The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-25

when at home I told our driver TO kOsp
in the open.
The lightning now became more and
more frequent and was 40 elcss that we
let go our hold on tbs brass RI Ola. pre.errinc
to pitch out rather than art as conductor
on a jaunting car--suoh thin y ~ conduc-
tors being unknown anyway.
IL was certifying. and to add TO my dis
comfort { found ! wos sitting in a pool Of
water. the rain having an Irisl insi uiating-
ness about il that was irret 6stubls, And
now. Just 10 show us what rould be got
up on short notice for Anne rican visitors
1t began to hail and the wind blew g. in long
white. ~siaDting wintsriike Tires across the
air and into oar faces. and tbe roo DIS having
become little brooks the horses had to 10
urged TO the drivers utmost Of theeGts
and cajolery.
thought Of that waiter who bad told
me It was always sunny in Lneland and l
wished him out in the pelting Storm.
I've not seen the like in tvinty years.
SORT" said the driver.
To 60 back vas 10 get the xSrm in fuller
fury. for the wind had shifted. To 60 ahead
was TO arrive like drowned rats. but we were
anxious Tor shelter. and still the driver said:
ITS not far" and 90 we went on. have
been in many places in all sorts Of westhers,
hut 1t Ia years since I've been out In such a
storm. The hsilstones were not as large
an hens eggs. but they were as large al
French peas
There was not a dry stitch on us, and
the red Of the gay cushion went through
to my skin. My ~crayenetts treacherously
refused to let tho water depart from me.
but she'd il on the wrong side-whichmay be
an Irish bull for all I know.
Here we are now. sorr.' 0id our drive
as he turned in at q fine driveway.
A winding drive Of n minute or two and
we arrived like wet hens-all d us-at the
house of these people. who had never heard
Of us until that day.
But the warmth OF the welcome from
our host and hostess, who came out to the
door to greet us, made us not only glad We
had come, but eveu glad we we're wet.
Had there been the least stiffness We
should have wished the storm far enough
land. indeed. all Ireland did wish 1t. for il
turned ont to % the most tremendous
thunder and hail storm in a SCORE or more
Of years). but u new found friends frankly
laughed with us at our funny appearance
and We were hurried of 10 various rooms
70 change our clothes.
Our protestations of regret at putting
them to trouble we're met with protesta-
tons Of delight at being able TO serve us,
and as my host brought me some union
garments that had been made for a man
of three times my size and I wrapped hem
round and round me until they were giddy.
l was glad I had not turned back 20 spend
H----N - d. Io2Alw hNNnl
The rest of the party Jared well in getting
clothes that became them, but when l was
fully dressed I looked like Francis Wilson
in 'ErmiDie.' As I turned up my sleeves
and triple turned up my trousers ! knew
I would be good'for a laugh in any theatre
in Christendom.
There was bue one thing to do-go down
and look unconscious OF my misft ap-
p~earance. II would never do to stay in
my room through a mistaken sense Of
personal dignity.
So I went down and, meeting host and
hostess and my compatriots. a laugh e
up that would have broken the ice In a
Pittsburg m%illionaire's drawing room.
And then w were taken to the tea room
and in a few minutes | forgot that wal
no longer the glass Of fashion and the mould
of form. for I was made to feel that | was
just a friend who had dropped in Tor per-
haps dripped in would be BETTER. and when
a couple Of hours later We drove home
through the soft Irish verdure. doubly green
after its rough but invigorating bath, We
all felt that Irish hospitality wss no mere
travellers tale. but a thing that had inten-
sity and not a little emotion in il.
CHARLES BArTELL LOOMS.