JOHN LITTLE
JOHN LITTLE.
About this date, it was currently reported that Weightman had engaged to go
to London to undertake the duties of porter at Carlton Palace. No finer
looking man could have been selected for this post, but it was not his luck
to exchange the bleak north for such desirable quarters. Had he been
removed to so aristocratic an atmosphere, it is more than probable that his
hot Border blood would have led him into no end of difficulties; as it did,
for instance, at the magistrates' office in Carlisle, when he quarrelled
over a disputed fall in the wrestling ring, with a big burly fellow, named
Tom Hodgson from Wigton. During the trial, Weightman lost all control over
his temper, and swore eighteen or nineteen times, although reprimanded for
his profanity again and again. On being told that the magistrates intended
to fine him a shilling for each and every oath he had sworn, in accordance
with an old act recorded in the statute books, he exclaimed: "Fine me for
ivery oath I've sworn? That's a bonny go! Wey, I med as weel mak' it an
even pund, than!" And accordingly he did so.Source: Wrestlings and Wrestlers
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