214 MEMORIES OF THE SHIRES 



playing a mad prank, and a history of his numerous 

 practical jokes would fill a volume. He was always 

 ready for a fight, and could hold his own in a 

 scrap ; but his great delight was to blow up something 

 with dynamite, and he had some very narrow 

 shaves of killing himself with that explosive. 

 Popular with every one and beloved by those who 

 knew him intimately, his comparatively early 

 death cut short a career, which might have accom- 

 plished something, when attaining years of sober 

 discretion. 



Capt. Hartopp had a very powerful voice, was 

 very fond of singing, and in great request at village 

 concerts. He and his friend Major " Sugar " 

 Candy had an argument as to which could sing 

 the best, and with a small wager on the result 

 they competed against each other on the stage 

 at the Aquarium. At the time that building, 

 amongst other entertainments, ran a sort of variety 

 show, and was under the management of a well- 

 known character "Fatty" Coleman, who was 

 asked to act as judge. 



" Fatty " told me about it many years later, 

 and in the presence of Major Candy. Neither of 

 the competitors would have made a fortune at a 

 concert hall; but it was a good race, and "the 

 Chicken " was eventually placed first. Both men 

 usually treated hfe as a joke and tried to get 

 the maximum of fun out of it ; but on this occasion 

 they were desperately in earnest and very serious in 

 their efforts. 



The competitors and judge have all three now 

 left the stage of hfe, but none of them will be 

 forgotten by friends who are still aUve. 



