Duke of Argyll Mistaken for a Fenian.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 9, 26 August 1908, Page 60

Duke of Argyll Mistaken for a Fenian.

Once on a visit to Ireland the Duke of ■Argyll had the uncomfortable experience of nearly being arrested for a Fenian. Waiting at Sligo for the Dublin express he encountered a genial policeman whom he found communicative, and with whom he smoked cigars in the station waiting room. The constable seemed very friendly until the noise of the train’s approach was heard; then, turning to the Duke, he said: "1 must arrest ye.” “Nonsense! Whatever for? You’ll catch it for making mistakes,” cried the Duke. “I’m going to the Vice-regal Lodge, where they’ll he after inquiring if there’s an intelligent policeman at Sligo, and how can I say there is?” “Well, I fear ye’re under arrest,” said the policeman. “Oh, rubbish? here's the train—l*m going to get in,” answered the Duke. Taking up his bag he went to the train, while the policeman backoned to the guard, and a muttered conversation ensued. Then the guard’s voice, raised louder, was heard: “What's he look like—does he look like a gintleman?” The Duke of Argyll was pleased to hear the answer; “Yes, I think he docs.” After some further talk, the constable approached the carriage window. “I think I’ll risk it and let you go as far as Dublin,” he said. “But, mind, ye’re in the guard’s charge.” On his arrival, the Duke hied him to Lord Spencer, and then he learnt that a “head-centre,” as the Fenians called their chiefs, was being searched for, and later Lord Spencer said he saw the man in the street, and he was so like the Duke that he had nearly ridden up to him to greet him.