The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-03-12
ENGLAND'S PREMIER.
Some Amusing Anecdotes About Him
"A Carriers Mistake.

ENGLAND'S PREMIER.
Some Amusing Anecdotes Abou. Him
/ A Carriers Mistake.
About forty years ago several haul
ers were employed in carrying pig-iron
| from Brymbo to Queens ferry. Among
| the number was one William Griffiths,
who is still alive. This man, when
going down Tinkerdale one day with
his load of iron, was accosted by a
stranger, who chatted freely with him.
Among other questions, the stranger
asked how much he got per ton for
I carrying the iron. six and sixpence, J"
said the carter. ''What weight have
you on the cart?' About a ton and a
half. "And what do you pay for
gates?" Eighteen pence. How
much does it cost to keep the mare9"
/ Thirteen shillings a week" How
/ are you going to get up this hillP"
asked the stranger. "Oh, l mum get
me shuder, and push up here" "Ili
| 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 mes
| been as good as chain horse"
''Well, WELL" said the stranger. Il
! don't see how the horses legs are, but
mine ache very much indeed. | sup
pose you can manage now?" ''Yes,
| thank you," said the hauler' and wish
ing him good-day they separated. As
| soon as the stranger was gone trades
man asked Griffiths if he knew who
| had been helping him. NO" said he,
shns- CT,
THAT was Mr.. Gladstone" said the
tradesman. 'Mr. Gladstone" respon-
ded the hauler; Il dun know what
he'll think O me, then, for l never
| sir d 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 ali manner of goods for the in
habitants of the district through which
he passes. On one occasion he brought
a barrel of beer from Chester for farm
er living in Moore lane, the entrance
to which is close to one of Mr.. Glad
stones lodges. Arriving at this spot
he stopped his horse and was wonder
ing how he could manage to get the
barrel lowered, for he was to leave it
by the lodge, as the farmer had agreed
to fetch it from there himself. At that
moment up came Mr.. Gladstone, with
his AK upon his shoulder. Hey, old
comrade," said he, ''come and give us
a hand with this barrel" Without any
hesitation the premier assisted him to
lower it to the ground. Now, old
fellow" said the carrier, If you'll
come up into the village I'll pay for a
pint O the best for thee" mo. thank
you. You are welcome to my assist
ancc. said Mr.. Gladstone, and
walked away toward 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 re-
ply. why" said the villager, THAT
was Mr.. Gladstonen' What a fool 1
be- said the carrier; ''but he's good
old chap. He helped me, and thou
knows he done it so willing like"
Mr.. Gladstone on one occasion visit
ed one of his tenants with a bundle OF
comic papers under his arm, in which
he and Mr.. Disraeli were severely
caricatured. Handing them to the
tenant, he roguishly said: Here | am;
what do you think of me and my
friend?n
At the Hawarden flower show of
1884 the premier was seen arming
about the castle grounds, where the
show is annually held, fat old carrier
woman, whom he humorously intro
duced to the visitors as Lady Marga-
ret. y This notable parsonage, Marga-
ret Hughes, the carrier woman, was at
one of the feasts given in honor of w.
Ii. Gladstone's marriage, and, as it is
usual at such gatherings, toasts were
introduced. 1t fell to Margaret's lot
to propose the premier's health.
Springing to her feet, she, in very
homely yet appropriate terms, made
her proposition. Mr.. Gladstone, re-
spending, thanked them for all their
good wishes, more especially Lady
Margaret" as he called her, the men
ton of which caused roars of laughter.
The title has clung to her from that
day to this, and letters are often adj
dressed 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
alone? Why not settle down in your
beautiful house and enjoy yourself?"
''Well," said Mr.. Gladstone, ''let me
put you question. Why should you
not sell your horse and cart, and give
up troubling yourself about this going
to and from Chester?' ''Eh, but" she
answered, ''that is my work, and |
think if l gave it up l should die"
.'And the other" said Mr.. Gladstone,
sis my work, and | must do it the best
way | can"
Mrs. Gladstone was going out for a
walk. She had got a short distance
from the castle when party of visitors
met her. Il say, is the old gentleman
at home?" said one of them. Yes"
said Mrs. Gladstone. 1--WE want to see
him." said he. Follow me,' was the
reply. "I'll take you to him." She led
the way to the front door, and called
out, William, you're wanted" by
golly," whispered one of them, "she
must be his wife. '-Lond0n Echo.
Horse PhysioSnomy