The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-08-30
Rowan and the Watch.

Hamilton Rowan, on his way 10 HolN head stop
ped TO dine nj little inn at Capel Curing
There WAS nothing in the house but a shoulder
ot mutton, which Rowan ordered 10 be roasted
Presently the master Of neighboring hunt, with
two other nimrods. rushed into an adjoining room.
and swearing they were half starved, clamou,ous-
ly 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
u am extremely sorry. gcnttmcn,' said the
landlord, much embarrassed---
How dye mean, sir r interrupted the master
OF the hunt, mpe'ulr-ly -ly--"By thunder don't
understand this, Civilian Nothing but bread
cheese to offer US Why. smell something roas.
ting IN your kitchen q! this very moment,
sir
They all sworc they sme,ti
why, that's yc:y true, .rntleslcA" said the
landlord, still more embarrassed there certainly
is shoulder oimutton ON the fire, and wish with
all my heart that could let your honors have il.
but unfortunately it Is bespoken By an Irish rcn.
tieman IN the next room. and----"
"a wIwti An Iu-h gentleman did you say.
Civilian T. roorcd out the master with con.
tcmp'uous -nrcr
Yes, sir, and--"
Here the landlord was interrupted with per.
feet month qulck oflaughter in which the whole
tho Joined
Pray what is the Irish gentleman like I" de.
m7naod the squire as soon ~ lie could "has lie
been long cauglti Has lie lost his tail vet 2
Oh, for heavens sake do tell Us has he lost his
tai, yet, GwIiam y
Aye, has he los, his tail vet. Civilian p ech.
oed the others, aud again all laughed nloat out
raCeoUslr
Indeed gentlemen" began The ierpIexed land.
lord
no more Of ,hs,' said 'lc Squire. cutting him
short "unlcss you intend to make Us SICK sr
Go -cnd tho --,n.t~7 t. u s,I 10, Tho r,ib .o,
!leman have Welch rare bit And dive hear 2"
continued he pulling ont II fine old family rereat.
er, and putting It into .he landlords hand. take
this N tohim, with my compliments. and ask him
II he can tell what time of day it !s By it. Co
60 SIR do as command you or it shall be worse
for you promise you -
Tie landlord, who dared rot d-obe- aftei
many apologies delivered tie watch with the
message to Rowan, who overheard every word
that had passed.
Perhaps the 'Sqnire could no, have selected n
worse subject for his pratuitous Insult than Ham
I.tcn Rowan, WHO scizing one Of hi. travelling pis
tols which lay IN the window, Immediately Join
,ng The trio, who we're enjoying themselves and
laughing heartily ut the Joke.
'Geniiemen,' said Rowan, with great severity
4 am sorry 10 interrupt your mirh. delight
N JOKE myself, especially when 1t il n good one.
But the fact is, our landlord here who must ei.
ther be drunk oy dreaming, or both. has Just
brought nae n message which he nfirms he was
ordered 20 deliver to me bv SON, gentleman In
tina room Now though ! cannot for moment
suppose any person present" continued Rowan,
hAIng his eyes on the squre-"guilty ofso black.
guard nm ar', must request as n mere matter
o' t'rm, TO know il any gentleman here did send
me 'IlS watch with any such message III thank
vou Tor nm imnclil:e answer gentlemen" llatl
Rowan ex0mjnin, the prinnc ofhs pistol, for
there is delicious little shouldpr cf Ne'ch nat.
ton just roasted, that nm anxious t. pny my
respects TO-"
Pcrcelvinc 'hcm nil dnmbfounled, Rowan do.
m'ndrd OF each in succession whether he was the
owner Of he watch
They MI replied in the negative.
Most extraordinary said Rowan then calling
t0 the landlord, he asked him If the watch bglou.
god 10 him
TO NE, sir' No sir !" replied the man in grca,
as,ou,shmcut.
"Do you know any person, out Ibis room 70
whom the watch belongs /" demanded the imper.
turbab.e Rowan
"Oul ol 'us ronro, sir 2"
Ave out Of thcroom, sir Have the goodness
to look this way, AMI speak without hesitation to
the point, sill"
"No sir; certainly, sir, don, know any person
ont Of this room to whom tha. watch belongs, 4"
replied the landlord.
Very well, sur now q and serve the mutton
uD Well, upon my houor, that Is mighty comic
al, continued Rowan sorn as the landlord had
left the room here IS Il watch which belongs to
nobody in the room and nobody out Of the room