Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-05

Resembles fn Many Ways a Miniature
NOaies Ask.

NOauB Sxk.
From the Westminster Aazettr.
1t was o'clock IN the morning, and was
sitting on a wallsasith the village of Du-
gort, in Achill Island, in front of me- 1
was there for the purpose of seeing the
animals come out Uf an Irish hut after
their nights rest.
upon the wall. Nearly every kind of Brit
ish bird was singing and the Atlantic MUIR
INJURED on the Dugort strand. But the doors
of the cottages wepe closed, and their in
mates were asleep. 1 Wondered why 1
should not run away<withsa pair of trousers
which were hanging on al door in the sun.
And 1 wondered what was to prevent me
making off with spade and basket which
lay near the road The owners of these
articles seemed to assume that l was hon
est, which felt a little strange.
Patiently, however, kept my ewes on the
cottage doors. And at last, about a quar-
ter past Z, one of them was opened I'm
mediately three geese, eight goslings, six
hens, fifteen chickens, two pigs and a cat
darted forth in the daylight. The geese
formed themselves In a noisy procession TO
the nearest pond; the hens gathered their
families together in triumph in field; the
pigs, without any ado, began eating the
first things they could discover, and the
cat, after moments hesitation, climbed
on to the roof. Then the door was closed
again, and the family arose and had break
fast At least SO l should think. In any
case, twenty minutes later, man once
more flung open the entrance of the hut,
and, 10! four cows slowly marched forth
to the road. And when two barefooted
girls had driven these away to pasture on
the mountainside the master of the house
himself appeared, leading out the family
horse. Two somewhat dilatory sons follow
ed and, taking up the spade and basket
which had lain outside all night, they went
after their father to the daily work of the
nd
children, filled with the intention of vlay-
ing game, until they saw me looking at
them. But then they became as quiet as
mice and stood wondering against the wall.
After these came two elder sisters carrying
cloth bags filled with books, and | watched
their bare feet tripping down the winding
road to the National School. And finally
emerged the strapping and bronzed mother,
leading the faithful donkey loaded with
peat baskets. and followed by a gentle dog
with its muZZle on.
And 1 reflected as I went back hungry to
breakfast that fifty-three animals were a
good many for hut. When l returned
after breakfast I found that the goslings
had clambered over the wall, and three
little children were playing with them. But
very soon these children got tired of the
goslings, and sat solemnly on the grass
wondering what to do next. And then their
heads appeared over the top of the wall.
They scrambled down on to the road, and
began to make defiantly for the duck pond.
Two little feet were already in this pond,
and two others were just on the brink,
when 10! their mother saw them and called
out, as severe as the mountain that over
Swallowed them, Keep out of that pool,
now!' 1t was horrid pool. Such a one
as ordinary man would deodorize with a
pipe And for years their mother had been
telling these children to keep out of it. Now
they crept very subdued into the hut, and
sat in disgrace with their toes round the
peat fire There, too, their grandmother
was seated, her body shaking and her face
withered with age. l saw her fill her pipe
with little pieces of burning wood. Good
gracious!'' [ said, what is she smoking?"
only kippins,' the mother answered.
She's finished her tobacco" she explained.
There were six children in the hut alto
gether, with about asg ear between the ages
of each. The mothst had buried four, she
told me, and two others were at school,
DO they make a noise at night?'' I ask
ed. We'll. no, sir, D sheSanswered, they
don't be very noisy 81 night, indeed" And
when | suggested tbat they looked fairly
well, she agreed that fley were pretty
healthy enough, indeed. She offered me
some seaweed to eat. It's dillusk.'' she
said; Its very nice when it be dry But
! never felt inclined-to eat anything in an
Irish hut