Produced by Steven Gibbs, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net THE CHEQUERS: BEING THE Natural History of a Public-house, SET FORTH IN _A LOAFER'S DIARY_. EDITED BY JAMES RUNCIMAN, AUTHOR OF "SKIPPERS AND SHELLBACKS," ETC. London: WARD AND DOWNEY, 12, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] Dedication. TO PHILIP WOOD AND JOHN WOOD, OF SOUTH SHIELDS. GENTLEMEN,--This record of ruined lives is inscribed to you, for it is mainly owing to you that I have gained such gruesome experience. From the day when, as a boy of seventeen, I formed my connection with your honourable house, I have owed my professional success to your culture, your generosity, and your admirable relations with the police force. My Sovereign and many other people have been pleased to approve my strange labours; but my chief distinction in life arises from my being your relative. With feelings which I cannot describe, I remain, Your obliged and grateful, JAMES RUNCIMAN. CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTION 1 THE WANDERER 6 THE PINK TOM CAT 23 TEDDY 46 THE WANDERER AGAIN 64 THE ROBBERY 77 ONE OF OUR ENTERTAINMENTS 92 MERRY JERRY AND HIS FRIENDS 108 THE GENTLEMAN, THE DOCTOR, AND DICKY 123 POACHERS AND NIGHTBIRDS 140 JIM BILLINGS 155 OUR PARLOUR COMPANY 175 A QUEER CHRISTMAS 192 JACK BROWN 215 THE CHEQUERS. INTRODUCTION.