A DINNER INTERFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 141, 30 April 1879, Page 3

A DINNER INTERFERENCE.

"When the late General Bligh of the British army was a captain in a marching regiment lie ami his lady were traveling in Yorkshire, and put up at an inn where'therc happened to be only as much in the larder as would serve them for dinner, which was immediately ordered. In the meantime some sporting gentlemen of the country came in, and finding there was nothing in the house hut what was getting ready for another company, tasked who they were. The landlord «olcl them he did not directly know, but he believed the gentleman an Irish officer. " Oh, well, if he's Irish," said one of the company, " a potato will servo him. Here, waiter, take this watch," (pulling an elegant gold watch) •'< carry it upstairs, and ask this gentleman what's o'clock." Mr Bligh, as may well be imagined, was not pleased at such an impudent message, but recollecting himself a moment, took the watc'i from the waiter, and desired him to present his compliments to the company, and he would tell them before he parted. This message however, caused his dinner to be sent up to him in quiet ; after eating which, he ■clapped a couple of large horse-pistols under his arms, and going downstairs introduced himself into the company by telling them he was come to let them know what o'clock it ■ was, but first begged to be informed to which of the gentlemen the watch he'onged. Here a dead si'ence ensued. Mr .Bligh then began on his right hand by asising them severally the question. Each of them denied knowing anything of the circumstance. t: Oh, then, gentlemen," says he, " I find I have mistaken the company. The waiter a while ago .brought me an impudent message Irom some people in this house, which. I came as you sec—(pointing to his pistols) properly to resent ; but 1 find I have mistaken the room." Saying this he wished them a good evening, which they as poltely returned. He paid his bill, stepped into his carriage j and drove off with the watch in his pocket, which he kept to his death, and left it by will, with a large fortune, to his brother the Dean of Elphin.