The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-15
Courteous Hold-up Of the
Eighteenth Century, Who
Praeticed Robbery with
Ceshe Ardulness His
Celebrated RIDE On Black
Bess from London to York.

There's hardly wilder story than that
Of Dick Turpin. the noted highwayman
of the eighteenth century. and Of his
mare, Black Bess, on which he rode from
London to York. 200 miles, In fifteen
hours.
OF course, modern historians say II
isn't true, that tale. but-as the Span
iards say-it 10 wen invented, and il
pleasant In the telling.
Mr.. Turpin was one Of those courteous
and eentlemaniy highwsymen who -four
ished IN the days before telegraph wires
and motorcycles had played havoc with
an ancient and honorable trade He lived
in the early part OF the eighteenth CEN
tury. and he seems to come by his calling
naturally, as his father was an Inn
keeper (Smiies and laughter)
Anon, anon, old Mr.. Turpin, they say,
wanted Dick to run meat market, and
he did for q little while, and made quite
profit at II, too. stealing his beef and
mutton instead OF buying 'em from a
grasping trust However. he never had
his heart In that game, and In little
while he gave 1t up. discarded his dirty
white apron, bought q good horse and q
pair Of pistols, and became a celebrity
with price upon his head
He rode up and down lonesome roads
and held up rich travellers. set up the
crowd whenever he came to town, gave
large tips, and was universally beloved
of innkeepers. A large. red-bearded man
was Dick. with q. bald pate and q poetic
soul He used to make up verses about
the giories OF being highwayman. and
these, after few drinks. he would con-
sent 10 sing to the admiring throng.
Mostly they had to do with his horse
Black Bess, who was quite as famous as
Dick himself. Thus. according to Mr..
Ainsworth. chanted Galloping Dick when
the spirit moved him:
Let the lover his mistress beauty rehearss
Be II mine In rude strains but with truth TO
express.
The love that bear to my bonny Black Bess
By MOONLIGHT. IN darkness. By night By day.
Her headiong career there Is nothing can sAy;.
She cares not for distance. she known NOT dis
Can you shcw me a eourser to match with Black
Ben,
Dicks Only Partner.
Women. Mr.. Turpin averred. were de-
ceitful critters. and he never played
around with them much. And he didn't
herd with other highwaymen much. The
only partner for whom he ever cared
was a gentIemanly cut-purse named Tom
King. Dick ran across him one day
when he had Just moved over from his
native heath to Cambridge. feeling that
a cultured university atmosphere, where
the constables wouldn't all call him by
his first name. was desirable Down a
road came Tom on horseback. neatly
dressed and looking prosperous Dick
hoped out Of the brush and told him
TO stand and deliver. At which Tom,
whe also was some shakes at the hold
up game. laughed immoderately and
said:
"Turpin. old scout. you ought to SUBJ
scribe to the thugs blue book. I'm Tom
King"
whereat they clasped hands and went
into partnership and lived happily ever
after until Dick accidentally shot Tom
one night while trying to rescue him
from an overzealous par OF constables.
Getting along, however. to the exploit
which made Dick famous-the ride from
London to York. The distance Is 20
miles. and ordinarily folks took four days
to, ride II. Mr.. Turpin. about O'Clock
of bright spring day. while riding in
the suburbs, came up with couple OF