104 A COCK-FIGHTING MAGISTRATE OF 50 YEARS AGO. 



and was observed one night to be attaching it to the village 

 pump, with the aid of a lantern ; and strange to say, he was 

 never disillusioned ! It is only right to add that he was 

 strictly entitled to the honour, of which first the Empire, 

 and then the Republic had deprived his forefathers ; and 

 that by reason of his distinguished mien and appearance, 

 few men could better have supported the high rank to 

 which he was de jure born. 



What the Butler knew I 



Being a Story of a "Story" ! 



John Bainbrigge Story, Esq., J. P., of Lockington Hall, 

 one Sunday morning betook himself to the butler's pantry, 

 and with rather a shame-faced air — so it seemed to the 

 butler — requested that worthy to mix him a stiff glass of 

 whiskey and soda. The old butler, whilst attending to his 

 master's requirements, ventured to remark that it was 

 nearly church time, and soon afterwards himself proceeded 

 to attend the service. He observed the squire enter and 

 also leave the sacred edifice before the sermon commenced. 

 When the service was over the butler walked round by the 

 stables, and noticing an empty stall came to the conclusion 

 that the squire had saddled a horse himself (although a very 

 unusual thing for him to do) and ridden off — but where ? 



Now there had recently been rumours of Cock-fighting 

 taking place at Donnington Park — the seat of the Marquess 

 of Hastings — and the butler, at once grasping the situation, 

 instantly surmised that thither the Squire had surrepti- 

 tiously made his way ; but like a good and faithful servant, 

 determined to keep his own counsel. One o'clock and 

 lunch time came, but not so the Squire ! whose devoted 

 wife thereupon asked the butler if his master had gone 

 out ? to which the butler discreetly replied, that he had 



