The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-01-07
WAVERLAND!
a Tale OF Our Coming Land
Lords-- A Story Of Ire
lands Wrongs.
By SA RAH MABIE BRIGHAM
CHAPTER vI.-THE NEW THEORY.

The Inheritance was mine. 1t came
heavily mortgaged. [ had not finished
making my settlement with the tenants at
the time of Lord Waverland's death. !
continued, however, just as / had begun.
One morning at breakfast said:
II am almost tired of being landlord.
There are so many responsibilities con-
nected with it. In settling up with my
tenants on the estate find thousands of
pounds due now, after the reductions |
have made. | cannot go out and force
these poor fellows to pay. Some of them
with all the help l have given and can give
will suffer before spring. The long wet
season has made the peat unfit to burn,
and what can be done? There is Michael
Malone has a holding of ten acres, but it
has not brought him living this year. If
it were not for his son in America he could
never pay his rent And his is not an ex-
ceptional case There are millions of dol
lars coming from the Irish boys and girls
in America to help keep up this farce of
landlordism in Ireland"
rs that true?" asked my mother Il
did not know money ever came from
America to Ireland except in time of
famine
II remember hearing my father say it
was a heavy tax on the Irish Americans,
this unjust land system of Ireland" re-
marked Stella
THAT is very true said l, ''and vet we
often hear that if tenants were only indus
trlous and sober they could pay their rents.
That may be true sometimes, but very few
of our tenants are Incorporate. Their
small acreage is not enough to raise food
for the family without paying rent. So
where is my living to come from?"
why don't you havesthe pretty soldiers
come and help you?' asked Myrtle Il
like to see them. Papa had them when he
was here
Little sister," / said, "when the sold
iers come some one must leave horoe
Would you like for the soldiers to come
and turn us all away2"
She sat moment thoughtfully, then
said:
Was it the soldiers that wanted to burn
our house?o
mo, but it was because the soldiers had
sent so many from home. The men grew
angry, and wanted to burn our house for
revenge" l answered.
Miss Stella, if you are at liberty / would
like your help in the library for a mo-
ment," | said, as we left the table.
AS we entered the library | took her
hand. l held it with the firm grasp of
friend How sweet, how pure the love of
that plain, simple girl seemed to me on
that winters morning. For a moment ]
did not speak, for fear my voice would tell
her of my love too soon, and by its uneX-
pectedness deprive me of the gift l craved
For time we stood in silence. 1t seemed
az age to me, so many hopes and fears
Were crowded in the pause. But really, as
time is measured, it was but moment,
Then l spoke.
Now, my little friend" I said, ''it was
your words that made me take an interest
in this work. Can you help me solve this
problem, how to relieve the suffering and
misery of our people?"
Stella's cheeks flushed as spoke and she
turned from me to the table She must
have felt the impulse of my heart, for she
remained silent. Then again said
II need the aid of your clear judgment.
Will you give it,"
Turning her clear brown eyes to mine,
she said
''Sir Lloyd, I know so little about laws
governing landlord and tenant, that l can
not aid you in this natter
You remember the widow that had her
oat stack burned and came to beg for mer-
cy on the rent. / have made her little
house into a school room and she is the
teacher
II know that, Sir Lloyd" said Stella,
with animation. II have often been there
and helped her with her teaching
'.You have been there, when
"Often when have been out riding or
walking And / heard how you bought
the improvements on McGee's holding so
lie could so to America and get home of
his own. And have also heard how you
are fixing up the old tenant houses more
than they ever were before"
she said archly.
'You little spy! did not knew you were
me-
Il was not watching you, Sir Lloyd
was only trying to help the poor people,
and heard all the news, you see.'
'tYes, see you were taking sunlight in
TO the poor tenants homes as you brought
it into ours. Well, they need it, ! see SO
much filth, SO much sorrow and discomfort
that it is terrible. | can find no means of
relief. How can you expect purity and
peace where men must live with hogs and
cows? Our tenants live with their animals
that they may save them to pay the rent.
How | hate the word!'', / said, leaning on
the nantel and looking at Stella rs she
stood idly turning the leaves of an old al
bum that lay on the table.
u, too, have seen the misery and want
that this terrible rack rent has produced.
1t is like some loathsome monster, that
with fetid breath pollutes all within its
reach,' she said, with earnest indignation.
Dear FRIEND" / said, going to her and
taking her hand within my own, You
have been more than friend to me. You
have inspired my heart with sympathy for
man. Now come to you, asking your
help in finding relief for ali this woe. /
need your aid and
Just then my mother opened the door,
saying:
" Ay son, Annie Wren is at the door ask
ing for YOU looked Mt Stella for a mo-
Il,x..at. Could / leave her with the words
of love unspoken? / was just forming
such words when my mother called me-
Stella seemed conscious Of my thoughts,
and the tell tale blush that mantled her
cheeks and brow gave me hope that my
suit would not be in vain. For one instant
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