The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-12-17 00:00:00

"Sheepskins and beeswax,
Thuuder, p.tch, and plaster,
The more you try to pull it off
Its sure to stick the faster."

" Yy dear parishioners.—On Sunday next, I shall de-
liver an address on charity. Since my return amongst
you I have done all the good I possibly could for those
who would uphold me in my damnable and lustful prac-
tices, while to those who desired to speak and act accord.
leg to the dictates of their consciences I have daue all I
could to injure them in their business, and have actually
sent to Brierley Hill or Dudley for krticles which coat
but twopence before I would spend a farthing with some
of my '• dear parishioners," but true charity inspires to-
wards our enemies forgiveness and humanity. Mr. But.
tons, the tool of the hundred-faced man Yardstick, doing
his dirty work, which he dare not du himself, because he
would sell a yard or two lain calico per week ; henchman
bold 'to himself, and the laughing-stoek of the village,
Why should you put yourself forward to defend me?
Did you not forbid my late curate, Rev. B••.y. from
visiting at your house ?And did you not forbid your wife
from speaking to him, because you were jealous of him ?
Oh, mushroom !! I ! What a man to be played with in
this way: hut I hope I shall hear no more of your mak
ing yourself so busy in this matter again. or I shall have
to call your attention to an occurrence soon after your
marriage,,

" We all recollect the fuss and stir some time ago &boa-
Mr. Button's daughter being married, and the admirable
repast which was provided at his house for a few friends.
The wines were excellent, and soon began to tell upon
the company. Our holy vicar proposed the health of
one and another till he was quite dune up. The follow-
ing was the last he tried is the happiest mo-
ment of my life (hie), my curates attend to the Church
(hie), my wife attends to the curates thic), and I propose
my excellent friend's health tine), Mr. Cooper (hie), and
down he tumbled into his chair. This holy man of pod
quite drunk, and incapable of taking care of himself.
" I might here explain that the packman's daughter is
the wife of our old friend ' Buttons, also that Dirty
White's wife did exceedingly well in the tickling match,
and had site had a better jockey she must have been
close on the favourites

'What Christian men have I aronnd me. There's
little Buggins who can't go along the streets on a Sab-
bath morning without disgracing himself by fighting, and
then running away. There's oar old friend • Buttons,'
leaves the holy sanctuary. He can't get home without
threatening to give another good hiding, but
dare not, but fetches others to do it, and so get ups fight
on Sabbath evenings. With such defenders the Church
of Christ must and shall overcome its enemies.
" An offertory as usual for necklace and silver buckled
garters.
" Subscriptions received :—Eggs and ham, 6,.; Cork
Leg, 81.; Joey, 9d. . _

VICAR ST. PLARK'B.

•• Boot, Hatherton, and Co., Printers, Coventry.'
Mr. Buttons" was intended to apply to the Church-
warden. There was no reason to suppose that the prin.
lees' names were other than astimcd—the printer being,
no doubt, as he had intimated, some private person re-
siding in the parish. He took the document he had read
to be a libel upon Mr. Atherton. and also upon Mr. Wood.
He proposed to prove Mr. Talbot's connection with the
libel, and then to ask the Magistrate to commit him.
Mr. Motteram then called the witnesses.

John Morris, labourer for Mr. Wood, at Wordsley
Foundry (examined by Mr. Underhill), deposed that he
met the defendant, on the 9th of November, at Mr.
Halex's public-house, the Swan, at High Oak, Pimenett.
Foster was with him. Talbot asked Foster, "If he had
got a paper' Foster said, " No; I want to get one."
l'albot said, "I can't sell you one. Talbot pulled one
out of hie pocket, and said to Foster, "I'll lend you one."
Foster began reading it to himself. The paper wae like
that (the printed libel) now shown. Foster did not read
it sufficiently loud for witness to hear any part of it; but
Foster asked Talbot, Have you got the butcher is this