Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-12-21
The Poor .Gentlemon ,rbo rends be Pa

The Poor Gentleman acho reads The Pa
per.--Some twenty or twenty-five, or it
may be thirty years ago, the landlord of
the Bush Tavern in Bristol, England was
so fur benevolent man, that on every
Christmas day he used, 10 set an immense
table, at which whoever would was at liberty
to sit and replenish his inner man with as
much roast beef and plumb pudding as he
could dispose OLA privilege OF which, it
may well be supposed, the poor OF that an
cent and by no means elegant city, were
not backward to avail themselves. Dutthc
dinner alone, fianked as it was by an ad
H6itum distribution of stout ale and cider
could not appease the generous propensi-
ties of mine host of the Bush. He was in
the habit, also, of giving away score Of
guincas upon the same anniversary, which
were bestowed, in small sums Of from five
shings 10 twenty, upon such Of the free
guests as appeared to stand most in need Of
something more than dinner.
1t had been observed for some weeks,
towards the close of a particular year, which
do not remember, that an elderly person.
age, whom nobody knew, was in the habit
of stepping into the Bush every day, taking
single glass of brandy and water, with
which ne contrived to daily so long as was
requisite for the thorough perusal of Lon
don paper, brought down by the guard of one
of the night coaches. A London paper was
great thing, at that time, in Bristol. The
gentleman was elderly, as have said, and
moreover, his person and garb, as well as
habits, gave token Of poverty. He was
thin, and apparently feeble; his coat was
seody, his hat rusty, his neither habiliments
thread-bare, and otherwise botokening long
and arduous service; and b.; expenditure
never exceeded the sixpence required TO pay
for the one glass of brandy and water.--
Nobody seemed 20 know him; and after
few of his daily calls, he came 10 be re-
cognisod by the waters and landlord, with
that happy adaptation of names for which
English landlords and walters are remarka-
BILE, as "the poor gentleman that reads the
newspapers"
Ii any doubts existed as to his poverty
they were dispelled when Christmas day
arrived, and the poor gentleman was seen
taking his place at the long table, and de-
molishing an ample allowance of the beef
and pudding for which there was nothing to
pay. "Poor fellow p soliloquized the land
lord of the Bush; "Pm sure he can't af-
ford that sixpence every day, for his brandy
and water; must make it up for him
| again." His measures were accordingly
| taken John, the waiter. had his instruc-
tons; and when the poor gentleman hand
ed his plate for another slice of the pudding.
guinea was slipped into his hand, with the
whispered, " Masters compliments, sir, and
says this will do lay in some winter fiannels
for the Children" The poor gentleman
looked al the coin, and then at the waiter !;
then deposited the first in the right hand
pocket of his small clothes, and then drew
forth q card which he handed 10 John,
kquietly remarking; "My thanks and CON-
\ pliments to your master, and tell him if he
ever happens to come my way, hope he'll
4 call upon me-" This was the inscription
Nippon the card: "THoMAs Courts, 81
Strand, London"
| The "poor gentleman" was at Bristol,
Experimenting the erection of some thirty
or forty houses, he was building on specula-
ton. What afterwards passed between him
and the landlord of the Bush, is not record.
ed !; but this much is known, that the said
landlord soon after engaged very largely in
the coaching business; that his drafts on
Coutts 81 Co. the great bankers, were al
ways duly honored; that he was very sue
cessful, and became one of the richest men
| in Bristol. And it is further said, that the
i'd ltical Christmas guinea is still in the pos
Sd Jon of the ''poor gentleman's" Widow,
~ Grace the Duchess of st. Albans.-
Htsckcr6ocker.