Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1887-03-05 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

SCRAPOGRAMS.  By JACK MUSHFAKIR, Gorton.  Tunas are some men in Denton who possess more strength than 'cuteness, This fact was ludicrously illustrated the other day. A number of hatters were indulging pretty freely in an alehouse not far from Market-street, when one man who was rather "boosey," and a little verdant, began to boast of his phrical strength, when another man replied "Get away man, why you could'rit pull a cat across a pit at the enil of • rope." This, of course, was lowering the boaster's muscular power to somewhere about sero, and the indignity he Immedi itely rammed. A bet was laid on the point, and arrangements were made for a trial of strength between the boaster and a cat. A rope was procured and the party, followed by many adult spectator., and half a school-houseful of children, adjaurned to the pod at the rear of the Local Board alms, across which the rope was thro•n. Some of the party busied theumelv es in fastening its end securely around the whit of this boasting champion, who was placed with hie back to the pond, and the binding was secure enough to do credit to the Davenport Brother.. The other end of the rope was attended to by • man named William., who acted as Master of the Ceremonies, and who was supposed to harness "pussy" ou his side of the pond; but instead o, the feline quadruped being attached • number of his confederate bipeds laid hold, and began to pull, when lot the rope-belted champion, at the other end, was brought backward, much against his will, on "all fours' to the water's edge, and certainly would have been dragged is, were it not for the timely amistanoe of some men from the crowd. At this etage of the proceedings over a hundred people had assembled—some thinking it wise • prim light, while others believed it was a ease of drowning. Luckily the victim was saved from the rope, and the affair wm considered a good hoax. The appearanoe of Mr. Moore. the School Attendance (Mbar, caused a number Of the truant children to become invisible, and the crowd dispersed quietly without the intervention of Her Majesty's men of buttons and batons. "Dragging a ant aorom • pond" is an old trick, but it was new to the hoaxed victim in this instance, and he is now ready to knock any fellow into the middle of next week who dare. to cry "mew" at him in an alehouse.  . Tile New Road ghost is a white one; bet gimes are of all "ehades," olaseee, and colours; and though strange, it is an historical feat that they generally appear to ardent lovers when out late at night for a walk. The reason of this is, the goblins know that young people when "spooning" are, for the time being very eensitive, and often suffering from • Crumb • mental aberration; and, moreover, there is • sort of fellow feeling between ghoete and lovers—both prefer secluded plums. There La • lonemumedooking lane leading from Abbey Hey to the Corporation's Waterworks, and it is a regular “hatint" of ghoeta and aweethearta—the former, it most be admitted, are sometimes very •übstsoual, although the disturbing effect they produce on that° who are "spooney" is as real a• if they came On • special 001I.Mitlai011 from Hada. A recent instance of this kind may be given. A youth, belonging to Risher Openithear, was walking his beloved out, on • dark night some two weeks ago, in the lane just mentioned, and as they approaelsvd the end wows the game mark the mamma to the premise, of the Waterworke, they halted and Mood fairing towards the hedge and the reservoir. Within • few feet of the loving pair stood two men, wholly unobserved in the darken... One of these j men vras a hatter living near the 'Wilton," and the other was • friend of hie from Openshaw who ' bad come over to nee him, and they managed to get partially tight before the Wiltonian started to convey his friend • bit of the way home. They were oboist to bid each other "good night" when Cupid and Pryorie approached, and. I am sorry be bear, they actually stood motionlear and silent listening to the afflicted youth pouring on; sweetly and vehemently, hie borromfol of calf-love. The young lady stood an if studying intently the structural botany of the bush before her. Among the beermohing sentence, of hie burning language might be heard the following matched: "Annie, my darling Annie/ You know lam now getting 12s. a week at the Tank, and I will be 17 years of age 0061 e next Chrmtnias, and you 01121 make fit a week in the Card room ; Oh, do say darling will yen be mine; if you don't I will end my minemble lite in the reservoir or the "out"; never mind what our fathers or mothers would do; you know I would fee* a score of deaths for you, my love; I run as determined ow a tiger; be mine, tweet Annie, and this right arm will ever defend you fr—" At this point the listening Wiltornan, could stand it no longer; he put his apron around hilidhaad he,,.).84... r and gave vent to us ex . lcobral dka o g!oanwithet w  from the other vrerld. Ile ran rip an octave of six tone, and two semitone. e, He then continn d voice "I hare omit to feteh yen • now I shall have my long...ught revenge." l'he youthful and heroic lo,ur, who use.. ',determined as a tiger" ejaculated naw dear! (in seal earncst this time) and staggered back; but as eelf.preservarion is toe fint law of nature, he did not fall, but rallied and eel, aloe( the lane, towards Abbey Lley "running ground," at a rate of speed seklom equalled by the professionals who test their awiftnees there. Ile dropped his hat while turning to ay. The adore I card room hand although she scrammed "awfully" could not bring herself to fall or taint owing to the lane being so dirty; Hoe bad a little more nerve than the flying tiger. The keeper, at the Waterworks lodge, came oat to ern whether the case was a murder or a suicide. The girl continued to scream as she went after tier departed lover. 'rte Wotan bruu...ht aem•• people out from Abbey Hey and these declared they met "Spriug Heeled Jack" that he &sr by them, in the lane, like a whirl wind. After sundry questions, and explanations, by the forsaken young lady, they retraced their steps. The two who were the oniwe of all the ili.turbance thought it wi.at to ernes into the neighbouring field and decamp When they had teen the turn that matters bud taken. Tim "tiger'," hat war found the next morning.