The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-02-05

ScHAeHt IoCdHty Aor MS lOQSlnS l am
at a loss to say. If he wished to re-
tire from the maddening crowd he
certainly could not have found a more
retiring place for it's nearly worth
ones life to climb the steep and
treacherous rocks to reach it. Many
of our party explored the innermost
recesses of this little cave which 10
almost as famous as Rlarney Castle.
The lake above mentioned is about
as lonely looking as any sheet of water
ever saw, being enclosed by barren
mountains that are 40 unlike the ver-
dant hills in other parts of that coun-
try. In referring to it local poet
says a.N}
THAT gloomy lake by whose shores
The nightingale. ne'cr MARBLES DER"
1 think this sentiment fully describes
the locality. It is so different from
the lower lake that it makes the latter
more beautiful and interesting by COM
parison.
Our next excursion was over to the
Vale of Avoca in the same county. BY
the way, think the County of Wick
low possesses more natural charms
than all the rest of Ireland, and the
tourist who fails to visit it misses q
veritable Garden of Eden. '
On our way to the Vale Of Avoca
was somewhat amused at an old
fisherman who entered the car at
Avondale. BY the swinging gait and
general appearance took him for an
old time sailor from the County Mayo.
Ills ruddy countenance, set off with
| little pug nose beautifully en-
bellished with a large sized wart on
it's starboard side, gave him a COM
fortably comieals expression. He had
ON the conventional suit of corduroy
which covered .shis stout figure from
head to,foot., Siung across his shoul-
ders was the inevitable fishing basket
that, no doubt e.asaAned HE. MONDAY
lunch with wee drop Of "bait" TAX:
ing him, all in all, he seemed the per.
sonification of happiness and good
humor.
AS he sat there putting vigorously
away at his little dark dudeen, Il coulG
not help giving hanna few surrsptitiou.
glances, as he was the most interest
ing exhibit enroute.' Between frequent
pulls at hts pipe he would get of
some quaint remarks that proved very
! entertaining to the excursionists.
distinctly remember one Of his funny
exclamations. For some reason un.
known to the passengers the trair
was brought to a halt as it was cross.
ing long bridge. Our quaint little
passenger who seemed over anxious tt
reach the fishing grounds, becam,
somewhat impatient at the delay ant
after holding his temper and his pun.
gent breath as long as he could, blurt
ed out SO all could hear:
LET yees get on wild yere ould in
vintion. Phwat the divil's kapin "
here"
He perhaps thought he was the onl!
doI ~
The Vale of Avoca is certainly al
that Moore has said of it,-a charming
quiet retreat where the music of th'
ripping waters seems to sing th'
anthems of Nature. l sat on a larg
stone under the very tree wher
Thomas Moore is said to have com
posed and written the Meeting of tn
Waters" These miniature rivers ar
the Avonmore and the Avonbeg whicl
meet here and harmoniously mingl
their silvery streams. While sittin
under that tree 1 called to mind M
favorite stanza in the famous poer
. which 1 considered SO appropriate t
!, that peaceful, sunny vale. As nov
remember, it reads like this:
; Sweet Vale of Avoca! How calr
, could / rest
In thy bosom of shade, with the friend
love best,
Where the storms that we feel in thi
cold world would cease,
And our hearts, like thy waters, b
mingled in peace"
: I admire the poet who felt tn
: soothing influences of those powerf,
2 surroundings, and none could do other
; wise were he at all susceptible to tn
: romantic loveliness OF this enchantin
valley. However, it was only a Moor
: who could so grandly express sent
ments appropriate to the Vale {
i'll Avoca, which divides mountains, bl