The daily Alaskan., 1905-12-08
An Irish Tramp
[Origlnall ]


 The Scotch lakes In the month of June are very pleasant touring ground. In order to have plenty of time to en- Joy this interesting region l decided to spend the whole month of roses in a walking trip In what is called the Tros. sachs. I ran across a 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 thorough Brlton 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 Loch Lomond when a typical Irishman tramped by. He wore Cordu- roy brooches to the knee and wooleD stockings, the conventional short Cuddy pipe In his mouth, and carried a bun dle slung to the end of a stick over hIs shoulder.
 Pat" I called, "can you let me have 6 match"
 Faith, l can that same" he replied and, turning, joined us.
 You're from the Emerald Isle?' l said.
 How did you know that?" be asked.
 q guessed It. Where are you bound|
 Faith, since yer so good at guessln' ye can guess that alsO.'
 I laughed and asked him if he would have nip from my flask, which he ac- cepted, and we all proceeded on our way together. Marston was evidently not much pleased with the Irishman's company, but l found amusement in bis wit and would not let him leave US. He seemed to take great fancy to me, but regarded MarstOn much as Msrstou 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 a measure, fulfilled by the IrlShman. when alone with me asking for q loan of E2O, accompanying his request with the following highly improbable story.
 I'm next to a barODetCy,' he Satd, "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. I'm out of funds and tramping 1t. If 1 can get them ] can reach home much earlier, and it's important that l be there before ny cousin dies"
 I refraiued from smiling at the story, but said that if he could give ne the family name I would refer tue matter to Marston, who knew all abOIt the British aristocracy. If Marston knew of the family and thought the matter to be as represented I would cheer fully make the loan.
 This seemed to stagger him. He thought the matter over, then said: Never mind. I'll foot it"
 Marston left us soon after this re quest, and before parting warned me not to be guIled by the Irlshnan, In forming me that personatng connec tions of the nobility was common confidence game In the country, and most people knew enough of it t1 keep from being tleeced.
 Pat and I trudged on together. He made no further move to obtain a loan, but permitted me to pay sundry ex- penses. Indeed I paid for Nll bis meals and his lodging where we stop ped. l parted with him at Glasgow 1 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 I thought 1 should pay hlIn for doing so. l handed him five pound note. He took the money, ask ing me, of course, to whom he should send 1t. told him not Co bother about a return, but gave him my address at my bankers in London.
 "Goodby, Pat" l said, You're too witty to remain a tramp, Come to America and go into some sho" buSi ness. You'd keep an auiicnc" laugh ing a whole evening"
 ATDDUBNs AC ltl'a+NNA- A ''a D r 'NN-' very kind" And with that he lgCt Inc.
 I remained in London for some time. One day I received a note which read:
 The Earl of Arrascragh presents his compliments to Mir. Reginald Brewer and would be pleased to have him spend a week (Oct to l2) with him uJ ArrGs"ragh castle.
 Not ever having heard of the Earl of Arrascragh, I believed he had made some mistake and wrote him q polite aote to that effect. By return mail l received a reply stating that, nistake or no mistake, the invitation held good, and 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 a gentleman whom l took to be hls lordship hurried to he porte cochere and received me. As we stood facing each other put my hand uQ to my eyes to make sure they were seeing aripht Tn a Centleman'S dress l saw