The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-05-07
Wud harm an insulter.
Or bate q deal table.
With murtherin' power
While their owners wor able,

- 49, ~ AA ~A eSAANo' s
Or bate q deal table,
With murtherin' power
While their owners wor able!
1t Is cntch-as-catch can at an Irish mar
ket or fair. The frat upon the ground is
best SEW d as to location. At the village
market there ia nc attempt ut system or ar
engagements; and tho market place itself is
never a covered structure. but simply a
large walled enclosure along the principal
street. with gates like n castle, with walls
of enormous height and thickness, as
though attacks from battering rams were
a~pprehended. II usually 1t is surrounded.
at least on three sides, by the uuaintest
and shops, furnishing az picturesque
scenes as the excited groups within the on
closure.
From the market gates there extend in
every direction temporary avenues formed
by carts ranged side by side with their
backs to the way, and the constant crowds
coming and going with the large numbers
belonging to each cart. all engaged IN
heated arguments over values. made much
good nntured squeezing and pushing a mat
ter of necessity. There are seldom inner
enclosures. Cattle are herded against the
walls at one point; asses at another; pigs ON
foot. kept gently moving In circles ny she
skillful use of their drivers long ash pixies.
will be massed at another point; goats and
sheep, both extraordinarily combative by
the enforced associations at still another;
while all manner of lollipoo sellers and
brave voiced market amusement purveyors
are huddled together in any extra space
that may be found.
For the first hour or two Of the morning
the sale of the small truck, such as butter,
eggs, poultry md vegetables proceeds mer.
rily enough; but the attitude of buyer and
seller of whole carloads of potatoes and
OF all animals, 10 amusing indeed. Bsvies
of buyers for the Dublin and London
markets. men OF gigantic stature win roo.
puffy faces, and great coats hanging owe
top boots to their heels. each carrying a
whip of tremendous length. will saunter in,
take a hssty run about the place. struggling
their shoulders asst nothing worth their at
tention had been seen, and finally hastily
depart. The while the Irish ysomen. with
folded arms. and nose in air expressive OF
fine scorn, bid them oil q cheerful defiance
in ludicrous attemptsto appear unconscious
of their presence.
These double pretenses NAV proceed I'M
til noon and now and then a bargain struck
on the sly; but the entire populace at the
market are on the alert for the seductive
wiles OF the buyer, n to protect each
other valiantly from being carried away
for fleeing singly to the enticinR grogQeries
near. This netaphorical throwing of dust
in each others eyes is carried on during
the Belfast fair days. on the Arst Wednes-
day OF each month. with greater iness and
contempt between buyer and seller. than l
have seen in any other portion of Ireland.
This is particularly true between the fac
tors, or fax buyers from the mills and the
hard headed peasantry in charge of their
cart loads of fax.
Scores of factors will make their appear
ance; surround the carts; handle the silken
stone bundles AS though it were a pity to
bring such stuff to the attention of men
whose time was valuable; and condescend-
ingly clap a oounterfoil price and order for
sellers hands. as if a disagreeable charity
had been perfo med; whereupon the sellers
toss them back disdainfully or light their
pipes with them in fine scorn. Then the
factors disappear. Bat that is not the last
of them. One by one or in little groups
be somehow saved from their fatal ipno.
rance. Then follow protestations and re-
jolnder. blnrney and Safeguarding, as sill
very and fine az ever human ears overheard.
1t is of no avail. Away they all go again.
1.-THE byes' calmly resume their
pipes and their "eosthering" with the
old women and young. The next as.
factors, who are undoubtedly tho can
NEST BUYERS in the world, is on the conf-
Dental line. 1t is getting late in the day.
IEey come in droves. With military p g.
cision the sellers are herded in squads.
Palaver, concession, sacrifice and defer
ence (for prices. plumber and division are
already unvieldingly ngreed upon) effect
purchases with marvellous rapiditr, and in
half nm Eour tho entire great market is
completely cleared of fa1-the same old
games having been PLAYED in precisely the
same manner for the rast hundred years.
In the average village market along
toward noon buying is likely to begin in
what might seem to q stranger as an
alarming riot. The big traders will make
an onslaught upon q willing subject.
Bravely he apparently resists their efforts
to bully or deceive him. Ii by
main strength he is taken from
among his friends, they will rally and set
upon the traders and rescue Inn. Some
rough t~ussling may follow, but no
body is alarmed at this. 1t is q way they
have of impinging upon formality. The
ice once broken, buying begins in earnest,
and higher and higher rise shrill voices.
often aided in pitch and intensity by John
BarIeycorn, who is ever the real master of
ceremonies here. until one would think
murder must follow the excited chickering's.
Buyers thrash the air with their whips and
pour fearful o~biurgations on the poor ami
mails and their owners; while the latter,
aided by their valiant wives. pay back the
fierce blackpuarding with rich interest.
Tho luck penny which goes with each
single beast or group of animals sold is
ahrieked over as though it were the value
nil the market holGs Enbel has heo1p