The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-10-12
THE BIG HOUSE

THE BIG HOUSE In the county of Galway m Ireland there is little village called Portumna and somewhere near it an old house once sprawed con tentedly beneath aged and venerable trees. From at least one of the several chimneys, summer or w1nter smoke would plume lazy to the skies and there would be the odor of peat burning which blessed odor to those that know it, and one to stir the heart on the door of the house the atchstring was always out as the saying has it-for Welcome dwelt within. Around the friendly green countryside was known as The Big Hause although it was not so very large but 1t was called that, because 1t was the home of The OKelly head of the OKey clan in that section of the country
 A fine figure of The o'Kelly was, with his white hair his brave moustache his bright merry eyes, proud husband of little blossom wife; proud father of seven splendid sons owner of many acres Of none too-fertie land and Master of The Big House" many years ago.
 It was beautiful old house of numerous rooms each one lovely and gracious than the othe but such are the tricks of memory, the only ones can recall are the bedroom occupied on summer holiday as school boy guest of one of the OKely sons the living room the dining roonl and the pantrys. The pantryS l shall remember always. Some of them were redolent with stored fruit others filled with tempting jars of and jams and in one at least there white eggs geaing in bowls and wide basins of milk walting to be skinned.
 My own room was furnished in mahogany, or 1t may have been walnut, what matter? There was great wood wardrobe On wash table big porcelain pitcher gstened in porcelain basin There was huge, four poster bed with feather mattress, and there was small was. The room delightful, bright and cheery in the day. but at night in the flicker of candle 1t was filled with terrifying shadows that sent small boy scamper ing into bed
 There not much money in "The Big House" despite its lovely furnishings But that did not matter There was happiness in abundance there despite the OKeys disappointment that while they had seven stall wart young sons no daughter had ever been born to the and there was always great peace and tranquility The long mahogany table with its silver candle sticks in the dining was never bare of good and tasty food and there time at that table but Hospitality seated by The OKellys side to share the honors of host.
 "The Big House" was always filled with guests in the summer, some visiting, others just 14eighborS from around the county who would ride horseback to sit at The oKely table and break bread with him. If 1t were luncheon of Saturday. afterwards there would be tennis, croquet, maybe horseback rde if 1t were dinner when dinner was done there would be music in the living roo games cards and always there would be conversationthe eloquent, glowing converse ton of the Irish when they together friendship in cottage or castle in Ireland itself in alien and dis tant lands across the seas.
 Such was "The Big House" as remember 1t from boyhood days place of full enjoyment untring kind ness and limitless hospitality. should remember 1t better, for surely no young lad more honored guest; but alas today cannot recall even its real name
 s -Edmund Leamy.