The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-05

From the Philadelphia Press.
That amusing and gossiping volume,
"The Wits and Beaux of Society,"" gives
numerous instances of Sheridan's natural
talent for swindling. In fact, he had such
born genius that way, that but for the high
station in which he moved, he would prob
ably have been exalted -on the gallows, or
transported-to Botany Bay. While yet
in his teens, just after leaving Harrow
school, Sheridan, we are told, "was spend
ing few days at Bristol, and wanted
pair of new boots, but could not afford to
pay for them. Shortly before he left, he
called on two boot makers, and ordered of
each pair, promising payment on delivery.
He fixed the morning of his departure for
the tradesmen to send in their goods. When
the first arrived he tried on the boots, COM
planned that that for the right foot pinched
a little, and ordered Crispin to take it back,
stretch it, and bring it again at nine the
next morning. The second arrived soon
after, and this time it was the boot for the
left foot which pinched. Same complaint;
same order given; each had taken away
only the pinching boot, and left the other
behind. The same afternoon Sheridan left
in his new boots for town, and when the
two shoemakers called at nine o'clock the
next day, each with boot IN his hand, we
can imagine their disgust at finding how
neatly they had been duped."
Here is companion anecdote, extremely
characteristic, which is generally accepted
as having Sheridan for its veritable hero:
"Chalier, the wine merchant, was his credi-
tor to large amount, and had stopped sup
plies. Sheridan was to give grand din
ner to the leaders of the opposition, and had
no port or sherry to offer them. On the
morning of the day fixed be sent for Chalier
and told him he wanted to settle bis ac-
count. The importer, much pleased, said
he would go home and bring it at once.
Stay cried she debtor, will you dine with
me to day? Lord -, Sir - -,
and so.and-so are coming Chalier was
fattered, and readily accepted. Returning
to his office, he told his clerk that he should
dine with MIR. Sheridan, and therefore leave
early. At the proper hour be arrived In
full dress, and was no sooner In the house
than his host dispatched message to the
clerk at the Office, saying that Mr.. Challer
wished MIN to send up at once three dozen
of Burgundy, two OF claret, two of port, etc.
Nothing seemed more natural, and the wine
was forwarded, just in time tor dinner. 1t
was highly praised by the guests, who asked
Sheridan who was his wine merchant. The
host bowed toward Chalier, gave him a
high recommendation, and impressed him
with the belief that he was telling polite
falsebood, in order to secure him other Gus
toners. Little did be think he was drink
ing his own wine, and that it was not, and
probably never would be, paid for!"
Among the traditional anecdotes floating
about Dublin, respecting Sir Jonah Barring
ton, author of certain Irish sketches, more
amusing than true, is one which appears to
show practical improvement upon Sheri-
dams swindling the wine merchant. Sir
Jonah, wLo was Judge of the Irish Admi.
rarity Court, iDdulged in such extremely
costly living that, at last, he found it i'm.
possible to continue on Irish soil-so long
as Imprisonment for debt was in operation.
He made quiet preparations for flight to
Paris, where he resided for the last twenty
years of his life. He had sufficient interest
with the British Governmental obtain their
sanction to his judicial duties being per-
formed by deputy, and the arrangement was
SO secretly made that no Dublin friend but
the future deputy was in Barrington's conf
dence. This was in 1916, during the Vicer-
royalty of Earl Vhiteworth, with whom, as
well as with the Irish secretary, 1.-THE late