Evening journal., 1892-11-17
BETSY'S SLIPPERS.

was travelling in ireland with some
friends. We were in the southeastern
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 verdure extend at the right
to a chain Of mountains, which are bare,
as though they had been ravaged by FIRE.
These immense spaces are without viii
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 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 n language which is partly Irish,
partly English. They usually run after
the carriage for several miles. With
supplicating hand they extend 10 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, pleasew they
repeat over and over. A penny is 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, pleasew
with labored and painting breath.
About IL 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 a little girl Of about
twelve followed our carriage She alone
had persisted Of five or six children, tine
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 darlSly 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 hy through the dust Poor
little one Our hearts ached TO look 40
herl
Suddenly she uttered a cry, extended
her arms and fell forward. We stopped
tue carriage, but fortunately nothing
serious had befallen her. a projecting
stone had slightly cut her foot, which
bled a little. We asked her who she
was and from whence she came She
called herself Betsy and said that she
lived ut Ougterard. We told her "a
climb into the carriage and we would
carry her % her home. She looked at
us in bewildement, as though she could
not understand what we We're 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 10
be overjoyed at riding in a carriage. II
WAS her first experience of that kind.
Ten minutes later we were in Dug
terard, poor village Of forty houses
We gave two shilling5 10 the child as a
parting present. She looked at 10 "a.
though she could not believe her ewes
IL occurred to me that the wound in hel
foot might he inhamed 10y walk ia tho
dust. therefore entered a shoemaker,
shop, the only one the place afforded
and bought a pair of slippers for tn,
poor child.
Betsy watched this operation in pro
found perplexity. When / extended tn,
slippers toward her, saying they wer,
for her, she was dumfounded, intox
icated, dazzled. She dared not TAX,
them.
Finally, as firmly insisted that tn,
slippers were for her and her alone, sh,
seized them and fed with bound o
joy, and without even saying " Thanh
you -
Little savagcr thought !; "she doe
not even know how to thank anybody
Irejoined my companions, who wcrl
already seated around the hotel dining
table. and we had soon finished ou
breakfast and were aoout to climb int,
our carriage, when 1 felt little hant
within mine which sought to detain me
Come, sirr she said, Gomez
"And where do You wish to lead me-:
ITO our house. IL is very near"
followed her Ny companions wer,
i.tspa little puzzled. She led me 70 th'
bottom Of a narrow street. There w,
paused before a humble cottage Sin
pushed the door open and we entered
The interior consisted of "a single room
j lt was without floor and containe,
: scarcely any furniture. 1t was dimll
ighted by the feeble rays which entere,
through a paper covered window, noa
which sat an old woman spinning. Sh
, was Betsy's grandmother AT Onr en-