The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-11-08
HAMILTON ROWAN AND THE WATCH.

Hamilton Rowan, on his way to Holyhead stop
ped TO dine at the little inn at Capel Currig There
was nothing in the house but shoulder of NUT
ton, whi, h Mr. Rowan ordered to be- roasted Pre-
srntIy the master of a neighhoring hunt, with two
brother Nimrods, rushed into an adjoining room
and swearing they were half star, ed. camorously
demanded what they could have tor dinner.
The landlord, with many apologies. told them
that he hal nothing but bread and cheese to offer
them.
81 am extremely sorry gentlemen" said the
landlord. much embarrassed, X" but"
"How dye mean sirl" interrupted the master
Of the hunt imperiousIy. " By--I don't understand
this, Civilian! Nothing but bread and cheese to
offer Us! Why, smell something roasting in your
i kitchen at this very moment, sir"
They all swore they smelt it.
why, that's very true. gentlemen" said the
landlord. still more embarrassed. There GER
tainly Is a shoulder of mutton at the fire, aud
wish with all my heart I could let your honors
have it; but unfortunately, it's bespoke by an Irish
gentleman IN the next room there, and"
GA what? an H,sh gentleman did you say,
Gwil'am'" rosred out the master with sneer.
"Yes, sir, and
Here the landlord was interrupted by perfect
mouth quake of laughter, in which the whole trio
joined.
"Pray, what's this Irish gentleman like'" de-
manded the squire. as as he could speak
" Has he been long caught Has he lost his tail
III kai do oil -haa he
lost his tail yet, GwlIam'"
cay, has he lost his tail yet, Gwillam?" echoed
the Others and again they all laughed most oura-
geousIy.
Indeed, gentIemen"- the landlord.
"No more of this" said the squire, cutting him
short, sunless you mean to make US sick, sir Go!
send the mutton into US, and let this Irish gentle
man have Welsh rabit. And dye bear?" con-
tinued he, pulling out a fine old family repeater
and putting 1t into the landlords hand, "take this
into HIM with my compliments, and ask him if he
can tell what time it ia by it, Go go, sir! do as
] order you, OF it shall be the worse for you"
The landlord who burst not disobey, after many
apologies, delivered the watch with this message
to Rowan, who had overheard all that had passed.
Perhaps the squire could not have selected a
worse subject for this gratuitous insult than Ham
ilton Rowan, who seizing one of his travelling ps-
tolls; which lay in the window, Immediately Joined
the trIo who were laughing heartily at the joke.
" Gentlemen said Rowan, with great susvity,
al am sorry 10 interrupt your mrth l delight in
joke myself--especally when it's good one. -
| pnt fha fact 10 rl har xnho mat ha
drunk or dreaming, or both. hast just brought me
this watch with most impertinenl message, which
he affirms he was ordered to deliver to me by some
gentlemen in this room here. Now, though
cam for an instant suppose any person present,
continued Rowan, fixing his eye on the Squire,
equity of so blackguard an act must request, as
a mere matter OF form, to kno whether any gen
tIeman here did send me this watch with any such h
message III thank you for an immediate answer,
gentlemen! added Rowan, examining the printing
of the pistol. for there's delicious little shoulder
of Welsh mutton just roasted, that I'm anxious to
pay my respects to-"
Perceiving them all dumbfounded. Rowan de-
manded of each ih succession whsther he was the
owner of the watch.
They all replied in the negative.
- Most extraordinary" said Rowan; then calling
in tie landlord, he asked him if the watch belon-
! ged to him.
TO me, sr'" replied the man, in great aston
ishment.
DO you know any person, then. Out Of this
room, TO whom this watch beIouss'" demanded
Rowan.
! ..Out of this room, .ir'"
Ay!--ont of this room, sir Have the good
ness t, look this way, and speak to the point, }"
mo. sir.-certainly, sir,-I don't know ,ny
person out Of this room. sir TO whom the watch
: belongs"
Every well, sir: now go and serve the mutton
up!--Well, upon my honor. now! this is mighty
comcal" continued Rowan, as soon as the land
lord had lett the room. Here is watch which
belongs to nobody in the ROOM and nobody ont of
the room-not even the person from whose hrnds
Ireceved it. Well, I must keep it, suppose ,un-
til claimant starts up. I've no other course to
pursue. In case you should hear Of any such per-
son, gentlemen, there's my card Cthrowing it on
the table.) Upon my word, a mighty handsome
watch! a repeater too! Let me see--ay just
fourteen minutes forty-6ve seconds past FIVE, the
very time to attack shoulder of Welsh mutton
ha, ha, ha! Good morning gentlemen, good NOR
mig You see I know ,ohat time Of day il isl"
And with this Rowan left them The watch"
saith my informant still remains in possession of
the Rowan family"
The Pottsville Journal states that woman left
her infant on the bed, while she went down stairs
to attend to some domestic duties, ,and on returning
she found large cat lying upon the infants breast,
with its head near the infants mouth, as If in the
act Of sucking its breath. Upon examination the
child was discovered 10 be dead, having met its
death in this most extraordinary and shocking
manner.