Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-01-14
GLENDALOUGH.

Il - $50 - ~ ~ liz
Wicklow has been very aptly termed th,
garden Of Ireland; its prominent feature Is
indeed, sublimity-wild grandeur, health
ful and refreshing; among it's high anf
bleak mountains there are numerous ricl
and fertile valleys, luxuriantly wooded
and with the noblest Of magnificent river.
running through transforming, in theil
course, series Of cataracts. It's natural
graoes are enhanced In value, because they
are invariably encountered after the eve
and mind have wearied from gazing npon
rude and uncultivated districts. covered
| with peat, upon the scanty herbaee ot
which the small sheep can scarcely find
| pasture.
IL Is TO this peculiar feature--its richly
adorned borders and the rugged character
OF Its interior-that Dean Swift referred
when he likened the country 20 a "frieze
mantle fringed with gold lacen
The City Of Glendalough," a name
which signifies the glen Of the two lakes. y
owes its origin TO St. Kelvin, by whom the
abbey was founded early IN the Sixth
century. Here in this solitude the saint
laid the foundation Of his monastic estab-
lishment II grew rapidly, became a crowd.
ed city, a school for learning, a college FOR
religion a receptacle for holy men, a sane.
tuary for the oppressed, an asylum for the
poor, a hospital for the sicl--and here he
lived to superintend It for nearly a century.
having completed the uncommon and ven
cradle age Of one hundred and twenty
years.
The vicinity Of the county Of wicklow to
the Irish metropolis is OF prodigious nd
vantage to those who, Gin populous city
pent, require occasional intercourse with
nature, either as a relaxation or an enjoy
ment And perhaps there are few crowded
capitals In the world 50 auspicously situ-
ated--so Immediately within reach o. such
q concourse of natural beauties
Glendalough is situated in the barony OF
Ballynacor, twenty-five Irish miles from
Dublin and five from Roundwood, whore
car is generally hired by tourists, who usu.
ally return TO Roundwood to pass the night.
for visit TO the lake and ruined city, al.
though they may be examined IN n couple
81 hours, ought to occupy day. For those
who are not over particular about creature
comforts, however, there Is a tolerabIe inn
at Glendalough.
One fine July morning some years back
w AAAe ifftI n WISH AaiHna
dalough, and having informed my friend
Tom Power, OF my intention, ne agreed IA
accompany me Tom was an ardent al
mirer Of the beauties Of nature, ia fact. h.
was acknowledged by competent critics ID
be an artist of considerable ability. So. Of
course, his chief motive in going to Wick
low was TO OH his portfolio with sketches
Of its charming scenery.
Arriving at the railroad station with our
valises packed, we had no sooner purchased
our tickets than one Of those Unforeseen
circumstances, which occur at least once
IN the lifeof every human being, compelled
Tom Power to forego his contemplated
trip. at least for that day.
He intimated that he would be OBLIGED Ia
postpone his departure until the following
morning, urging me at the same time. AS he
was aware that | had nothing OF impor
lance requiring my presence in Dublin. "a
undertake the journey alone and to secure
If possible place OF habitation where we
might make ourselves at home during our
brief soiourn. To this proposal acquiesced
without demur, and was soon on my way
70 Wicklow. On reaching Glendalouph.
! was taken to the inn, an unpretentious
hostelry, Still, notwithstanding its home
illness, thought l, provided the larder be
properly supplied, | may enjoy myself as
well as If l engaged rooms at Gresham,s.
in O'Conneu street,
After partaking Of light luncheon.
sauntered forth from the inn
The sweetness and the serenity OF nature
gradually brought on pleasant fits Of mus
ing. After a three hours ramble l had
beauties enough to I'll the sketchbools Of
my friend, Tom Power, who l have said
was an enthusiastic lover Of the pictur-
esque
As the shadows Of evening began To steal
over the country, ! concluded it high time
70 bid good night TO the misty mountains.
50 closing my portfolio. ! betook myself |
back 70 the inn. My rambie during the
day having sharpened my appetite, sat
down and enjoyed a hearty meal / also
partook somewhat freely OF bottle Of
Wine. Adjoining the dining room was my
sleeping apartment
sat for some time, lost in strange kind
81 reverie, when the door opposite to me
and communicating with the bar was
opened by mine host He informed me
that be was about TO retire for the night.
wished me pleasant dreams and finally left
me alone after he had finished oyerhauling
my lamp. Once more sat buried in medi-
tation, indulging at the same time in the
luxury Of a meerschaum. For quarter Of
an hour pulled away in perfect silence.
My attention was simply occupied with
the curling mists Of tobacco smoke that
oppressed the atmosphere 81 my chamber.
While gazing at the blueish clouds that
were circling toward the ceiling, was
somewhat surprised to see a specter, as
imagined, cautiously open the door. His
face was colorless as parchment, his hair
and beard black as coal and his eyes large.
luminous and liquid. He was attired in
black from head TO foot. His movements
were stealthy
After crossing the Threshold he locked
the door and withdrew the key. felt over
come with amazement, although he bore
the appearance of a man Of most exalted
station. His next movement was to throw
himself intoa chair exactly opposite To me
and help himself TO a glass Of wine was
absolutely astounded, still / did not inter
rupt the fellow; he seemed to relish the
wine, and continued repeating the offense
until the bottle was more than half empty
What viii he do nextfn / asked myself
Ny establishment increased as / beheld
him draw forth from his breast pocket a
bright steel poniard, throwing at the same
time a sinister glance at me as he placed
the numerous weapon on the table.
Presently he produced pad, which he
handed TO me, after scribbling thereon the
following laconic announcement:
81 am = Spanish nobel"
Spanish tiddlestickr' thought I. "If
you are q nobleman, the rudeness Of your