The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-14 00:00:00

AN ARTFUL IMPOSTOR.

On Thursday last the attention of a number of per-
sons was attracted by a man who had fallen, appa-
rently in a fit, on the Osmaston-road. On returning to
consciousness, the man appeared distressed at being
surrounded by so many people, and informed Mr.
Webster (the governor of the workhouse, who was
present), that if he would take him to a private room
he would make known to him his name and cir-
cumstances. The case seemed to be so distress-
ing that the sympathy of Mr. Webster was excited,
and he had the man conveyed to the porter's
lodge, where every attention was shown him. He
then stated that his name was William Cleveland, and
that he was a master builder at Whitby, in York-
shire. He said he had been walking day and night
since Sunday, was in great distress of mind, and
had not a farthing in his pocket to purchase an ounce
of sustenance or to get back to his home. He
further stated that he had lost his wife, and having
no children he intended to adopt a nephew, who,
however, eloped with a man's wife last July, and
was the cause of all his misery. 'When he discovered
the conduct of his " dear nephew," he made up
his mind to follow him, in the hope that he might
succeed in reclaiming him from his evil courses, and
restore him to his proper position as a respectable
member of society. When he left home in search of
his nephew he took with him 1801., a gold watch,
and the necessary supply of clothing. He followed
the unhappy couple to America, Egypt, and we
don't know how many other countries, frequently
being close upon the heels of the fugitives, who, how-
ever, contrived to elude his grasp. At length, broken
down in health, spirits and pocket, he returned
to England, was obliged to sell his watch and nearly
the whole of his linen and other apparel, and was
'
now wending his way homewards, penniless and
heartbroken. Big drops rolled down his pallid cheeks
as he recounted his long catalogue of woes, and
the heart of his hearer yearned with compassion.
If he could but get home,—oh, he would give
pounds for shillings to any good. Samaritan
who would thus heal his bleeding heart and
send him to his cherished birthplace. At this junc-
ture a gentleman from Belper happened to call upon
Mr. Webster, and on hearing the particulars we have
the
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himself from going to Belper that evening on the
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should sleep at the Nag's Head, and proceed to Bel,
per by train next day, the gentleman promising to
meet him at the station. Mr. Webster gave the man
ss. 6d., some bread and butter and gin and water,
and then sent a boy to show him the way
to the Nag's Head, where Mr. W. was to see him
in the morning and start him by train. Again tears
of gratitude II iwcd, and the unfortunate innocent
was ill the act of leaving the workhouse in com-
pany with the boy when he said, with great sim
plieity, " Pray, sir, may I ask where I am ?"
" You are at the Derby Union porter's lodge," was
the reply. " Good gracious ! Why lam a member
of the Whitby board of guardians ; what a
laugh it will occasion my colleagues when they find