The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-01-28
Anecdotes of Mr.. Gladstone.

Gladstone. These have been principal
ly cleaned in and around Hawarden, and
oieverly compiled by " An Oxford Man
and Hawardenite," the compilers hav-
ing mixed freely with the peasantry of
Hawarden and the surrounding neigh
bourhood.
YOU AN MES BEEN AS GOOD AS A CHAIN
HORSE.
About forty years ago several haulers
were employed In carrying pig-iron from
Brymbo to Queens Ferry. Among the
number was one William Grifiths, who
is still alive This man, when going
down Tinkersdale one day, with his load
of iron, was accosted by stranger, who
chatted very freely with him. Among
other questions, the stranger asked how
much he got per ton for carrying the
iron. "Six and sixpence," said the car
ter. "What weight have you on the
cart2" about ton and half" "And
what do you pay for gates2' Eighteen
pence" How much does it cost to keep
the mare ?" Thirteen shillings week. "
Presently they reached the foot of the
Mill Hill. "How are you going to get
up this hill ?" asked the stranger. ooh, 1
nun get me shuder, and push up here. I"
"I'll help you bit, said he and at once
put his shoulder to the cart and pushed
up the hill well. When they reached
the top the hauler said, You an me s
been as good as chain horse" We'll,
well, ;" said the stranger, II don't know
how the horses legs are, but mine ache
very much, indeed l suppose you can
manage now ?" Yes, thank you" said
the hauler, 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, az dun know what
he'll think o me, then, for I never sir
him, nor nothin.' thought he was some
farmer"
DIFFERENCE TO HIS WIFE.
One day, as Mr.. Gladstone was busy
telling tree on one of his farms, the ten
ant, Mr.. Thomas Davies, asked him if he
would cut down walnut tree by the
side of the farmhouse, as it was damag
ing one of the walls, and sometimes caus-
ed the chimney to smoke. well,
it. So away they went to inspect the
tree but when he saw it, it was much
larger one than he expected to find.
don't know, Thomas" said he, whether
this must come down but I II bring Mrs.
Gladstone, and hear what she says, for
she has a good deal to do, you know, with
these matters" By-and-by he brought
his lady with him, but when she saw it,
lifting up both her hands, she exclaimed
Oh, dear, no. 1t will never do to cut
that down." There, Thomas, said Mr..
Gladstone, "you see where / am" OF
course, the woodman spared the tree.
GLADSTONE AND THE BEER BARREL.
Northop, like most other important
villages, has its carrier This man visits
Chester once or twice a 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 farmer living in
Moor Lane, the entrance to which is close
to one of Mr.. Gladstones lodges. Arriv-
ing at this spot, he stopped his horse, and
was wondering how he could manage to
get the barrel lowered, for he was to leave
1T by the lodge, as the farmer had agreed
to fetch 1T from there himself. At this
moment up came Mr.. Gladstone with his
axe upon his shoulder. Hey, old com
ride, said he, come and give US hand
with this barrel" Without any hesita-
tion the Premier assisted him to lower it
to the ground. Now, old fellow" said
the carrier, if thou'll come up into the
village III pay for pint o the best for
thee" No, thank you. You are well
come to my assistance, said Mr.. Glad
stone, and walked away towards the
Castle smiling. A villager, who was
standing 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 viilager,
that was Mr.. Gladstone r. What a
fool ] be, said the carrier but he's a
good old chap He helped me, and thou
knows he done it 50 willing like
ARM-IN-ARM WITH A CARRIER WOMAN.
at the Hawarden Flower Show oil
1884, the Premier was seen arming about
the Castle grounds, where the show is
annually held a fat old carrier woman
whom he humorously introduced to the
visitors as Lady Margaret"
WILLIAM, YOU RE WANTED
Mrs. Gladstone was going out for q
walk. She had got a short distance from
the Castle when party Of visitors met