New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-07
KING GEORGE Ill.,, AND BOB SHEATH.
From Notes and Queries.

From Notes and Queries
When King George Ill. was residing at -Chelten-
ham ne pad a visit 10 Worcester. AZ that time the
keeper of the Barborne tolgate was man OF
sturdy character known as Bob Sheath, who de-
clared that his Majesty should not pass through MS
gate unless he paid the toll like other person.
1.-The Cheltenham toll gate keepers might let MIN
pass free ii they choose-mOre fools they for doing
so put he wasn't going to do So Ii the Ming came
the gate and let him pass through without paying
bDt so long as he there visitor he must pay
the toll like other folk Such vas Bob Slcath y
resolve and, though the people TO whom he said
this told hlm that he was making an empty poast,
and that he would not dare to shut his tol-Da IN
tho Kings face, yet Bob Sheath declared that he
would most certainly dc so II he had the chance.
The chance was Offered him, for the King came
that way and. true to his word, Bob Sheath closed
the gate and made IL fast with lock and key. Inc
Outrlder ordered him 20 throw open the gate az Tue
Kings carriage was coming, with consldera DC
retinue, followed by loyal thr0ng. But BOD
Sheath refused to comply with the request until ne
had been duly paid for the carriage and horsenen
The Kings equerry then rode up and was Informed
of the state Of affairs the royal coacn being then
close at hand. The equerry explained To inc Toll
gate keeper that the kings secretary came last IN
the prOcessiOn and would pay for all VINO passed
through the gate if Bob would carefully count them
as thoy went by him. With this proinIso BOD
Sheath opened the gate. and without any detention
having been made TO the royal progress. the klng
and his attendants passed through the gate. But,
although the Oll-gate keeper went nc To moro imam
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 second time:
SO the next day. when the King returned and
wished 10 pass through BarDorne gate on his way
back TO Cheltenham, Bob Sheath securely locked
The gate and refused to omen 1t to the outIlder.
Then came the equerry, who endeavOred, rs on the
previous day. to the opening OF the gate by
the promise of payment of the toll by the kings
secretary. But Bob Sheath plainly told him that
he did not believe IN the existence OF that court
official and tina, he would not open the gate for the
kings coach until the whole of the toll for both
yesterday and to-day was paid to him. The eduerry
tndeavOred TO brighten HIM into compliance by
representing the annoyance that would be felt by
his Majesty; but Bob Sheath would not relent or
abatd one jot of bis demand So Is the Kings coach
was then brought to q standsill. and his Majesty
was inquirIng into the cause of the delay, the
e1uerry paid the llgate keeper the whole OF the
money that he demanded. at the same time threat-
enng that he would have him before a court OF Law
ana make him refund the Then Bob Sleath
opened the gate and made his best bow to the MIG
as be passed through but he never again saw
George ILL.,. and never heard any more OF the toll
that LIE had taken from bin.