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The origin of this title is explained in a legend connected with the days of smuggling, when the excise officers were kept busy night and day in endeavouring to frustrate the designs of those who believed in free trade - at least in spirits. It appears that the scene was enacted "up North" near Devizes. A publican had engaged several yokels to bring home some smuggled kegs of brandy in a trap during the night, and whilst nearing their destication the donkey bolted, and he trap coming into collision with a bridge, was upset, the kegs of brandy rolling our into the stream underneath. Whilst trying to rescue the kegs with some hay rakes they found close at hand, the cry of Zisemin was raised. Asking what they were abot, one of the yokels told him they were raking for a cheese which had rolled into the water. At this the exciseman, laughing to see the yokels rakig at the shadow of the moon rode off, leaving the grinning contrymen at liberty to rescue the kegs of spirits and carry them off. Not so very soft, were they?" |
