10 REMINISCENCES, ETC. 



over the iron rails in front of the bank. While his master 

 was inside, the horse stood across the street. A coalheaver 

 coming by with his cart gave the nag a flanker with 

 his whip, which nearly sent him into the bank window. 

 This brought out the squire. " Why did you strike my 

 horse ? " was the inquiry. " Because he was in my way," 

 was the reply. " Defend yourself," was the rejoinder ; and 

 the coalheaver doffed his smock frock while the squire but- 

 toned up his coat and turned up his cuffs. At it they went 

 with a hearty good will. For the first time in his life Tom 

 Smith found he had got his match and something more to 

 contend with ; for the fellow stood six feet and weighed 

 fourteen stone. There was no flinching on either side, and 

 they followed one another up and down the street as closely 

 as a loving couple in a country dance. The noise, however, 

 Boon brought the constables, and the combatants were sepa- 

 rated amidst the cheering of the crowd. " You will hear 

 of me again," said the squire to his resolute antagonist, as 

 he mounted his horse and rode quietly away. So they 

 parted, each having had apparently pretty well enough. 

 Mr. Smith went out to dine with his friend Edge, to whom, 

 although much punished, and it is reported with a beefsteak 

 over his eye, he told the story with great relish. On the 

 following morning the squire's groom was seen inquiring 

 where the coalheaver lived. His residence having been 

 pointed out, the man knocked at the door for some time. 

 At last it was opened by his wife. " Does the man 

 live here who fought the gentleman by the bank 1 " in- 

 quired the servant. " He did live here, if he is still alive," 

 replied the poor woman, "after the terrible beating he 

 got yesterday." Groans were heard from a bed on 

 which the man was lying, having the fear of an arrest for 

 striking a gentleman before his eyes. " Mr. Smith has sent 

 me to give you this five-pound note, and to tell you, that 

 you are the best man that ever stood before him." " God 

 bless his honour," exclaimed the fellow, jumping up from 



