which,
although full Of inquiry and wonder,
was yet most grateful. She seemed to
be overjoyedl at riding in a carriage. It
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
parting present. She looked at it as
though she could not believe her eyes.
1t occurred to me that the wound in her
foot might be inhamed by walk in the
dust. I therefore entered shoemaker's
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 extended the
slippers toward her, saying they were
for her, she was dumfounded, intox-
seated, dazzled She dared not take
them.
Finally, as I firmly insisted that the
slippers were for her and her alone, she
seized them and fled with bound of
Joy, and without even saying &C Thank
you"
Little savagel" thought l; .'she does
not even know how to thank anybody"
Irejoined my companions, who were
already seated around the hotel dining
table, and we had soon finished our
breakfast and were about to climb into
our carriage, when l felt little hand
within mine which sought to detain me.
s"Come, sir!' she said, Gomez
Sand where do you wish to lead me?'
"To our house. 1t is very near"
followed her. My companions were
aot little puzzled. She led me to the
bottom Of narrow street. There we
paused before humble cottage. She
pushed the door open and we entered.
The interior consisted of single room.
It was without floor and contained
scarcely any furniture. 1t was dimly
lighted by the feeble rays which entered
through paper covered window, near
which sat All old woman spinning. She
was Betsy's grandmother. At our en-
rance three little black pigs s. iipered
under her bench grunting. | ne cor
Ter stood tie lowly bed Of A. 5rand-
mother: at lis side the little CO.. of the