Beverley and East Riding Telegraph. — 1895-08-03 (Beverley, Humberside, England)

HEDON HOOTS.  BY "THE OWL." It was the week of the contest in Holderness, and the sad visaged bird had ventured out one evening earlier than is his wont. Flitting quietly over the cobbles his keen eye detected a stranger. Now had this stranger borne a pleasant look the owl would probably have passed him by unnoticed. As it was, his dejected appearance evoked a sympathetic feeling in the breast of the feathered creature, who ventured to ascertain the meaning of the visitor's gloomy appearance.  * * * "Fine old place! Grand old church ! " proceeded the bird. "Perhaps it is," returned the stranger. "Lovely and quiet." said the owl. No answer was forthcoming, the stranger looked significantly at the cobbles and then at a carrier's cart which was briskly approaching. "Such comfortable old-fashioned hostelries," continued the bird. This was the last straw, and aroused the visitor from his lethargy. He gave his companion a look calculated to loosen his feathers, and proceeded to unfold his grievances.  He had been summoned to Hedon on important business, and had arrived there after a long journey " Barnaby Budge" had been his companion on the route, and he had pictured himself comfortably ensconced in a Hedon edition of the famous " Maypole " at the end of his journey. Having been directed to one of the principle hotels in the town, thither he proceeded, bag and baggage. After depositing the latter his mind reverted tc the inner man, and mine host was interrogated on that subject.  Now our friend was hungry and his appetite inclined to a substantial beefsteak, and acting on its advice he ordered a piece of rump. "Very sorry, sir; but cannot accon,wodate you," replied the landlord. Mutton chops were also "off," and after running through the usual hotel tariff the climax was reached by our friend learning that even those toothsome delicacies yclept sausages were unobtainable. In desperation he rushed from the house determined to obtain a beefsteak at any price. Still disappointment dogged his footsteps. The butchers' shops were closed and the occupiers absent.  It was at this juncture the owl arrested the stranger's attention. Such a melancholy narrative enlisted the sympathy of that bird to the fullest degree. Suicide was debated; but fortunately a happier way out of the difficulty presented itself. The owl was an authority on local chronological events, and it occurred to its mind that some six months previously a fine hog had been missed from a sty attached to this particular hotel. Nocturnal visits in search of mice had also re aled the fact that two fine hams had also been lo ted for a time in the chimney. These events were hi ted to the stranger, and his visage changed. e quickly retraced his steps in the direction of AIR hotel, and when the owl fluttered over the stack) of chimney pots half-an-hour later the pleasing odour of frizzling Yorkshire ham and eggs proclaimed the fact that the stranger's dinner was on its way.  * • Our townsman, Mr. J. Marshall, was very successful with his exhibits at the Aldbrough Flower Show on Thursday last week His fine group of plants, arranged for effect, was awarded first prize in the class open to all corners.  * For three stove or greenhouse plants the same exhibitor carried off both first and second awards, and the first prize for three ferns was also brought to Hedon. In a special class for specimen plants both first and second prizes also fell to the share of the Hedon man, as did the prize for three geraniums.  Mr. Marshall also obtained prizes for cut roses and dahlias, roses arranged for effect, collection of cut blooms, and for cauliflower.  * Sir Albert Rollit, who opened the sale of work last week at Lambert House, evinces great interest in Holderness churches. He has taken part in the movements for restoring Winestead and Patrington churches at various periods.  * An old and respected inhabitant of Hedon has been removed from our midst. Mrs. Beete, wife of Henry Beete, silversmith, died on Saturday last.  Mrs. Kelsey, wife of our Superintendent, was amongst the prize winners at Aldbrough last week.