The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-03-10


lhe road to Geneva. | was walking
along enjoying the beautiful prospect
lbout me-Lake Leman and white AL
pine peaks in the distance-when
ahead of me saw figure topped by
conical hat, a greenish coat and
knee breeches. Over his shoulder he
farried a staff, to an end of which was
Blung a bandanna handkerchief, evil
lently containing the wayfarer's lug
gage. upon my word" said to my
self, 'if there isn't son Of the Elmer
aid isle tramping along here in Swift
kerland."
There is a klnship among those who
speak the same language that comes
put when they meet in foreign lands.
1t was this feeling that induced me TO
increase my pace till l reached the
man. When did SO he turned toward
me good natured face and on seeing
that / was amused at his appearance
said jauntily:
",rhe top of the morning to you, sir"
How are you, Patp replied.
"And how did you know me name
was Pat? he asked
ooh, you green islanders are all ell
Their Pat or Mike. had an even
chance of hitting your name"
you're not English" he rejoined.
f'unless you're colonist, l know that
by your talk"
'I'm an American But what the
dickens are you tramping for here in
Switzerland-look for chance to
carry mortar to the top Of some new
building?"
Where there's fellow to do all the
work."
MY reply to this was a smile. The
man puzzled me. His brogue was not
so broad as that of an Irish peasant
And why an Irish peasant should be
looking for job in Switzerland could
not conceive.
Whether 1t was that longed for the
companionship of one who spoke
common language or because there
was something very much alive with
my fellow traveller don't know. but
enjoyed his company so well that /
was in no hurry to part with him
Coming TO a village, we sat down to-
gether at table in the grounds of a
hotel on the margin of the lake and
ordered a luncheon. Pat talked glibly
all the while, his chat sparkling with
wit and humor, so that / was very
agreeably entertained. | undertook TO
pay for his lunch as well as my own,
but he wouldn't have it, ! insisted
that 1t was q low price for me to pay
for having been so pleasantly cheered.
but he said that he had, or thought he
had, money enough TO take him to
Dublin, and as long as it lasted he
would pay his own way.
The result of the meeting was that
we Travelled together to Geneva. There
he named cheap hotel he proposed to
stop at, and l was so Ioath to part
with him that I chose the same hos
telry. He intended to set out on his
walk the next day toward Dion,
thence to Paris, Calais and across the
channel and over England TO his home
in Ireland But the next day he was
taken down with rheumatism in one
of his legs and cc.ldn't move.
He did not quit Geneva for two
weeks. 1t was one of my stopping
points and / kept him company. in
other words took care Of him, then sue.
ceeded in inducing him to permit me
TO purchase a ticket for him to Dub
lin. Indeed, there seemed to be nc
other way for him to get home but by
train, for he couldn't walk and he
hadn't sufficient money to ride. I told
him that I would make tour Of Ire
land before returning to America and
would see him there. If he found it
convenient to pay the loan then, well
and good, If not would not miss the
amount. On parting with him asked
him to tell me what he was doing in
Switzerland. He smiled that good
natured smile of his and said that
would be explained when l saw him
In Ireland.
1t was several months before start.
ed on my Irish tour, and on reaching
Dublin / posted letter announcing
my arrival to the address he had given
me, village not far from the city.
The next afternoon a note from Pat
was handed to me stating that he had
had a relapse Of his old trouble. rheu-
matism, and could not get out Would
] kindly come with the bearer? The
bearer was liveried servant
/ thought there must be some mis-
take, but said nothing. / went out
side, where found a carriage with a
coachman in the same livery as the
bearer Of the note. l was put into the
carriage and driven for an hour when
we turned into a handsome place. AS
we neared the house I saw gentle
man sitting on the porch with one leg |
resting on a chair. On his face was a
broad grin. evidently at the surprise /
plainly visible on mine. for be was
none other than my fellow traveller.
Pat.
He thus explained the case. He was
a gentlemans son and Ike others Of /
his kind went out into the world to
fight for a living, since his father had /
lost his property by speculation. He
had fancied to tramp as an Irish peas
ant: having heard OF the death Of O
cousin which would give him an en-.
tailed estate. he was making his way
homeward on foot when I met him.
he entertained me royalty, and since /