JACK PAEKER. 207 



Normanby, were two of his regular followers. The Rev. 

 James Montagu (who died on August 10, 1905, aged 96) 

 was another chaplain of the Sinnington, when curate at 

 Lastingham having as his companions the vicar of Helmsley 

 and Hawke, and the curate of Oswaldkirk. This was an epoch 

 when every other country clergyman came out to hounds 

 and was the better able to live the life he preached because 

 of the good health and contentment these days with hound 

 and horse gave him. As the lines have it : — 



Here's a health to the parson dispising control, 



Who to better his parish, his health or his soul, 



On my honour, I think, he does each. 



Five days in the week follows the fox and the hound, 



On the sixth duly goes his parochial round, 



And on Sunday devoutly can preach. 



Jack Parker did not confine himself to the Church, 

 continues Mr. Barr, for sometimes I saw him go to 

 the Wesleyan Chapel at Kirbymoorside, which was near 

 his home, and there to pay his devotions when most people 

 would have expected him at a pub. Jack had a fine voca- 

 bulary of " cuss words " which meant nothing — I am sure 

 it will not take an eternity of purgatory to clear off his debt 

 of wrong doing. 



To the same informant I am also indebted for the following 

 story regarding Jack Ventriss, another well-known Sinnington 

 sportsman : — 



He was an eccentric character, and though he resided at Marton, 

 his family had sprung from the dales. Jack was clever with horses, 

 and part of his business was keeping stallions, which travelled over a 

 wide area. He usually " made a day " of it when he had been hunting, 

 and thought a " sup o' gin very comforting " — at least his wife, Bessie, 

 would say so, and she could talk. Jack was most amiable and humorous 

 in his cups, but would employ vulgar expressions and comparisons 

 which we will pass. To appease his wife when especially late home, 

 he would commence as soon as ever he opened the door with — " I've 

 bowt tha a coo, Bess. Does ta hear ? Ah say, Ah've bowt tha a coo — 

 with sike a yower ez thoo nivver seed ! Gan an leeak at her " ; or, 

 " Bess, Ah've fetched tha a new gown." Once when he had more gin 

 than usual on board he commenced the following story, which no doubt 

 had its origin over the warm fire at one or the other of the Kirby hostels, 

 ere his wife could commence to let off steam — " Wait noo, Bess, wait 



