Quote:
Originally Posted by Phoenix
All I can find on the Surrey History Centre site is this:
"Informations of James Edwards and James Hedger both labourers of Wonersh: accusing Charles Edser of stealing 2 ducks belonging to Richard Sparkes, employer of Hedger. Edser requested it be noted he picked up both ducks from the highway and both were dead" from Quarter Sessions in 1821.
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Well love a duck! And I did
Hope to keep my crime well hid.
But Richard Sparkes was keen and bright,
Saw me leave in dead of night.
But a man must forage where he's able
To put some food upon the table.
Times are hard and getting harder,
Nothing much left in my larder
But one sad sprout and a shriveled carrot
Along with a mouldy, long-dead parrot.
So please M'Lud don't be unkind.
Let me keep my roadkill find.
For I'll be out tonight again
Loitering round the poultry pen
And if a bird should meet early demise
And drop down dead before my eyes
Then its purely chance and fickle fate
It ends up on my dinner plate.
(with apologies to Phoenix for hijacking thread)