The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-12-17
wig, Whiskers, and Oysters.

countenance strongly indicated conscious
superiority in the knowledge of men and
manners, although occasionally character.
lied by certain degree of simplicity. He
charged the prisoner, Thomas Leigh, with
having stolen travelling bag containing
the whole Of his theatrical property, name.
ly three wigs, and sundry pairs of whiskers
mustachoes, imperials, &c. The evidence
being of a dramatic character subior
il =
Magistrate. What is the nature of the
complaint?
Htsalien drawing himself up, and en-
dcavoring to assume lofty and dignificd
air, being feeble attempt to immitate Mr..
kean, as WhelIo, before the Senate. J.
Most noble Sir! by your gracious patience,
| will round ,unvarnished tale unfold. On
the evening of Saturday, after the tolls Of
day were DER, bent my care-worn bo-
dy towards home.
"'Twas midnight,
When halfthe world lay buried in deep
sleep"
Having been from the force Of circumstan-
ccs, compelled, for period short and brief, to
act the part Of teetotaller, no sooner were
my chains knocked off, and released from
this obstruction, than experienced burn.
ing thirst within. | paused and LOOKED
around, but all was darkness; not one sol
itary light glimmered from any 'public" in
the vicinity. Presently ! heard the light
tread Of footsteps; and turning to ascertain
from whence the sound proceeded, cspicd
yon false knave (pointng TO the prisoner
in company with another.
Prisoncr.- False knave Come, ! like
that Why, sir, the case is simply this.
That fellow, SIR
FH.allen with emotion.)-If thou shalt
dare insinuatc that
caught
Unworthy may bciall my honored name,
! give thee warning, that thy presence
here
Will not protect thy filthy carcass
Great laugh,er.)
Ssrcrdl OGcers.-Silence
Fif,dlIen with tragic wave of the
hand. )-IIeralds! spare your voices
Roars of laughter,)
Mdgisiraie.-Will you state, simply.
what occurred?
Ft,anen.-Ay, that will but
"Hear little further,
And then III bring thee to the present bu-
sness,
Which now's upon us; without the which
This story were most impertinent.''.-
(Langhter.)
j inquired of them if they could give
me any information where | might GET re.
freshcd. They answered in the aflirma.
al cd 10 T,1l
did. a little further on, we discred dim.
ly.burning light. Thither we directed on,
steps, when soon
"Wc reached a place, which ever as We
went [in
borrowed and deepened, and at last closed
Like unto cavern"
where nouGht was but oysters and faiI
damsel.-( Laughter.)
Prisoncr.-lIe took us to the place, as
sure you, sir.
E:Ghen.-Bear witness, We pale stars
tits false. But to proceed. They invited
me to partake of some oysters; and as
dearly love the ndtires, gladly did | seize
their proiIercd kindness. Scarcely had we
commenced the repast, when 10 the prise.
oner demanded from me shilling. To thi.
| gave a flat refusal; aud bctook me &c
another table, there to enjoy myself alone
Mine hostess was busily engaged in serving
me, when
"That villain,
Whose face do not love to look upon"
rushed upon me, seizen hold ofmy bag. con.
tanning my wigs, unmentionablcs, whiskers
&c, and darted from the place, like an ar,
row from bow. Astonishment, for mo-
ment, so overcome me, that stirred not
Recovering myself, gave pursuit; but,
"Being nimble of foot, he did outrun me-"
Having obtained the assistance ola guard
an of the night,
"The pursuit led,
Till we o'ortook the spoil.cncumbered foe :
then led HIM OF in triumph to PRISON.
(Langhter.)
attorney for the priSoncr.--Now, do yo,
mean to tell the court that You did not invit,
the prisoner to partakc ola few oysters?
FHs0Hdn.-By all my heart holds dear
by all my hopes of happiness hereafter!
do deny it, Laughter.)
attorney (contemptuously.) -Pah, pah
nonsense Come to the point.
FHsdhdn.--from another lip, or ut anoth
or time, had not broolcd that haught,
snccr. Nor would now, but that | woull
not prosecute baselcss quarrel
Atiomey.-llad you not some CONVERSE
ton about having something TO drink beior,
you went to the cellar?
PARLIAMENTARY have told thee tina
with such intent did accostthcm.
Ahomey.-Was it not because you refu
sed to pay for the oysters that the prisoner
took the bag, in orderto force you to pay?
FiisaiIdn.-Perish the thonghtl Nj,
lord, you know me not. Lend me you
ears
"know that have little wealth to lose !;
A man am crossed with adversely.
My riches are those poor habiliments
(pointing to the bag,)
or which ifyou should here disfurnish me
You take the sum and substance Of wha
/ have"
Attfomey.-Gmpaticntly. Did any per
son ever hear such an ass viii YOU de
scend to commonplace language2 Did 70,
not refuse to pay?
Fit:dlldn.--I conceive IL better 10 let th,
hank unravel ut your judicial winding
Laughter.)
Aiiorney.-Answer the qucstion-Was i
not because you refused TO pay for the oys
tiers that the prisoner took the bag?
l.