The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-24
anecdotes OLE GLADSTONE.
Stories Illustrative of the Great Stat esman's
Simplicity of Character.

Stories Illustrative of the Great Statesman's
Simplicity of Character.
London Echo.
About forty years ago several haulers we're
employed In carrying pig iron from Brymbo to
queens Ferry. Among the number was one
william Grithths, who is still alive. This man,
when going down Tinkersdale one day with his
load of iron, was accosted by a stranger who
chatted freely with him. Among other ques-
tons, the stranger asked how much he got per
said the carter. What weight have you on the
cartp about a ton and half" 'And what do
you pay for gatesl" Eighteen pence" How
much does it cost to keep the maref' Thirteen
shillings week" "How are you going to get up
this hillF asked the stranger. "Oh nun get me
shuder, and push up here" '11l help you bitr
said he and at put his shoulder to the cart and
pushed up thehill we'll When they reached the
top the hauler said, 'Youan' mes been good asa
chain horse" 'Well, WELL" said the stranger
'don't know how the horses legs are, but mine
ache very much indeed. l suppose you can
manage nowl" Eyes, thank you' said the haul
er, and wishing him good-day, they separated.
AS soon as the stranger was gone, tradesman
asked Grifiths if he knew who had been helping
him. NO" said he 'he's perfect stranger to
me-" That was Mr.; Gladstone" said the
tradesman "Mr. Gladstone" responded the
hauler; II dun know what he'll think O me.
then, for never sird him, nor nothin'. thought
he was some farmer"
Northrop, like most other important villages,
has its carrier. This man visits Chester once or
twice week, and carries all manner of goods
for the inhabitants of the districts through which
he passes On one occasion he brought barrel
of beer from Chester for a farmer living in
Moor Lane, the entrance to which is close to one
of Mr. Gladstone's lodges. Arriving at this
spot, he stopped his horse. and was wondering
how he could manage to get the
barrel lowered, for he was to leave IL
by the lodge, as the farmer had agreed to fetch
it from there himself. At that moment up came
Gladstone w ay
Hey, old comrade,' said he, ''come and give us
a hand with this barrel" Without any hesita,
tion the Premier assisted him to lower it to the
ground. ''Now, old fellow" said the carrier,
pint of the best for thee" NO. thank you.
You are welcome to my assistance" said Mr..
Gladstone, and walked away toward the Castle,
smiling. A villager, who was standing a little
way off, then came up to the carrier and asked
him if he knew who had been helping him.
NO" was the reply why" said the vlager,
that was Mr. Gladstone" What fool be-"
said the carrier; but hes good old chap He
helped me, and thou knows he done it SO willing
like"
Mr.. Gladstone on one occasion visited one Of
his tenants with bundle of comic papers under
his arm, in which he and Mr.. Disraeli were Sc
verely caricatured Handing them to the ten
ant, he roguishly said Here am; what do
you think of me and my friendl"
At the Hawarden Flower Show of 1884 the
Premier was seen armng about the Castle
grounds. where the show is annually held, a fat
old carrier woman, whom he humorously intro
duced to the visitors as Lady Margaret" This
notable parsonage, Margaret Hughes, the car
rier woman, was at one of the feasts given in
honor of Mr.. w. ii. Gladstone's marriage, and,
as is usual at such gatherings, toasts were in
| troduced. 1t fell to Margarets lot to propose
| the Premier's health. Springing to her feet
| she, in very homely, yet appropriate terms
made her proposition Mr. Gladstone, respond
| ing, thanked them all for their good wishes
| more especially Lady Margaret" as he called
her, the mention of which caused roars of laugh
ter The title has chung to her from that day
to this, and letters are often addressed to her
bearing that title On one occasion she
said to the Premier "Oh sir, why do
you not come and live with US always,
where everybody thinks so much of you instead
of going up to London, and bothering yourself
with those fellows who will never let you aloneS
Why not settle down here in your beautiful
Gladstone, 'let me put you a question. Why
should you not sell your horse and cart. and
give up troubling yourself about this going to
and from Chesterl" "Eh. but" she answered,
''that is my work and think if gave it up I
should die" "And the other" said Mr. Glad
stone, sis my work, and | must do it the best
way can"
Mrs. Gladstone was going out for walk She
had got short distance from the castle when a
party of visitors met her. II say is the old
gentleman at home" said one of them. EYES,"
said Mrs Gladstone ''We want to see him."
said he. Follow me. was her reply, I'll take
you to him" She led the way to the front door
and called out, ''Wilam you're wanted" ''By
golly," whispered one of them, ''She must be his