•^ 'Some few years ago one of the best customers of a well-
fcDOwn tavem at Hertford, was a celebrated sermulot-
kinter, known by the familiar title of " Whistling Joe ;"
imd though in my boyish days I knew this burly, happy,
'kalthy-looking hero well, from his being in the habit of
'ffilliDg at the school-house in his professional capacity, still
I could never ascertain his surname ; but it never gave me
-uuch trouble, since every one seemed perfectly satisfied to
call and recognize him by the appropriate cognomen of
'*• Whistling Joe the Ratcatcher."

■; ' A few months since, as I was walking from Ware to Hert-
ybrd for the purpose of ascertaining something with regard
to this well-known character, I met an old countryman and
three young ones ; when, for the purpose of drawing them
iBto conversation, I asked my way to Hertford. '*Qo
^Iraight ahead," said the old man, " an' youll run your nose
bang agin it T* After such a polished piece of informa-
tion, I inquired if ever he knew a man by the name of
**-Whistling Joe." This question had the effect of transforming
him at once into a civilized being. " Oh yes, sir," said he, " I
know'd him ; he wa' a terrible chap ! Do you know, sir,
when I wa' a young man he gi'd me just what I wanted ? " —
" Indeed, and what was that, pray V* " Why, he gi'd me
the soundest hiding I ever had, and broke two o' my ribs
Hot insulting his dog. Still, what wa' better nor that, he
sever let me want, but looked to me every day till I was able
to go to work again." — " But how did you insult his dog ?"
'* Why you see, sir, I thought I was as good a man as he ;
no I Hcked his dog." — " And for that he broke your ribs?"
^Just so, sir; but, lor', talk o' fighting, why there wasn't a
man i ound about as dared look at him in. tW, -t?^^ \ V^ ^^
the terror of the whole county. At tl:i© saxn^ ^Am^ft, ^, \nR^
wa' as gentle and kind-hearted as a gfiA. Asxil «a to: ^^^g



138 THE BAT.
