Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-11-11
HAMILTON ROWAN AND TUE WATCH.
FROM BENTLEY's MISCELLANY.

FROM BENTLEY7S MISCELLANY.
Hamilton Rowan, on his way 10 Holy
head, stopped TO dine at the little inn at
at Chapel Currig. There was nothing in
the house but shoulder of mutton, which
Rowan ordered roasted. Presently the
master of neighboring hunt, with two
brother Nimrocs, rushed into an adjoining
room. and swearing they were half starv-
ed, DANGEROUSLY demanded what they could
nave for dinner.
The landlord with many apologies told
them he had nothing but bread and cheese
to offer them.
"Nolhing but bread and cheese! Moth
ing bul bread and chcese!' they all excaim
ed, stamping about the ROOM
''l'm extremely sorry, gentlemen" sait
the landlord, much embarrassed, ''but-''
"liow dye mean sirs'' interrupted the
master oflhe hunt, imperiousiy. ..By--
| don't understand this, GwilIaml Moth
ing but bread cheese 10 offer US! Why
smell something roasting in your kitchen
at this very moment, STRIP
They all swore they smelt it.
"Why that's very true, gentlemen said
the laaJlord, still more embarrassed
"There certainly is shoulder of mutton
at the fire, and wish with all my heart
could let your honors have it, it's bespoke
by an Irish gentleman in the next room
and"
ga WHAT? An Irish genilemaniikeg'
demanded the Squire, as soon as he could
speak. elias he been long caught? Has
he lost his tail yet? Oh! for Heavens
sahe, do tell us has he lost his :ail yet,
GwllamP'
cay, has he lost his tail yet, GwillamP'
echoed the others;and again they all laugh
ed most outrageously.
'lndeed gentlemen--n began the land
lord.
''No more Of this" said the Squire, cut
ting him short, sunless yon mean to make
us sick, sir. Go! send the mutton IN TO US
ard Let this Irisi gentleman have Welsh
rabbit. And rye heari" continued he,
pulling out q fine old family repeater, and
putting it into the landlords hand, stake
this in to him, with my compliments, and
ask him f he can tell the time Of day i: is
by it. Go! go, sir! do asI order you, or ii
shall be 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 selec-
ted worse subject for this gratuitous in
suit than Hamilton Rowan, who, Selling
one OF his travelling pistols which lay in
the window, Immediately joined the trio,
who weso laughing heartily at the joke.
"Gentlemen,n said Rowan, with great
suavity, '.I'm sorry to interrupt your mirth.
delight in a joke myself especially when
it's q good one. But the fact is our land
lord here, who must be either drunk or
dreaming, or both, has just bro't me this
| watch, with most impertinent message;
which he aflirms he was ordered to deliver
10 me by some gentleman in this room
here. Now though cannot for an Instant
| suppose any person present. continues
| Rowan, fixing his eye on the Squire, "gull
ty Of so backguard an act, must request
as a mere matter OF form, TO know wheth
er any gentleman here did send me thi;
watch, with any such message. I'll thank
you for an immediate answer, gentlemen?
added Rowan, examining the printing o
his pistol, ''for there's a delicious little
shoulder Of Welch mutton just roasted
that Pm anxious to pay my respects to-"
Porcoiving them all dumblounded, Rowan
demanded of each in success on whether h
was the owner Of the watch.
They az! replied in the negative.
"Most extraordinary!''said Rowan; thoi
calling the landlord, he asked him if the
watch belonged to him.
ITO me, sir" replied the man, in grea
establishment.
..Do you know any person, then, out o
this room to whom this watch belongs!'
demanded Rowan.
"Out Of this room sir?"
"Av,-oW Of this room sir? Have III
goodness to look this way, land speak to III
point, sirp'
mo sir-certainly, sir-l don't know
any person oH of this room, sir, 10 whom
that watch belongs"
"Vcry well, sir; now GO and serve tn
mutton up.-Well, upon my honor. now
this is mi ghty comical,' continued Rowan
as soon as the landlord had left the room
..IIere's watch belongs TO nobody in TIL
room, and nobody out Of the room no
even to the person from whose hands | re
ceived it. Well, must keep it suppose
until some claimant starts up. I've NJ
other course TO pursue. In case you shoui'
hear OF any such person, gentemeu,,here'
ray card, Throwing it upon the table. J
Upon my word,a mighty handsome watch
a repeater, too! Let me see-ay. JUS
fourteen minutes forty-fre seconds pas
five, the very time to attack shoulder o
Welsh muiton-ha, ha, ha! Good morn
ing. You see know what time Of day j
is!' And with this Rowan left them
1.-The watch" saith my informer, ''stil
remains in possession Of the Rowan fam
/ lily"