Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-07-02

The Unicorn. which seems to have com
plctply escaped the attention OF Euglish
antiquarinns and travellers, ~ not only re-
murkube for It's associations, IN having
been the most important iuu near the
border, between York and Glasgow aud
Edinburg in olden times. hut In also be
ing the largest Of those ancient English
roadside hostelries still extnnt which
were called into existence by the neccs
stiles Of travel In the old coaching days
At its very door the Royal Mail began
the ascent over the Great North road 90
weird, drcury aud vast Stahemoor, poo
pied only by witch and warlock; silent
ever save from bowling tunpesis; aud
with no sen hlauce Of humpns upon IT,
save at It's dusolato top. where William
the Conqucrcr and Malcolm of Scotland
fought dreadfully aud long TO decide The
boundaries of their respective kingdomN
aud then wisely stopped and toasted
sensibly deciding that ON the very spot
should be raised the great R0 lnow
1lore) cross, or Gross of Kings on one
side Of which was craven The image OF
William. aud on the etber bat Of Nal
colin; but 800 years have eaten these old
faces away; and nome others will be
seen until Kirby stephen, NESTING ~
the valley on the other side TOWARDS
ancient Penrith and Carlisle is reached;
all Of which gave travellers chcer az the
Unicorn special zest not unmiNcd with
a tnge of drcnd
lis form is Of double quadrangle,
each fully 100 feet square, The one next
the street has It's entire flpnt open To
the great Vineyard thus formed. The two
sides admitting the street comprised re
spcctiyay the inn pruper-a long, two
storicd and garreted structure. with q
perfect maze Of curious old rooms M
proachcl by outlandish stairs, entries aud
landings, and rendered additionally DO
wildering by countless inches, cupbonrds
alroves and blind panels; and the other
a huge brew-h0use, with dozens Of gran
cries and storc-rooms behind. Tho side
opposite the street provided Offices nnd
sleeping accommodations for guards
post-boys. whips and all those inn.helperS
concerned IN working the coaches, or
dealing with the tired cattle OF the many
travellers on horseback, merchandise
packers and wagoners passing between
England and Scotland u century ago
In this quadrangle are also many open
stone sheds, with filed roofs stone feed
boxes aud neat, slanttd cobblesiohe
floors, where private vehicles ana way
oners could find tcml9rnry sheiter u
great numbers: and IN the center OF this
quadrangle, set about with stone drink
ing-troughs, IL the most tremendous an
Gent pump l have found in England,
still crcaldngly serving the scauty uses
of the present degenerate days.
me quadrangle DtnlNu wv llN NhAN
Is formed by what remains Of the ancient
stone stables, where scores of pairs Of
post-horses could have found comfortable
quurters and as many more carriers
and packers cattle had molsholier and
care In the hostel proper the huge old
kitchen must have quite fqunied the "a
nous kitchen Of old ST Anrys hull,
Coventry. There are stil 10 hc seen
half dozen coffee and breakfast rooms,
low, with deep wiudOw-seniH, quaint cup
boards aud old oak pancling. where
guests were served in parties ind groups,
instead Of In common hall There are
tons and tons of lead Ia the roof CUTTERS.
about the window-frumes aud still firm.
~ holding the ancient tiny punes. Of
glass Little old parlors and sitting
rooms. with curious windows and most
ancient stucco work are SIN rccogniza-
BILE, but most Interesting u al, aud Illus
trating the customs Of that early time u
a tiny tap-room opening into the rear OF
the lanyard.
ary into wall and lOor. It's huge hrr-
place Is full Of tiny cranes for steafning
kettles. In one corner Is an oaken bed
enclosed In closet-lke frame, where
landlord or barlnan could not only re-
tire at night completely from sight, lti
also lock himself in npainl upronr and
disturbance; and the WIDOW to THIS
room Is a low. porily bow. IN the center
Of which. above tiny stout shelf, Is
single hinged pane Through this the
stablemcn, hnnRers-on, the late night
travellers. who might be honest or other
wise, were served with usqnebaugl or
n joram- only after they had deposited
the coin Of tho rollin and the latter had
reached the hostel treasury great
buckslin bag within the dark receases
Of the barmhn's fortified he'd
A wonderful old curio Is the Unicorn
at Bowes, all unknown 20 the people "
England themselves Ike the village
Il Is dead IN It's shell. It's oakcn timbers.
as those In Haielghs OLD home at You
ghai. seem everlasting: but its moaning
befry. il empty stables, " crunbllng
dovecotes. It's forlorn brew house, rs
empty tap room, is. gras~gfown inn-
yard. and even it, present occupancy by
q strange creature half nlonshman and
half echoolmasicr. who smres liailresiy
up and down the great Norlh road for
occasional victim IN wandering bycirllst.
less frequent Literary tramp, or yokei
from the near field. all serve 20 empha-
size by contrast the cheer aud stirring
days that once were hereL
As everywhere IN EHglapd along ~