EXPERIENCES & REMINISCENCES. 155 



offering the keeper half-a-crown, which the latter declined to 

 accept. " Well," said Jones, " I'm not particular to a crown," 

 handing a bit of the family plate to the keeper, which the latter 

 refused, saying " No, I can't take that, if you haven't a permit 

 from the squire you must come with me to the Hall." Jones 

 accordingly had to do so. The result was that Jones was 

 informed by the squire he could either have his rod and tackle 

 confiscated and pay two guineas to the County Hospital, or, as 

 an alternative, submit to be prosecuted for fishing in private 

 waters without leave. Jones, being a man of some position, 

 submitted with a bad grace and gave up his rod and tackle and 

 handed over two guineas for the Hospital. 



Needless to say, he returned considerably crestfallen, and no 

 sooner had the dinner-cloth cleared away than, addressing 

 Smith, he said " You're a thundering liar when you say you 

 " fished the private stream in the Park and only tipped the 

 " keeper half-a-crown. I've been there to-day and the keeper 

 " not only refused the crown I offered him as a tip, but lugged 

 " me off to the hall, and the squire has confiscated my rod and 

 " tackle and made me pay 2 2s. od. to the Hospital Fund." 

 Smith replied, " I am not a liar, but I omitted to tell you 

 " fellows when you bet me IDS. each the other night that 1 had 

 " a permit from the squire to fish the Park stream. Good- 

 " night all. I hope you'll have a good night, Jones." Mr. 

 Hopper understands that the writer of the angling notes in the 

 Yorkshire Weekly Post is responsible for this angling story, and 

 if such be the case it is only right to acknowledge its source. 



