ule at
all the local elections: our little band of "conspirators" were pretty
sure to return their candidates, or a good majority of them. Eventually
Mr James Leach "put up," and he was elected to nearly every public body
in the town; and this through the agency of the party I have mentioned.
At this time great interest was taken in many of the elections, notably
that of the Local Board.

REMOVAL TO BRADFORD

For a time my connection with Keighley was severed as I went to reside at
Bradford. During my stay I became mixed up with literary characters--Mr
J. O. Mee, editor of the _Bradford Observer_; Mr Joseph White, author of
a volume of poems and several prose works, and others. I made weekly
contributions to the literary column of the _Observer_. I may mention
that many of my best productions date from this period, when I was
occupying a cellar cottage in Croft-street, Bradford. Perhaps the Editor
will pardon me for introducing my verses, entitled "Joe Hobble; or, fra
Howorth to Bradferth":--

Fra Howorth tahn the other day,
Bi t' route o' Thornton height,
Joe Hobble an' his better hawf
Went into Bradferth straight.

Nah Joe i' Bradferth were afore,
But sho hed nivver been;
But hahsumivver they arrived
Safe inta t' Bowling Green.

They gave a lad a parkin pig,
As on the street they went,
Ta point 'em aat St. George's Hall
An' Oastler's Monument.
But t'little jackanape being deep,
An' thinking they'd nivver knaw,
Show'd Joseph Hobble an' his wife
T' first monument he saw.

As sooin as Joe gat up ta t' rail,
His een blazed in his heead,
Exclaimin' they mud just as weel
Ha' goan an' robb'd the deead.

But whoivver's ta'en them childer dahn,
Away fra poor owd Dick,
Desarves his heead weel larapin'
Wi' a dahn gooid hazel stick.

T' lad, seein' Joe froth at t' mouth,
He sooin tuke ta his heels;
For asteead o' Oastler's Monument,
He'd shown 'em Bobby Peel's!

PLAY WRITING

It was while in Bradford that I wrote the drama entitled, "The Wreck of
the Bella; or, the Life and Adventures of Roger Tichborne." The drama,
which was revised by an old Bradford actor, was written for my friend Joe
Gledhill's benefit. Joe and a company which he got together played the
drama at the Drill Hall, Keighley, and the performance turned out a great
success. I had not intended any use for my production