Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-02-16
King George III. and Bob sIeath.

When King George III. was residing
At Cheltenham he paid a visit to Worces-
Ter. At that time the keeper Of the Bar
borne toll-gate was = man Of sturdy char
setter. known as Bob Sheath, who de-
clared that his Majesty should not pass
through his gate unless he paid the toll
like any other person. "The Chelten-
ham toll-gate keepers might let him pass
free IL they choose-more fools they for
doing so; but he wasn't going to do so.
II the King came at the head of an army
then he would throw open the gate and
let him pass through without paying;
but so long as he was there as a 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 il 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 itfast with lock and key. The out
rider ordered him to throw open the
gate, IS the Kings carriage was COM
ing. with considerable retinue, followed
by loyal throng. But Bob Sleath re-
fused to comply with the request until
be 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 equerry explained to the
tou-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 Sheath 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 thar
one of those who followed the King, ne
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 Sheath felt that he was tricked
but he was resolved that this should no
occur a second time. So the next day
when the King returned and wished Il
pass through Barborne gate on his way
back to Cheltenham, Bob Sheath securelI
locked the gate, and refused to open
to the outrider. Then came the equerry
who endeavored, as on the previous day
to secure the opening of the gate by tn,
promise Of payment of the toll by tn,
Kings secretary. But Bob Sheath plainl,
told him that he did not believe in thu
existence of that court official, and tina
he would not open the gate for the King
coach until the whole of the toll for boil
yesterday and to-day was paid to him
The equerry endeavOred to Brighten him
into compliance by representing the an
noyance that would be felt by his Males
ty; but Bob Sleath would not relent o
abate one jot Of his demand; so, AZ tn
Kings coach was then brought to
standstill, and his Majesty was inquirin,
into the cause of the delay, the equerr,
paid the toll-gate keeper the whole of ia
money he demanded, at the same tim
threatening that he would have him be
fore a court of law and make him refun,
the sum. Then Bob Sheath opened tn
gate, and made his best bow to the KIM
as he passed through; he never again saw
George I'LL. and never heard any NOR
of the toll that he had taken from him
Notes and Queries.