The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-12-04 00:00:00

A MANIA FOR RAILWAY TRAVELLING.

-
Charles King. a little boy about nine years of age, who
has achieved for himself a notoriety by travelling up
down the country at the expense of the several railway
companies, commenced another of his excursions on
Monday morning. The youthful delinquent has, we are
informed, been found at Waterloo elation on more than
one occasion, and has also patronised Bath, Bristol, ,
Birmingham, Devonport, Southampton, and other places,
travelling always without money and without a ticket;
and the wonder is that he has so often managed to hide
himself as to escape the notice of the lynx-eyed ticket-
collectors until he has arrived at his destination. Here
he is invariably discovered, and has once or twice been I
locked-up in the police cells. One would have thought ,
that such • proceeding would have had a deterrent effect
,• upon hini in the future; but, on the contrary, the treat-
' ment which be received seems to stimulate his desire for
further adventure.; for, it is stated, on one of his return
' journeys in charge of the guard of the train, he told
that official that he rather liked to be locked-up: he
always had a good supper and breakfast, and he knew
the inevitable result of his offence—that he would to
brouzht before a magistrate and • rdered to be sent home,
which, of omrse, meant another ride for him. On Mon-
day miming. Burke, the constable at Templecombe rail-
way station, was examining the tickets of passengers from
the Bournemouth site when he espied the youngster at
, the further end of a third-class compartment endeavouring
, to conceal himself behind a corpulent old gentleman who
was seated next to him. Being asked for his ticket, it
was, as amnia), not fortheoming, and he was told he must
come out. He was rather reluctant to obey ; still he had
no other alternative, and, being taken before the station-
master, it WWI extracted from him that he was bound for
LiverpooL he little fellow was an object of pity as he
stood in the middle of a crowd of persons who had
gathered around him on the platform—his hair unkempt;
his clothes, which were much too small for him, were
I worn almost threadbare ; and the keen frosty air of the
, early morning had left its purple traces upon hie chocks;
, while now and then he slipped the ends of his fingers into
his mouth for warmth. He was well-known to the
. stationmaster, who, after cautioning him, delivered hint
I over to the charge of the guard of the Bland( trd train.
I with injunctions to leave him at Blandford, from where
he had come that morning

MEIKLEJOHN AS A THIEF-TAKER.
Referring to the detectives trial, the Birmingham Daily
Mail says; —Meikiejobn was not only a clever thivf.t Lite
but he could palm money, abstract a watch, or relieve •
gentleman of his acsrf-pin as adroitly as the most ex-
perienced thief. 4 propaa of this sve can tell a true story.
Meiklejohn was once en route for New York in quest of a
gentleman who had developed his knowledge of hand-
writing by imitating the signature of other persons—in
other words, a forger. He travelled as • saloon passenger
by one of the Inman liners, and during an afternoon chat
on deck one day with s little group of fellow-passengers, •
self-complacent young Jew, very muck over-dreesed,
ventured to throw doubt upon some of the " official
experience" anecdotes that were being told of Ity the
detective. The questioner ridiculed the stories that were
related, and flippantly asserted that persons roust be fools
or worst to suffer themselves to he robbed. Very quietly
Mieklejohn asked, "What would you say if your watch
and pin "—• very valuable diamond one—" were taken
from you before we reach Bandy Hook—that is if you
continue to wear and display them se you are doing now r
t.Certainly it would be impossible," said the passenger.
I'll bet you five pounds I do it," said Meikiejohn."
, The young Jew was "given to boasting." and said, "11l
SWANAOIII. boy you fifty to five." Three days afterwards the watch
i was missing, and was actually taken by Meiklejohn from
A smirrino of the creditors of Mr. James borer, was (se youug man's pocket. To get the pm was • difficulty.
held on Saturday at the Purbeck Inn. Mr. Trevanionj It wee the last trial, and a was the worst. Meiklejohn
the solicitor, attended, and steps were taken tower was on his mettle. Is had come to the very last day of the
declaring the absentee tradesman a bankrupt. voyage. They were smoking in a group on deck- "Will
OP November 21st, • public tea wan held in connection you oblige me with a lithe. Mr. Jacobs r " Certainly ;
with the Georgia Lsxlge, 37, 1.0. G T., in the Congrega- take one from my Mese." Their weeds, almost their faces.
Ronal schoolroom. There were floods of water outside, met. How Meiklejohn's eyes must have twinkled.
and as the majority of people do not like to brave element "pardon me.. be vail '' I have dropped some ash on your
there. was but • small company inside. After teas public scarf -.and be carelessly brushed it off. But not 110 care-
meeting was held ;,,Mr. William Collins was called to the leml;, for in that movement he dexterously abstractedchair. The usual Friends of Temperance weir. rne here" the diamond pin. The Jew paid his 1.50, and acknow-
was sung and the Chairman offered eraser. He said in lodged himself beaten,
his opening address that he had been an abstainer from
intoxicating drinks 40 years, and was nothing the worse
for it He heartily welcomed Mr. Charles Bent, one of EMIGRATION TO SOUTH MISTRAL lA. —The '' Hydrishad "
the valued agents of the Western Temperance League. 1350 Tons, Captain Holinwood, chartered by Sir Arthur
Mr. Bent had disappointed them last year, but be would Blyth, H. C. 11.0. the Agent General for South Australia,
not dose to-night. Mr. Bent was heartily received. He left Plymouth on November 27th for Port Adelaide,
said he was no lecturer, but he could talk • little—so his with 407 emigrant*, under the charge of Dr. George
wife said. (Laughter.) He exained his engagement Worthington. Surgeon, emoof whom were 74 single
with the Lesgus said detailed, with considerable natural female domestic servants OWN' the care of Les J.
akalW4 d2C fine. kb *variance on his "Wiry Collin, Matson.