Evening star., 1901-09-28

worm In the barrel. The barrel is fied
with cold water, which condenses tho
steam and sends It forth 'th ginuins
poteen In Ireland. The worm works very
slowly when compared with the demand
for the output, therefore sge becomes
secondary matter. In fact IL drops out OF
the reckoning altogether. There is only one
case on record of poteen ''ripenin'." and
that was when II was buried in a garden
and its place OF concealment forgotten
However. that Is another story.
When wee dhrop" has been success
fully run public interest in II reaches an
acute stage. IL the stlil is located on an
island in lake, as is often the case. at a
given time the cots" long. fat-bottomed
boats. Will be seen shooting out from the
shores Of the mainland and making for
their destination by circuitous routes. Tho
cots are beached at different places and
left In positions admitting OF ready escape.
Soon the fringe OF natives around the still
grows into well-defned circle The run
ner OF the still stands over the keg Of
liquor with a tin cup la one hand and with
the other keeping firm grasp on the
wooden tap that draws of the poteeu.
In bottles OF all shapes and makes the
liquor is carried away and the demand for
mugs and cups far exceeds the supply,
Shillings and sixpences are taken out OF the
corners OF colored handkerchiefs, where
they have long lain toward a settlement
with the landlord on rent day.
Not a penny piece available in the town
land but viii go TO swell the runners"
pile. unless the "missis'' at home inter-
feres. which she seldom does. Indeed. there
would be more chance for trouble were
her husband to return to the house with
out a wee dhrop" handy. II one man runs
short OF money another has a sixpence or
two TO spare so that before the gathering
mas been long on the island there are
signs of overndulgence. BY and by this
one ana that dispose themselves on the
grass to get much-needed nap There is a
big decrease in the call for mugs and CUPS
and decided increase In the amount Of
noise. This even grows sometimes. despite
many recruits to the ranks of the sleepers.
Then, in most cases, the cry, "Po-licet
Po-ice. Will come echoing over the
waters. In an instant all is excitement.
The wooden tap is pulled out of the keg
and bung inserted. Such of the sleepers
as cannot be aroused are flung bodily into
the boats, and when the still has been
shipped a mad race begins. The policemen
are In large boat patterned after a life
boat Everything seems to favor them in
the pursuit, and yet they gain but little on
their prey. 1t is at once noticed how ex-
pertly the countrymen handle their oars
compared with the 'peelers," who lack
practice.
Beat the sPeeiers.-
Gradually the unfailing regularity of the
"cot-men' begins to hold their pursuers
even, and. when the excitement OF the
chase has to an extent counteracted the
effect of the poteen, their increased strength
of arm sends them ahead When the gap
is seen to be widening loud cheers come
from the pursued. Such as are not rowing
wave their arms and hats wildly and shout
derisively at the policemen. The latter
now know that they are on a wild goose
chase, but at least they must bend to the
work for little while longer so as to live
UP to the duties imposed on them. One by
one, however. they rest their oars. and soon
they are talking il over and laughing the
while they blame the luck which gave
them such eXertion without results.
Outlines the pursuit takes place on land
and here the police generally succeed in
making a haul. The poteen drinkers are
not half so lively in escaping ashore as
afioat. and, besides. the hobbies" are all
active men. Over bogs and hills such as
are able scatter and run for dear life. A
coat is thrown away here. a waistcoat
there, suspenders are unbuttoned, the hard
leather belts frightened a hole, and IL the
pace is a killer" the old cloth hat, held in
hand, will follow the rest Of the wardrobe.
At the start the police also scatter In order
to capture the most prisoners. In this way
the pursuers frequently find themselves
great distances apart at the end of long
chase. The great object is to arrest the
owner Of the still. When this is accom~