The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-08-19

1a1IX' M&b q o. I'll The s,5 Ss;sss
To right and left of the highway
stretched bleak and bare prospect of
marshland and moorland, closed to the
west by sky of ever-deepening red
ness, and relieved here and there by
black clumps of stunted woodland.
Here and there peeped solitary farm
house, with outlying fields of swampy
greenness, where lean and spectral
cattle were lugubrious]y grazing; and.
ever and anon came glimpse Of some
lonely lake Or tarn, fringed all round
with thick sedges and dotted with
water lilies. The road was as desolate
rs the prospect, with not a living soul
upon it, far as the eye could see. To
all this, however, the driver of the
caravan paid little attention, owing
to the simple fact that he was fast
asleep.
He was reused by a sudden jolting
and swaying of the clumsy vehicle,
combined with sound of splashing
water, and, opening his eyes sleepily,
he perceived that the gray mare had
turned aside from the center of the
road, and, having placidly entered
stagnant pond on the roadside, was
houndering and struggling in the mud
thereof, with the caravan rocking be-
hind her At the same moment
head was thrust round the back part
of the vehicle, and an angry voice ex-
claimed:
"Tim, you scoundrel, where the
deuce are you driving to? Wake up,
Thus addressed, Tim woke himself
with an effort, and, looking round with
an insinuating smile, replied:
"Begorra, Master Charles, thought
it was an earthquake entirely. Come
out of that now. Is, it wanting to
drownd yourself you are? G-r-r-r! Sh!
Aisy now, aisy!
The latter portion of the above SEN
tence was addressed to the mare,
which was at last persuaded to wade
out of the cool mud and return to the
dusty track, where she stood quivering
and painting No sooner was the re-
turn to terra frma accomplished than
a light, agile figure descended the
steps at the back of the caravan, and
round to the front. An excited colo
guy, angry on the one side, and apollo
getic on the other, ensued, and did not
cease, even when the driver, with
flick of his whip, put the caravan
again in motion, W lille the other strobe
alongside on foot.
It was just such a caravan as may be
seen any summer day forming part of
the camp on an English common, with
the swart face of gypsy woman look
ing out at the door. and half dozen
ragged imps and elves rolling on the
grass beneath; as may be observed,
smothered in wickerwork of all de-
scriptions. or glitteriug pots and pans,
moving from door to door in some
sleepy country town, guided by
gloomy gentleman in velveteen coat
and hare skin cap, and attended by a
brawny hussy also smothered in wick
erwork or pots and pans; as, further
more, may be deserted, forming part
of the procession of travelling circus,
and drawn by a piebald horse which,
whenever good ''pitch" is found, will
complete its days labors by perform
ances on the ring. A caravan of the
good old English kind; with small win
dows, ornamented by white muslin
curtains, with chimney atop for
the smoke to come through from
the fire inside; with a door behind, or
namented with knocker, and only
lacking a door plate to make it quite
complete; in Short a house on wheels.
The driver, though rough enough
and red with sun and wind, had moth
ing in common with the ordinary
drivers of such vehicles, and, in point
of fact, he was neither a gypsy nor a
travelling tinker nor circus perform
err. Though it was summer time he
wore large frieze coat, descending
almost to his heels, and on his head a
wideawake hat-underneathw which his
lazy, beardless and somewhat sheep
ish face shone with indolent good hui
NOR. His companion, Master Charles,
as he was called, bore still less resem-
blance to the Bohemians of English
lanes and woodlands. He was
slight, handsome, fair-haired young
fellow, of two or three and twenty, in
the tw sSs: sttI na q 81 osSjRsEy
made, every word he spoke. implied
the gentleman born"
: Presently, at signal from his mas
ter (such he was), Tim drew rein
again. By this time the sun was set
ting fiery red, far away to the west,
and the thin drizzle was becoming
more persistent.
Glow far did they say it was to
Pencroes?''
!, .Ten miles, sor."
'.The mare is tired out, I think. We
shall have to camp by the roadside"
Gail right, Master Charles There's
handy shelter beyant there where
you see the trees" Tim added, pointing
up the road with his whip. The young
man Looked IS that direction and $40 AVE- !