r EDITORIAL SHEET. " THE OMAHA DAILY BEE.PAGES 9 TO 10.
ESTABLISHED JUNE 19 , 1871. OMAHA , WEDNESDAY , MAY 1 , 0 05 TWENTY-EIGHT PAGES. SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
FRIENDS OF OTHER DAYS
All Send Good Wishes for the Women Ed
itors Today *
MESSAGES FROM MAIDS AND MATRONS
Trom Mexico nnil I.not , from 1'cru nnd the
Ucrniuilitn , COIIIB Woril * of Uretitlng nnd
Jntcrcitlnc It crlitluiis of the I.timli
Wherein They Arc No IT Hojourncrj.
plltcd by MISS irnirXWYNNE KHNNEDY.
Should nuld acquaintance be forgot
An' never brought to mln'7
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
An' days o' lang s > ne ?
Wo say nol A thousand times no ! So
tore are living messages from our absent
friends and those who dwell among us no
longer , but whose "loyal hearts and true"
( till hold u In kindly remembrance.
Such prompt and cordial replies , and such
Interesting letters ! Our only regret Is that
we are obliged by lack of space to cull a little
hero and there , Instead of printing them en
tire.
tire.As
As the wife of our first Congregational min
ister , Mrs. Gaylord speaks from experience of
\ pioneer mission work In Omaha and
OUR FIRST PASTORS AND CHURCHES.
How well I remember the unwearied efforts
of those early pastors to plant the gospel In
Omaha. When we came , on Christmas day ,
1855 , there were scarcely 600 people and the
llttlo embryo city was In Its Infancy. Mr.
Gaylord found no religious organization ex
cept a small Methodist class , under the care
ot Rev. Mr. Collins.
A Congregational church was organized on
tin- first Sabbath of May , and churches of
other denominations were soon gathered. Two
houses of worship , Congregational and Meth
odlst , were built In 185G-D7. I cannot recall
the name of the first Episcopal rector , but
those early residents who still remain will ,
It Is * hoptd , cherish loving memories of him ,
and of Mr. Gaylord , Congregatlonallst ; Mr.
Uames , Daptlst : Mr. Webster and Mr. Dim
Ick , Presbyterian , and others who labored In
the good cause.
Omaha cannot fully realize , but I trust wll !
not forget , that she owes much of her re
llgtous , educitlona ! and commercial prosperity
to thosj self-denying men , who laid founda
tions for Its highest and surest future welfare.
Your ladles many of whom I love to think
ot as my true friends have my best wishes
for success In the enterprise they have under ,
taken. Yours very sincerely ,
M. W. GAYLORD.
Rcdlands , California.
Our earlier settlers will also remember Mr
and Mrs J. II. Kellom with reaped and affec
tlon. Mrs. Kellom while feeling herself un
able to write us a letter , sent most kindly
greetings , while her daughter , Mrs. Adams ,
has given us an account of
EARLY OMAHA SOCIETY.
Omaha was In a very primitive state when
ono bright morning In the early springtime
V 1S56 we landed there. We were twelve
days In Journeying up the muddy Missouri
from Leavcnworth , Kan. , as the pilot of the
boat on which we sailed knew so little of the
channels of the river. Our progress might
bo aptly described by "Mother Goose" In
her melodies , for now "wo went up , up , up ,
and then wo went down , down downoy. "
nut at last with clad and grateful hearts
wo saw the llttlo town , oven then dignified
by the title of city. '
The Inhabitants manifested their sociabil
ity as wo approached the wharf by men ,
women and children , Including the red man
of the forest , gathering to greet and wel
come the newcomers.
The social life of the people was , of course ,
crude In those early days , living as they did
In small , unpretentious homes and some hav
ing no houses betaking themselves to tent
life until they could do better.
Yet In toso llttlo homes there were lov
ing hearts and true , and without the alii
of diamonds , rubles and pearls , or Worth's
I elaborate toilets , they met and passed the
evening , oven to the coming of the wee sma'
hours of the morning. "High fives. " with
less dignified names , were Indulged In , and
real llfo was much more sensitive than the
artificial llfo of this present time. Parties
of various l.lnds were frequently given and
luncheons nnd teas , not because these geol
citizens felt obliged to return favors re
ceived In order to keep In the "social swim , "
but because of the true enjoyment and bospl-
tallty felt.
There were no elegant mansions to be
opened and displayed , no table service of
1 flno Dresden or Scrrcs , no menu ot dozens
of courses with French nomenclature and
caterers , but the nicest of homo sulslne ,
pleasant ami palatable and healthful.
In those curly days In Omaha there was
uncommon Intelligence among the gentlemen
and moro than ordinary musical talent , so
that lectures on various subjects by home
talent and exceedingly Interesting concerts
nnd muslcales were given wthout any prlma
donna , barltono or basso.
At those social gatherings there were no
newspaper reporters present vu ubllsh In
the morning's Issues elaborate nitlcles tell
ing how Mrs. and Miss So and So were
gowned , and the beautiful floral display.
Everything was so hearty nnd hospitable
and full of good cheer I doubt If the elabor
ate entertainments ot the present can have
the real enjoyment ot those early days of
Omaha social life. "A wonJorful stream Is
the river of life , " nnd thouglt progress Ii
berne aloft on Its topmost wave. It is doubt
ful If the enjoyment of the citizens of the
growing "metropolis" Is as pure anJ oxhllcr-
atlng as was that of the social llfo ot
youthful Omaha.CLARA
CLARA KELLOM ADAMS.
Mr1 ! Dana Lander writes from Chicago : It
was \cry kind of you to think of me , and
thinking of me , to honor me by a request
to write something for you. I appreciate It
and regret the press ot a thousand things
to do must make mo appear lacking In
amiability.
With all good wishes for the- entire success
of your plan , I am most cordially ) ours ,
LOUISE IJAMS LANDER.
While Mrs. Colonel Bird icnds her greet
ing from Columbus , Ohio :
I am heartily In sympathy with the efforts
of the ladles of Omaha , for "nvvce-1 charity's
eake , " and have no doubt , among eo many
talented vvutven as you have , your publication
will be a brilliant success.
I shall watch for the edition with much In
terest. Yours cordially.
MARY C. BIRD.
Mrs. II. M. James cannot write on account
ot her eyes , but sends all good wishes and
Ulndly greetings through her daughter.
Mrs. O. N. Ramsey writes In answer to
our request for a letter from Los Gates :
A letter ! What have I to say ? Los Gates
Is a real Sleepy Hollow ; nothing ever hap
pens bere ; the Omaha public does not care to
Know what I pay Allesandro Glampaoll for
vegetables !
I am sure this same public has had descrip
tions of California flowers ad muneam. I
know nothing ot the Chinese question or the
njw wsman. so ' you eee J am qulto cut ot
date and hopele'ssly Ignorant. '
U gave me great pleasure to receive your
letter , and I know I was not forgotten. There
will never be any place like Omaha to me.
Honing the paper will boa great success , I
remain. Yours sincerely.
.itM , ' ' ' MARY EDQAR RAMSEY.
Mrs. Edwin E. Mason ot Fort Snelllng ,
Minn. , says. ;
I find my lime to full of things which I
ought not , and Indeed cannot , neglect , that
I feel constrained to forego the pleasure
It would give me to add my little ralto to
your Rood work.
I retain a , very itCcctlonato regard and In-
* A k , - _ V ti . * - A * *
terest In my OmaTia friends and thank them
for remembering me. Very sincerely ,
FRANCES K. MASON.
Mrs. J. W. McKcan , after five years In
that comparatively unknown country , can
spcnk with authority on life In Laos.
The people of Laos resemble their half-
brothers the Siamese , but are considered by
every one ( except the Siamese themselves ) ,
a superior race. They are certainly more
teachable , seemingly moro desirous of Im
proving their condition religiously and far
moro lovable than their neighbors on the
south.
Though the customs and habits of the two
people differ somewhat they are allko In
that the lives of both are filled with super-j
billions which seem most ridiculous to us.
Every phenomenon of nature , every dis
ease , In fact , everything the cause of which
Is not apparent , Is shrouded In supersti
tion.
tion.They believe the earth to bo flat and
poised on the back of nn Immense fish
which sleeps most of the time. Earthquakes
and tides are caused by the movements of
the flhs.
A lunar eclipse Is supposed to be caused
by a frog devouring the moon. At such
times there Is gre-at commotion all over the
country. Beating of drums , gongs and
cymbals , fireworks and firing of guns , whllo
those who can make noise In no other way
do so by shouting and screaming. The pur
pose of all this Is to frighten away the frog.
I shall never forget an eclipse which I saw
whllo in Laos. At the first bite of the
frog , so to speak , the nolso began nnd in-
.sldo of a few minutes there was such a din
all over the city that It was almost Im
possible to carry on a conversation. This
continued until the eclipse bad passed.
The burial customs arc Interesting. To
did of old ago or fever Is to "die good , " butte
to die from any other cause shows lack of
merit and Is to "die bad. " If ono "dies
good" the body can bo burned. The clothing
must bo put on backward and must be torn
The body may be bathed and the hair
combed , but If one "dies bad" he must bo
burled as he died. The body cannot be
bathed or the clothing changed. The law
of the land absolutely forbids any dead body
being taken across any bridge , largo or
small.
The marriage ceremony consists In the
hands of tbo bride and groom being
tied together and then they are blessed by
some aged person who was previously
selected. They ore then released and each
wrist of the couple Is encircled with a string
and they are again blessed , as follows :
"May you each live 220 years. " The husband
returns to his own home after the ceremony
and visits his wife every day for three or
four days , and when they have become ac
quainted he moves to her parents' home.
Ho must live there until another daughter
Is married , when ho may go and establish a
home ot his own. If his wife Is on only
daughter ho remains and helps support his
parents-In-lavv as long as they live. If he
does not consent to this he cannot marry the
daughter. Polygamy Is not usual among
the common people. Generally speaking , the
hueband and wife live happily together.
Woman holds a higher place here than In
most heathen countries. She has perfect
freedom InJ I have been told she takes
charge of the family jipcklbost. ! r-
According to Duddhlst teachings , a woman
cannot begin to bo saved until she has merll
enough to ba reborn as a man. The women
are very zealous In their religion , going often
to the temples and from their scanty store
making gifts to their gods.
The religious llfo of the people enters Into
their political and social life and they are so
Interwoven that It Is almost Impossible to
separate them.
The country is lull of temples and the
temples full of Idols. In each temple there Is
usually ono large Idol placed on a pedestal
and about Its base arc multitudes of smaller
ones. Sometimes the Jdol Is so- large that a
separate building Is devoted to It. Near
Cheung Wai , the capltol of I ios , there Is a
reclining Idol ninety feet long , entirely cov
ered with gold leaf. Often times the entire
front of n temple will bo covered with gold
leaf , dotted here and there with bright
colored pieces of glass , which shine and
sparkle In the sun , making a very pretty
sight. Some of the temples have fallen Into
decay and are picturesque enough to satisfy
emples have been deserted by the priests.
emples have been dscrted by the priests.
The Idols are then supposed to change Into
evil spirits. The largo Idols are especially
'eared and It would bo next to Imposslb'e ' to
persuade a native to pass a deserted temple
after dark.
There Is much throughout the country to
ntercst and attract travelers. One can with
lerfect safety traverse the length and
jreadth of the land.
Early this morning we were awakened by
the shifting of our car No. 26 Texas Pa
cific , from the express train to a side track ,
where we were to spend a delightful day.
We were seven In our special car , taking
n the bautles and joy ; ' ot Mexico , and had
decided to spend Sunday In this curious old
village , with Its still more curious baths.
Presently I heard a voice say In a low tone :
"Are you awake ? I can't sleep. " As I re
plied In the affirmative , the voles went on ,
"Well , let us get up and have our dip before
breakfast'I have been awake hours. " So
s\o quietly dressed , and on emerging from
our sections found that the gentlemen were
out of the car looking with Interested eyes
towards the baths. Thesz baths were about
200 feet from the railway. Wo quickly Joined
our friends and moved towards the long , low
adobe houses , which contained the object of
our visit. The buildings ore on three sides
of a square. In the middle of a square and
open towards the street Is a pretty garden
with walks , shrubs and flower beds. Going
up a few steps we found ourselves on a
platform , or raised sidewalk. On the left
was a large , free swimming bath. On the
north was a row of low Gothic doors , and
over them the notice that some baths were
20 cents , and some 25 cents. We Inquired
the meaning , and were told by our Spanish
student that tli3 25-cent baths had towels ,
otherwise you provided your own. After
choosing one of these apartments , the at
tendant brought a largo Turkish towel , a
piece of new soap , and a bunch of the nepal
plant , shredded for a sponge , and a linen
sheet exquisitely clean. It seemed like going
Into a convent cell at first , the long , low
room , the floor tiled with glazed red brick ,
and the only light from a little window at
the further end near the celling. The fur
nishings consisted of a rush bottom chair , a
rush mat , and a shelf with a looking glas&
over It. An arch led the way to the bath n
pool of warm water at least twenty fret
square , and the blue sky and bright sun for
a roof. After enjoying to the full this Ideal
"tub , " and leisurely dressing , I left reluc
tantly only to find that my door was being
beaten , and1 I was being Implored to make
haste that wo might have our Breakfast. On
the right sldo were smaller bath rooms , the
marble tub set down In the floor so that
ono walked down steps Into the water , but
they seemed ordinary after our late luxurious
experience - . < jy
After uf'eakfust wa took the single mule
car and drove through the narrow , dusty and
apparently endless street to the forlarn plaza
We found near by the little Presbyterian
mission , and went In to have a few words
with the faithful pastor. To our regret the
service was too late for us to catch our train ,
so the minister kindly had a llttU tervlce for
ug , and we started on our Journey refreshed
In body and soul.
Our car belongs to our whilom Council
Dlufls neighbor , General Dodge , and we have
as cook his servant , an Omaha man. Many
times do Miles and I discuss the delights of
dear Omaha , and wish we could be there
moro. Faithfully yours.
JEANIE WOOLWORTH HOWARD.
Agua Callente , Mexico. '
MVV oitLi : \ > 8 IN AIMIIL , .
Features of Llfo In th * Old Creole Town
Awnjr Down hbiitli.
It has often been said that when you visit
New Orleans you must gq In Mardl Gras
time , but I have found the present month ot
April a very pleasant tlnio to see the city
of New Orleans In everyday attire. Just at
present , however , the streets are In a dis
ordered condition , as the old horse cars are
being replaced by the electric cars through
out the city. v
There are many curious things to bo seen
and heard here. One of thecurious , sounds
Is a colored vender going around singing , "I
wonder If my Redeemer will save a poor
sinner like me ? " He has tlnwaro to sell.
The people here entomb their dead In a
strange fashion. The water is so near the
surface that when a body Is put In the
ground , as Is sometimes done , tbo coffin ac
tually floats In the water , but generally
bodies are put In tombs , built above ground.
Funeral notices are written , or printed , and
placarded on the street corners.
The houses are surrounded by very high
fences , and the door be- ) ) js attached to the
gate , and when one wishes , to make a call
she pulls the bell and If It Is not out of order ,
which It often Is , the servant appears and
unlocks the gate and. .esjcocts her to the
house. In the newer parts , ot the town there
are a great many modern nouses , with a Tew
of tbo old style. I think the modern houses
look a little out of placet bbre.
The levee and tha HnJnch market were
pointed out to mo as ebJactSvOf Interest , but
I do not care for the/ir. ; Hie.levee Is a broad ,
high bank , very high abele , tlio level of the
river , and built of sand ami oyster shells ,
and the air all around there smells strongly
of stale oysters or fish. To see the French
market at Its best one- moat get up at G
o'clock Sunday morning.
The French quarter of the city Is very
Interesting , with Its narrow streets and old ,
old houses , some with tiled , , roofs. Its stuffy
shops on the ground floor , while the second
and third stories are ued ae dwellings , the
broad galleries extending over the banquettes ,
as the sidewalks are called. In the- heart of
the French quarter , and one ot Its most pic
turesque features , U the Archeveque ( the
archbishop's residence ) , formerly the Ursu-
llno convent. We spent t. few minutes In the
St. Louis cathedral , whlcj Is large , old and
quaint. There was a priest In the pulpit
preaching In French. The worshipers were
of several colors , and scattered around the
building. Some ot the \vbmen bad market
baskets and some of the picn had parcels , as
though they had Just stepped In to pray a
Kills prayer as they wcra passing. The
Jesull church Is of the Byzantine style of
architecture , la a beautiful building ot good
proportions and One coloring. , i
I attended services cite Sunday at the
Firit Presbyterian church , Rev. D. M , Pal-
in or , D. D. , pastor. Dr , Palmer has a wide
reputation , both as a pulpit and occasional
orator The church Is a very old one. It Is
quite large. The terylce was very enjoyable
and I could not realize that the doctor Is as
old as he really is. Tbera la much that I
would like to cay of this church , and of the
city , but time and space forbid.
SARAH A. NOLL.
New Orleans , April , 1895.
Curntviil 'lima In I.linn.
Shrove-tlde , all over the Latin-Christian
world , Is a time of merry-making and folly.
Of the absurdities of the carnival In cer
tain parts of Europe , and one or two of our
own cities , almost everybody knows some
thing ; but very little , Indeed , is known of
that period In South American towns.
Upon the approach of my first Lenten sea
son In Lima , I was warned of what might
bo expected If I ventured Into the streets ,
from the Sunday morning before Ash
Wednesday until Tuesday night. At the
same time I was told that the sports of the
season had greatly moderated of late.
All of the older houses , as In most Spanish-
American towns follow the Moorish style
of architecture.
First comes the heavy wall , pierced by the
great "porte-cochere , " and Its dcepseated
windows , with gratings , more or less orna
mented and gilded. From above and across
the entire front project solid , closed bal
conies , resembling a narrow conservatory.
In the more modern dvselllngs tliess bal
conies do not appear , as a municipal decree
prohibiting them was passed about
tvventy-flvo years ago. This was
partly on account of earthquakes , but more
because of the narrowness of the streets.
The abolishment of the admirable hiding
pieces furnished by these balconies may have
had something to do with the dying out of
the broader features of the carnival "play. "
For from the modern upper windows , flush
with the public streets , except for the merest
apology for a balcony , It must be difficult , as
It Is certainly a not verypretty piece of busi
ness to pitch a bucket ot water upon the
pedestrian below. This liquid , never by any
cl'snce anything but dirty , was called In fine
irony "lavender water , " and Its recipient was
privileged to retaliate to the full extent ot his
Ingenuity and physical adroitness. Lima
houses nlvvays stand Invitingly open and un
guarded , except In the case of the very rich ,
who employ a door porter ; so the challenged
passerby at carnival time could easily enter
by the "patlr , " and , climbing the broad
stairway , seek his revenge. If ho uic-
ceeded In finding his fair assailant
a merry babble ensued , which resulted some
times In an Involuntary plunge by the
ladles of the house Into their own bath tubs.
In preparing to thus "play carnival , "
Llmanlans put on garments whosa utility
had BO far outlived their beauty that what
ever befell them was a matter of compara
tive Indifference to their wearers.
Woman , however , by no means always
take the Initiative In these sports. The men
go about on horseback armed with huge
pewter syringes full of all sorts of liquids ,
although among respectable people they
were some sort ot perfumes. These they
emptied Into the face or eyes caught peep
ing from behind the sheltering curtains of
the balcony. Ono class of carnival players
In the old days , was the "egg throwers. "
AD explanation of their peculiar functions Is
needless.
Today ono sees In Lima none of the ex
tensive sports of Shrovetide as practiced
while that lovely city was llttlo known to
Europeans or North Americans.
The most one has now to dread In passing
along the streets is an occasional spraying
of Florida water or the reception ot the
contents of a broken bag of colored , scented
powders. Some times the powders strike
your head , some times your face , but more
often your back and shoulders and you are
apt to present a curious appearance until
you reach a friendly shelter and get the
telltale decoration brushed away.
The only pedestrians allowed to move on
unmolested are the passing priests and his
attendants carrying the last consolation of
the church to some poor mortal who has the
misfortune to bo dying at this merry time.
With the approach of the host , heralded by
the tinkling bells ot the acolytes , not only
does all fun cease , but an attitude of rever
ence Is adopted by the "players. " Down
they fall upon tholr knees , with bowed
heads. The gringo who , unfamiliar with
the customs of the country , ventures to
pass by the sacred proccEslon without these
outward tokens of respect If apt to faro 111
at the hands ot the natives for his apparent
want of reverence. -
Tuesday evening the carnival closes with
dances and receptions.
Wednesday morning all Is changed. A
perfumed stillness settles over the town and
the devout make preparations for tbo Ash
Wednesday mass which ushers In the
dreaded time of fasting and abstlnanco from
an > thing approaching pleasure.
SYUIL RUSSELL DOGUE.
So often , so sadlv , the people pay
1'nsHlnK nvvny ! Ever passing nvviiy !
That the words have borrowed a pensive
tone
And n shade of sadness not their own.
And I fain would reclaim the notes ngaln ,
From their minor key on the lips of men ,
And make the refrain of my glnddest lay
Passing away ! Ever passing away !
For what Is transient nnd what shall last ?
What makes Its grave In the growing past ?
And what lives on In the deathless spheres.
Wl ere naught corrodes by the rust of years ?
Ooes Time , who gathers our fiilrcst flowers ,
Destroy no weeds In this world of ours ?
Whnt rises victorious o'er dull decay ,
And what Is It that Is passing away ?
The trivial things of this earthly life ,
Its petty cnres. Its noise and strife ,
Its riches that moth and rust can spoil ,
Its weary burdens and thankless loll ,
Its clouds of anguish and * dark dlnmay
Those are the things that are passing away.
But the heart's best treasures of faith and
love
Bear the seal of deathlessness from above.
While our Heavenly Father's throne Is sure ,
While eternal aces shall endure ,
We need not grieve for the Joys of sense
That ilny nfter day are panning hence.
Though the heavens depart and the whole ,
wide world
Do taken away like a banner furled ,
Though the nun and the twinkling stars be
gone ,
Our deathless happiness llveth on.
As we mount heaven's stairway we need
not grieve . . . .
For the rich carved work of the steps we
leave ,
For brlKhtcr than nil that has gone before
Is the near approach to the palace door.
And , oh. the Joy when we enter In.
And find naught pone but the etalns of sin ,
And know ns we look back OVIT the way
That only tbo shadows were passing awny.
May 1 , ItoJ. J. M. C. II.
for Itielf.
"What Is It you want , anyhow ? " asked the
gold dollar ,
"To be perfectly honest , " answered the sil
ver dollar , "I want to be about twice as big
and heavy as I am. " Chicago Tribune.
Robert Louis Stevenson's will , dated 1893 ,
provides fully for hli mother and his relatives
on hla father's side , and leaves to hli wife
In life rent the part of hli father's ettate
held by bis mother , likewise In life rent all
the rest of his money , books , royalties , manu
scripts and other effects , which are to go In
fee , upon her decease , to her son , Samuel
Lloyd Otbourne- , who la made residuary lega
tee. A llfo rent Is bequeathed to Mr. Sidney
Colvln , Messrs. Charles Baxter and Henry
1 Jamei are appointed executors. The Outlook.
GLIMPSES OF AYRSHIRE
Honeymoon Moandcrings of a Conpla in tbi
Land o * the Leal ,
THE MONTGOMERIES AT EGLINTON CASTL1
A Itiiltvrnjr Arclilcnt llrlng * Tocctlicr T\r (
SHiiiliorn fit the dim unit ( ! | 'cm
I ho Ay fur n
ful Visit ,
Through the kindness of her sister wo nr <
pcnnltti'il to publish Mrs. John V. Monb
gurnet le's "Glimpses uf Ayrshire. "
EOL1NTON CASTLE. Ayrshire. Srot1.mil.
My Dear Margaret : Just notlco vv litre ttill
letter Is dated , will you ? Prom a real castle- ,
and such a castle tool Yes , your plain , slm
plo sister , Hester Montgomcrle , Is the guest
ot an carl nml a countess In tills grand olj
castls of theirs and how It happened you
\\ouhl never guess.
Before I tell you let mo describe my present
abiding place.
It Is a stately , baronial ft met tire , second to
few In Scotland for dignity , and > ct It has
a cheerful and \\iiisoino look withal man
of beauty than of etatellness.
The site has something to dolth this , thfl
noble trees Inhlch It Is embowered , thu
waters of the stream that flow past tlip rear
of the castle and above all the soft grey ton *
of the walls and towers and the masses ot
dark green Ivy Jn which they areclothed. .
It Is n perfect picture. Never , perhaps- ,
liavo the feudal fortress nml the convenient
modern duelling been combined In a more per.
feet harmony.
The Interior Is Just what one would expect
from the exterior. The gre.it entrance hall
Is rich In suits of armour anil other relics.
Including a" chair made In ISIS from oak ot
the roof of Allaway Kirk.
The salon a circular apartment Into which
several of the main roams converge hns H
walls draped with binners , each of which
has an Interesting history.
The library Is n large and noble room.H
csijoclally rich In local literature , and tin
spacious dining room with Its beautiful pic
tures Is a plnco for feasting the eyes as well
as the physical man.
Hero hangs a portrait of Mary Sralon , ona
of the "Four Maries" of the ballad , whosa
necklace , by the way , Is still worn on occa
sions by the countess of Egllnton. And her *
also Is the likeness of the wlfo of tln < ninth
carl , Susanna Kennedy , the greatest beauty
of her time. It was to her that Allan Ham-
say dedicated his "Gentle Shepherd" and Dr.
Johnson counted It one of the crowning honori
of his llfo that this lady , then elghty-fiv
years of ago , received him at Auchaus ,
Besides these portraits In the dining room ,
many other beautiful pictures rejoice the
artistic eye. A scene In Venice , said to bo
Queen Victoria going to a masked ball ; a
portrait by Reynolds of Jean , wife of tha
eleventh carl ; a head of Rubins by himself
and other gems , which repay careful study.
On the second lloor are six suites of bed
rooms , furnished by the late earl for the re
ception of five duchesses , who were all hla
guests ut the bnmo time and now one of the
suites Is occupied by John and me !
And , yet , I haven't told you how wo cim
to be lure ! Well , Just a moment and I will.
The castle grounds are simply magnificent.
Imagine a "yard" of 1,310 acres surroundqd
by a flno stone wall. Think of taking a six-
mile drive Inside your own grounds ! Gardens
and grassy glades , plantations and drives
the finest bowling green In Urltaln one might
live hero In content , I should think , even
if the castle Is quite modern bnlt ! as recently )
BS 1790 on the site of an older building.
Heally , Margaret , although I have been a ,
Montgomcrle only two months , and though
John cannot trace our connection straight
back to the chief stem I am proud of the
family !
Hut. to relieve your curiosity and tell you
how we got here. At last John has had that
longed-for adventure , and luckily I was along
to help him enjoy It.
Two days ago wo left Glasgow enroutc for
the land of the Montgonurlcs. About half
way between Glasgow and Ayr the train sud
denly Jumped the track which had spread op
something , I don't know Just what and rolled
off the embankment Into a deep ditch.
Our coach being turned up-slde-dow n , John
and I found ourselves In a heap on what had !
been the celling ot our compartment , but as
no bones were broken wo were soon safe out-
sldo , bag and baggage. Our exit , however ,
was not made with the greatest dignity I in- .
nglnable , as the door was locked and we departed -
parted through n window.
The next coach was plied on top of the on *
which had been In front of It and wo could
Just see the waving hands of some one ? trying
to escape from the under coach.
John went to the rescue and succeeded after
much difficulty In prying up the top cap
enough to allow a gentleman and his fifteen-
year-old son to scramble out unhurt.
In their gratitude they made themselves
our guides to an Inn not far distant , and.
chatting on the way thither , discovered thatj
we were "two Mongomerlcs from America.-
on our way to visit the home of our an
cestors. "
Quoth the elder gentleman : "I am also R
member of that clan. You must permit mei ,
to bo your cicerone whllo jou stay , " andh
forthwith carried us off bodily to KgllntonJ
castle , when It appeared that hs was nonet
other than the head of the clan the cartl
himself. '
So here we arc , and my next shall tell ofc
our trips to Cralglo house and Croeble castle. '
which will remind you of "Scottish Chiefs , " !
since they belonged to the family of Sir Wil
liam Wallace , Hlalr house and Culzean castla.
and Cassllls House on the Doon. Till then.I
farewell. Your loving sister , ,
HESTER MONTGOMEUIB. J
II.
The second week of our stay at Egllnton
U now at an end and a busy week It ha *
been , too. Wo have been "doing" this parti
of Ayrshire most thoroughly , taking In most !
of the famous places In the district as well
as the lesser houses of the Mongomcrlcs.
I think Ulalr house Interested me most ot
all that wo have seen excepting Egllnton , ot
course. Hlalr house Is the oldest Inhabited ,
baronial mansion In Scotland. " >
It was erected about 1310 and added to In
1010 and 1G39 and here It stands today , Just
as It looked then. Thought not without ele
ments of picturesque beauty , the old housov
has a plain homelike look. It ls on oblong
building , four stories h.tih with a slngla.
tower , and stands on a semi-circular plateau !
some fifty feet nhovo the little river that }
iklrts Its northern side. I
You enter by a door with wicket through
which the watchman peeped before drawing-
the bolts and letting down the draw bridge ,
and In the hall standi a figure clad In the
verltabla armor of Sir Uryco Hlalr , the patriot
ot Wallace's time.
When you pass through walls fourteen feet ,
thick and see all preparations for defense ,
you can realize something of the stormyu
days when tills old house was built , whoa ,
Iloger de Ulalr fought by the slda ot Ilruce. 1
Think , Margaret , of a family which canj
trace an unbroken line , living In the same
house for more than GOO years !
Then we visited Cralgle house , which ba-
longed to Sir William Wallace , and Crosblo
castle. In which that hero himself once lived.
Perhaps the grandest place we saw wail
a rustle , part of which was built before 1057 ,
although additions have been made even In
this century. It Is nearly cquare and con *
tains upwards of ninety apartments. Tha
entrance hall Is seventy feet long , by thirty }
feet wldo , and la open to the roof. It con *
tains many flno pictures and a library of over
8,000 volumes. The most Interesting thing
In It In my eyes , gt least U the two-handed
sword ot William Wallace ,
Culzean castle , though very beautiful , lo
cated as It la on the top of n high cliff rlilng
precipitately out of the sea , Is altogether 100(4
modern for our discriminating taste , being
only a ( rifle over 100 years old.
Many other Interesting places have wo seen ,
and of all our trip , I am sure the two woeki
at Egllnton will furnish the most golden.
recollrrtlomi. Lovingly your slater. . ,
HESTER
