Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-04-03
CARNEGIE AT sKIBo.
How the Laird Spends His Time-Inter-
esting Anecdotes.

spent the summer at Skibo castle, on
the shores of the Dornock Firth.
The king, when staying at Dunrobfn
castle, honored Skibo with a visit and
was greatly impressed by the archi-
lecture, which ranks among the best
in Britain, while the staircases and
porticoes of Silesian marble were spe-
cial objects of royal admiration. Mr..
Carnegie's highland home, which ri
walls in magnifcence many of our Old
er country seats, is never empty dur
ing the summer months, as the
s'laird"-to give him his local title
has a great many visitors, among
whom are some of the most distin-
guished men and women of our time.
Each departing guest receives
beautifully shaped horn spoon, with
silver monogram, as memento OF
the visit, this being an interesting
highland custom revived by Mr.. and
Mrs. Carnegie. In the midst Of lux
ury Mr. Carnegie leads a very sim
pie life. He is keen angler, and
spends many hours by the banks Of
stream which winds through the. Ski
DO policies. Devoted to the sea, he
is continually cruising about the
coast in his steam yacht, the Sea
Breeze.
An incident occurred one day on
board the Sea Breeze which illus
trates the methods by which Mr.. Car
negie amassed his wealth. The yacht
suddenly stopped and it was found a
part of the machinery had broken
down. All attempts at repair being
useless, Mr.. Carnegie asked the men
what should be done "Well, SIR"
said one, there's an engineer at In
verness" The millionaire turned
quickly eyes," he said, 'but that
costs money" Then, taking off his
coat, Mr. Carnegie set to work, and
with the assitance Of one man re-
paired the engine in half an hours
time.
A favorite expedition is to take the
Sea Breeze and steam across the firth
to Port Mahomack, a little fishing vii
lage thristened by Mr.. Carnegie 'the.
Venice of the north" Landing here,
the party walk to Tarbet Ness light
house and picnic on the rocky coast.
On one of these excursions an Incl
dent occurred of which Ian Maclaren
and the mayor of New York were
amused spectators. Mr.. Carnegie
requested a laborer, whom he found
working in a field, to conduct them
to their destination. The man
agreed, but having proceeded some
distance, expressed wish to turn, on
the ground that he should not be
walking with gentlefolk without his
coat ooh, is that all ?" said Mr. Car
negie, pulling off his jacket; there's
mine, put it on" AS the laird is a
small man and the laborer stood six
feet the attempt Of the latter to en-
ter Mr.. Carnegie's garment created
great amusement. Finding this i'm
possible, the man remarked, cts nae
fit" "Never mind,'' said Mr. Carne-
gle, with twinkle in his eye, Garry
it on your arm and people will think
it belongs to you and that you are
carrying it because you're warm
One Of the strongest traits in Mr..
Carnegie's character is his sterling
honesty, and he is never more reused
than by the discovery of the absence
of this quality in another. One day,
walking along the main road near Ski
DO, he found crofter matching a
rather dilapidated roof with straw
@sWhy don't you slate it?,s' asked Mr.
Carnegie. 'SWeel, sir, it wad cost
over much siller' "What would it
cost?" was the next question 'SAbout
fluffy punds." Mr.. Carnegie pulled
out his check book, signed check
for the amount, handed it to the Won
dering crofter and resumed his walk.
Now, this. crofter had wife, who on
| hearing of the windfall to the family
exclaimed: eye auld fule, that We
| didna ak him for mair! Ava tae Ski
DO an tell the laird We wis mistaken
am that it wad cost 7O.'' Thus COM
manded, the man repaired to Skibo,
| where he, was shown into the library.
WELL. said Mr.. Carnegie, what
| now?" The man explained the posi-
ton. "Have you got the first check
| asked Mr.. Carnegie; The man hand
ed the check to Mr. Carnegie, who