The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-30
q a constant small stream. II this runs

n a constant small stream. II this runs
too freely the process is going on more
rapidly than 1t should and the fro must be
lowered scoordlngly; This worm is kept
constant supply Is necessary in order 70
keep the water In the barrel from heating,
in which case, Of course, tho worm would
fail to do it's work-hence running water
or lake is necessary to the distiller. Tin
worms flavor the stuff with metallic taste;
copper ones which are e1pensive. do not.
called .ssinglings. twice run through it is
adoublings,' or has been, as it is called,
doubled and Is the completed spirit. It
Is very raw and powerful, Of course, much
overproof, and has, especially when taken
hot from the still q very exhilarating effect.
Its flavor is smoky and indescribable, but
not bad.
You can get poteen at about 10 shillinss to
u shillings gallon-that Is, II you knew
whom to apply to and are not caught by the
authorities. An idle scofYer. whom did not
believe. once told me that the only two places
drop Of the best poteen in Ireland were the
priests house and the police barracks.
When finished men convey 1t to It's des-
tination In kegs containing several gallons
each, carrying them on their backs BY night
across the boys and through infrequented
passes in the mountains; and, in truth, it Is
country with such loads as are sometimes
found on them. They avoid the main
roads. a seemingly unnecessary precaution
the casual visitor would cay who drives
mile after mile through wintry. fonaken
human being. Indeed, to realize the general
desolation Of the greater part Of that por-
ton Of Ireland you must remember the say
ing OF the lady who remarked, when the
first telegraph poles were being put up
there, that they would give the country
Tho penalty for being in possession OF IL,
making it, or being found at or near the
place where 1t Ii being made owning or
having in possession any land or place
whore It ia found de-, is very heavy-one
hundred pounds, which can be uitisated
in lieu Of payment. Also, everything used
in concealing it, found packed with it lmuch,
for instance formerly went into Galway
hidden in the middle Of the loads Of turf,
or conveying II (as horse or cart or boat
becomes forfeit, and If not sufficiently
valuable to sell is destroyed on tho spot
PENALTY on the previous convictions being
proved; 80 that q man twice convicted cam
not be fined less than twelve pounds; thrice,
twentv-four pounds, and 60 on. Because
OF this the places selected for lite Illicit
manufacture are almost always on common
VI,
like spots, useful neither to man nor beast
for any other earthly purpose
As rule the poorest and most reckless Of
the reasantry make the poteen. middle
man Of some substance usually getting the
lions share Of the .profits. and paying for
cured the risk ia borne mainly by those
actually engaged in the manufacture, it
feing almost impossible to reach the real
culprit who lures the poor folk into 90 much
trouble.
The smoke and glare Of the still FIRE is
and that reminds me that the neatest In
stance I know OF = poteen maker evading
suspicion for q long time was by an un-
usually audacious plan. He rented house
adjoining q police barracks, and ueed an
upstairs room as his distillery. KNOCKING a
handy, and being on the best terms with the
parties next door, but naturally nth q stand
of, distant manner toward them, he thus got
rid Of his smoke by their innocent and vn-
solicited assistance. The fro In . police
kitchen In Ireland. you must know, is Kept
burning night and day, to warm and feed
constant patrols going from and returning
No arrests are made when men can be
made amenable by q summons to court,
and as a general rule no resistance Is offered.
rs the constabulary are men OF splendid
on this duty. Indeed. In such q sportsman
like spirit do many Of the poor peasants
themselves take the game that they bear
the police little or no malice II the catch
ia a fair one; but wo to an informer should
a countryside detect him! ! have myself
known party Of constables stor I'M in
nor ret horne, TO Re supplied with a cold
pooae and victuals by the very smugglers
they came out to catch.