The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1893-11-04
GLENDALOUGH.

1
bleak mountains there are numerous rich
and fertile valleys, luxuriantly wooied.
and with the noblest Of magnificent rivers
running through them-formins. in their
I course, n series Of cataractS. Its natural
graces ART enhanced In value, because they
are invariably encountered after the eye
and mind have wearied from gazing upon
rude and uneultivated districts, covered
with peat, upon the scanty heritage OF
which the small sheep can scarcely find
pasture.
| 1t is to this peculiar feature-its richly
adorned borders aud the rugged character
of its nterior-that Dean Swift referred
when he likened the country to ''frieze
mantle fringel with gold lace"
| The City Of Glendalough," q name
which signifies 1.-The glen of the two lakes"
owes its origin to ST. kevin, by whom the
abbey WAS founded early In the Sixth
century. Here in this solitude the saint
laid the foundation of his monas,ic estah-
lishment. II grew rapidly, became crowd
ed city. a school for learning, u college for
religion, Il receptacle for holy men. a sane
tuary for the oppressed. an asylum for the
poor a hospital for the sick--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 prodisious All
vantage to those who, in popuious city
pent,' require occasional intercourse with
| nature. either ~ a relaxation or an enjoy
ment. And perhaps there are few crowded
| capitals in the world so aIspiciously stu
| ated-so Immediately within reach OF such
. concourse OF natural beauties,
Glendalough Is situated in the barony Of
Ballynacor. twenty-five Irish miles from
Dublin and five from Rountlwood, where a
car is generally hired by tourists, " o usu-
ally return To Roundwoui to pass the night,
for u visit to TIN lake and ruined city, al
though they may be examined in a couple
OF hours, ought To occupy day. For those
who are not over particular about creature
comforts, however, Their. IL tolerable inn
| at Glendalough.
One fine July morning some years back
| male up my mind to pay a visit To Glen
dalough, and having informed my friend
Tom Power, Of my intention. he agreed to
accompany me. Tom was AN ardent AL
mirer OF the beauties Of nature, in fact, he
was acknowledged by competent critics to
be an artist OF considerable ability. so, OF
=
low was to fill 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 life Of every human being. compelled
Tom Power TO forego his contAfn plated
trip, at least for tina, day.
He iutimated that he would be Obliged to
postpone his departure until the foIl0win :
morning, urging me at the same time a. h.
was aware that | had nothing Of inpor-
tance REQUIRING my presence in Dublin, to
undertake the Journey alone and to 81. .ure
| il possible place Of habitation where we
| might make ourselves at home during on r
brief sojourn To this proposal acquiesced
| without demur. and was soon on my way
| to Wicklow. On reaching Glendalough,
| was taken to the inn, an unpretentious
hostelry. Sti1i. notwithstanding its home
illness, thought /. provided the larier be
properly supplied, may enjoy myself a.
well as if engaged rooms at Greshan's,
in O'Conne!l street.
After pirtakins Of light luncheon,
sauntered forth from the inn.
The sweetness and the serenity Of nature
gradually brought on pleasant fIts OF mus
ing. After three hours rsmbIc had
beauties enough to ill the sketch hook Of
my friend. Tom Power. who | have said
was an enthusiastic lover Of the pictur
esque.
A. the shadows OF evening began to steal
over the country, | concluded it high time
to bid good night 10 the misty mountains
So closing my portfolio, | betook myself
back To the inn. Ny ranble during the
day having sharpened my appetite, | "A,
down and enjoyed hearty meal | also
partook somewhat freely Of a bottle Of
wine. Adjoining the dining room WAS my
sleeping apartment.
] 81: for some time lost in strange kin
Of reverie, when the door opposite to HE
and communicating with the bar was
opened by mine host He informed M
that he was about to retire for the night,
wished me pleasant dreams ami finally left
me alone after he had finished overhauiny
my lamp. Once more | sat buried In meii-
tation. indulging at the same time in the
luxury Of a neerschaun. For quarter Of
an hour pulled away in perfect silence
Ny attention was simply occupied with
the curling mists Of tobacco smoke that
oppressed the atmosphere OF my cham Der.
While gazing Mt the blueish clouds that
| were circling toward the ceiling | waa
somewhat surprised to see spectcr. IA
imagined. cautiously open the door. Hi.
face was colorless rs parchment, his hair
and beard black ~ 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 n man Of most exalted
station. His next movement was to throw
himself into chair exactly opposite to me
and help himself to a lass Of wine. was
absolutely astounded, still did not inter
rupt the fellow: he seemed to relish the
wine, and continued repeating the offens.
until the bottle was more than half empty.
What will he do next?" asked myself.
Ny astonishment increased a. | beheld
him draw forth from his breast pocket n
bright steel ponard. throwing at the same
time Il sinister glance mt me as he placed
the rusIrderous weapon on the table.
Presently he produced pad, which he
handed to me, after scrbbIng thereon the
following laconic announcement:
II am Spanish noble,"
Spanish fiddlestickr' thought "Y
20. are noblerlan the r'ldeness OF Won,
actions greatly belle you. for whit noble
blemau. he he Spanish, French or Irish,
would have the unblushiny effron,ery TO
disturb the solitude Of n perfect stranger
~ you have lonef"
My answer On the PAL WIS briefly ,hi.
Glad TO MAKE your acquaintance.
The fact il fanciei u, the time he VA,
non compr mentis, sorne escaped bed,
lamite. and thought my safest plan would
be TO humor him until he could be .ecurp
~ placed In the custody Of his keeper.
] Amin The fnnta.tic unhls1n n u.ed ha ~