"How do you know that I am an English gentleman?" said I.
"Oh, I know Englishman at first sight; no one like him in the whole
world."
"Have you seen many English gentleman?" said I.
"Oh yes, have seen plenty when I have been up in London."
"Have you been much in London?"
"Oh yes; when I was a drover was up in London every month."
"And were you much in the society of English gentlemen when you
were there?"
"Oh yes; a great deal."
"Whereabouts in London did you chiefly meet them?"
"Whereabouts? Oh, in Smithfield."
"Dear me!" said I; "I thought that was rather a place for butchers
than gentlemen."
"Great place for gentlemen, I assure you," said the figure; "met
there the finest gentleman I ever saw in my life; very grand, but
kind and affable, like every true gentleman. Talked to me a great
deal about Anglesey runts, and Welsh legs of mutton, and at parting
shook me by the hand, and asked me to look in upon him, if I was
ever down in his parts, and see his sheep and taste his ale."
"Do you know who he was?" said I.
"Oh yes; know all about him; Earl of Leicester, from county of
Norfolk; fine old man indeed - you very much like him - speak just
in same way."
"Have you given up the business of drover long?" said I.
"Oh yes; given him up a long time, ever since domm'd railroad came
into fashion."
"And what do you do now?" said I.
"Oh, not much; live upon my means; picked up a little property, a
few sticks, just enough for old crow to build him nest with -
sometimes, however, undertake a little job for neighbouring people
and get a little money. Can do everything in small way, if
necessary; build little bridge, if asked; - Jack of all Trades -
live very comfortably."
"And where do you live?"
"Oh, not very far from Tregaron."
"And what kind of place is Tregaron?"
"Oh, very good place; not quite so big as London but very good
place."
"What is it famed for?" said I,
"Oh, famed for very good ham; best ham at Tregaron in all Shire
Cardigan."
"Famed for anything else?"
"Oh yes! famed for great man, clever thief, Twm Shone Catti, who
was born there."
"Dear me!" said I; "when did he live?"
"Oh, long time ago, more than two hundred year."
"And what became of him?" said I; "was he hung?"
"Hung, no! only stupid thief hung. Twm Shone clever thief; died
rich man, justice of the peace and mayor of Brecon."
"Very singular," said I, "that they should make a thief mayor of
Brecon."
"Oh Twm Shone Catti very different from other thieves; funny
fellow, and so good-natured that everybody loved him - so they made
him magistrate, not, however, before he had become very rich man by
marrying great lady who fell in love with him."
"Ah, ah," said I; "that's the way of the world.
