New-York tribune., 1909-12-05
Anglo-American Memories
XLIII.
"N'f-'NcioeNrs IN THE GEORGE rReveI-
yAN-MR. BARRY
'copyr,Eht. 1909. by o.crr. w sr,u.,

door big man in a blue cavalry cloak
ana cap. who had just entered. He vas
laying aside his cloak as l passed. and
then took out OF their holsters first one
ana then another navy revolver. both
seven-shooters- I said. too fiippantly:
You take good care OF yourself"
he turned on me sharply. with a ques-
tioning look Of keen eyes under heavy
eyebrows:
Are you friend Of Smith Barry"
/ should hardly be staying in his
house IL were not"
Then will tell you how you can best
prove your friendship. Get him 10 carry
what I carry"
is he in danger?"
Danger? There's a detective at this
moment behind every tree about the
house, and even so we don't know what
may happen. We hope he is safe here
at home, but he goes about unarmed and
II is known he is unarmed. and no man
who does that can be sure OF his life.
We have tried our best 10 make him take
care Of himself. He will not. Now do
you try"
Nothing ever impressed me more than
this sudden outburst. this appeal. this
fash OF light upon the scene. The big
man, it turned out. was the Chief Con-
stable Of the county. He knew whereof
he spoke. promised to do what could
and talked with Smith Barry.
He was man equally remarkable for
courage and for coolness, but in matters
affecting his personal safety he did not
use the Judgment for which in other
matters he was equally remarkable. He
could not be persuaded that anybody
would think IL worth while 10 kill him
He knew well enough that the shooting
OF landlords had become a popular pas
time. but he could not. or would not. un-
derstand why he himself should be shot
i am on good terms with nv tenants:
my rents are fair rents; evict nobody
What have they 10 gain by shooting me?'
But IL was not from his own tenants
That trouble was expected. II was not
because Smith Barry was not a good
landlord, but because he was the leader
OF the landlords in the South Of ireland
and the most formidable opponent Of the
League that HIS life was threatened. 1t
may be So" he said: but think 7
VIII go on as ! am" And from THAI
nobody could move him.
Now. as IL happened. shortly before 7
left London I had met one OF the chief
officials in the Home Office. who said
10 me:
You arc going 70 Ireland"
Yes. but how do you know"
Never mind how I know What I
want 10 say to you IS, Take a revolver
with you"
/ was on the point Of making a light
answer. but stopped. II you get a hint
OF that kind from a man who rules over
the Criminal Department Of the Home
Once and the police generally. you ac-
cePt ii and do as you are told. had my
revolver with me, therefore. and when
the time came to go back 70 London
left il in its case on Smith Barry's writ
ing table. with a letter asking him 70
accept il from ne and once more begging
him TO carry II II only that IL might be
known that he carried il, OF If only out
OF his friendship 10 ne This prevailed
He wrote me that he still thought We
made n needless fuss about il. but he
could not refuse the gift and he could not
refuse TO carry II. No letter ever pleased
me more. ! have never again seen my
friend the Chief Constable, but have
never forgotten him. and I think Of him
now as a fine impersonation Of that au-
thority OF the law which. in those tur-
bulent days. he asserted and successfully
maintained against great odds.
q. W. s