The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-03-01
King George III. and Bob sleath.

When King George III. was residing
at Cheltenham he paid visit to Worces-
ter. At that time the keeper of the Bar
borne toll-gate was imam Of sturdy char
acter, known as Bob Sleath, who de-
clared that his Majesty should not pass
through his gate unless he paid the toll
like any other person. "The Chelten-
ham toh-gate keepers might let him pass
free if they choose-more fools they for
doing so; but he wasn't going to do SO.
If the King came at the head of an army
then he would throw open the eate and
let him pass through without paving:
but SO long as he was there as visitor
he must pay the toll like other folk"
Such was Bob Sleath's resolve; and,
though the people to whom he said this
told him that he was making an empty
boast. and that he would not dare to shut
his toll-bar in the Kings face, yet Bob
Sheath declared that he would most GER
tainly do SO ii he had the chance.
The chance was offered him, for the
King came that way; and, true to his
word, Bob Sleath closed the gate and
made itfast with lock and key. The out
rider ordered him to throw open the
gate, as the Kings carriage was com
ing, with q considerable retinue, followed
by loyal throng. But Bob Sleath re-
fused TO comply with the request until
he had been duly paid for the carriage
and horsemen. The Kings equerry then
rode up and was informed of the state of
affairs, the royal coach being then close
at hand. The equeny explained to the
toll-gate keeper that the Kings secre-
tary came last in the procession and
would pay for all who passed through
the gate if Bob would carefully count
them as they went by him. With
this promise Bob Sleath opened the
gate, and, without any detention
having been made to the royal progress,
the King and his, attendants passed
through the gate. But although the
toll-gate keeper went up to more than
one of those who followed the King, no
one would confess to being the bearer of
the Kings purse, or to being authorized
to pay the toll. So every one passed
through free, as did also the loyal crowd,
who pressed forward after the carriage
before the toll-gate keeper could close
the gate.
Bob Sleath felt that he was tricked;
but he was resolved that this should not
occur q second time. So the next day,
when the King returned and wished to
pass through Barborne gate on his way
back to Cheltenham, Bob Sleath securely
locked the gate, and refused to open it
to the outrider. Then came the eqnerry,
who endeavored, as on the previous day,
to secure the opening of the gate by the
promise Of payment of the toll by the
King secretary. But Bob Sleatii plainly
told him that he did not believe in the
existence of that court official, and that
he would not open the gate for the King s
coach until the whole of the toll for both
yesterday and to-day was paid to him.
The equerry endeavored to frighfen him
into compliance by representing the an
noyance that would befelt by his Maies-
ty; but Bob Sleath would not relent or
abate one jot of his demand; so, as the
Kings coach was then brought to a
standstill, and his Majesty was inquiring
into the cause Of the delay, the equery
paid the toll-gate keeper the whole of the
money he demanded, at the same time
threatening that he would have him be-
fore court of law and make him refund
the sum. Then Bob Sleath opened the
gate, and made his best bow to the King
as he passed through; he never again saw
George ILL.,, and never heard any more
of the toll that he had taken from him.
Notes and Queries.