[Woodhouse Carr was a district of Leeds where Arthur Gill spent his boyhood]

There used to be a wholesale newsagent shop (now demolished) in Woodhouse Street, at the corner of Bulmer Square. It was owned by a man called Royle Evatt. It was said he was a stingy man. 

He had quite a number of lads selling newspapers for him and only paid them a very small sum for each dozen they sold. He became “Notorious” through a verse which someone concocted, and put a “so-called” tune to it. Thus—

WHERE’S TER BEEN JACK? selling papers!

WHO FOR? For Royle Evatt

WHAT’S HE GEN THER? skinny old arpenny

SKINNY OLD BEGGAR! he ought ter dee

Many a “Woodhouse Carr” lad used to sing this outside his shop door.