re the happy hours we have spent
together on the stage. His letter says he is in California, where he is
occupying a good situation as registrar of a town of about 10,000
inhabitants. He says he has left off acting and wishes to know if I have
done the same; and he also inquires after many of his old Keighley
friends. This sentence leads me to refer to a few more of my own friends
in the days of yore. There is the Rev William Thawbrey, a Wesleyan
Methodist minister at Keighley, who subsequently took up work in the
mission field in South Africa. Then there are the late Mr Thomas
Carrodus, the manager of the Yorkshire Penny Bank at Keighley, the
Brothers Kay, Mr Joshua Robinson, and Mr James Lister,--all of whom were
fellow stage amateurs of mine. The hand of death has passed heavily over
my old friends--particularly those with whom I moved on the amateur
theatrical stage--and I can number on my fingers those who have been
left.

CHAPTER XXV

MR JONAS BOTTOMLEY

I had not a little to do with the late Mr Jonas Bottomley, of mint rock
fame. I first became acquainted with him in the warp department at Messrs
Lund's in West-lane. He came to ask me if I would write his "manifesto,"
or election address, as he intended "standing" for the Local Board and
the Board of Guardians. I wrote out the address, but Mr Bottomley did not
succeed in getting on either of the Boards. It was soon afterwards that
the Prince of Wales was announced to visit Milner Field, Saltaire. Mr
Bottomley had hit upon some idea or other, and he came to ask me who was
the likeliest person to write a letter to the Prince of Wales. I referred
him to the late Rev J. Room, vicar of Eastwood. Mr Bottomley accordingly
waited upon Mr Room, who, however, said he had come to the wrong person;
he (Mr Room), was not in the habit of addressing kings and princes, and
lords and dukes, but he could refer him to a man who was. Mr Room said he
knew nobody better for the work than Bill o' th' Hoylus End. So Mr
Bottomley appealed to me, and, with some demur, I penned a rough epistle,
which was couched somewhat as follows:--"To His Royal Highness Albert
Edward Prince of Wales.--May it please your Royal Highness to accept a
package of mint rock from your humble servant. And, in addition, while
your Royal Highness is staying in the locality, I should very greatly
appreciate an interview. If you could see your way to consent to my
earnest longing you would greatly oblig