Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-12-12
HAMILTON ROWAN AND THE WATCH.

OapIe Nnrlng. lhere was nothing IN the
house but shoulder of mutton which
Rowan ordered to be roasted. Presently
the master Of a neighboring hunt with two
brother Nimrods rushed into an adjoining
room and swearing they were half starved
clamorously demanded what they could
have for dinner.
The landlord with many apologies told
them he had nothing but bread and cheese
to offer them.
Il am extremely sorry, gentlemen, said
the landlord much embarrassed, but
How dye mean, sir p interrupted the
master Of the hunt i'nperiously. By!
l don't understand this Civilian! Moth
ing but bread and cheese 10 offer u.!-
Why | smell something roasting in your
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 certainly is a shoulder Of mutton at
the fire. and wish with all my heart
could let your honors have it; but unfor-
tunate!y, it's bespoken by an Irish gentle
man in the next room and
"A what An Irish gentleman, did yon
say Gwilliam?' roared out the master with
a sneer.
! Yes, sir, and
| Here the landlord was interrupted bv a
perfect mouth quake OF laughter in which
the whole trio joined.
Pray what is this Irish gentleman like?
demanded the squire %. soon as he conld
speak. Has he been long caught ? Has
he lost his tail yet? Oh! for Heavens
sake ! do tell us-has he lost his tail vet
Gw;lliam? a..a
'Ay, has he lost his tail vet Gwiliam?'
echoed the others; and again they all
laughed most onirageously.
Indeed, gentlemen-' began the land
lord.
mo more Of this said the squire. cutting
him short, unless you mean to make us
sick, sir. Go! send the mutton in to us
and let this Irish gentleman have welch
rabbit. And dye hear? continued he, pull
ing ont fine old family repeater. and put Z.
ting il into the landlords hand take this
irto him with my compliments and ask
him if he can tell what time OF day il is
by il. Go!-go, sir do as order you,
or il shall be the worst for yon!'
The landlord, who burst not di-obey,
after many apologies, delivered the watch
with this message 10 Rowan, who had
overheard all tha! had passed.
Perhaps the squire could not have se-
lected worse subject for this gratnitons
insnl, than Hamilton Rowan, who seiz;ng
one Of his travelling pistols which lay in
the window, Immediately juined the trio
who were laughing heartily at the joke.
'Gentlemen,' said Rowan, with grea,
suaviiy. l,m sorry 10 interrupt your mirth.
l d-lich, in joke myself, pecially when
it's good one. But the fact is, our land.
lord here who must be either drunk or
dreaming, or both, has just brought a mes.
sage which he atfirms he was ordered Ia
deliver to me by some gentleman in this
room here. Now, though cannot for an
instant suppose any person present. con-
timed Rowan fixing his eye on the Squire
guilty Of as blackguard an act, | must
request as a mere matter OF form to know
whether any gentleman here did send me
this watch. with any such message. I'll
thank yon for an immediate answer, gen.
tleman' added Rowan, examining the
pri,ning Of his pistol. Tor there is deli
cions little shoulder Of Welsh mutton Just
roasted, that I'm anxious to pay my re-
sprcts to.
Perceiv;ng them all dumfounded, Row
an damanded Of each in succession wheth-
or lie was the owner OF the watch.
They all replied in The negative.
Mos, extraordinary said Rowan,
then calling in the landlord, he asked him
If the watch belonged to him.
To me sir? No sir! = replied the man,
in great astonishment.
DO yon know any person, then out Of
this room 10 whom this watch belongs
demanded Rowan.
.Omt of this room, sir
sAy ?--out Of this room, sir! Have the
goodness to look this way, and speak to
the point, sir?'
mo, sir-cer'ainly, sir, don't know
any person out of this room, sir, to whom
that watch belongs
Very we'll sir; now 60 and serve the
mutton up!-Well, upon my honor. now!
this is mighty comcal,' continued Rowan
a. soon as the landlord had left the room.
Here's watch which belongs to nobody
in the room and nobody ont Of the room -
not even to the person from whose hands
| received it. Well must keep it. sup
pose, until claimant starts up. I've no
other course 10 pursue. In case you
should hear OF any such person, gentlemen,
there's my card throwing it on the table. }
Upon my word, mighty handsome watch
repeater too! Let N" see-ay, jus,
fourteen minutes forty-tive seconds past
five, the very time to attack a shoulder o
Welsh mutton-ha, ha, ha! Good morn.
ing gentlemen, good morning. You see
know what time of day it is and with this
Rowan left them. The watch saith my
informant, still remains in possession OF the
Rowan family
/ A IuRYMAS AT a recent quarter
session, held in one Of the counties ol
England, girl with child in her arms
wa. indicted for stealing some sugar
The case was clear and plain. and the
foreman Of the jury returned verdict O.
guilty, with strong recommendation t
| mayevi The chairman yather ma duiS ed