PETERSFIELD.
RAILWAY v. THE HIGH CONSTABLE.—“There’s nothing certain under the sun,” says the proverb, and so it happened in the instance of our narrative. On the 19th inst. “The high constable of Harting,” a respectable and worthy man, had, received in his official capacity, a charge, viz., “John Frost,” a lunatic, to convey to Guildford. Now, the said ‟high constable,” in accordance with his general habits of foresight, took a return ticket, and proceeded to his destination. After performing his official duty, he, like a right good man, as he is, to his own and everybody else’s satisfaction, met the “down train” on his return to Petersfield. Now the said ‟high constable,” having comfortably seated himself, and feeling that ‟sufficient for the day is the evil thereof,” quietly placed himself in position, and having so done, he soon ‟fell into the arms of Morpheus.” In this delightful state (having no cares of the world upon his mind) he unconsciously arrived at Petersfield, whence, not acknowledging the salute to unseat, he was taken on to the Havant station. Here, the worthy “high constable,” after rubbing his eyes and taking a comfortable stretch, found to a certainty his mistake, with an additional one shilling and ninepence for his ride. Being now twelve miles from his home, and unable to obtain a bed for the night, he made the best of his case by providing himself with a good long pipe and some of his favorite weed, and then starting on his journey upon the “marrow-bone stage” to his home, which, after a long and solitary walk, he reached, to the great satisfaction of his anxious household. He, then, in accordance with the good old rule, took his supper and “one pipe after,” then placing himself in an easy attitude, quietly delighted his gratified circle, by giving, in his usual good style, ‟There’s no place like home.” Thus ended the trials and disappointments by iron rail, of the ‟high constable” of Harting, in the county of Sussex.