Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

The Rhondda Leader

The copyright status or ownership of this resource is unknown.
Hide Articles List

2 articles on this Page

Good Friday Adventures.

News
Cite
Share

Good Friday Adventures. [By Fagius."] I am a lover of two tiiiiigs-tlie moun- tain and my bed. 1 worship one, 1 adore the other. A fortnight ago, 1 promised to accompany a friend of mine oil a, pre- breaiilast ramble on Good ifriciay across one oi the ilhondda mountains. I kept my promise—on a full stomach. naif-an-hour s good climb brought us to tue top of the mountain, ovenooKing the humdrum village-oi" (Jwmparc. We rested a while near a five-bar gate, which bears the weather-beaten traces 01 a blunted old knite. The knife was my pos- session at one time. Ili a moment of foolishness 1 carved my initials for pos- terity—so long as the gate remains intact. I was momentarily engrossed in admira- tion ot my handiwork, when my friend touched me on the shoulder, remarking, with a catch in his voice: There's a prize light going on over there." 1 turned m- gaze in the direction he indicated, and sure enough, instead of a prize light, 1 saw two young men totally stripped ot an clothing indulging in the most approved lashion 01 modern wrestling, catch-as- catch-cau style, whilst seated on the grass around them, and keenly intent upon all that was passing, was a small group of ardent supporters. We hastened to- wards this small group to get a closer view of the proceedings, and there learnt that the match was the result of a wager, the winner to obtain two falls out ot three. Both young men were, very fine specimens of manhood, their limbs bearing every evidence of hard and persistent training. Une had fair hair, whilst his opponent was of a swarthier hue, with black crisp hair cut short round the temples. •• JJaikie was a heavier man than his opponent, but the latter was of a more scientific turn of mind. He utilised his head, hands and feet in the combat, but the weight of the other told against him, and JJarkie" emerged victorious and pocketed the "purse." There was chagrin writ large on me faces of the fair ones supporters, but Darkie and his backers chuckled audibly with the spoils oi triumph. ltetracing our steps, we passed through LHe live-bar red gate, and on reaching the top 01 a inouna, we could see two Knots of people on tne crest of the hill between Cwmparc and Tylacoch. Tlie smaller group watched the progress of a football ma con imagine a iootuail match on a 11 mountain top! whilst the larger crowd touiv evident delight in a couple ol dogs anu SOlüe liiohensive ranbits. Turning to the left, we descended into Liviu iau, mucn to me consternation oi e diiiy sneep, wno, as II lesemiiig Old intrusion lino [heir preserves, tact an oijd.4ue gu.iuo rards us, and scampfitu a vv a j uii reacnuig the ovook, uc wc.c suipiised and dongiited ac muling quite a ueautifui mtie watei iall, iioisesnoe m siiape, with the moss and iern ol variegated hues growing fit profusion along the tips of the rock. how I sighed for the facile pen of an at-tist i 1 have the blood of a poet and an artist in my veins, and my veiy paiins itched for the painter's brush, while the muse careered madly through my brain. I am a victim of Tate. She bade me he a scribbler; rsature would have me to be a genius in colour and song! To my mind, there is nothing in the world comparable with the beauty ot the mountain brook on a hue summer s day. The sea hath its grandeur, the mountain nam ItS strength and evenastiugness, but t'.j brook—ah! the brook is deliglitfui. Tne sea is terrible, the mountain obsesses with its loneliness, but the brook is ever charming company. Nallt y mynydd grÖyw, loyw, ¡\ 11 in ymdroeili tuar pant; Rhwng y brwyn yn sisvai ganu, U! na bawn i fel y nant." I Having traced the brook to its source, we next followed its course through the gorse, and the reed, and the stones, until we came to a spot where human hands had constructed a dam across its silvery path, tnus forming a miniature lake, its waters shimmering in the morning sun. All at once my eyes sparkled, and my friend leapt at the sight of a bonny trout speed- ing like an arrow from one side ot the pond to the other. Trout in the Rhondda, who would have believed it? Instanter, wc were like two hawks eager for our prey, and our efforts in trying to bring that poor trout to dry land were heroic, it not exactly successful. We prodded underneath huge boulders, we turned over several stones, and risked immediate clacking, but all to no purpose. That trout was too elusive for us, and with a sigh ot disappointment we turned with weary steps <ind heavy hearts towards the Maindy ( oiiieiy. Here we loitered a little, watch- ing. the passage of the bonds up and down the -it shaft, inspecting the offices, the smithy, the fan engine, and eventually headed for home. Another adventure awaited us before dinner. We were near- mg our homes, and to avoid a long circuit we got on the railway. There was not a soul to be seen nearabouts. so there could be no harm in a little trespassing, and there was no fear of running any danger. We had not proceeded a dozen yards before one of the railway workmen emerged from his hiding place, and politely asked us if we were aware that no one was allowed to cross that way. We Knew nothing of the kind, of course, and blandly informed the gentleman that we were total strangers to the locality, but that we were quite willing to go back and seek another way to continue our pro- gross. He considered a moment or two as to whether lie would take our names or let us go (we looked innocent, and we were respectable), and eventually, with a diplomatic wisdom lighting up his features, he informed us that as it was he would 1st us go on that occasion, if we would only tell some boys (who were then con- | temrilatmg the same offence as that which we had been guilty of) that he had taken oviv names. We cheerfully accepted liis offer, and having politely thanked hiin; fox his courtesy and forethought, we- sealed the fence, and were soon devouring a s uendid fish dinner. Thus it was that a Good Friday very nearly turned! out to be a bud Friday in our case.

Advertising