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I remember that in my day at the cattle market I lost
a bullock on the railway line, but I think my shining glory was when half a
dozen sheep escaped. At that time at the top of market square Aylesbury, James
Walker, the jewellers had a very smart shop with a heavily recessed entrance,
before entering the shop proper. Chased by young Rogers the sheep headed towards
the top of the square and headed straight for James Walker. The entrance way
funnelled them in and, most unfortunately, it was a hot summers day and the
door was open. Frightened sheep are not good news for jewellers' carpets.
The zenith of my dealing achievements was reached at Aylesbury Cattle Market on a Wednesday. On the previous Monday I had been entrusted with the job of selling the day old chicks at Tring. The pullets were in great demand and made a shilling each. No one wanted the cock and it occurred to me that 240 birds had to be good value for one pound. Father was not too happy to see me feeding them watered milk on the lounge carpet, but the birds prospered. By Wednesday they were stronger and amazingly had all survived. I put them in the auction and they were two keen bidders. One had an ancient tattered and oiled coat, held round him by binder twine.. He eventually bought the chicks for seven pence each. I later reflected that Natt Grossmith who went on to found a huge poultry empire did not often concede a six hundred percent profit over two days. Further reflection told me that there was no doubt that he had a substantial profit ear marked for those chicks.