Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-12-20


man is vending his way-at short inter-
walls he stops suddenly, gazing over the
hedge side, where the moon is shining
through the leafless snow-covered trees
advancing a few PAGES he stops once
more before a ruined tower, fast eruin-
bling TO decay.
"God bless the dear old landmarks" he
mnrmured, many and many time have
/ stood beside you in my dreams when
the great ocean rolled between us-at
last, like the load-stone that attracts the
needle. you have brought the wanderer
back Oh, sweet install, the smallest
blade of grass that grows in your green
dells is million times more precious TO
me than all the wealth and grandeur Z
have seen ON foreign shores"
Having reached the cottage, he was
met at the door by tall,well-built, ven
cradle looking man.
Can you give re shelter for ashur
timer" asked the stranger.
IL can, or for long time, IL You need
it--though not very long, now | come to
remember, for in few weeks | won't
be able to call this house my own. Isn't
that the truth, Mary?" he added. looking
at his wife, busily plyirg her needle near
bright turf fire.
1T is inIeed--the bitter truth--may
God in his mercy protect us" said his
wife.
"And how long have you lived in this
cosy cottageY' asked the stranger.
Fifty years, sir. My father builtit /
married the good wife you see beside me
in it. | reared a big family in it. but
they're scattered far away from us now.
Some Of them, 4 IN afreerd, I'll never see
again. Our Oldest boy I've not heard
from in ten years. He was sent into
penal servitude for the part he took in
the rising of 81"
What was his name?"
''Redmond O'Hara. But in troth if /
60 on in this way FL be disgracing the
proud ovid name of our family. Here,
take a Whit o this ovid dhudeen; twill
help to Danish sad thoughts.
Before ] light my pipe, said the
stranger, II wish you would tell me why
it is that you VIII be compelled to leave
this cottage in few weeksl'
sThe answer Is simple" replied HI
host. II am only small farmer, and
cannot afford to pay Lord Leech the
heavy taxes that are yearly lta?osed On
my own time aud money without Il hap
orth of help from his lordship. That's the
whole of it IN a nutshell.
And so you are to be evictedy
That's il exactly" replied the host.
Not If | can SAKE you. said the steam
ger.
''Saltpeter couldn't save us"
"Fhere is something more potent than
saltpeter"
Maybe We name dynamite" said his
host.
What have reference to Is more pow
erful than even dynamite, replied the
traveller, although it is not. 50 noisy.
What allude to is the power of gold,,'
During the foregoing the farmers wife
had prepared supper which. the trav-
eler seemed to relish with a zest that he
tokened keen appetite. Eaying finished
his meal be reIit his pipe, drew his chair
near the fire and became more commnni-
catiye
'You seem to be a converssble man,
said the host sand I'm proud Of yeur
company; if you like to sleep. under his
roof tonight you are heartily welkim,
and Wen SPEND pleasant Christmas day
together.
''you are too Kind. Sir, said the
stranger. But accept the initiation.
"Of course, said the farmer, you'll
have to take pot luck with us; he have no
dainties to offer you, but there was q
time when prince couldn't find fault
with sA.r table on Christmas day, when
we eou,d spread before you turkey, geese,
ham. lamb and almost every delieacy I'M
der the blessed sun. but taem times have
passed away Ike the snow.
God bless you aud your good wife. sir,
for the cordial welcome you have given
TO the poor stranger 1t reminds me Of
the gay old times when l was happy
boy under She roof-tree of my parents,
when we loved to pass the Christmas eve
by the cheerful fresidc, singing the old
songs et our prosecuted land. and listen
inc to the ghost stories and the fairy
talps until the hour arrived 70 attend the
midnight mass. Ia 40 evil hoar was
caught with my pike while ATTENDING 4
moonlight drill in the mountain gap. A
mock trial took place, and packed jury
found me guilty OF high treason. was
loaded with clains and hurried off in q
convict ship to Western Australia. I es.
capped, aud after many perils was re
ceiyed with open arms in the land OF the
Stars and Stripes BY my expatriated
countrymen Soon amassed great
wealth. Yom would scarcely imagine me,
/ as appear at present In these tattesed