The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-01-15

policeman. | hurried on. | did not
wish him to see rle in the condition [
was in- Ia getting over Il stilt. [
tumbItd, and tore my coat and mud
died my trousers. My hat also got
crushed. l picked myself up with
difficulty. To compose myself, | tried
to recoliect a hymn from Ancient
and Modern bat could recall nothing
save
Old aFfsGt5 Hf Tas Mss so h"Falng squire
" Taiiy-ho Ti1t Tally-ho Taiy TiIf" -ho! he H'e'
So | sang that till interrupted by
hiccup, which took me badly, owing
to want of food, believe
| suppose | was near Whiteaway's
farm when | saw before me, sitting
in the sun, under a hedge in a bed of
red-robbin and bluebells, the dearest
little child, with fair, faxen hair, and
eyes like the heavens. But the beauty
Of the child did not attract and rivet
my attention. The child was eating
Tt had in its hand a large round Of
homemade bread, quite three-quarters
of an inch thick, piled up with cream
standing on it the same thickness, and
on top of the cream was curl. like
pigs tail, of treacle. This is locally
termed thunder and lightning"
Now bread and butter is a good thing
to hungry man; but bread and cream
with curl of treacle, is enough to
throw full man off his equilibrium.
If my readers are disposed to Judge
me harshly. let them fast for seven
teen or eighteen hours, when con-
valescent, after an attack Of rheumat-
ic gout, and have a piece of bread
and thunder and lightning passed be-
fore their eyes. Then only will they
be able to judge me with justice. If
| had only been hungry might have
restrained myself, but the alcoholic
drink poured into that vast vacuum
had robbed me Of all self-restraint,
At the sight Of the child with the
round Of bread and cream | was like
one mad That, and that only would
restore me to sobriety, would recover
my strength, would enable me to reach
my destination. I stood opposite the
child Watching it. My eyes seemed
to sink in solid Jumps into those
creamy depths. My teeth chattered
My hands became spasmodically
clenched. Convulsive movements
possed over my face. Spasms con-
tracted my vitals. l felt as if my
spine yawned and closed again with a
snap. Il must, l will have your bread
and cream" [ said IN hoarse voice, ap
preaching the child. do not scream,
do not run away; | will not hurt you,
but have your food [ will"
The little one started to its feet.
and shrieked at the sight of my wild
face and ravening jaws. It tried to
escape. Then | caught it by the
shoulder with one hand, wrenched the
bread from it with the other, and was
about, with a sigh Of satisfaction, to
ram the whole round into my mouth
and down my throat, when hand
clutched my neck. I was held as in a
wise. I heard, 1--WE have you now,
you drunken vagabond, robbing and
assaulting child. I've been foller-
ing you ever SO long. First, entering
Mrs, Whiteaway's and frightening
her into fits; then insulting Mr.. Parn-
acott: then that owdacious. you in
vaded the Park; and last, after drink
ing more with Miller Cudmore, you
assault and rob the child"
The bread was taken from ME, to
be produced at the petty sessions as
evidence against me. | collapsed al
together, and sank fainting at the
feet of the rural policeman. [ had
neither strength nor spirit left.
| have not much more to tell.
I was had mp before the magistrates
on the double charge Of drunkenness
and assault. I remember every word
that the presiding magistrate said in
passing sentence. HIS words burnt
themselves into my brain. [ had been
unable to deny that was intoxicated,
for I knew that the miller's cider had
upset my head.
The magistrate said that it was a
matter Of regret to himself and the
entire bench that bank holidays should
furnish so many cases for the inter-
ference of the police. It was humil-
iating for US, as Englishmen, to con-
slider that a certain large class of En-
glishmen seemed incapable Of enjoy
ing holiday without making beasts
of themselves. 1t was especially dis
tressing to the bench to have brought
before them one who, by his position,
should set an example to old and
young, and by his education should be
superior to low and groveling vices.
Considering that this was first Of
fense, and that | seemed penitent, the
bench was disposed to deal leniently
with me, in the hope that this would
be warning to me which [ might nev-
er forget, and that on bank holidays [
should be especially careful Row dis
posed Of my time The bench would
impose on me nominal fine of one
which, with the expenses,
would make sixteen. The chairman,
IN conclusion, expressed his sincere
nope that this was the last time [
should appear before them under such
circumstance. He must
idd, for his own part, that he felt
md he had no doubt his fellow-magis-
rates on the bench concurred with
lim-that had made matters worse
oy the altogether preposterous expla-
lation of the circumstances which L
lad offered as my excuse, and which
was impossible for them to receive.
This sentence was followed by a
special meeting Of the School Board,
Ittended by all the members. After
he meeting I was informed by the
Secretary that my services would be
dispensed with at the end of three
months, when the substitute who had
AIKEN my place during my illness
would become permanent head master
f the school. The Secretary regret
ed, on behalf Of the committee, that
ny recent conduct had been such as
O leave them no choice in the matter.
Thus it happens that l am no long
IL Lonln,a aSfo,. haua onnlied for