Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-10-25
An Irish Tramp
IOriginal.l

spend the whole month Of roses in a
walking trip in what Is called the Tros-
sachs. I ran across young English
man named Marston. who was amusing
himself in much the same way as l.
and we agreed to tramp together. Mar
ston was a thorough Briton and with
all Briton's respect for rank. He was
not noble himself, but professed to
know many of the nobility.
We were resting one day on the
banks Of Loeb Lomond when typical
Irishman tramped by. He wore copdu.
! roy breeches to the knee and wooden
stockings, the conventional short cuddy
pipe in his mouth, and carried bun
die slung to the end of stick over his
shoulder.
pat" called. "can you let me have
match?"
Faith, can that same" he replied
and, turning, Joined us.
you're from the Emerald IsleT I
said.
''How did you know that - he asked.
Il guessed 1t. Where are you bound"
Faith, since yer so good at guessin'
re can guess that alsov'
laughed and asked him II he would
have a nip from my flask, which he ac-
copied, and we all proceeded on our
way together Marston was evidently
not much pleased with the Irishman's
company, but / found amusement in
his wit and would not let him leave
/ To 30 %nI- 60
to me, but regarded Marston much as
Marston regarded him. However, we
kept together for several days, during
which Marston warned me that the
fellow was preparing to work" us In
some fashion and advised our getting
rid of him. Marston's prophecy was, in
measure, fulfilled by the Irishman,
when alone with me, asking for loan
of f20 accompanying his request with
the following highly improbable story.
"Pm next to a baronetcy," he said,
'-my cousin being the present possess
or Of the title. He Is dying with con-
sumption, and I'm not sure but he's
dead by this time. Pm out Of funds
and trampins it. II / can get them I
can reach home much earlier, and it's
important that / be there before my
cousin dies"
1efrained from smiling at the story,
but said that if he could give me the
family name / would refer the matter
to Marston, who knew all about the
British ariStocracy. If Marston knew
Of the family and thought the matter
to be as represented / would cheer
fully make the loan.
This seemed to stagger him. He
thought the matter over. then said:
"Neyer mind. I'll foot it"
! Marston left US soon after this re-
quest, and before parting warned me
not to be gulled by the Irishman, in
forming me that personattng connec-
tons Of the nobility was a common
confidence game In the country, and
most people knew enough OF It to keep
from being fleeced.
! Pat and l trudged on together. He
made no further move to obtain loan,
but permitted me to pay sundry ex-
penses. Indeed, paid for ell his
meals and his lodging where we stop
ped l parted with him at Glasgow,
I going overland to London, while he
said he was going to work his way on
some vessel to Dublin. He had anus
ed me, and thought should pay him
for doing 20. I handed him q i've
pound note He took the money. agk-
! Ing me, Of course, TO whom he Should
send It. 1 told him not to bother about
return. but gave him my address ut
my bankers In London.
"Goodby, Pat" 1 said, You've too
witty to remain tramp. OOms 10
America snd 70 into some show bust
moss. You'd keep an audience laugh
ing a whole evening"
"Goodby." he replied. You've been
very kind" And with that he left me-
! / remained In London for some time
One day received note which read:
| The Earl OF Arrascragh presents his
/ compliments to Mr.. Reginald Brewer and
would be pleased to have him spend
week (Oct. to 129 with him at Arrascragh
castle.
Not ever having heard Of the Earl Of
Arrascragh, / believed he had made
some mistake and wrote him a polite
note to that effect. By return mail
received reply stating that, mistake
or no mistake, the invitation held good,
and l was requested to send my ac-
ceptance. Not unwilling to see some
thing Of foreign Irish Life among the
highest class, l took advantage Of the
situation, accepted and on the date
named went to Ireland. On driving up
to the castle gentleman whom took
to be bis lordship hurried to the porte
cochere and received me. Az we stood
facing each other put my hand up to
my eyes to make sure they We're seeing
Alright. In a gentleman's dress l saw
the Irish tramp l had befriended In
Scotland.
/ never made an Investment that
yielded so bountiful return. Not for
week, but for a month, / was feted
as had never been before. 1 asked
the earl why he had told me that he
was next In line to baronetcy instead
of an earldom. He replied that he
made a mistake in mentioning any IT,
tie since 1t only made his story more
improbable. / did not question him
about his life previous to his cousins
death, and he did not refer to 1t. Evil
IDENTITY he had had a pretty hard time
Of n II WAS nrohablv no different