ce, Malsis Hall. On the face of it, it did
appear as though their playful accusation was correct, as the great
function was to come off in a week's time.

TRIP TO MALSIS HALL

Great were the preparations that were made for the affair, which was on
nearly everybody's tongue. The spinning and weaving trade was at that
time in a very brisk condition, and peace and plenty appeared to reign
triumphant. At last, the great day arrived:--

The day wor fine, the sun did shine,
No signs o' rain to fall
When t' North Beck hands, i' jovial bands,
Did visit Malsis Hall.

Up by the hill o' North Beck Mill,
Both owd an' young did meet;
To march, I trow, i' two-by-two
I' procession down the street.

An' Marriner's band, wi' music grand,
Struck up wi' all ther might;
Then one an' all, both great an' small,
Marched on wi' great delight.

Arrived at Keighley Station, the large party took possession of a special
train which was in waiting, and were safely conveyed to Crosshills.

This jovial band, when they did land,
Got off the train so hearty,
For they all went wi' that intent--
To have a grand tea-party!

Then to the place, each smiling face,
Moved on in grand succession.
The lookers-on did say, "Well done!
It is a grand procession."

The "grand procession" passed into the park, and up to Malsis Hall. A
hymn was lustily sung, and then the people were free to ramble about the
grounds to their hearts' content. Gaily-coloured flags and bunting were
displayed in profusion, and with the additional charm of the "pleasing
sounds of music creeping into their ears" the quondam mill-workers could
well imagine themselves permitted to spend a brief interval in a very
paradise. But when the time for the "real" part of the feast was come, lo
and behold! there was a great disaster--

All but one sort o' bread ran short,
but it wor no fault o' t' maister.
O! Caterer; thy bread an' bun
An' judgement they were scanty;
O! what a shame, an' what a name
For not providing plenty.

O! Billy Brown thou might have known
To eyt each one wor able,
The country air did mak' some swear--
They could ommost eyt a table!

Despite this slight "hitch," we all "made the best of it," and succeeded
in enjoying ourselves until the evening, when the closure was
unceremoniously applied to the proceedings by a heavy thunders